TSN & Sportsnet Euro 2008 Coverage

TORONTO (May 8, 2008) – In a continuing effort to provide Canadians with the most comprehensive coverage of world class soccer, TSN announced today an agreement with Rogers Sportsnet to jointly televise all 31 games live from EURO 2008, which takes place in Austria and Switzerland from June 7 to 29.  All games, as well as pre- and post-game shows, will be available in High Definition.TSN acquired the English-language broadcast rights to EURO 2008 last year.  This sub-licensing deal with Sportsnet ensures that Canadians will be able to watch every game live, and follows the previous successful agreements between the two networks for joint coverage of the Canada/Russia Super Series junior hockey event and the 2006 FIFA World Cup. TSN will televise 16 matches, including one semifinal and the final on June 29, with Sportsnet airing the remaining 15 games.  By having the flexibility to utilize both networks’ schedules, viewers will be better served as all games will be aired live and a number of games will be made available via prime time encore broadcasts.  The two networks will once again share talent and studio space for EURO 2008 pre- and post-game shows.  In addition, TSN and Sportsnet have partnered on a joint EURO 2008 website that can be accessed through TSN.ca and Sportsnet.ca, featuring pre- and post-game video reports, stats, results and schedules.“TSN and Rogers Sportsnet have once again come together to best serve Canadian viewers,” said Phil King, President, TSN.  “EURO 2008 is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and thus deserves the kind of quality coverage that we have proven can be achieved by working as a team.”“This partnership is in the best interest of soccer fans across Canada,” said Doug Beeforth, President, Rogers Sportsnet.  “The combined resources of Sportsnet and TSN will cover every minute of every game in high definition, while providing unparalleled analysis.” Complementing TSN’s and Sportsnet’s English-language coverage of EURO 2008, RDS and RIS Info Sports together will provide French-language coverage of all 31 games, while Rogers Omni Television will provide viewers with coverage of 22 games, including the quarter-finals, semifinals and final, in Italian, Portuguese, Cantonese, Polish and Greek.TSN has televised the UEFA European Championship on five previous occasions – 1988 from Germany, 1992 from Sweden, 1996 from England, 2000 from Belgium and the Netherlands, and 2004 from Portugal.EURO 2008 consists of Europe’s top 16 national teams competing for the coveted Henri Delaunay Trophy.  The teams, including automatic host qualifiers Austria and Switzerland, are divided into four groups of four.  The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals.  An elimination system will be in place for the remainder of the tournament.  For TSN and Sportsnet Full Euro 2008 Schedule, please visit the LiveSoccerTV.com Euro 2008 Fixtures Schedule