TSN looks to be the new home for UFC in Canada

[Dylman12]

While no announcement has been made yet, The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada sent out schedule revisions for January to television listings services on Friday which included extensive UFC coverage.

TSN, the country's equivalent to ESPN, was the leading candidate to get the UFC contract, which had been held by Sportsnet, a rival sports network run by Rogers Cable, since the sport's popularity explosion.

UFC officials would not confirm the deal at this time.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/12/...be-the-new-home-for-ufc-programming-in-canada


Sounds good to me.

 

[Shawnlids]

That's awesome! Thanks for posting.

 

[TheWhiteKnight]

Sportsnet is now Canada's ESPN.

 

[TD2]

Sportsnet is now Canada's ESPN.

Sportsnet is garbage.

I'm sure the UFC fighters can't wait to be interviewed by Landsberg.

 

[JudoThrowFiasco]

I hope this leads to more fighters ripping on Landsberg

 

[Tooth and Nail]

TSN doesn't have nearly the penetration Rogers does. This sounds like a downgrade to me.

 

[jasonfahy]

I hope this leads to more fighters ripping on Landsberg

They say Rampage is coming back to the UFC. Let's get these two together ASAP and see if magic happens.

 

[berimBOWLoh]

since TSN lost hockey i think it was pretty obv they gonna make a move for UFC. They also trying to pump the hell outta the Raptors now after neglecting them for years for NHL coverage.

basically, unless you like hockey, TSN has always sucked.

 

[TheWhiteKnight]

Sportsnet is garbage.

So is ESPN.

 

[JudoThrowFiasco]

since TSN lost hockey i think it was pretty obv they gonna make a move for UFC. They also trying to pump the hell outta the Raptors now after neglecting them for years for NHL coverage.

basically, unless you like hockey, TSN has always sucked.

This.

 

[TheWhiteKnight]

TSN doesn't have nearly the penetration Rogers does. This sounds like a downgrade to me.

Huh? TSN was Canada's first sports network and everyone with cable has it.

 

[JKS]

Thats pretty huge!

 

[Bonos]

With all their new channels they can't screw this up. If it was a few years ago they would have preempted the UFC for curling, nascar etc.

 

[TD2]

So is ESPN.

No denying that. Any network that employees Screaming A Smith and Skip Baseless is garbage.

 

[Tooth and Nail]

Huh? TSN was Canada's first sports network and everyone with cable has it.

Yes but Rogers IS Canadian TV/Media. They own nearly everything. With Rogers as a partner, it meant UFC could benefit from all that support and push.

TSN is just a sports channel.

*edit. Just realized Bell Media owns TSN. Very interesting that ROGERS only real rival in Canada grabbed the UFC. And by rival I would say Bell is Bellator, and ROGERS is the UFC.

 

[Hespect Housey**]

I don't know how any sports channel other than Sportsnet is like since MMA is the only sport I watch (and UFC is the only organization), but I'm convinced the "Showdown Joe" host here has the personality of a tin-can. He's the Jon Anik of Canada.

Anywhere else should be better.

 

[RedRocket44]

TSN used to be the equivalent of ESPN. Then they lost all the major coverage they had... baseball, hockey, etc. They're down to the English Premier League football, CFL, a few NFL games, etc.

I'd be surprised if Sportsnet didn't get the UFC if they wanted it. But MMA doesn't seem to have the same vibe in Canada anymore with GSP gone. They may decide to drop it.

 

[rockylion]

As long as it doesn't go to the fight network I am happy

 

[Cap_reD]

TSN used to run WEC and MFC shows so I wouldn't say they ALWAYS sucked.

 

[Fugazi]

TSN used to be the equivalent of ESPN. Then they lost all the major coverage they had... baseball, hockey, etc. They're down to the English Premier League football, CFL, a few NFL games, etc.

I'd be surprised if Sportsnet didn't get the UFC if they wanted it. But MMA doesn't seem to have the same vibe in Canada anymore with GSP gone. They may decide to drop it.

They have no time for UFC now that they play 6 NHL games Saturdays and a ton more during the week.
Im sure Sportsnet had the right to first refusal.