It’s been a momentous first quarter for CTVglobemedia’s TSN. After broadcasting the network’s first Grey Cup and launching a new package of NHL and NBA games, the sportscaster saw its overall audiences (viewers 2 +) increase 27% compared to last season. TSN also secured distribution deals for its new companion service TSN2 over the same period (Sept. 1 to Nov. 30), making it available in more than 3.2 million Canadian homes. TSN is ranked ahead of Rogers Sportsnet and The Score over the same period in all key advertising demographics, according to BBM Nielsen.
As well, TSN’s flagship daily news program Sportscentre saw substantial increases in its audience in Q1 compared to last season. The late edition (at approximately 10 pm) is up 36%, the evening edition (6:30 pm. ET) is up 32% and the overnight edition (2 am ET) is up 62%, according BBM Nielsen Media Research.
As the exclusive broadcaster of the 96th season of the CFL, TSN was supported by an unprecedented amount of pre-game coverage on the network. With all 72 regular-season games on TSN for the first time, audiences for them increased by 6% compared to last season, when games aired on both CBC and TSN.
After 21 games in Q1, audiences for NHL games on TSN averaged 496,000 viewers – up 21% compared to the 2007-08 regular season average. In October, TSN launched its new NHL package with 115 regular-season games and coverage of the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs, along with the iconic ‘The Hockey Theme’ on TSN and TSN2. Among the 82 games slated for TSN, 71 will feature at least one Canadian team.
In November, Raptors games on TSN averaged 209,000 viewers – up 27% compared to TSN’s average of 165,000 for Raptors games in the 2007-08 season according to BBM. As the official broadcasters of the Toronto Raptors for the first time, TSN and its companion service TSN2 launched a 78-game NBA broadcast package that includes 48 Toronto Raptors regular-season games with 25 games exclusively available on TSN2.
The network’s online property TSN.ca saw a 23% increase in web traffic from September to November, and its on-demand video player averaged over 5 million plays per month in Q1.
In November, TSN revealed a brand-new look for the portable version of TSN Mobile, with up-to-the-minute sports news, scores and statistics available to any handheld device.
TSN and TSN2’s NHL coverage continues throughout the regular season and into the playoffs with more games featuring Canadian teams and the return of live coverage of the 32nd annual IIHF World Junior Championship from Ottawa starting Dec. 26. It will also broadcast 18 NCAA Bowl games in December and January with nine games on TSN and nine on TSN2.
