CFL Releases US Broadcast Details

The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced today that its 2007 season games will be available across the United States in both high-definition and standard-definition broadcasts, kicking off with the season opener on June 28 and continuing through to the 95th Grey Cup championship in Toronto, Ontario on November 25.

CFL coverage is offered this year in nine of the top 12 U.S. television markets via eight Comcast regional sports networks, plus New England Sports Network (NESN). In addition, national coverage will be available via Altitude Sports and Entertainment, plus other regional sports networks carried on DirectTV and DISH Network.  High-definition broadcasts will be offered on Echostar’s DISH  Network via VOOM HD Networks’  WORLDSPORT HD. 

Overall, more than 70 million U.S. homes will have access to CFL Football each week of the 2007 season.

Comcast RSNs and systems, plus NESN in Boston, Altitude Sports & Entertainment in Denver, Cox Sport Television Louisiana, Bright House Networks Catch 47 Tampa Bay Sports Television, and other regional sports networks will carry games in standard definition.  These games will also be carried live on America One Television, which serves standard broadcast stations coast-to-coast.  

Every Friday night, a CFL match-up will be televised exclusively in high-definition on VOOM HD Networks’ WORLDSPORT HD. The League’s East and West Semi-Finals, its East and West Championships, and the 95th Grey Cup will be available in both formats.

"Increasing exposure to our brand of football in the U.S.and internationally is an important initiative to further develop our League,” said Mark Cohon, CFL Commissioner.  “Our game offers sports fans across the world a quick-paced, exciting brand of football that is enjoyed by all age groups and naturally connects with younger fans.”

The CFL television coverage success has been achieved under the direction of Trajectory Sports & Media Group LLC, which has the marketing responsibility for Canadian football broadcasts in the United States and internationally.  The New York-based company has steadily broadened the distribution of CFL games since partnering with the CFL in 2004.

"Working with the CFL and Commissioner Mark Cohon in increasing U.S. exposure to its great game is exciting and valuable to today’s sports fan,” said Richard Stone, the President of Trajectory Sports & Media Group.  "Many of the CFL’s great players are American and showcasing their talents and unique stories to their home country is a rewarding and important experience.”

The following television operations will carry 2007 CFL football:

Designated Market Area       Rank              CFL Carriage
    


New York                               1                   SportsNet New York 


Los Angeles                            2                   DirecTV and DISH Network  via Altitude Sports & Entertainment 


Chicago                                   3                   Comcast SportsNet Chicago


Philadelphia                             4                   Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia 


Boston                                     5                   New England Sports Network (NESN)


San Francisco                          6                   Comcast SportsNet West 


Dallas                                      7                   DirecTV and DISH Network  via  Altitude Sports & Entertainment


Washington, D.C.                   8                   Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic 


Atlanta                                     9                   CSS


Houston                                  10                  DirecTV and DISH Network via Altitude Sports & Entertainment 


Detroit                                     11                  Comcast Local (Michigan)


Seattle                                      12                   Comcast Seattle

Altitude Sports & Entertainment in Denver will again act as the league’s anchor RSN distributed on DISH Network (Channel 410) and DirecTV (Channel 644), in addition to providing coverage throughout the Rocky Mountain region.  DISH Network and DirecTV customers can also follow CFL action on SportsNet New York, Comcast Chicago, Comcast West, Comcast Mid-Atlantic and NESN.

Bright House Network’s Catch 47 Tampa Bay Television  and Cox Sports Television (Louisiana) will again carry games through the season..

America One Television will distribute all games live to its national network of more than 150 terrestrial stations coast to coast, and act as the operations hub for games. 

For the 2007 season, players with U.S. ties will once again record tune-in promotion messages for regional sports networks and local market TV stations – underscoring the CFL’s links to the grass roots of America.

Editors’ note:  A detailed U.S. broadcast schedule of CFL games, a map showing the U.S. television coverage, and high-resolution logos of the CFL and Trajectory Sports & Media Group are available for downloading from the Trajectory Sports Website: http://www.trajectorysports.com  and www.cfl.ca .