Rogers Submits Application To CRTC In Effort To Bring MLB Network To Canada

Blue Jays and Sportsnet Owner Rogers Communications "wants to bring the MLB Network to Canada," according to Brendan Kennedy of the TORONTO STAR. The cable company is "sponsoring the baseball channel’s application to the Canadian Radio-Television and Communications commission to be added to the list of non-Canadian television services authorized for distribution" in Canada. The move is part of Rogers’ "overall goal of increasing its offering of lucrative sports content across all platforms." The application states the MLB Network is “currently in discussions” with Rogers to “widely distribute” the channel in Canada. Rogers VP & GM David Purdy said, “Obviously we’re heavily involved in baseball … as such we’d like to see baseball to continue to grow its popularity in Canada" (TORONTO STAR, 6/21). Rogers said in its application, "We believe the uniqueness of the MLB Network service, with its attractive and unique programming, will respond to consumer demand and help drive additional analog customers to our digital platform" (CP, 6/21).

FACING OFF: The GLOBE & MAIL's Bruce Dowbiggin notes despite their joint majority stake in MLSE, Rogers Communications and Bell Media "will not be allowed to bid together for the NHL's Canadian TV rights," which are up in '14. The broadcast partners "will be forced to compete against each other when the chance to steal 'Hockey Night In Canada' from CBC comes up after next season." Rogers and Bell have both said that they will "go after the rights which CBC fully intends to defend." Dowbiggin writes, "The Bell-Rogers marriage under the roof of MLSE was always going to be a balancing act." But the NHL’s "little caveat had just made it that much more fun to watch" (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/21).