I heard from one of my friends who works at CTV Sportsnet that

The Score Television Network outbid CTV Sportsnet for the rights to the 2007-2008 EPL season and possibly further seasons.

These are the saturday games.

Stay Tuned.

moralis wrote:

I heard from one of my friends who works at CTV Sportsnet that The Score Television Network outbid CTV Sportsnet for the rights to the 2007-2008 EPL season and possibly further seasons. These are the saturday games. Stay Tuned.

Bad news, we'll be stuck watching games with that stupid ticker and we'll probably lose Soccer Central on sportsnet...

The Score outbids Rogers Sportsnet for EPL on Saturdays in Canada

December 1, 2006

The Score has outbid Rogers Sportsnet for the sublicence from FOX Sports International (FSI) to broadcast live in Canada at least 2 English Premier League (EPL) matches each Saturday during the 2007-2008 season.

A source indicates that Rogers Sportsnet might discontinue its SoccerCentral studio show, featuring both EPL and Canadian soccer news and analysis, as early as December 30, as Rogers Sportsnet's contract with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) will expire on December 31.


This is terrible, I love Rogers sports net on Saturdays, I could care less about Soccer Central as their news is old but they did carry good Canadian/Local soccer news. I am guessing GOLTV will have a new contract with Canadian soccer association regarding the local news.

I will buy that Setanta Box for next season, there is no way I am watching the EPL with some score board on the bottom. (Unless Liverpool is playing)

Excellent news for James and the boys.

Ticker doesn't bother me at all.

Cheers

According to today's Globe and Mail, TheScore not only took Sportsnet's Saturday package but also Sunday and week-day EPL games (from FSWC or Setanta??)

And the deal is for 5 years

Interestingly enough, it's known that TheScore is up for sale so maybe someone like Setanta will look at this as a way into the Canadian market.

Omg, This is horrible I dont even have the Score those greedy bastardsthey already took away the Raptors games and now this and besides I love the Sportsnet's lineup....And I bet they're gonna delay most of the games

I read in the Toronto Star today that it is for 3 years but they may make some of the games available to other channels, as often is the case.

I have to agree that this is a very bad thing. Forget about the ticker at the bottom of the screen, forget about the on screen interruptions or who gives us the news. The big problem will be the lack of access to regular viewers who do not have digital cable. It will take the game away from them, unless they are willing to pay for the extra service. It will hurt the progress of the sport in my opinion.

You may end up being thankful The Score has won the rights. It was pretty evident that Rogers was getting tired of soccer. A spokesman claimed it was barely a break-even situation for them. They made a poor effort to retain the World Cup rights and lost out, and now the same thing with the EPL.

At least we know The Score (or whoever buys them out) is in it for 3 or 5 years, depending on which paper you read. So we should be fine during that time. Although it's a long time to have to listen to Brian Budd.

Maybe I'm wrong but I can't help thinking Setanta is swimming around in this murky water waiting to make it's move.

Now wouldn't it be nice if someone like FSWC or Rogers took the rights for all rounds of the FA Cup.