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

Sir Blue and Gold · Last Edit: **Today** at 12:02:13 PM by Sir Blue and Gold

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?

Blueforlife · **Today** at 12:05:21 PM

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.

The Zipp · **Today** at 01:03:08 PM

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

Waffler · **Today** at 01:05:56 PM

How is introducing another pay platform helping? Stewart Johnston just wrote the manual on how to kill a league in 2 years.

Waffler · **Today** at 01:08:01 PM

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?

The Zipp · **Today** at 01:08:02 PM

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.

The Zipp · **Today** at 01:10:08 PM

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

bomb squad · **Today** at 01:15:11 PM

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.

bunker · **Today** at 01:15:26 PM

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.

blue_gold_84 · Last Edit: **Today** at 01:49:25 PM by blue_gold_84 Reason: comment added

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.

Quote from: Waffler on Today at 01:08:01 PMHow does RDS have all the playoff games but TSN doesn't?

Because francophone.

Jesse · **Today** at 01:40:14 PM

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.

Blue In BC · **Today** at 01:43:02 PM

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.

The Zipp · **Today** at 02:14:49 PM

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.

Jesse · **Today** at 02:26:56 PM

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.

TBURGESS · Last Edit: **Today** at 02:50:47 PM by TBURGESS

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.