With the regular season starting next week, the Canadian Football League has put its stamp of approval of one half of its US television contract on which I reported earlier this week.
The CFL has announced that NBC Sports Network will carry 14 regular season games as well as three postseason contests which includes the Grey Cup, the league’s Championship Game on November 24. That is an increase from 9 games last season.
NBCSN’s schedule will include the season opener on Thursday, June 27 between Montreal and Winnipeg at 9 p.m. ET. NBC Sports Network will pick up the TSN feed from Canada for the games.
Here’s the official announcement from the Canadian Football League.
NBC Sports Network to Showcase CFL in 2013
TORONTO — The Canadian Football League will be showcased this season on U.S. television with 14 regular-season games, the Eastern and Western Final, and the Grey Cup championship game on NBC Sports Network, the CFL announced today.
“We’re very pleased to partner again this year with NBC Sports Network to deliver our high-scoring and exciting brand of football to our fans south of the border,” said Michael Copeland, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Football League.
“It’s important for our league and has a significant impact on player recruitment, and gives fans an opportunity to follow some of their former favourite collegiate players.”
NBC Sports Network will kick off its CFL broadcast schedule with the opening game of the 2013 CFL season, featuring the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hosting the Montreal Alouettes in their brand new stadium, Investors Group Field. It will follow the league right up to Grey Cup Sunday, which will take place this year in Regina, Saskatchewan on Sunday, November 24.
“We are excited to be partnering again with the CFL, and to present its fast-paced and tradition-rich brand of football on NBC Sports Network,” said Mike Perman, Vice President, Programming, NBC Sports Group.
All CFL games are broadcast in Canada on TSN, with additional games available in French on RDS and RDS2.
“We’re looking forward to a very exciting season, and welcome our many American friends along for what will be a great ride,” Copeland said.
Here is the full NBC Sports Network CFL Schedule: (All times ET)
NBC Sports Network Broadcast Information Regular Season Date Time Away Home Thursday, June 27 9:00pm ET Montreal Winnipeg Tuesday, June 30 7:30pm ET BC Toronto Friday, August 2 9:00pm ET Hamilton Edmonton Monday, August 5 7:00pm ET Winnipeg BC Friday, August 9 9:00pm ET Saskatchewan Calgary Thursday, August 22 7:30pm ET BC Montreal Monday, September 2 5:00pm ET Edmonton Calgary Tuesday, September 3 7:30pm ET Montreal Toronto Friday, September 6 9:00pm ET Calgary Edmonton Friday, September 27 10:30pm ET BC Winnipeg Monday, October 14 12am ET (10/16) Toronto Hamilton Friday, October 18 12am ET (10/19) Calgary Edmonton Thursday, October 24 7:30pm ET Winnipeg Toronto Friday, November 1 12am ET (11/2) Montreal Toronto Playoffs Sunday, November 17 TBD (11pm ET) Eastern Final 1 Eastern Final 2 Sunday, November 17 TBD 12am ET (11/19) Western Final 1 Western Final 2 101st Grey Cup Sunday, November 24 6:30pm ET Grey Cup 1 Grey Cup 2
As far as ESPN2 is concerned, their deal has not been finalized at this time. Expect an official announcement on its half of the CFL schedule sometime next week.