MLS on TSN
MLS on TSN is the branding used for TSN's telecasts of Major League Soccer matches. TSN first acquired rights to MLS
History
In February 2011, CTVglobemedia announced a six-year deal for national MLS broadcast rights in Canada. TSN and TSN2 would broadcast 24 matches during the 2011 season and air a minimum of 30 matches per season during the subsequent five seasons, all featuring at least one Canadian team. French-language sister networks RDS and RDS2 had similar broadcast rights. The networks also carried the MLS Cup and select playoff matches, the MLS All-Star Game, and additional matches not involving Canadian teams.[1] GolTV continued to carry selected all-U.S. MLS matches.[2]
Toronto FC regional matches were split between TSN and the Sportsnet networks (their parent companies, Rogers Communications and Bell Canada, jointly own a stake in TFC's parent company Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment). In 2014, TSN acquired rights to Vancouver Whitecaps FC regional matches.[3][4]
In 2017, Bell Media reached a five-year extension to its English-language rights to Major League Soccer, with coverage remaining similar to previous seasons (though with French-language rights moving to rival network TVA Sports, and the option for matches to be simulcast on broadcast network CTV). TSN also assumed exclusive rights to Toronto FC.[5]
| Network | Contract | Annual rights fee | Regular-season games | Playoff games | Language | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSN | 2017–2021 | TBD | English | [6] | ||
| TSN2 | English | |||||
| TVA Sports | 2017–2021 | 50+ | French | |||
| TSN | 2011-2016 | 30 | English | [7] | ||
| TSN2 | English | |||||
| RDS | 2012-2016 | French |
Commentators
- Luke Wileman (host and play-by-play)
- Kristian Jack (host and TSN soccer analyst)
- Steven Caldwell (TSN soccer analyst)
- Terry Dunfield (TSN soccer analyst)
- Gareth Wheeler (TSN soccer radio host)
References
- TSN (February 14, 2011). "TSN Becomes Official Broadcaster of MLS in Canada with Landmark Six-Year Deal". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
- GolTV (Canada). "GolTV Canada Matches for March 11–17, 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 6, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011. (lists carriage of a Los Angeles vs. Seattle MLS game)
- "Every Game, All Season Long: MLS ON TSN Kicks Off its Complete Coverage of Vancouver Whitecaps FC This Saturday". Bell Media. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- "TSN to broadcast all Whitecaps FC games beginning in 2014". TSN.ca. Bell Media. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
- "Canadian national broadcast schedule for 2017 revealed; CTV to air 7 games". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
- "MLS signs new media rights partnerships in Canada with TSN & TVA Sports". MLSsoccer.com. November 30, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- "TSN BECOMES OFFICIAL BROADCASTER OF MLS IN CANADA". TSN. February 14, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2012.