What is TSN Thinking...

[ModAdmin]

At least have the courtesy of giving a reason...

https://3downnation.com/2023/04/25/tsn-eliminates-two-cfl-preseason-games-from-2023-broadcast-schedule/

[TecnoGenius]

At least WPG still gets one aired.  We'd be mighty miffed it it didn't.  However, it is the "wrong" one.  Really dedicated fans will have to drive to Regina to see the other.

Kind of weird, as this should only hurt TSN as they paid for these games yet won't air them (and get ad revenue).  Hopefully this doesn't hint that the CFL on TSN is hard up for advertisers.

Smelling a bit bush league, though.  Honestly, I'd like to see all the PS games televised, or at the very least half of them.  The fact they kept a WPG/SSK game on the schedule might make non-prairie fans scream favoritism    They'd probably be right.

[ModAdmin]

The Winnipeg-Saskatchewan games are a big draw for TSN and well-watched around the league.  While there may be a reason, it would be wise on their part to offer some explanation for what appears to be a puzzling decision.

[blue_gold_84]

TSN (and Bell Media) rots.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

My guess is they are thinking it doesn't make money.

[TBURGESS]

It's pre-season folks. Nothing more than a public practice. Very few viewers = very low ad revenue. If I were in charge, I wouldn't bother to show any pre-season games.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

It's pre-season folks. Nothing more than a public practice. Very few viewers = very low ad revenue. If I were in charge, I wouldn't bother to show any pre-season games.

Yep. Even the NFL has a hard time creating excitement around pre-season. Stands are a quarter to half empty. Even they reduce the production value of their TV broadcasts. Us superfans on the forum represent a very small subset of usual CFL tv viewership. Say what you want about Bell, they love money and would broadcast the games if they thought it would make them more.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It's pre-season folks. Nothing more than a public practice. Very few viewers = very low ad revenue. If I were in charge, I wouldn't bother to show any pre-season games.

I enjoy watching pre-season games because they are often the only opportunity to see rookies and players who don't make the final cut in action, examples from last year Natl. running back Kyle Borsa and Lucky Jackson the receiver that wore red gloves, both stood out.

[TBURGESS]

I enjoy watching pre-season games because they are often the only opportunity to see rookies and players who don't make the final cut in action, examples from last year Natl. running back Kyle Borsa and Lucky Jackson the receiver that wore red gloves, both stood out.

There are probably a few thousand CFL fans who agree with you and all of them are on CFL forums. I'd watch the games too, if they are televised, but I can easily understand why they aren't.

[TecnoGenius]

It's pre-season folks. Nothing more than a public practice. Very few viewers = very low ad revenue. If I were in charge, I wouldn't bother to show any pre-season games.

Oh, like TSN has anything better to show?  Half the day is just repeats of SportsCentre.  The other half is the same 1 event shown 4 times.  They are dying for content.

I get that the 7-10 guy camera crews might be more expensive than the ad revenue for PS games.  So why not find a solution like streaming-only where they have only 1 or 2 cam people showing only wide shots, and no commentator?  We can just listen to the 'OB for commentary.  If TSN won't show it, the CFL itself should pay for the 1 cam guy and stream it to youtube or something.

For me the PS is exciting and worth watching because it means the end of a long winter with no football.  It represents the start of a great season of going to IGF every couple of weeks.

[TecnoGenius]

Oh ya, and forget about whether or not the PS is "worth it" for TSN... instead ask yourself "what changed"?  They always show 4+ PS games (as per the article).  So why is 2023 any different??  That's the big mystery here.

[pjrocksmb]

Corporate decision based on greed, idiots.

[Waffler]

I hesitate to judge, not knowing the cost of production. Can't be cheap though. Being honest I only watch our own preseason games all the way through. I do catch the odd bit of other teams but that's all.

[theaardvark]

My guess is they are thinking it doesn't make money.

I guess there are production costs to cover as opposed to replaying a Scotties curling match...

[Lincoln Locomotive]

Personally I've never taken much interest in pre season games and consider them as a venue for coaches to evaluate players in game situations.    The outcomes rarely reflect what will happen when the real season starts.....