The NBC Sports Network was launched earlier this year, the re-branding of the old Versus network which has gone heavy on the NHL so far and now, will dip its toe in the world of Canadian Football.
The CFL announced this week that the NBC Sports network will carry a weekly schedule of nine games plus the playoffs and Grey Cup this year, offering up wider exposure of the CFL brand in the football hungry US.
It's not the first time that NBC has looked at the CFL for a programming option, when the NFL was behind picket lines a few years back the main NBC network took on some CFL games to mixed results, owing in part to one sided games and unfamiliarity of the product and the arrival of the World Series, the project was quickly shelved.
Yet, it seems that the CFL was not totally forgotten by NBC Sports program consultants.
Indeed, with 24 hours a day, and seven days in a week there is a need to feed the machine and for a portion of that feeding time NBC will once again test out the CFL.
And judging by the schedule of games that NBC Sports Network plans to air, Americans are going to become very well versed in the exploits of the Edmonton Eskimos, who will make six marquee appearances on the broadcasts. The Eskimos (and the CFL) make their NBC Sports Network debut on August 27th when the Eskimos are in Toronto.
Among the highlights in the package is a Labour Day weekend doubleheader featuring the traditional rivalries of the Cats/Argos and Stamps/Eskimos. Not lost on the residents of Manitoba and Saskatchewan however is the omission of their teams from the NBC schedule and let the conspiracy theories begin (though we imagine that with the start Winnipeg has had to the season, they might be thankful to be among the hidden).
Those missing teams aside, it's another good opportunity for the league to raise its awareness level in the USA, a helpful thing when it comes time to secure players for roster spots and training camp invitations. Not to mention for those players arriving from the US, the NBC Sports Network games will provide another chance for family and friends to realize that hey, he's not in the witness protection program after all.
Of course, exposure is a double edge sword, more frequent appearances of the CFL brand on American TV could provide for NFL contracts for those that are excelling in Canada, though realistically we imagine word is already out for those that are peaking at the right time.
All CFL games are currently available on ESPN3.com, an internet portal tied into the iconic ESPN brand, the NBC Sports Network deal will put the CFL into homes through cable and satellite distributors across the US.
The wider exposure of the CFL in the US, and on a name brand network can only be seen as a good thing for the league and will no doubt be welcomed at the head office.
The partnership with TSN has been a very profitable and image boosting experience, one imagines tying the CFL brand to NBC is going to be a smart move as well.
Globe and Mail-- NBC announces CFL broadcast plans
National Post-- NBC Sports Network to start showing CFL games, including Grey Cup
Toronto Star-- NBC Sports Network to broadcast Grey Cup in the U. S.
TSN-- NBC Sports Network to Broadcast Grey Cup
CBC Sports-- NBC to broadcast Grey Cup, 9 regular season CFL games
Edmonton Journal-- Esks land on NBC Sports Network six times this year
Edmonton Sun-- Eskimos prominent in U. S. TV deal
Yahoo Sports-- The new CFL - NBC Sports Network deal could substantially benefit the league
MSN/Sports-- CFL games, Grey Cup to be on US TV
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