CFL on CTV

[Blueforlife]

https://3downnation.com/2024/07/01/cfl-wanted-games-to-be-on-ctv-for-a-long-time-randy-ambrosie/

For those without TV package get the rabbit ears or powered antenna ready!!!

FYI you get HD free to air now but the signal doesn't go as far as the old analog did back in the day!

I was able to get 4 to 6 stations (HD) depending on weather/season at my old house (near hwy 44 and 59) on the roof top antenna (boosted) and rabbitt ears worked too.

Princess auto sells cheap antennas.

Channel 7.  Easier around Wpg or Southern MB I think to pull in a signal.

[BLUEBOMBER]

Good that the CFL is going back to basic cable. Wish Blue Jays games would be free too.

[Blueforlife]

Good that the CFL is going back to basic cable. Wish Blue Jays games would be free too.

Best days of my life lazy Sunday afternoon and Jays on CBC

[ichabod_crane]

This was announced already before the Canada Day long weekend on the CFL website. Great if you are outside cable range or WIFI/IP connection like the "golden" ears of yore!! Remember living about an hour outside of Winnipeg trying to pick up CBC Brandon to watch the games as they were not subject to the blackout. Sometimes came in via ionosphere skip like radio. Usually pretty fuzzy, but enough to see many times. Have memories of 1981 and 1982 seeing Eugene Goodlow doing record receiving. We could use him right now for sure!! Evenings best as ionosphere moves higher up in the sky and signals travel farther both radio bands and even old fashioned tv broadcast bands.

Also remember those CB Radios you could get people WAY DOWN south sometimes to chat with. Life and times of teenagers in the latter 70's to early 80's in the countryside! Also remember picking up KCND tv from North Dakota sometimes too back in those years.

[TecnoGenius]

I still see no indication if TSN will also air these games (or not)

In any event, since I'm not a cord cutter I should get all games whether on TSN or CTV.  I still don't see how TSN will not simulcast the show on their bunch of channels.  I still don't know how all of this jives with TSN's "exclusive" CFL contract, which can't be unilaterally negated by the CFL signing something with CTV.  But who knows what backroom deals are being done with all 3 parties.

[DCM]

I still see no indication if TSN will also air these games (or not)

In any event, since I'm not a cord cutter I should get all games whether on TSN or CTV.  I still don't see how TSN will not simulcast the show on their bunch of channels.  I still don't know how all of this jives with TSN's "exclusive" CFL contract, which can't be unilaterally negated by the CFL signing something with CTV.  But who knows what backroom deals are being done with all 3 parties.

https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-CFL-Broadcast-Mastera_updatedJune19_2024.pdf

In Canada it's on CTV. If it's on TSN, it'll be listed as such like the Grey Cup which is: "CTV/TSN/RDS". So if people don't have access to CTV, then well, I'm not sure what they'll do. We don't have cable here, just TSN online so we have to go to a friends to watch the game on CTV for those ones.

[TecnoGenius]

https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-CFL-Broadcast-Mastera_updatedJune19_2024.pdf

Ok, that chart indicates that indeed the CTV shows will not be shown on the TSN family of channels.  What a strange thing to do.  They are using TSN cams, TSN crew, TSN panel, yet not showing it on TSN.

I still wonder about the TSN contract.  How do you magically negate that?  Is CTV and TSN owned by the same company?  That would explain things a bit.  If not, surely TSN has to agree to this contract change.  "Exclusive" usually means exclusive.

[Jesse]

Ok, that chart indicates that indeed the CTV shows will not be shown on the TSN family of channels.  What a strange thing to do.  They are using TSN cams, TSN crew, TSN panel, yet not showing it on TSN.

I still wonder about the TSN contract.  How do you magically negate that?  Is CTV and TSN owned by the same company?  That would explain things a bit.  If not, surely TSN has to agree to this contract change.  "Exclusive" usually means exclusive.

Just read the article in the first post.

[ichabod_crane]

I still see no indication if TSN will also air these games (or not)

In any event, since I'm not a cord cutter I should get all games whether on TSN or CTV.  I still don't see how TSN will not simulcast the show on their bunch of channels.  I still don't know how all of this jives with TSN's "exclusive" CFL contract, which can't be unilaterally negated by the CFL signing something with CTV.  But who knows what backroom deals are being done with all 3 parties.

https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-CFL-Broadcast-Mastera_updatedJune19_2024.pdf

No, only playoffs & GC simulcast on TSN and CTV (well for the Eastern playoffs anyway). Regular season games strictly on CTV on Sundays and RDS too if an Als game.

[ichabod_crane]

quote author=TecnoGenius link=msg=1626575 date=1719994875]
I still see no indication if TSN will also air these games (or not)

In any event, since I'm not a cord cutter I should get all games whether on TSN or CTV.  I still don't see how TSN will not simulcast the show on their bunch of channels.  I still don't know how all of this jives with TSN's "exclusive" CFL contract, which can't be unilaterally negated by the CFL signing something with CTV.  But who knows what backroom deals are being done with all 3 parties.
[/quote]


CTV and TSN are owned by the same company. This is not a backroom deal. I know people have been pushing to have the GC on CTV for years already for those with NO TSN subscription. You been living under the stump man?!

[ichabod_crane]

https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-CFL-Broadcast-Mastera_updatedJune19_2024.pdf

In Canada it's on CTV. If it's on TSN, it'll be listed as such like the Grey Cup which is: "CTV/TSN/RDS". So if people don't have access to CTV, then well, I'm not sure what they'll do. We don't have cable here, just TSN online so we have to go to a friends to watch the game on CTV for those ones.

Ever hear of rabbit ears? CTV broadcasts in digital over the airwaves now. I have an aerial I can borrow you as I know it works here in Calgary at least! Can get about 5-6 channels the old way. Whether it's in HD or not I have no idea.

[ichabod_crane]

Is CTV and TSN owned by the same company?  That would explain things a bit.  If not, surely TSN has to agree to this contract change.  "Exclusive" usually means exclusive.

Yes, owned by same company for years already. You can thank Mickey Mouse partly for that!

From Google:

The Sports Network (TSN) is a Canadian English language discretionary sports specialty channel owned by CTV Specialty Television, owned jointly by Bell Media (70%) and ESPN Inc. (30%), itself a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.


From Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sports_Network#:~:text=The%20Sports%20Network%20(TSN)%20is,of%20The%20Walt%20Disney%20Company.

[TecnoGenius]

CTV and TSN are owned by the same company. This is not a backroom deal. I know people have been pushing to have the GC on CTV for years already for those with NO TSN subscription. You been living under the stump man?!

Ya, that's the info I was looking for and now it all makes sense.  I have to live under a stump to know what company I don't care about bought some other company?  With all the mergers & acquisitions going on the last few years, I really couldn't care less -- just don't ruin my you-know-what!

And ya, just call me Stumpy!  I follow almost zero Canadian news.

[ichabod_crane]

Ya, that's the info I was looking for and now it all makes sense.  I have to live under a stump to know what company I don't care about bought some other company?  With all the mergers & acquisitions going on the last few years, I really couldn't care less -- just don't ruin my you-know-what!

And ya, just call me Stumpy!  I follow almost zero Canadian news.

I guess you did not know the Edmonton Oilers were in the Stanley Cup final either and almost won it in game 7 vs Florida!


Ren and Stimpy come to Frogtown!!  

[Blueforlife]

Ever hear of rabbit ears? CTV broadcasts in digital over the airwaves now. I have an aerial I can borrow you as I know it works here in Calgary at least! Can get about 5-6 channels the old way. Whether it's in HD or not I have no idea.

Wpg changed to HD years ago, I would suspect much of the country is the same.  The quality of free to air TV is exceptional as it's not a compressed signal I believe.

[ichabod_crane]

Wpg changed to HD years ago, I would suspect much of the country is the same.  The quality of free to air TV is exceptional as it's not a compressed signal I believe.

I will have to test my digital antennae some day. I know the friend who gave it to me when he moved back to Spain said it worked great as he does not watch much tv anyway.  I just checked it and it has plugins to old style coax connection and USB port too. Might be an option to ditch my cable tv package and just keep internet plan. Not sure how much TSN and SportsNet streaming feeds cost and if it makes any sense to go that route as my basic cable tv package with TSN1-5 + almost all SportsNet stations costs peanuts as it is.

[Blueforlife]

I will have to test my digital antennae some day. I know the friend who gave it to me when he moved back to Spain said it worked great as he does not watch much tv anyway.  I just checked it and it has plugins to old style coax connection and USB port too. Might be an option to ditch my cable tv package and just keep internet plan. Not sure how much TSN and SportsNet streaming feeds cost and if it makes any sense to go that route as my basic cable tv package with TSN1-5 + almost all SportsNet stations costs peanuts as it is.

Streaming would save a bit likely.  If you can get a few stations free to air it's all you likely need plus stream sports.  I was streaming NHL on CBC gem but it got blocked during the playoffs.  Not sure if it will be back.  It was free and very good quality.

Free to air was more consistent in signal strength for me in the winter on a cold day.  It is impacted by weather and temperature a little. Lesser if closer to the tower. 

[pdirks67]

As a person who hasn't had cable tv in several years, I find this super-annoying. I pay for TSN streaming for the CFL. If you want to show the game on CTV, knock yourself out! But why, why, why not also show it on TSN??

How many young people have cable these days? None of my 3 kids from ages 27-33 even thought about buying cable when they moved out.

I'm not sure who this benefits. If you had any intention of ever watching a CFL game, you'd already have TSN.

[Blueforlife]

As a person who hasn't had cable tv in several years, I find this super-annoying. I pay for TSN streaming for the CFL. If you want to show the game on CTV, knock yourself out! But why, why, why not also show it on TSN??

How many young people have cable these days? None of my 3 kids from ages 27-33 even thought about buying cable when they moved out.

I'm not sure who this benefits. If you had any intention of ever watching a CFL game, you'd already have TSN.

I see your frustration about streaming and them not being on TSN.  The benefits are that so many people have and watch CTV that it will generate TV viewers and create some new fans or bring some back.

[TecnoGenius]

As a person who hasn't had cable tv in several years, I find this super-annoying. I pay for TSN streaming for the CFL. If you want to show the game on CTV, knock yourself out! But why, why, why not also show it on TSN??

Yes, it's bizarre.

I just realized, this means you only get 1 chance to catch these games on CTV -- at the time of the live showing! -- as I seriously doubt CTV will replay them 3 times in the wee hours like TSN does with most games!

I guess there's a tiny chance TSN will still re-air these CTV games in the wee hours?  But then again, maybe that would make it not "exclusive".

[TecnoGenius]

I see your frustration about streaming and them not being on TSN.  The benefits are that so many people have and watch CTV that it will generate TV viewers and create some new fans or bring some back.

Ya, way more people have the basic Shaw/Bell/whatever TV plan which of course always includes CTV for "free".  Waaaaay less people actually pay for TSN.

So CFL might get some channel-flippers (yes, they still exist!) to discover the game and become fans.

In theory it's a good thing, but no one seems to be able to explain why they can't air it on TSN also.

[markf]

As a person who hasn't had cable tv in several years, I find this super-annoying. I pay for TSN streaming for the CFL. If you want to show the game on CTV, knock yourself out! But why, why, why not also show it on TSN??

How many young people have cable these days? None of my 3 kids from ages 27-33 even thought about buying cable when they moved out.

I'm not sure who this benefits. If you had any intention of ever watching a CFL game, you'd already have TSN.

Same here. And an antenna does not work for me.  So can not watch Bombers Saskatchewan.

what business genius thought this was a good idea.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Yes, it's bizarre.

I just realized, this means you only get 1 chance to catch these games on CTV -- at the time of the live showing! -- as I seriously doubt CTV will replay them 3 times in the wee hours like TSN does with most games!

I guess there's a tiny chance TSN will still re-air these CTV games in the wee hours?  But then again, maybe that would make it not "exclusive".

Can one not watch these games and the replays on CFL+ if one chooses?  All you need is a decent VPN to disguise your location.

[theaardvark]

Do modern TV's have an antenna hookup?

I know Princess Auto has digital antennas on sale all the time...

[pdirks67]

Ya, way more people have the basic Shaw/Bell/whatever TV plan which of course always includes CTV for "free".  Waaaaay less people actually pay for TSN.

So CFL might get some channel-flippers (yes, they still exist!) to discover the game and become fans.

In theory it's a good thing, but no one seems to be able to explain why they can't air it on TSN also.

If you have a cable package with CTV for free, is it not also common to have TSN included for free? I'm pretty sure I used to get TSN for free when I had MTS cable service a few years back.

I can see some of those who do pay for the TSN stream investigating "free" streams and dropping their subscriptions due to frustration and the realization that they can watch CFL games for free. Which isn't good for TSN, and does nothing to increase the value of the rights for the CFL.

I can see the decrease in TSN streaming viewership more than offsetting any increase in viewership from non-fans stumbling across the game on CTV. If so, this doesn't help the CFL. It hurts TSN. It annoys close followers of the CFL. The only party that may have some upside CTV who are probably trying to claw back some cordcutters to cable TV.

[pdirks67]

Do modern TV's have an antenna hookup?

I know Princess Auto has digital antennas on sale all the time...

LOL. It would be peak CFL to force people to go buy rabbit ears instead of figuring out how to grow the market for younger potential fans.

I'm guessing that most fans won't realize that the game isn't on TSN until 5 minutes after kickoff. They'll then curse for 5 minutes and check the schedule. Then, either (1) turn the channel to CTV, if they are cable subscribers, or (2) turn off the TV and go outside to do something more productive if they are streamers.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If you have a cable package with CTV for free, is it not also common to have TSN included for free? I'm pretty sure I used to get TSN for free when I had MTS cable service a few years back.

I can see some of those who do pay for the TSN stream investigating "free" streams and dropping their subscriptions due to frustration and the realization that they can watch CFL games for free. Which isn't good for TSN, and does nothing to increase the value of the rights for the CFL.

I can see the decrease in TSN streaming viewership more than offsetting any increase in viewership from non-fans stumbling across the game on CTV. If so, this doesn't help the CFL. It hurts TSN. It annoys close followers of the CFL. The only party that may have some upside CTV who are probably trying to claw back some cordcutters to cable TV.

No matter how you slice it, "free" does not enter into the equation.  Nothing is free.

[Blueforlife]

No matter how you slice it, "free" does not enter into the equation.  Nothing is free.

Free to air TV is free, you get a handful of channels in HD

Yes modern TVs have coaxial but modern antennas might have different outfits.

Even old antennas pick up HD.

[Waffler]

Indoor rabbit ears will not pick up CTV. Rooftop should. The transmitter is 40 miles south of the Peg, CBC and Global broadcast from downtown and can be watched with a paper clip. I'd be wary buying an antenna for this, make sure there are returns if you can't get CTV.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Free to air TV is free, you get a handful of channels in HD

Yes modern TVs have coaxial but modern antennas might have different outfits.

Even old antennas pick up HD.

And you are content living off this "free TV"?

[Blueforlife]

And you are content living off this "free TV"?

I don't use it now.  Did most of my life.  Yes I was happy with a handful of channels, especially back in the day when you could get hockey, baseball and cfl for free.

It's all you need and stream the rest.  Of course I see the advantages or cable and satellite but that's not where my priorities are. Contribute to the discussion or choose to ignore please.
 The topic seams semi popular and it's here for people to learn and discuss this viable option.

Indoor rabbit ears will not pick up CTV. Rooftop should. The transmitter is 40 miles south of the Peg, CBC and Global broadcast from downtown and can be watched with a paper clip. I'd be wary buying an antenna for this, make sure there are returns if you can't get CTV.

CTV could likely be picked up with a good powered directional antenna on the South side but yes I remember that being better in Southern MB.  I would lose one channel in summer, I was near hwy 44 and 59.  I also ran rabbit years but found the roof top (boosted) was better.  Analog use to service the North Whiteshell CBC but HD changed that I think.  Get your antenna from pauto on sale, they will return, read the reviews, you could even make one I'm sure with some research.  My root top was in rough shape missing parts but I ran new coaxial, not sure if that did anything.  The booster allowed me to run signal to more rooms, longer distances.

Father in law gets a couple stations in East Selkirk with old school rabbit years.

[TecnoGenius]

Then, either (1) turn the channel to CTV, if they are cable subscribers, or (2) turn off the TV and go outside to do something more productive if they are streamers.

There's something more productive than watching every CFL game every week?  Oops, I've been doing it wrong for 10 years then!        

(Sssshhhh, don't tell my wife!)

[TecnoGenius]

If you have a cable package with CTV for free, is it not also common to have TSN included for free? I'm pretty sure I used to get TSN for free when I had MTS cable service a few years back.

That's true, I forgot about that.  You get the single TSN channel with nearly every package.  However, back when I finally started paying for full TSN they were regularly missing around 1.5 games every couple of weeks.  I swear they did it on purpose: I want to see every minute of every game.  So now I pay!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I don't use it now.  Did most of my life.  Yes I was happy with a handful of channels, especially back in the day when you could get hockey, baseball and cfl for free.

It's all you need and stream the rest.  Of course I see the advantages or cable and satellite but that's not where my priorities are. Contribute to the discussion or choose to ignore please.
 The topic seams semi popular and it's here for people to learn and discuss this viable option.
CTV could likely be picked up with a good powered directional antenna on the South side but yes I remember that being better in Southern MB.  I would lose one channel in summer, I was near hwy 44 and 59.  I also ran rabbit years but found the roof top (boosted) was better.  Analog use to service the North Whiteshell CBC but HD changed that I think.  Get your antenna from pauto on sale, they will return, read the reviews, you could even make one I'm sure with some research.  My root top was in rough shape missing parts but I ran new coaxial, not sure if that did anything.  The booster allowed me to run signal to more rooms, longer distances.

Father in law gets a couple stations in East Selkirk with old school rabbit years.

You help make my point, you can't stream for free either, to start with you are paying a service provider to bring in the Internet service unless you are borrowing with your laptop from fast food joints in your locality with free access. VPN is also not free, so to use CFL+ you need to pay for that service as well. Stuff used to be free, but not so much anymore as it's heavily controlled and monetized.

[Blueforlife]

You help make my point, you can't stream for free either, to start with you are paying a service provider to bring in the Internet service unless you are borrowing with your laptop from fast food joints in your locality with free access. VPN is also not free, so to use CFL+ you need to pay for that service as well. Stuff used to be free, but not so much anymore as it's heavily controlled and monetized.

Free to air TV is free.  Other than the power it takes to power a TV and if you have a powered antenna.  Really splitting hairs here and you are not contributing to the thread.