Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium

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CTV's signage on 299 Queen Street West accompanied by the Olympic rings, signifying the network's role as flagship broadcaster The CP24 Truck.jpg
CTV's signage on 299 Queen Street West accompanied by the Olympic rings, signifying the network's role as flagship broadcaster

Established in 2007, [1] Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium (legal name 7048467 Canada Inc., also sometimes referred to informally in branding as CTV Olympics and RDS Olympiques, additionally referred to as the National Olympic Network by BBM Canada) was a joint venture set up by Canadian media companies Bell Media (formerly CTVglobemedia) and Rogers Media to produce the Canadian broadcasts of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, as well as the two corresponding Paralympic Games. Bell owned 80% of the joint venture, and Rogers owned 20%. [2]

Contents

The consortium encompassed many of the properties owned by both companies, including Bell Media's CTV Television Network, TSN, RDS and RDS Info, and Rogers Media's Omni Television, Sportsnet, OLN, and the Rogers radio stations group. Several other broadcasters carried consortium coverage, including Noovo (formerly V), and several channels owned by Asian Television Network. Finally, dedicated websites in English and French (ctvolympics.ca and rdsolympiques.ca) were set up to stream live coverage over the Internet to Canadian viewers. The consortium replaced CBC Sports, which had held the Canadian rights to all Olympics beginning with the 1996 games, although some cable rights had been sub-licensed to TSN / RDS beginning in 1998.

Rogers announced in September 2011 that it would withdraw from the consortium following London 2012, and therefore not participate in its bid for rights to the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics. The company cited scheduling conflicts and financial considerations for the decision. [3] Bell Media then announced a new partnership with the CBC to bid for Canadian broadcasting rights of Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016. Broadcast details for the joint bid were never released. [4] The joint Bell/CBC bid was considered the prohibitive favourite to win the rights when the International Olympic Committee accepted bids. [5] However, the Bell/CBC bids were rejected by the IOC.

On August 1, 2012, CBC Sports announced that it had made a deal to broadcast the 2014 and 2016 Summer and Winter Olympics, replacing the Bell/Rogers group. [6] However, in February 2013, CBC announced that both Sportsnet and TSN would sub-license broadcast rights to the 2014 Winter Olympics. [7] [8]

Participating media outlets

Television

Radio

Other affiliated outlets

History

Early coverage

CTV has previously broadcast the Summer Games in 1976 (along with CBC) and 1992, and the Winter Games in 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984 (along with CBC), 1988 and 1994.

The 1980 "Miracle on Ice" game was aired live on CTV in Canada, but not ABC in the United States. Thus, American viewers who resided in or near the Canada–US border and received the CTV signal could watch the game live, but the rest of the United States had to wait for a delayed rebroadcast.

Rights fees

In 1974, Johnny Esaw (who anchored CTV's prime time Olympic coverage from 1964–1980) became vice-president of CTV Sports, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1990. He negotiated the host broadcasting rights to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. As the main host broadcaster for the 1988 Winter Olympics, the CTV television network paid $4.5 million for domestic rights to the 1988 Winter Olympics. [11] Coverage for the 1988 Winter Games was panned by critics and viewers alike, [12] especially compared to the well-received ABC coverage despite significant ressources mobilized and 118 hours of live coverage. [13] Esaw also brought the 1964 Winter Olympics to CTV.

Production of the broadcasting for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, which costs NOK 462 million, [14] was the responsibility of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), with assistance from CTV and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). [15] NRK had 1,424 people working at the Olympics, while international broadcasters sent an additional 4,050 accredited broadcasting personnel. The transmission rights for the games were held by EBU in Europe, CBS in the United States, NHK in Japan, CTV in Canada, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, Nine Network in Australia, as well as other broadcasters in other countries. The total transmission rights price was 350 million United States dollars. [16]

Commentators

2010 Winter Olympics

CTV's logo for coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics; on other channels, the appropriate channel logo replaces the CTV mark. CTVVancouver2010.png
CTV's logo for coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics; on other channels, the appropriate channel logo replaces the CTV mark.

For the 2010 Winter Olympics, coverage was as follows: [9]

Television

The Consortium's studio panel for men's hockey, at Canada Hockey Place (from left: James Duthie, Darren Pang, Nick Kypreos, and Bob McKenzie) CTV broadcasting team.jpg
The Consortium's studio panel for men's hockey, at Canada Hockey Place (from left: James Duthie, Darren Pang, Nick Kypreos, and Bob McKenzie)

Consortium coverage originated primarily from the Vancouver Convention Centre (the International Broadcast Centre for the 2010 games) as well as Mountain Square in Whistler.

The only breaks in coverage were for 30-minute local newscasts daily at 2:30 pm PT (5:30 pm ET), as well as a one-hour newscast produced by CTV British Columbia at 11:00pm PT (2:00 am ET). Two CTV National News summaries, anchored by Lloyd Robertson at CTV's main Vancouver studios, were aired nightly during Olympic Prime Time; the regular CTV National News broadcast aired solely on CTV News Channel for the duration of the games. [19] From 3:00 – 6:00am PT (6:00 – 9:00am ET) CTV News Channel also aired a simulcast of CTV's Olympic Morning.
  • Noovo (V): Major events and highlights in French, averaging 16.5 hours per day, including a morning show simulcast from RDS
  • TSN and Rogers Sportsnet: Full-event coverage, averaging 18 hours per day on each channel
  • OLN: Full-event coverage of outdoor events, averaging 4.5 hours per day
  • RDS: Full-event coverage in French, averaging 21 hours per day
  • RIS: Full-event coverage in French, averaging 6 hours per day
  • Omni: Multilingual coverage, averaging up to 6 hours per day (depending on location; not all coverage carried on all stations)
  • ATN: Multilingual coverage, averaging 6.5 hours a day across seven channels
  • APTN: Coverage in English, French, and Aboriginal languages, averaging 13 hours a day

The television broadcast was filmed with 39 new Hitachi SK-HD1000 studio/field cameras from Hitachi Kokusai Electric including on-site technical support. The cameras were also used to broadcast the 2012 Summer Olympics. [20] Following the games, portions of CTV's set were re-purposed by its Vancouver affiliate CIVT for its newscasts. [21]

Radio

English-language coverage was provided by the Sportsnet Radio Network, and included coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies, selected hockey games, special editions of Prime Time Sports , and various updates / programs on the games. French-language coverage, which was similar in scope, was carried by Corus Québec.

Broadcast team

Sport Play-by-play announcerColor commentatorReporter
Alpine skiing Gerry Dobson Brian Stemmle
Cary Mullen
Karen Percy
Perry Solkowski
Biathon RJ Broadhead Daniel Lefebvre Paul Hollingsworth
Bobsleigh/Luge/

Skeleton

Rob Faulds Chris Wightman (Luge)
Chris Lori and Christina Smith (Bobsled)
Duff Gibson (Skeleton)
Farhan Lalji
Cross country skiing RJ Broadhead Beckie Scott
Jack Sasseville
Paul Hollingsworth
Curling Vic Rauter
Bryan Mudryk
Linda Moore
Ray Turnbull
Russ Howard
Cathy Gauthier
Dan Murphy
Figure skating Rod Black David Pelletier (Pairs, Men's Singles)
Jamie Sale (Pairs)
Elizabeth Manley and Jennifer Robinson (Ice Dance, Ladies' Singles)
Sara Orlesky
Freestyle skiing Jamie Campbell Veronica Brenner (Aerials, Moguls)
Jeff Bean (Aerials)
Katherine Dolan
Men's ice hockey Chris Cuthbert
Gord Miller
Peter Loubardias
Pierre McGuire
Ray Ferraro
John Garrett
Ryan Rishaug
Darren Dreger
Gene Principe
Women's ice hockey Kevin Quinn Cassie Campbell Lisa Bowes
Short track Rod Black Susan Auch Louis Jean
Ski jumping RJ Broadhead Rob Keith Craig MacEwen
Snowboarding Jamie Campbell Tara Teigen Mark Torlay
Speed skating Rod Smith Catriona Le May Doan James Cybulski
Hockey studio

2012 Summer Olympics

CTV version of the Consortium logo slated to be used for the 2012 games. CTVLondon2012.png
CTV version of the Consortium logo slated to be used for the 2012 games.

The consortium also held rights to the 2012 Summer Olympics. Coverage plans for those games were follows (see above).

Broadcast team

English broadcasters

NetworkShowHost
CTV Olympic Prime Time Brian Williams
Olympic Daytime James Duthie
Jennifer Hedger
Olympic Morning Dave Randorf
Catriona Le May Doan
Sportsnet Olympic Prime Time Brad Fay
Olympic Daytime Daren Millard
Olympic Morning Don Taylor
TSN Olympic Prime Time Darren Dutchyshen
Olympic Daytime Michael Landsberg
Olympic Morning Kate Beirness
Sport Play-by-play announcer Colour commentator Reporter
Athletics Gord Miller
Vic Rauter (marathon and race walk)
Dave Moorcroft, Michael Smith, and Donovan Bailey
Roger Burrows (race walk)
Lisa Bentley (marathon)
Farhan Lalji
Badminton Jim Van Horne
Basketball Paul Jones Chantal Valee
Beach Volleyball RJ Broadhead Mark Heese
Boxing Eric Smith
Jim Van Horne
Russ Anber
Kara Ro
James Brydon
Canoe/Kayak/Rowing Rob Faulds (flat-water)
Vic Rauter (whitewater)
Larry Cain and Barney Williams (flat-water)
Marnie McBean (Rowing)
David Ford (whitewater)
Geneviève Beauchemin
Cycling Jamie Campbell Curt Harnett (track)
Brendan Arnold (BMX)
Lesley Tomlinson (road, mountain bike)
Gene Principe
Equestrian Bryan Mudryk Nancy Wetmore
Field Hockey David Christison Rechelle Hawkes
Gymnastics Rod Black Kyle Shewfelt (artistic)
Erika Leigh-Howard (rhythmic)
Katherine Dolan
Judo Bryan Mudryk Will Frazer James Brydon
Soccer Gerry Dobson
Luke Wileman
Jason de Vos
Craig Forrest
Kara Lang
Sheri Forde
Swimming/Diving Rod Smith Joanne Malar
Blythe Hartley (diving)
Lisa Bentley
Perry Solkowski
Synchronized Swimming Rod Smith Carolyn Waldo Perry Solkowski
Taekwondo Bryan Mudryk James Brydon
Tennis Jim Van Horne Stephen Warboys
Triathlon Paul Romanuk Barrie Shepley Dave Naylor
Volleyball Kevin Quinn Emily Cordonier
Water Polo Gerry Dobson George Gross Jr.
Weightlifting Paul Romanuk
Wrestling Vic Rauter Christine Nordhagen James Brydon

French broadcasters

NetworkShowHost
RDS Olympic Prime Time Chantal Machabée
Olympic Daytime Alain Crête
Olympic Morning Claude Mailhot
Opening Ceremonies, Collaborator Alexandre Bilodeau
Special Reporter Nathalie Lambert
Noovo Olympic Prime Time Jean Pagé
Olympic Daytime Frédéric Plante
Olympic Morning Yanick Bouchard
Sport Play-by-play announcerColor commentator
Athletics Pierre Houde Richard Garneau
Jean-Paul Baert
Bruny Surin
Canoe/Kayak/RowingDavid Arsenault Maxime Boilard (Canoe/Kayak)
Daniel Aucoin (Rowing)
DivingFélix Séguin Annie Pelletier
Gymnastics Claudine Douville Bernard Petiot
SoccerJean Gounelle Patrick Leduc
SwimmingDenis Casavant Yannick Lupien
Synchronized SwimmingClaudine Douville Marie-Pierre Gagné
TennisYvan Ponton Hélène Pelletier
Water PoloMichel Y. Lacroix Ann Dow
Women's SoccerClaudine Douville Patrick Leduc

Other rights

Paralympic Games

The consortium also owned rights to the corresponding Paralympic Games, namely the 2010 Winter Paralympics and the 2012 Summer Paralympics.

Coverage for the 2010 games consisted primarily of coverage of the opening ceremonies (live on CTV British Columbia, and on tape delay on the rest of the CTV network and RIS); daily highlights packages split among CTV, TSN and Sportsnet in English (and RDS / RIS in French); and live coverage of all sledge hockey games featuring the Canadian team. [22] Although not originally scheduled, CTV and RDS later added live coverage of the closing ceremonies. [23]

Coverage for the 2012 games offered no live television coverage and consisted primarily of 10 late night highlight shows carried on TSN2, Sportsnet One, and RDS2, though rebroadcasts of the opening ceremony were carried on both CTV and Rogers-owned broadcast network Citytv. [24] [25] [26]

Criticism of Paralympic Games coverage

2010 Winter Paralympics opening and closing ceremonies

Originally, CTV did not plan to air the opening ceremony live. After receiving criticism on the decision, CTV changed its mind and decided to air the ceremony live in Vancouver region. [27] CTV originally continued to stick to its initial plan of not airing the closing ceremony live. This decision led to more complaints and CTV relented by airing the closing ceremony live across Canada. [28]

2012 Summer Paralympics

Despite the 2012 Summer Paralympics being a breakthrough games for international media coverage, giving a significant boost to the overall audience shares of British broadcaster Channel 4 and Australia's ABC, [29] [30] no Paralympics sports events were shown live on television in Canada or the United States. "Based on the level of overall coverage, it's clear that Canadian broadcasters do not deem disability to be important. They are not supporters of inclusion", SCI BC (BC Paraplegic Association) Executive Director Chris McBride said, contrasting Canada's coverage with Britain's. [31] More than 1,000 people signed a petition calling for Canadian broadcasters to provide full Paralympics coverage at future Games. International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven criticised North American broadcasters for having fallen behind [32] and said in future the International Paralympic Committee would scrutinize broadcast partners more carefully. "If the values fit, we've got a chance. If they don't we'll go somewhere else", he said. [33]

Youth Olympics

Finally, the consortium owned broadcast rights to the first Youth Olympic Games, the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore. Coverage of those games was limited to a one-hour daily highlights package on Sportsnet and TSN2 (rebroadcast several weeks later on TSN).

See also

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