COC unveils plan to launch TV channels


Whister ski resort is seen is this handout photo made available by the Canadian Olympic Committee. Snow and sliding events will take place in and around Whistler during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. (AP / Canadian Olympic Comittee)

The Canadian Press
Jan. 30 2008

TORONTO — The Canadian Olympic Committee believes that television channels dedicated to amateur sport would generate $100 million during the first seven years of operation.

The COC unveiled its plans Wednesday for English and French-language channels that will show amateur athletics exclusively. It formally applied to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for licences in early December.

In addition to the money the channels would generate, the COC feels that amateur athletes need more exposure.

"(We have) long recognized the need for dramatically increased television coverage of Canadian amateur sport on a consistent and regular basis,'' said Chris Rudge, the chief executive officer of the COC. "These networks would finally bring our athletes into the spotlight and also motivate young people everywhere in Canada to get up out of their seats and engage in sport and a healthy lifestyle.''

The applications ask for mandated distribution of the networks on the basic digital service of all cable and DTH Satellite carriers.

The COC said it is hopeful that public hearings on the applications will take place in the near future and a CRTC decision will be rendered as soon as possible after the hearings.

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