CBS Sports to Carry CFL Games

[ModAdmin]

Great additional exposure for the CFL!

https://www.cfl.ca/2023/04/27/new-this-season-the-cfl-on-cbs-sports-network/

[GOLDMEMBER]

Nice to hear news!

[TecnoGenius]

This is exceedingly good news.  Gotta keep trying to crack that USA nut.

I wonder if Genius sports had anything to do with this...

[pjrocksmb]

Nice will help for streamers too

[TecnoGenius]

Nice will help for streamers too

I wonder what their plan is for the "other games" they aren't televising.  They said they will have something in place to watch all the games somehow.  So that must mean some streaming platform.  Of course that will be USA only (probably).

I wonder if the CFL holds out for moderate $$ for these types of deals or whether they just give the games to the USA in order to get the exposure?

[pjrocksmb]

I wonder what their plan is for the "other games" they aren't televising.  They said they will have something in place to watch all the games somehow.  So that must mean some streaming platform.  Of course that will be USA only (probably).

I wonder if the CFL holds out for moderate $$ for these types of deals or whether they just give the games to the USA in order to get the exposure?

The deals would depend on the number of expected viewers and size of network (guesses).  I doubt we have much leverage.  Anyone else have insight?

[the paw]

The deals would depend on the number of expected viewers and size of network (guesses).  I doubt we have much leverage.  Anyone else have insight?

It's reported that the TV deal is worth $1 million per year.  That's basically $100k per team with an equal cut for the league.  I don't think that includes any streaming revenue, although I think streaming is more of a long play, with revenue down the road.

that might sound like a paltry deal, but the last American TV deal with ESPN was apparently $200k for the whole league.  So this is a major improvement.  And if they build audience, it might grow in the future. 

[pjrocksmb]

It's reported that the TV deal is worth $1 million per year.  That's basically $100k per team with an equal cut for the league.  I don't think that includes any streaming revenue, although I think streaming is more of a long play, with revenue down the road.

that might sound like a paltry deal, but the last American TV deal with ESPN was apparently $200k for the whole league.  So this is a major improvement.  And if they build audience, it might grow in the future. 

Thanks for the info.

[TecnoGenius]

It's reported that the TV deal is worth $1 million per year.

I'd say that's a coup for the CFL then.  Just getting the product in front of eyeballs down there is important.  Getting some money for it, that's gravy.  They either get $0 for it by not having any buyer, or they get $1M.  I know what I'd take.  Good on whoever got this done (Ambrosie or Genius or whoever).

If they manage to build a small following or "brand" down south, then they can leverage more $$ down the road.  Maybe with all these extra leagues popping up it'll induce more appetite for non-NFL football overall.  I think if people are done watching their XFL and flipping around with USFL, and then give the CFL a shot, they'll see the product is just as good (or better).

I assume the shows will be shown down south with the TSN commentators?  I don't think CBS would send up a crew to cover games themselves?  If TSN was smart, they'd mark down which games were the ones being broadcast and play up the USA / college / IMP angle more to give some familiarity to the USA audience.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I'd say that's a coup for the CFL then.  Just getting the product in front of eyeballs down there is important.  Getting some money for it, that's gravy.  They either get $0 for it by not having any buyer, or they get $1M.  I know what I'd take.  Good on whoever got this done (Ambrosie or Genius or whoever).

If they manage to build a small following or "brand" down south, then they can leverage more $$ down the road.  Maybe with all these extra leagues popping up it'll induce more appetite for non-NFL football overall.  I think if people are done watching their XFL and flipping around with USFL, and then give the CFL a shot, they'll see the product is just as good (or better).

I assume the shows will be shown down south with the TSN commentators?  I don't think CBS would send up a crew to cover games themselves?  If TSN was smart, they'd mark down which games were the ones being broadcast and play up the USA / college / IMP angle more to give some familiarity to the USA audience.

No wonder these specialty sports stations have so much "filler", they likely pay virtually nothing for much of their content.

[pjrocksmb]

No wonder these specialty sports stations have so much "filler", they likely pay virtually nothing for much of their content.

Content is simply there to generate add revenue.  Quality is nice to have but not a necessity.

[ichabod_crane]

Must be getting desperate for content when pickle ball is on game tv!

[TBURGESS]

Must be getting desperate for content when pickle ball is on game tv!

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world. There are 36.5 million players in the US alone. I'd watch it over poker stars any day of the week.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Must be getting desperate for content when pickle ball is on game tv!

Ever watched American Cornhole League?

[BLUEBOMBER]

The money the CFL gets from CBS is peanuts but it sure is better than what ESPN paid. In Canada, TSN has done a good job but I believe they could do more to expand the base. Right now, it's mostly oldies that watch the CFL. This demographic won't last forever.