CanWest News Service
Sunday, May 27, 2007


VANCOUVER -- A new multi-year deal with Rogers Sportsnet will enable the Canucks to accomplish two of the goals they've set for their broadcasts and both should come as relief to fans.

Most importantly, the four-year deal finally gets the Canucks into the HD telecast game, something president and CEO Chris Zimmerman has long considered one of his top priorities.

High definition Canucks telecasts on Sportsnet will be introduced in the second year, increasing each year to a total of at least 95 HD telecasts during the life of the four-year deal.

"There's still work to do," Zimmerman said. "But as you can see over the course of the agreement we've got a significant commitment."

Canucks' telecasts had fallen way behind many other teams' in all sports in terms of broadcasting HD games. Before this contract only Vancouver games on CBC and a handful on TSN were shown in high definition.

In addition, Zimmerman said this contract will likely mean another crowd pleaser -- there won't be an increase in the number of pay-per-view games. In fact, there will probably be fewer.

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2007

ROGERS SPORTSNET CONTINUES AS HOME OF CANUCKS HOCKEY WITH 47 GAMES IN 2007-08
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 25, 2007

VANCOUVER (May 25, 2007) — Rogers Sportsnet and the Vancouver Canucks are pleased to announce details of their multi-year agreement that will see Sportsnet Pacific continuing as the Canucks' Official Broadcaster.


The team's primary broadcaster since 1998, Sportsnet will televise 47 Canucks games exclusively in British Columbia and Yukon during 2007-08. Further, during the term of the agreement, high definition telecasts of the Canucks on Sportsnet will be introduced, increasing each year to a total of at least 95 HD telecasts over the next four seasons.



“We are very excited that our coverage on Sportsnet will increase for the 2007-08 season,” said Chris Zimmerman, President & CEO of the Vancouver Canucks. “The relationship we have with Sportsnet has allowed our fans to enjoy a high quality broadcast and consistent place to enjoy Canucks games over the years. We look forward to continuing this relationship.”

"We are thrilled to continue as the television home of the Canucks,” said Doug Beeforth, President, Rogers Sportsnet. “The partnership between our two organizations has grown every year of the past decade - and continuing that relationship into the future is a benefit for everyone - most of all, the loyal Canucks fans throughout BC and Yukon."



Sportsnet averaged 332,000 viewers (2+) for the 2006-07 season, including a season-high 481,000 on April 3rd when the Canucks faced the Los Angeles Kings.


The match-ups of the 47 games will be announced at a later date when the Canucks release their 2007-08 broadcast schedule.



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Vancouver Canucks and the entire NHL tune in to Sportsnet Connected and Hockeycentral and log on to sportsnet.ca. “Your home team. First.”

Does this mean Sportsnet HD will be blacked out for the HD games in other areas?

Quoted from newsjunkie

Does this mean Sportsnet HD will be blacked out for the HD games in other areas?

Given that there will be no HD games until fall 2008 at the earliest, I'm guessing there will be a whole new set of regional  Sportsnet HD channels by then.  By then the deadline for full digital / HD conversion by all broadcasters will almost be in sight.

Does any of this mean that the PPV's will now be in HD, because it is SORELY needed!

Quoted from Martonio

Does any of this mean that the PPV's will now be in HD, because it is SORELY needed!

Two Letters: N-O. They have to spend money on HD Trucks and deal with the signal issue in order to fulfull PPV be in HD. Just wait.