A New Era: CFL announces landmark media agreements in Canada and globally

[gobombersgo]

If the Bombers are playing an away game on a Saturday I might just go to a lounge to watch it.

This would be a great opportunity for a restaurant/lounge to be official viewing party headquarters for teams or for the entire league.

[theaardvark]

Don't think more people will watch on DAZN. Probably less people watch those games but they end up making more money due to how licensing works. It also works to create some accountability and competition within the broadcast partners which IS a very good outcome and will keep Bell/TSN honest. They aren't the only game in town. Also allows the league to slowly get the CFL audience used to DAZN should they want to continue to change the broadcast mix in Canada over time if that's where the money is. 

DAZN is hoping to pick up CFL viewers subscriptions, and get more content to retain current users.  And unlike the first kick at the can, they've improved dramatically.  I guess the first playoff game month will tell them if they hooked any new viewers.

I watch just about every Jets game, and not sure how many I had to watch on Prime last year, but it was more than one.  I happen to subscribe to prime for so many other reasons, so happy accident.  No extra out of pocket.

I tried to watch USFL games in the past, but most of those were on services I don't have access to.  New eyes thwarted.

I have no doubt there are many CFL fans that subscribe already to DAZN.  So it won't affect them.  And DAZN reaches a different demo than TSN, so "new eyes" may be a benefit, depending on how they promote it.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Agree to all, Aardvark.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I am not subscribing to anything new. I already subscribe to more than I need.
So DAZN is covering the playoff games ?? Wow, that's really going to alienate and knock off a lots of viewers.
Incredible !

EDIT .. I see they are covering just 2 of the playoff games.

That could be really bad. I'd follow the Bombers through the playoff no matter what medium the game was broadcast on, but if they're not in it, I'd likely tune out rather than jump through extra hoops to watch games I would definitely watch if I had normal access. I might hear the final score on the news, but probably not.

[Blue In BC]

Increasing TV revenue is a good idea. OTOH if the long tern result is that less people watch and go to games live, then it will come back and bite the CFL.

Ticket price increases also potentially increase revenue but only where teams have very strong attendance. What does that do in Edmonton and Toronto to name a couple of cities.

Broadcasting to other areas in the USA or elsewhere in world helps. Restricting or charging to watch games in Canada is not so good.

[The Fresh Prince Of Belair, MB]

But the questions many of us have been asking is, how far can you push your stakeholders before they begin to tune out?

Extremely far. The NBA and NHL have done it. Fans complain about having to pay for multiple streaming services to see all the games but they still remain fans and watch the games.
Netflix announces price increases and their stock surges. Shareholders know nobody is actually cancelling any subscriptions. People are predictable. Lazy. Compliant. Dependent on screen time. What's the alternative? Look out the window or maybe even go outside? They'll complain and do nothing else beside open their wallets.
Huge win for the commish.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Oh My Goodness.

The guy pens a deal that increases non gate league revenue by 60%, and people are complaining?  You know who's NOT complaining?  Every CFO of every CFL team.

The NFL does not have 100% game coverage on free network television.  Many games are only available through subscription basis.  And we all know what a badly run league the NFL is, and how moving from free broadcast to premium services has killed them.

Adding in a youtube element suggests that every game WILL be available for viewing, just maybe not live.

This is why Johnston was brought in, to negotiate the media deal.  And this is an out of the park slam.

For those begging for a few extra ducats to sign more talent, or expand rosters, or attract more/better coaches, this is going to probably do all three and then some.

PLUS, this can possibly have a positive gate benefit.  If you know your local team's game isn't being broadcast on a service you receive, that might influence whether you attend live.  Remember the blackouts?

And before someone jumps up my butt saying I am parroting the leagues talking points, again, this is great news for the league, assuring financial stability going forward.  Not sure how much the new rules aided in this deal, making it more modern certainly didn't hurt.

Good job, Stewy, you have earned your salary and the trust the league put in you in spades.

It's great that teams will be receiving extra revenue but that increase (at least initially) will be coming out of the pockets of existing CFL fans though increased subscriptions.  Maybe it is all about gambling revenue....that would explain a lot of the mystery of what's been happening the last few years.

[Stretch]

If the Bombers are playing an away game on a Saturday I might just go to a lounge to watch it.

This is my take as well. Looks like October 3rd (MTL) is the only such game.

[Jesse]

This is my take as well. Looks like October 3rd (MTL) is the only such game.

Unless next year they make it so the Riders and Bombers are playing a bunch of Saturday away games.

[theaardvark]

That could be really bad. I'd follow the Bombers through the playoff no matter what medium the game was broadcast on, but if they're not in it, I'd likely tune out rather than jump through extra hoops to watch games I would definitely watch if I had normal access. I might hear the final score on the news, but probably not.

Pretend it's the 60's and listen to the dulcet tones of the crew on 680.

And then "watch" it on youtube later.

[theaardvark]

Increasing TV revenue is a good idea. OTOH if the long tern result is that less people watch and go to games live, then it will come back and bite the CFL.

Ticket price increases also potentially increase revenue but only where teams have very strong attendance. What does that do in Edmonton and Toronto to name a couple of cities.

Broadcasting to other areas in the USA or elsewhere in world helps. Restricting or charging to watch games in Canada is not so good.

On the other hand, the "blacked out" games might increase sales, and the added television revenue might allow them to incentivize live viewing by sacrificing some of the lower priced seat, getting back to the $5 upper deck EZ sections.

Reducing dependence on gate for black ink is never a bad thing.

[Jesse]

On the other hand, the "blacked out" games might increase sales, and the added television revenue might allow them to incentivize live viewing by sacrificing some of the lower priced seat, getting back to the $5 upper deck EZ sections.

Reducing dependence on gate for black ink is never a bad thing.

If the teams took this extra revenue and used some of it to cut costs for seats, they'd earn a lot of goodwill.

Unfortunately, ticket prices will be increasing instead, due to the extra play-off game.

[Stretch]

This is my take as well. Looks like October 3rd (MTL) is the only such game.

My bad. Apparently this new deal starts in 2027. Guess I should actually read the whole article.

[markf]

Everything sounds more affordable when you break it down per use, but with the rise of inflation another additional expense is too much for people who are already cost cuttin

 One head of cauliflower is five dollars.  Many Groceries at superstore are very very high.

Gas, where I am is $2.12 a litre.

Basic things  are very expensive.  People are being squeezed hard. Especially many younger people.... The future of the league.

Most People that own football teams don't know about that, and if they do, don't care.

The bombers team  is an exception.

[blue_or_die]

It's a good deal for the league - can't argue with the dollar figure. I think it's great we are going from 50M to 83M for TV revenue. That will be very important for league health. More money for the league is always better.

I'm not thrilled that I will now be paying more and take on a new platform when we already live in subscription hell when today I'm already gouged by cable and can at least turn on TSN and get all CFL games. Or I just won't pay it and won't watch Saturday CFL games.

Aardvark says that most CFL fans have DAZN accounts...is this true though?