ESPN MediaZone Canada » Grey Cup

2009 – A Historic Year for TSN

catalaj — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:46:09 +0000

– TSN celebrates the past year with a record Grey Cup, large audiences and growth across all business platforms –

– TSN is the #1 specialty channel in Canada across
all key male and female demographics –

TORONTO (December 23, 2009) – 2009 has been one of the most successful and significant years in TSN’s history. In addition to achieving record television audiences for its key broadcast properties, TSN saw significant growth across all of its business platforms.

With multi-year agreements in place with all of its major partners, TSN will continue to be at the forefront of every major sporting event in 2010 including delivering extensive coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games from February 12 to 28.

Below is a snapshot of TSN’s performance in 2009:

TSN’s Audience

TSN’s broadcast of the 2009 GREY CUP attracted 5.073 million viewers making it the most-watched program on Canadian television this year.
TSN’s overall audience is significantly higher since BBM Canada introduced the industry’s new PPM audience measurement system that more accurately accounts for secondary viewing and out-of-home viewing.
Based on 16 weeks of BBM Canada’s PPM data, TSN continues to be the top-ranked specialty channel in Canada – in all key male and female demographics.
Since September 1, TSN ranks as the third most-watched channel in Canada for the coveted 18-34 demographic – ahead of conventional networks CBC and CITY Television.

Properties Performance

All of TSN’s core broadcast properties delivered substantial audiences in 2009.

NHL playoff audiences on TSN increased by 17% compared to the previous year
CFL registered record audiences on TSN in 2009 – with five regular season games attracting more than 1 million viewers.
The average NFL audience on TSN in 2009 is 713,000 – almost double the recorded average in 2008
Toronto Raptors games on TSN this season are 44% higher than last season’s average audience
Since September 1, SportsCentre has registered much higher audiences compared to the same period last year. Audiences for SportsCentre’s evening and late editions are 76% and 38% higher respectively, with SportsCentre’s morning editions registering average audiences that is twice as high as they were during the same period in 2008.

* Audiences prior to August 31, 2009 based on BBM Nielsen Media Research Mark II meters

TSN2

Distribution - TSN2 enjoyed rapid growth in 2009. Rogers Cable and Videotron both signed on to carry the network in 2009. TSN2 is now available in more than 4.5 million Canadian homes across all major television service providers in both standard and high definition.
Audiences – BBM Canada data confirms that TSN2 is now the top-ranked digital sports channel in Canada with an average audience that is higher than all other digital sports channels combined.
TSN2’s broadcast of the Toronto–Boston NHL pre-season game attracted 413,000 viewers – making it the most-watched program ever on a digital specialty channel.
On May 20, 2009, TSN2’s broadcast of a highly-anticipated Blue Jays-Red Sox game was the most-watched sporting event of the night – ranking even ahead of TSN.

TSN HD

TSN continues to set the standard in high definition broadcasting – producing and broadcasting more HD programming than any other broadcaster. In 2009, TSN produced more than 2,200 hours of original HD programming and broadcast more than 8,700 hours of programming in HD.

TSN – New Media

TSN enjoyed tremendous expansion in the new media world with TSN.ca once again proving to be Canada’s online source for sports news and programming.

TSN.ca set an industry standard for delivering breaking sports news in Canada with more than 850 million page views, a site record. TSN.ca registered a single-day record number of users on NHL Trade Deadline Day with 15.8 million page views. ( Source – Omniture)
TSN Video Player featured more than 200 events on-demand in 2009 including TSN’s full slate of NHL, CFL, curling and IIHF World Junior Championship events.TSN.ca is projected to register 75 million video streams by the end of the year.
TSN MOBILE –has emerged as an industry-leader for breaking news and highlights. The portable version of TSN’s sports website delivered more than 61 million page views in 2009 and issued 4.2 million SMS text alerts.
TSN on iTunes – For the first time, all CFL ON TSN games, including the 2009 GREY CUP, were available on the iTunes Store in Canada, giving fans the opportunity to relive all the CFL action anytime they want.
TSN on Social Media – TSN’s Insiders have proven to be extremely popular in the social media world with over 50,000 people following TSN’s various Twitter feeds, including Hockey Insiders Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger along with CFL analyst Glen Suitor.

NOTE – TSN will announce details on the launch of its official Facebook page in the New Year

Rights Deals and Acquisitions

TSN’s strong performance in 2009 can be attributed to its comprehensive schedule of sports properties. In 2009, TSN secured broadcast agreements or extensions with the following partners:

NFL - TSN signed a multi-year deal for the exclusive Canadian broadcast rights to SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL and MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL. TSN’s jam-packed NFL lineup also features the popular preview/wrap-up shows SUNDAY NFL COUNTDOWN, FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA, NFL PRIMETIME and MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN, as well as the NFL DRAFT and special segments on SPORTSCENTRE and TSN.ca.
CIS – With a multi-year agreement in place, TSN has the exclusive broadcast rights for several marquee CIS events including the VANIER CUP and the CIS Men’s and Women’s Basketball finals.
AFL – Australian Rules Football returned to TSN and TSN2 in 2009.
NLL - TSN2 signed a deal to broadcast nine regular season National Lacrosse League Toronto Rock games throughout the 2010 season.

TSN Merchandise

TSN introduced its official line of merchandise in 2009. With the launch of TSNShop.ca, fans can now purchase a wide range of clothing and sporting items for men and women including T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts and sports bags.

TSN Publishing

TSN, in partnership with Wiley Publishing, released TSN 25 Years. The photo book delivers a candid look back at a quarter-century of sports through the network’s lens.

TSN Brand Partnerships and TSN Events

In addition to delivering tremendous audiences for its clients, TSN partnered with several clients to create customized promotions and events in 2009.

Kraft Celebration Tour - In recognition of TSN’s 25^th anniversary, the tour saw SportsCentre broadcast live out of 10 communities across Canada over 10 days.
Team up and Bring Home The Cup – Pepsi, Lay’s and Gatorade worked with TSN to offer Canadian amateur hockey teams the opportunity to hang out with the Stanley Cup and hockey legend Mark Messier.
$1 Million Promotions – TSN’s popular and award-winning $1 million promotions – Wendy’s Kick for a Million and the Chevrolet Equinox Million Dollar Shootout - returned for 2009. Both promotions generated a record number of entries.
Campbell’s Chunky MVC: Most Valuable Coach – TSN teamed up with Campbell’s Chunky Soup and the Coaching Association of Canada on a national promotion to recognize and celebrate amateur coaches.
Casino Rama Curling Skins Game – Last year, TSN’s annual curling skins game attracted more sponsors than ever before and registered its highest television audience ever. The popular annual event returns to TSN and Casino Rama on January 16 and 17 in 2010.

Industry Recognition

Gemini Awards –TSN was awarded three Gemini Awards for excellence in sports broadcasting. James Duthie was named Best Sportscaster/Anchor while Brian Williams was recognized as Best Host or Interviewer in a Sports Program or Sportscast and SPORTSCENTRE was honoured with its first Gemini Award for Best Sportscast.
Sports Media Canada Achievement Awards – TSN was presented with the prestigious President’s Award in recognition of the network’s 25^th anniversary.
CFL Hall of Fame – Long-time TSN producer Paul “Mac” McLean was inducted posthumously into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame’s Football Reporters wing in honour of his contributions to the CFL through his work at TSN.

About TSN

Official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad, TSN, a division of CTVglobemedia, is Canada’s Sports Leader and Canada’s most-watched specialty network. TSN’s comprehensive broadcast schedule features an exciting lineup of sports including NHL, IIHF, CFL, NFL, NBA, Blue Jays Baseball, Season of Champions Curling, Golf’s Majors, F1, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Grand Slam Tennis, Championship Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts events. TSN properties include TSN2, TSN MOBILE and the industry leading sports website TSN.ca. TSN delivers more sports coverage in High Definition than any other network in Canada.

- TSN -

Four Days to Remember for TSN

catalaj — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:11:20 +0000

– Grey Cup Weekend and big NHL and NFL games highlight impressive stretch –

Toronto, ON (December 4, 2009) – TSN has capped off an outstanding four day stretch. With its packed-schedule of marquee events between November 28 and December 1, TSN saw its average 24-hour audience almost double compared to its season average. According to preliminary data from BBM Canada, TSN was the second most-watched network in all of Canada – just behind CTV– from Saturday to Tuesday.

TSN’s overall audience between November 28 and December 1 was 20% higher than Global’s average audience and 31% higher than CBC’s average audience.

Over the four-day period from Nov 28 to Dec., TSN’s schedule featured the following events:

Grey Cup Saturday – the full day of Grey Cup programming was highlighted by TSN’s Vanier Cup broadcast which attracted 399,000 viewers.
Grey Cup Sunday – TSN’s Grey Cup audience of 5.087 million is the highest recorded audience on Canadian television this year and the highest audience ever recorded for the network.
Monday Night Football – the highly-anticipated NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the New England Patriots attracted 1 million viewers on TSN.
Tuesday’s Leafs – Canadiens Game – kicking off the Canadiens week of centennial celebrations, the game had an audience of 1.4 million viewers – making it TSN’s most-watched NHL game of the season.

In addition to the live events, TSN saw substantial growth in its news programming over the busy four-day period. The late edition of SportsCentre saw its average audience increase 43% compared to its season average.

About TSN
Official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad, TSN, a division of CTVglobemedia, is Canada’s Sports Leader and Canada’s most-watched specialty network. TSN’s comprehensive broadcast schedule features an exciting lineup of sports including NHL, IIHF, CFL, NFL, NBA, Blue Jays Baseball, Season of Champions Curling, Golf’s Majors, F1, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Grand Slam Tennis, Championship Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts events. TSN properties include TSN2, TSN MOBILE and the industry leading sports website TSN.ca. TSN delivers more sports coverage in High Definition than any other network in Canada.

- TSN -

GREY CUP Thriller Delivers a Record Audience of 6.1 Million Viewers on TSN and RDS

catalaj — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:11:40 +0000

–2009 GREY CUP is the most-watched program on Canadian television this year –

– TSN sets a network audience record with 5.087 million viewers for classic game –

– 1.009 million viewers watch the Alouettes win on RDS –

Toronto, ON (November 30, 2009) – It was a GREY CUP classic and now it’s a GREY CUP record. More Canadians watched the GREY CUP last night on TSN and RDS than ever before. Preliminary overnight data from BBM Canada confirms that 6.1 million viewers watched last night’s thrilling CFL championship game – making it the most-watched GREY CUP ever* as well as the most-watched telecast of the year in Canada**.

More than 14 million Canadians, or nearly 43% of the country’s population, watched the game in whole or in part. An incredible 8.35 million viewers were watching the broadcast at 9:49 p.m. ET on TSN and RDS as Montreal kicker Damon Duval converted his second game-winning field-goal attempt as timed expired.

The combined TSN and RDS audience for 2009 GREY CUP surpasses the previous combined Grey Cup audience high of 5.2 million set in 2002 by 16%.

TSN’s GREY CUP audience of 5.087 million becomes the highest audience ever recorded for the network, surpassing the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship Gold Medal game that attracted 3.7 million viewers on TSN earlier this year. RDS’ French broadcast attracted over one million viewers. The broadcast on RDS surpassed all conventional television audiences on a competitive Sunday night in the French market.

The GREY CUP on TSN becomes the most-watched telecast on Canadian television this year – ahead of both THE 81^ST ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS^® and SUPER BOWL XLIII**.

“An incredible audience for what was an absolutely incredible game. We are obviously thrilled that so many Canadians joined us for what will go down as one of the most dramatic Grey Cups of all time,” says Phil King, President of TSN. “We are incredibly proud of our CFL broadcast team – last night and throughout the whole season – they captured all of the drama and emotion that makes the CFL so special.”

“What a way to end the season, and unbelievable game with more Canadians watching than ever before. The Grey Cup is truly a national celebration and its wonderful so many of our fans across the country joined us for one of the most remarkable games in CFL history,” said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the CFL. “Our league offers its congratulations to our partner TSN on a truly outstanding broadcast, and our thanks to our fans across Canada for their tremendous support.”

TSN’s support programming also had impressive audiences with GREY CUP: Countdown to Kick-off attracting 2.2 million viewers and the Grey Cup Post Game Show averaging an audience of 2.1 million viewers.

Online, TSN.ca attracted more than 2.9 million page views on Grey Cup Sunday. More than 5,000 people viewed TSN’s Grey Cup blog from CFL analyst Duane Forde. The Grey Cup blog attracted users from all over the world including from such far away places as China and Chile.

The Grey Cup is available on-demand on TSN.ca and will soon be available in the iTunes store for fans who want to purchase a copy.

Final audience numbers for the 2009 GREY CUP will be available in the coming weeks.

*Since television meter measurement was introduced in 1989

**Audiences prior to August 31, 2009 based on BBM Nielsen Media Research Mark II meters

*** Omniture

About TSN

- TSN -

TSN to Make 2009 GREY CUP Available in iTunes Store in Canada

catalaj — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:08:42 +0000

– Fans will be able to download and watch the entire 2009 GREY CUP on their computer, iPod, iPhone and on Apple TV –

For the first time ever, CFL fans across Canada will have the chance to own the Grey Cup. TSN today announced that the 2009 GREY CUP broadcast will be made available from the iTunes Store in Canada, giving fans the opportunity to relive all the action from Sunday’s big game anytime they want. TSN’s 2009 GREY CUP broadcast will be available in the iTunes Store (www.itunes.ca) for downloading to a Mac or PC, iPod with video, iPhone or a television with Apple TV.

Currently, every CFL ON TSN game from the 2009 season including all four CFL Division semifinal and final games is available for $2.49 per match-up exclusively at the iTunes Store (www.itunes.ca/TSN). The 2009 GREY CUP broadcast will be available for $2.49, or as part of a package that includes all five 2009 CFL playoff broadcasts for $11.99. All CFL ON TSN games are made available for purchase following each live broadcast .

TSN’s exclusive coverage of the 2009 GREY CUP, featuring the Montreal Alouettes taking on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, airs nationally on Sunday, Nov. 29 in High Definition, beginning at 1 p.m. ET with the network’s five-hour pre-game show, GREY CUP SUNDAY, live from the Scotiabank CFL Experience and McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

- TSN -

TSN’s Grey Cup Broadcast – By the Numbers

catalaj — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:03:58 +0000

3,650,000 – # of viewers for the 2008 Grey Cup on TSN and RDS

1,050 – Combined weight in pounds of the CFL on TSN panel

250 – Estimated # of watermelon helmets TSN will show on air during its two day Grey Cup coverage

150 – # of technical and production staff working on TSN’s Grey Cup broadcast

32 – # of cameras TSN will use during Grey Cup Broadcast – includes a helicopter camera, a “cable cam” and a live look into CFL review command Centre.

25 – # of hours of football programming on TSN during Grey Cup Weekend

16- # of Grey Cup games members of TSN’s team of CFL analysts have played in.

12 – # of times TSN broadcaster Chris Cuthbert has called the Grey Cup Game

3 – # of songs Blue Rodeo will perform during the Pepsi Max Halftime Show

1 – Projected temperature (Celsius) for Grey Cup Sunday in Calgary

TSN’s GREY CUP SUNDAY Pre-Game Show Features Ridgway, Fans, Grassroots Football and More on November 29

catalaj — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:05:09 +0000

– Brian Williams goes one-on-one with former Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker and 1989 Grey Cup champion Dave Ridgway in an exclusive interview –

– GREY CUP SUNDAY also includes a tribute to Calgary’s history of passionate fans, profiles on GREY CUP players and a feature on halftime headliners, Blue Rodeo –

Toronto, ON (November 25, 2009) – TSN celebrates the glory and the grandeur of the Grey Cup with a series of special features throughout the day during the GREY CUP SUNDAY pre-game show on November 29, beginning at 1 p.m. ET leading up to the 2009 GREY CUP. CFL ON TSN’s Brian Williams and CFL Insider Dave Naylor explore the compelling stories behind some of the leagues greatest milestones and achievements.

In one feature, Williams examines one of the greatest Grey Cup games ever played in league history – the 1989 GREY CUP, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 43-40 on Dave Ridgway’s game-winning field goal. In celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the Roughriders’ come-from-behind Grey Cup win, Williams sits down with Ridgway in an exclusive interview at his private residence in Southern Indiana and takes a look back at the big game. The feature also includes interviews with some of Ridgway’s former teammates, including Kent Austin, TSN’s Glen Suitor and former Hamilton Tiger-Cats Mike Kerrigan and kicker Paul Osbaldiston. This is Ridgway’s first interview regarding the game since he was not in attendance for the official 20^th anniversary celebration in Saskatchewan earlier this year.

Another feature pays tribute to the CFL fans in Calgary, as Williams looks back at the 1948 Grey Cup, when 250 passionate Stampeders fans took a train from Calgary to Toronto and set the benchmark for all Grey Cup week celebrations to follow. Williams explores the lore that surrounds the 36^th Grey Cup, which includes stories of square dances and chuckwagons at Union Station and men on horseback inside the Royal York Hotel. Williams also sits down with Alberta lieutenant-governor Norman Kwong, who reminisces about his journey to Toronto on the train as an 18-year old fullback with the Stampeders.

Naylor examines the growing number of young men from immigrant families playing grassroots football in Canada, with an increasing number of these players making it to the CFL. Naylor speaks to Canadian football scouts, who suggest that the ethnic communities are enhancing the growth of the sport in the Canada.

TSN then takes a close look at Saskatchewan defensive end John Chick to find out how he maintains his high level of play in the often violent sport of football despite wearing an insulin pump to control his type-1 diabetes.

In another GREY CUP SUNDAY feature, TSN follows Blue Rodeo members Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor as they return to their Toronto high school to relive their days as members of the school’s football team. Blue Rodeo will perform during the Pepsi Max Halftime Show as part of Sunday’s big game on TSN.

In addition, GREY CUP SUNDAY includes two documentaries titled ROAD TO THE GREY CUP, chronicling how the Roughriders and Alouettes made their way to this year’s championship game.

GREY CUP SUNDAY also features seven vignettes that follow recent Grey Cup champions, as they take the coveted championship trophy to schools, hospitals, their hometown and even home for Christmas. As well as a Brian Williams sits down with CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon to examine some of the league’s key issues.

- TSN -

CFL Western Final is Most-Watched CFL Playoff Game Ever with 2 Million Viewers on TSN

catalaj — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:57:48 +0000

– 1.3 million Canadians watch the BC @ Montreal Eastern Final on TSN–
– GREY CUP airs exclusively this Sunday on TSN and RDS –

Toronto, ON (November 23, 2009) – The road to the GREY CUP continues to deliver record audiences for TSN. Preliminary overnight data from BBM Canada confirms the highly anticipated Western Final featuring Calgary @ Saskatchewan on Sunday afternoon averaged an incredible 2 million viewers, making it the most-watched CFL playoff game ever recorded*. An additional 207,000 watched the Roughriders defeat the defending Grey Cup Champions on RDS making the national average audience 2.2 million viewers.

TSN also attracted an impressive audience of 1.35 million viewers who saw Anthony Calvillo lead Montreal to a decisive victory over B.C. in the Eastern Final. An additional 547,000 viewers watched the game in French on RDS making the total combined national audience for the Eastern Final 1.9 million.

TSN has exclusive English language coverage of the GREY CUP live from Calgary on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. ET with more than 20 hours of pre-game programming throughout the weekend starting on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. ET.

*Audiences prior to August 31, 2009 based on BBM Nielsen Media Research Mark II meters

- TSN -

TSN Goes Deep at the 2009 GREY CUP® with Unprecedented Coverage of Canada’s Game, Beginning Today

catalaj — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:53:06 +0000

– TSN delivers more pre-game coverage than ever before with two full days of CFL^® programming on GREY CUP SATURDAY and GREY CUP SUNDAY -
– SPORTSCENTRE, OFF THE RECORD WITH MICHAEL LANDSBERG and TSN THE REPORTERS WITH DAVE HODGE are live, on location in Calgary –
– TSN.ca gives fans behind-the-scenes access to the 2009 GREY CUP with exclusive features, highlights, 1-on-1 interviews and blogs –
– ESPN Classic scores with vintage Grey Cup games leading up to Sunday’s final –

Toronto, ON (November 23, 2009) – After 21 weeks, 76 games and more than 4,560 minutes of football played, it all comes down to one game – the 2009 GREY CUP – and TSN is there, on site and in full-force in Calgary, covering Canada’s biggest and most prestigious sporting event of the year from all angles. With more multi-platform coverage on TSN, TSN.ca and TSN MOBILE than ever before, Canadians will not miss any of the action on – or off – the gridiron at the 2009 GREY CUP.

TSN’s exclusive English-language coverage of the 2009 GREY CUP, featuring the Montreal Alouettes taking on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, airs nationally on Sunday, Nov. 29 in High Definition, beginning at 1 p.m. ET with the network’s five-hour pre-game show, GREY CUP SUNDAY, live from the Scotiabank CFL Experience and McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

TSN’s French-language counterpart, RDS, has live coverage of the 2009 GREY CUP in High Definition, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET. The 2009 GREY CUP will also be available on- demand at TSN.ca following the game.

Leading up to Sunday’s championship game, TSN once again has a full day of CFL programming featured on GREY CUP SATURDAY on November 28, with 12 hours of comprehensive coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET.

All week long, TSN also celebrates Canada’s game with a comprehensive lineup of Grey Cup programming, featuring coverage from Calgary across all of the network’s properties and programs: SPORTSCENTRE, OFF THE RECORD WITH MICHAEL LANDSBERG and TSN THE REPORTERS WITH DAVE HODGE, and online at TSN.ca and on TSN MOBILE. (See details below.)

Football fans can enjoy the 2009 GREY CUP and related Grey Cup programming in High Definition, as all HD customers will have access to TSN HD during its free preview from November 26 to January 6. Fans are encouraged to contact their local television service provider for more information.

Below is an overview of 2009 GREY CUP programming on TSN:

Sunday, Nov. 29

2009 GREY CUP at 6 p.m. ET (encore at 11:30 p.m. ET on TSN2)

TSN’s Gemini-Award winning broadcast team of Chris Cuthbert and Glen Suitor are in the broadcast booth at McMahon Stadium, providing play-by-play commentary and game analysis, respectively, during the 2009 GREY CUP. Veteran broadcaster Cuthbert has called the action in 11 previous championship games, while Suitor – a Grey Cup champion with the Saskatchewan Roughriders – makes his second appearance in the booth for the big game.

Hosts Dave Randorf and Brian Williams are live at field level inside McMahon Stadium during the game, alongside the popular CFL ON TSN panel featuring Grey Cup champion Chris Schultz, two-time Grey Cup champion Matt Dunigan, Jock Climie and Milt Stegall, plus TSN’s Farhan Lalji and Sara Orlesky reporting from the sidelines. CFL ON TSN analyst and two-time Grey Cup champion Duane Forde is also on site, keeping up with all the action and answering fans’ questions in his second-annual live Grey Cup blog on TSN.ca.

At halftime, TSN has live coverage of the highly-anticipated Pepsi Max Halftime Show featuring Blue Rodeo playing three songs as selected by fans through a national online vote. Randorf and the CFL ON TSN panel also return to break down all the action from the first half.

Following the game, TSN’s GREY CUP POST-GAME SHOW features CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon presenting the Grey Cup to the game’s winning team, as well as the awards for Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Canadian.

The CFL ON TSN panel is also on hand to provide post-game analysis and conduct live interviews with coaches and players on the field, leading up to SPORTSCENTRE at 10:30 p.m. ET, with complete highlights, plus more reaction and analysis from McMahon Stadium.

GREY CUP SUNDAY PRE-GAME SHOW from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET

TSN’s pre-game coverage kicks off with SPORTSCENTRE hosts Rod Smith and Darren Dutchyshen live from the Scotiabank CFL Experience, and then moves to McMahon Stadium, where CFL ON TSN host Dave Randorf and Brian Williams continue to tee up the championship game with in-depth analysis from the CFL ON TSN panel, interviews with players and coaches, special features on the 1948 and 1989 Grey Cup, and reports from CFL Insider Dave Naylor. Williams also goes 1-on-1 with CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon to address some of the league’s hot-button issues.

The pre-game show also includes two episodes of JOURNEY TO THE GREY CUP. Seen through the eyes of the players and coaches, the TSN-produced mini-documentaries follow the Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders from the end of last season to now, as they each travelled towards the CFL’s championship game. JOURNEY TO THE GREY CUP also features unprecedented access inside both teams’ locker rooms and chronicles the regular season highs and lows encountered by Alouettes and Roughriders.

Saturday, Nov. 28

GREY CUP SATURDAY from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET

TSN delivers more all-encompassing coverage of the GREY CUP than ever before with GREY CUP SATURDAY, featuring SPORTSCENTRE hosts Rod Smith and Darren Dutchyshen live, on location at the Scotiabank CFL Experience in Calgary’s TELUS Convention Centre. The comprehensive 12-hour show includes all the latest news, special reports and expert analysis in anticipation of the big game. The CFL ON TSN panel is live from the Alouettes and Roughriders’ practices at McMahon Stadium at 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. ET, respectively, while TSN reporters are also on the sidelines to provide reports as the teams make their final preparations for the final on Sunday.

Throughout the day, Smith and Dutchyshen return to recap all the latest news from the 2009 GREY CUP, while the CFL ON TSN panel checks in with additional analysis on both teams. GREY CUP SATURDAY will also have Blue Rodeo’s sound check live from McMahon Stadium at 7 p.m. ET.

Additional highlights from GREY CUP SATURDAY include:

TSN THE REPORTERS WITH DAVE HODGE: GREY CUP SATURDAY SPECIAL EDITION at 10:30 a.m. ET (encore at 8 p.m. ET on TSN)

Host Dave Hodge is live, on location at the Scotiabank CFL Experience with the panel from his Sunday morning show, TSN THE REPORTERS WITH DAVE HODGE, to debate all the key issues leading up to the 2009 GREY CUP. Joining Hodge in Calgary are Globe and Mail columnists Dave Naylor and Al Maki, and Toronto Star columnist Damien Cox. In addition, an expanded one-hour live edition of TSN THE REPORTERS WITH DAVE HODGE will air on GREY CUP SUNDAY at 10 a.m. ET.

XLV DESJARDINS VANIER CUP at 12 noon ET (encore at 3 p.m. ET on TSN2)

The biggest game in Canadian Interuniversity Sport football returns to TSN for the first time since 2005 as the Queen’s Gaels and Calgary Dinos do battle in the XLV DESJARDINS VANIER CUP live from Université Laval on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 12 noon ET. Rod Black handles the play-by-play duties and is joined in the broadcast booth by analyst Duane Forde. The game will also be available on-demand at TSN.ca. Earlier this fall, TSN and CIS announced a two-year agreement that will see TSN and TSN2 provide exclusive English coverage of several marquee CIS events for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 university sport seasons.

FRIDAY NIGHT GLADIATORS at 3:30 p.m. ET (encore at 8:30 p.m. ET on TSN)

Hosted by Glen Suitor and Chris Cuthbert, the 30-minute special honours standout CFL players that have demonstrated gladiator-like prowess, toughness and exceptional performance on the gridiron during the 2009 regular season. Suitor will also reveal his choice for 2009 Gladiator of the Year. The top contenders include Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Fred Reid, Montreal Alouettes’ Avon Cobourne and Calgary Stampeders’ Joffrey Reynolds, proving that it was a banner year for running backs in the CFL.

GIBSON’S FINEST CFL PLAYER AWARDS 2009 at 4:30 p.m. ET (encore at 9 p.m. ET on TSN)

The CFL honours its most outstanding players in an awards ceremony with host Dave Randorf and featuring Chris Schultz, Matt Dunigan, Jock Climie and Chris Cuthbert as presenters at this prestigious event.

SPORTSCENTRE GREY CUP TOP 10 SPECIAL at 5:30 p.m. ET (encore at 9:30 p.m. ET on TSN)

SPORTSCENTRE hosts Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole revisit some of the most memorable moments in Grey Cup history with the Top 10 plays, bloopers and finishes from the CFL’s championship game. Highlights of the 30-minute special include a look back at pre-game speeches from former Toronto Argonauts head coach Mike “Pinball” Clemons and current Calgary Stampeders head coach John Hufnagel, as well as SPORTSCENTRE reporter Katherine Dolan sitting down with the CFL fan who topped the list for best Grey Cup blooper.

SPORTSCENTRE

TSN’s flagship sports news program has comprehensive coverage of the 2009 GREY CUP, with expert analysis, interviews, features and in-depth reports beginning today and continuing up to and following the CFL’s championship game. The CFL ON TSN panel is in Calgary, filing daily reports and breaking down all the action, while SPORTSCENTRE reporters will also provide additional reports from the Alouettes and Roughriders’ camps.

SPORTSCENTRE will also have live coverage of the Gibson’s Finest Most Outstanding Player award presentation from the GIBSON’S FINEST CFL PLAYER AWARDS 2009 on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 11 p.m. ET.

OFF THE RECORD WITH MICHAEL LANDSBERG

OFF THE RECORD travels to the 2009 GREY CUP, as host Michael Landsberg is live, on location in Calgary on November 26 and 27 for two episodes. The daily sports talk show, which airs at 6 p.m. ET (9 p.m. ET on TSN2), will feature key CFL newsmakers and shakers as they debate all the compelling storylines.

TSN.ca

TSN.ca is the definitive online destination for Grey Cup fans in Canada, as the country’s leading sports website features all the latest news, analysis, interviews, photo galleries and video leading up to and following the big game. In addition, TSN.ca will reveal the winner of the inaugural CFL PLAY OF THE YEAR SHOWDOWN on Thursday, Nov. 26. Voting for the final round, featuring Saskatchewan’s Darian Durant going head-to-head against Winnipeg’s Jovon Johnson, begins today.

Chris Schultz, Matt Dunigan and Glen Suitor return to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the 2009 GREY CUP in Calgary with online columns and blogs, while Schultz also reveals his final pick of the CFL season in the last instalment of his popular online feature, Schultz Against the World. Duane Forde also gets in on the action with the return of his live blog during the final on Sunday, and fans are invited to participate with questions and comments.

Along with having the championship game available on-demand, TSN.ca will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2009 GREY CUP on the TSN Video Player, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes video from Calgary, plus news, features, 1-on-1 interviews with players and coaches, and a daily roundtable with the CFL ON TSN panel leading up to the final. Fans will also be able to access programming from GREY CUP SATURDAY on demand, including TSN THE REPORTERS WITH DAVE HODGE, FRIDAY NIGHT GLADIATORS, SPORTSCENTRE GREY CUP TOP 10 SPECIAL and coverage of the East and West team practices.

On Sunday, TSN.ca will have scoring updates, extended highlights and post-game coverage from inside the teams’ locker rooms available on-demand.

TSN MOBILE

CFL fans on the go can keep tabs on all the action in Cowtown with up-to-the-minute Grey Cup news on TSN Mobile – the portable version of TSN’s industry-leading sports website, TSN.ca, accessible on any wireless device with Internet capabilities. Fans can also sign up for TSN text alerts for breaking news delivered directly to their wireless device.

ESPN CLASSIC

ESPN Classic gets pumped for the 2009 GREY CUP with Grey Cup Week from November 23 to November 28, featuring a slate of vintage Grey Cup match-ups leading up to this year’s big game. Highlights include Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Dave Ridgway’s game-winning field goal in the 1989 GREY CUP, plus bonus interview footage with Ridgway’s former teammate and current CFL ON TSN analyst Glen Suitor in celebration of the game’s 20^th anniversary; a Canada-U.S. match-up in the 1994 GREY CUP; and Ron Lancaster’s Grey Cup win with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1966. The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Monday, Nov. 23 – 1998 GREY CUP: Calgary vs. Hamilton at 9 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Nov. 24 – 1972 GREY CUP: Hamilton vs. Saskatchewan at 7 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Nov. 24 – 1974 GREY CUP: Edmonton vs. Montreal at 9 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Nov. 25 – 1994 GREY CUP: BC vs. Baltimore at 9 p.m. ET
Thursday, Nov. 26 – 1996 GREY CUP: Toronto vs. Edmonton at 9 p.m. ET
Friday, Nov. 27 – 1989 GREY CUP: Saskatchewan vs. Hamilton at 7 p.m. ET
Friday, Nov. 27 – 2007 GREY CUP: Saskatchewan vs. Winnipeg at 9 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 28 – 2007 GREY CUP: Winnipeg vs. Saskatchewan at 2 a.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 28 – 1966 GREY CUP: Ottawa vs. Saskatchewan at 4 a.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 28 – 1978 GREY CUP: Edmonton vs. Montreal at 6 a.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 28 – 2002 GREY CUP: Montreal vs. Edmonton at 4 p.m. ET

- TSN -