The National Football League (NFL) today announced that Craig Media Inc., Canada’s largest privately held television broadcaster, will have exclusive rights to English language Monday Night Football broadcasts in Canada for the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
The two-year partnership includes exclusive rights to the 16 NFL Monday Night Football telecasts (17 in 2004) per season in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta.
“This new relationship with Craig Media provides the NFL and its partners with an opportunity to reach a greater number of Canadian homes,” said DOUG QUINN, Senior Vice President, NFL International. “Having regularly scheduled, conventional broadcasts also enables NFL Canada national sponsors to support Monday Night Football telecasts in markets other than Toronto.”
NFL Canada corporate partners include Labatt, Pepsi, Rogers Wireless, Frito-Lay, Pizza Hut and Reebok. Due to its wide group of independent stations, Craig Media will deliver Monday Night Football games with Canadian commercials to more Canadian homes than any previous single broadcast partner.
“We are delighted at the opportunity to partner with the NFL and bring these high profile sports simulcasts to millions of Canadian viewers,” said MICHAEL TAYLOR, Vice President, Programming. “Monday Night Football is an extremely strong sports brand that we are happy to have in our schedule because it consistently delivers great audience numbers.”
Craig Media terrestrial stations include:
– Toronto One
– A-Channel Edmonton
– A-Channel Calgary
– A-Channel Manitoba
“We’re excited to be a part of this new group of stations,” added Quinn. “We’re also excited about the opportunity to promote the NFL across the Craig family of channels, both over-the-air and cable.”
Craig Media Inc. is Canada’s largest privately held television broadcasting company with a history of more than 50 years in the Canadian broadcast industry. Holdings of Craig Media Inc. include toronto|one, A-Channel Edmonton, A-Channel Calgary, A-Channel Manitoba, CKX TV Brandon, Specialty channels MTV Canada, MTV2, TVLand and Stampede.
Canada is one of 226 countries and territories in virtually every corner of the globe that receives NFL programming – approximately 72,000 hours worth – each season. In 2003, NFL programming will stretch across 24 time zones and be broadcast in 32 languages.