The Canadian Football League (CFL) has signed a series of groundbreaking media agreements that will redefine how fans across Canada and around the world access and experience Canadian football, setting the stage for the league's next phase of growth.
Headlined by a renewed commitment from majority partner Bell Media and the introduction of DAZN as a major new broadcast partner. Collectively, these domestic and global partnerships represent the largest media rights deal in league history.
"These record-setting agreements mark a transformative moment for the CFL," said CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston. "They reflect the deep passion of our powerful fanbase and the accelerating momentum of our league. We are thrilled to be aligning ourselves with Bell Media, Canada's leading media entertainment company, DAZN, the world's leading sports entertainment platform, and YouTube, the world's largest video platform. Together, they will unlock new CFL audiences, deliver worldclass entertainment and put the CFL in prime position for its next era of growth."
https://www.cfl.ca/2026/05/28/a-new-era-cfl-announces-landmark-media-agreements-in-canada-and-globally/
Cole's notes: it's mostly TSN in Canada but you need DAZN for some games (Saturday night and some playoffs). YouTube bought in too.
Thoughts? :)
I think will be good, more exposure and hopefully will help the bottom line. Some fans will not like losing TSN as one stop shop.
i subscribe to DAZN already for their NFL lineup - it's not cheap so there will be complaints about paying for that one cfl game per week.
this is how you generate revenue and keep the league viable.
this iS moving away from grandpa's CFL...will it work? we shall see.
hope the production values go way up - TSN was stale years ago
How is introducing another pay platform helping? Stewart Johnston just wrote the manual on how to kill a league in 2 years.
Quote from: The Zipp on Today at 01:03:08 PMhope the production values go way up - TSN was stale years ago
How does RDS have all the playoff games but TSN doesn't?
lots of numbers being thrown around, i do trust Naylor:
Based on Dan's reporting, this means the league's annual broadcast revenues will jump, by my calculations, from roughly $50 million per season to about $84 million. Meaningful increase that will show-up on the 2028 salary cap.
Quote from: Waffler on Today at 01:05:56 PMHow is introducing another pay platform helping? Stewart Johnston just wrote the manual on how to kill a league in 2 years.
34 million per year in extra revenue helps
I'm all in for growing the fanbase of the league. Even if it means I have to use new and mixed mediums to watch it. Frankly, I'm so grateful for what TSN has done for the CFL over the past few decades, but it would be refreshing to get a different slant from a different broadcaster once in a while.
Not a fan of paying an extra $30 per month for 6-7 months for one game a week. I already pay alot for TSN, and its the only reason I've kept cable. I would not watch any other content on DANZ, just CFL. I won't subscribe, and hopefully will watch Saturday games after the fact on youtube. Not sure how that's going to help the league, but maybe I'm an outlier.
Pretty ambitious both in scope and supposed financial gains. More exposure across multiple platforms can't hurt, IMO. Although, that shouldn't necessarily come at increased cost to viewers and TSN getting fewer games isn't a good thing.
(https://y.yarn.co/9a88a881-9f4c-4bb3-8f0c-56946069f63f_text.gif)
Quote from: Waffler on Today at 01:08:01 PMHow does RDS have all the playoff games but TSN doesn't?
Because francophone.
I don't like adding another streaming service for one game a week.
I understand there have been a few complaints about TSN stagnating and bringing in another broadcaster, so in that context, this is a good and beneficial move.
Much like the new play-off model, there is a clear and direct method for increased revenue for the league (on the back of fans, of course).
Now, the problem I still have are the field changes. Which is the biggest change overall and one that has no direct tie to revenue, it's still a case of "trust us, bro". There are many things that make this league great and they are chipping away at them. So while they can pat themselves on the back for increasing revenue, they are also taking away the affordability of the league. It's hard to even get upset anymore. It's just a general sad feeling that I'm losing something I care a lot about.
Quote from: bunker on Today at 01:15:26 PMNot a fan of paying an extra $30 per month for 6-7 months for one game a week. I already pay alot for TSN, and its the only reason I've kept cable. I would not watch any other content on DANZ, just CFL. I won't subscribe, and hopefully will watch Saturday games after the fact on youtube. Not sure how that's going to help the league, but maybe I'm an outlier.
Yes that's going to be a problem is you need that extra platform with associated cost. If TSN is only broadcasting 60 games that means about 20 games they aren't broadcasting.
Many older retired folks ( mike me ) aren't going to pay for that.
at 30/month for 4 games that is $7.50 per game to watch 3 hours of entertainment. Basically the price of one beer at a restaurant.
not long ago people were crying for more pay per use functionality with respect to tv packages etc.
now you have it - maybe DAZN will have some promotional pricing to start off this new venture.
Quote from: The Zipp on Today at 02:14:49 PMat 30/month for 4 games that is $7.50 per game to watch 3 hours of entertainment. Basically the price of one beer at a restaurant.
not long ago people were crying for more pay per use functionality with respect to tv packages etc.
now you have it - maybe DAZN will have some promotional pricing to start off this new venture.
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 cutting.
We don't know if we need DAZN or DAZN+ for this service, but the monthly hit is higher than the yearly rate. At minimum, people will have to pay $250 for the CFL season and it may be higher. Plus whatever they pay for TSN, plus attending games, plus merch, etc, etc, etc.
So I just read the announcement, and I'm officially pissed off. I have to pay for TSN for some of the games and then DAZN to get the rest of them? Crap!
I wonder if it's on DAZN @ the $25/month or DAZN+ @ $45/month?
I hope they get enough subscribers from the younger generation to replace us old folks or else the death clock just got closer to midnight.
I'm impressed with this thread!
Quote from: The Zipp on Today at 01:08:02 PMlots of numbers being thrown around, i do trust Naylor:
Based on Dan's reporting, this means the league's annual broadcast revenues will jump, by my calculations, from roughly $50 million per season to about $84 million. Meaningful increase that will show-up on the 2028 salary cap.
I tried to ballpark the math and it will equal about another million to the salary cap. If my Manitoba math is correct, average league salary will be close to 100K USD, if all teams spend to the cap.
Quote from: TBURGESS on Today at 02:32:17 PMSo I just read the announcement, and I'm officially pissed off. I have to pay for TSN for some of the games and then DAZN to get the rest of them? Crap!
I wonder if it's on DAZN @ the $25/month or DAZN+ @ $45/month?
I hope they get enough subscribers from the younger generation to replace us old folks or else the death clock just got closer to midnight.
$25 is also only if you commit for the year. It's $35/month if you month by month.
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.
Quote from: peg_city on Today at 03:34:57 PMI tried to ballpark the math and it will equal about another million to the salary cap. If my Manitoba math is correct, average league salary will be close to 100K USD, if all teams spend to the cap.
When has paying players more meant a more viable league? We are still never going to have NFL level salaries. What does that make the paying customer? His cash goes to American players and a British streaming service.
All the changes just make me think of a corporation willing decrease package size, willing to save a nickle per package with cheaper and worse tasting ingredients all in the name of making a bonus for the CEO THIS year. Next year he won't care, he'll be doing the same thing somewhere else. Eventually your ravioli tastes like crap and Kraft dinner is too small to make a meal with.
Lost in the X number of dollars promised is quality. Lost is the reason the CFL came into being, local guys Canada wide playing the game for the love of it, cities cheering for their own.
Quote from: theaardvark on Today at 04:01:19 PMGood job, Stewy, you have earned your salary and the trust the league put in you in spades.
And as soon as Stew began changing things, I knew this was inevitable.
Because before we even see how any of the changes look in real life, he's sitting there dislocating his shoulder patting himself on the back for what a job he's done. Everything is justified. It's probably one of the reasons everything was announced so quickly, so not matter what he could point to the new money and say "this is why we did it" - even if one thing has nothing to do with the other.
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 04:15:24 PMAnd as soon as Stew began changing things, I knew this was inevitable.
Because before we even see how any of the changes look in real life, he's sitting there dislocating his shoulder patting himself on the back for what a job he's done. Everything is justified. It's probably one of the reasons everything was announced so quickly, so not matter what he could point to the new money and say "this is why we did it" - even if one thing has nothing to do with the other.
It has been, and will always be, about growing revenue and profitability for the CEO/ED.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on Today at 04:22:56 PMIt has been, and will always be, about growing revenue and profitability for the CEO/ED.
I don't think anyone is denying that. And I can appreciate that some of these moves (ie. the play off structure and tv deal) are directly tied to more revenue.
But the questions many of us have been asking is, how far can you push your stakeholders before they begin to tune out? Is there long-term viability to these changes, or is a new commissioner 6 years from now going to have to deal with the fall out of decreased viewership and attendance when trying to negotiate the next deal?
I think I said in another post that there are many things that make the CFL great. The Canadiana, the uniqueness, the affordability, it's approachability to fans, the 20-yard endzones and general wide-openness of the game. But above all the emotional connection you have for cheering for the team that you grew up watching. And I'm not saying that all of the changes have been 100% bad or without merit, but a lot of them are chipping away at things I appreciate and it's severing that emotional connection I have. And if I lose that, my kids never develop it.
It will be interesting to see how much the viewership numbers drop for the non tsn games. Also how many will be western conference vs east. I wouldn't be surprised if it was less then half the viewers
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.
Quote from: Pete on Today at 04:40:12 PMIt will be interesting to see how much the viewership numbers drop for the non tsn games. Also how many will be western conference vs east. I wouldn't be surprised if it was less then half the viewers
You have to believe there are fans that like me watch on TSN that will not sign up to watch on DANZ. Maybe they are hoping some of the non-CFL DANZ subscribers check out the new CFL games, and make up some of the difference. Time will tell.
While it may be new to some CFL fans it's the reality for every sports league these days because it's way more profitable.
Winnipeg Jets games are on TSN, Sportsnet and Prime
NFL games (in the US) are on NBC, ABC, ESPN, Prime, YouTube
The CFL is mostly sticking with TSN but also using YouTube over CFL+ and adding Saturday nights (and two playoff rounds, also on Saturdays) with DAZN.
Seems...kinda basic to me. But whatever. Some people love to be outraged and no one is forcing you to subscribe to anything. You retain your power of free will and the world moves on.
Quote from: bunker on Today at 04:56:29 PMYou have to believe there are fans that like me watch on TSN that will not sign up to watch on DANZ. Maybe they are hoping some of the non-CFL DANZ subscribers check out the new CFL games, and make up some of the difference. Time will tell.
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.
The question is, though, not whether CFL fans will subscribe to new services, or whether there will be more or less eyes on the game (although we do hope to increase that), but how many $$$ does this generate.
And that is a defined given for the near future, and its is a LOT more than present.
Will not being able to see the game on free TV affect the gate short or long term? I guess we will see. But radically increased TV revenue will displace any gate losses, without a doubt. Gate losses that could be natural or linked to the TV deal.
So, if your sole metric on the health of the league is pairs of eyes seeing each game, we don't know what the end result is, regardless the doomsayers.
But, if financial liquidity and improving cashflow is the metric you use to define success in the league, Johnston has delivered that in spades.
Seems DAZN wants to bring their online sports betting platform to Ontario. This is probably the reason they want in on the CFL. Make bets on the same platform you watch the game on. Their end game is the gambling profits, not the sports.
https://www.canadiangamingbusiness.com/2025/12/22/dazn-bet-canada/
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.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on Today at 05:04:25 PMDon'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.
Agree to all, Aardvark.
Quote from: wpg#1 on Today at 04:54:08 PMI 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.
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.
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 04:33:18 PMBut 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.
Quote from: theaardvark on Today at 04:01:19 PMOh 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.
Quote from: gobombersgo on Today at 05:23:50 PMIf 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.
Quote from: Stretch on Today at 06:20:12 PMThis 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.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 05:44:57 PMThat 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.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 05:45:06 PMIncreasing 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.