CBC/Radio-Canada today announced that it has been awarded the host and domestic broadcast rights for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. The agreement further strengthens CBC/Radio-Canada’s commitment to broadcasting amateur sport in Canada while telling the story of talented Canadian athletes as they compete on the national, intercontinental and world stage.

Broadcasting such a marquee sporting event fits perfectly into the mandate of the CBC as a modern public broadcaster and is in line with the promise made to Canadians in Strategy 2015.  The agreement ensures that Canadians will be able to enjoy comprehensive coverage in both official languages and on multiple platforms.  Specific broadcast details will be made available at a later date.

“We are pleased to have been selected to partner with Toronto 2015. This is more good news for Canadians and the amateur sport community across the country and we are thrilled to connect viewers with these Canadian athletes on home soil in advance of the games in Rio the following year,” said Jeffrey Orridge Executive Director, Sports Properties CBC English Services. “As the host broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada will also bring the Pan/Parapan Am Games to the world, which positions us well for a revenue-positive outcome.”

Orridge sat down to briefly discuss CBC/Radio-Canada’s acquisition of the host and domestic broadcast rights for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games and what it means to Canadians. Video of that interview can be viewed below.

“Sports represent an integral part of CBC/Radio-Canada’s mandate of reflecting every aspect of the life and culture of Canadians,” declared François Messier, Radio-Canada’s Sports director. “After the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, and one year before Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games, the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto are part of a formidable sequence that is testimony to our commitment of offering the most meaningful competitions to Canadian viewers.”

“Our partnership with CBC/Radio Canada will ensure that the 2015 Games belong to all of Canada. In every region of the country, in both our official languages, in their commitment to communities and Canadian values, in their reflection of our diversity and dynamism, in so many ways…CBC/Radio Canada IS Canada,” said Ian Troop, CEO, TO2015. “Their commitment to bringing Canadians together and to promoting amateur sports makes them the ideal domestic broadcaster. And their unsurpassed reputation around the world makes them the perfect host broadcaster.”

The deal which includes English and French-language television, online, mobile and non-commercial radio rights for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games (July 10-26) and the Parapan American Games (August 7-14) is anticipated to be revenue positive for the national public broadcaster.

The Pan/Parapan American Games are often considered a proving ground for Olympic hopefuls, offering viewers the chance to see athletes that will potentially be representing Canada in Rio the following year. The 2011 Games inGuadalajara, Mexico, featured 15 sports with either direct or indirect qualifying implications for London in 2012.

CBCSports.ca is Canada’s hub for the most up-to-date coverage of amateur athletics. The website will continue to be a source of information for all things related to Canadian amateur athletes and their performances across the country and on the world stage leading up to, during and following the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. Fans can connect with CBC Sports and join the online conversation through Facebook (www.facebook.com/cbcsports and on Twitter @cbcsports).

This will be a truly home-grown enterprise as CBC/Radio-Canada has partnered with respected Canadian company BSI-TV to provide engineering and technical production throughout the broadcast.