Can Sportsnet Save TVA Sports from Sinking? Exploring Potential Solutions for the Struggling Channel

2023-09-09 20:09:57

In recent years, we have often talked about the financial difficulties of TVA Sports. Pierre-Karl Péladeau is the first to admit it: his sports channel is losing money by the ton (the figures of $200 million and $220 million keep coming up) and we’re struggling to keep our heads above water .

The market is difficult… and the very expensive NHL broadcast rights contract (really) doesn’t help. Once again, these are not my words, but those of PKP.

In short, we are at the point where we must find solutions. And in his text of the day for Radio-CanadaMartin Leclerc raised an interesting idea: what if TVA Sports was sold to Sportsnet (or, in other words, to Rogers) to prevent the boat from sinking?

At the same time, we could create a dynamic like that between RDS and TSN, which both belong to Bell.

Chronicle | What if Sportsnet saved TVA Sports from sinking?

— Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) September 9, 2023

As Leclerc notes, the English-speaking market is in much better health than the French-speaking market in terms of specialized sports channels. While TSN and Sportsnet reap significant profits, RDS oscillates between green and red while TVA Sports is constantly in the red.

What is the difference? The national market is much larger in English Canada than it is here.

What we also notice is that the latest negotiations for NHL broadcasting rights have really hurt Quebec channels. Both RDS and TVA Sports have come to cannibalize each other and pay disproportionate prices.

Both cash cows have been milked to the last drop…to the point where it’s difficult for both of them right now. And imagine what it would have been like if RDS had matched Quebecor’s offer to keep the monopoly in the last negotiations. As Leclerc points out, former president Gerry Frappier really knew how to avoid catastrophe.

Because at the moment, TVA Sports is the only real issue at Quebecor. Without the sports channel, the TVA Group would be in the green.

The entire TVA Group is suffering from the financial results of TVA Sports.

(Source: La Presse) pic.twitter.com/yQ5zbcTAh3

— DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) September 9, 2023

The question, on the other hand, is to know what the market will look like for the next broadcasting rights negotiations.

RDS should be there, but can it afford to pay top dollar again?

We can expect TVA Sports to keep quiet considering its precarious future… unless it has the financial means of Rogers? And even if there is a sale, we don’t know what it will actually mean.

And we must not forget the great unknown in Apple, which has interest in ESPN (which is the national broadcaster of the NHL in the United States). After stealing MLS from TVA Sports, could the NHL be the next to go?

This will therefore be an issue to watch in the coming years, but the idea of seeing Rogers poke its nose into the French-speaking sports market is intriguing.

At the same time, if the company is afraid of Apple, it could decide to stay away from the danger…

A lot of

– Hat.

Dan O’Rourke rode from Santa Clara to Chicago to raise money for the National Federation of the Blind ????

— TVA Sports (@TVASports) September 9, 2023

– Very nice gesture.

The selection and staff travel to donate blood after the earthquake in Morocco. pic.twitter.com/DepL1SSUR0

— Nilton Jorge (@NiltonJorge) September 9, 2023

– A professional trial in Pittsburgh for Colin White.