Normally, I would not post an individual radio press release, but this is big. This would be similar to CBC losing Hockey Night in Canada to TSN. Today, the Montreal Canadiens announced they’re leaving their long-time home of news/talk CJAD and moving to all-sports radio The Team 990. The Canadiens and station owner, Bell Media already have an existing relationship through television rights via TSN/TSN2/RDS and ESPN Classic, so it’s only natural to extend the business to radio.
This is a seven season deal so the Canadiens are with Bell Media on radio for the long-term. Let’s check out the press release.
Bell Media’s THE TEAM 990 Becomes Official Radio Broadcaster of the Montreal Canadiens in New Seven-Year Deal
Landmark deal includes all 82 regular season games, playoff games and pre-season games
THE TEAM 990 to feature extensive pre- and post-game showsMontreal, QC (June 22, 2011) – THE TEAM 990 is now the official voice of the Montreal Canadiens with exclusive English radio broadcast rights to all of the team’s games over the next seven seasons. The new deal makes THE TEAM 990 home to all 82 regular season games, all Canadiens playoff games and all pre-season games.
This marks the first time THE TEAM 990 will have radio broadcast rights to Montreal Canadiens games. In addition to the radio broadcasts, THE TEAM 990 also confirmed the station will complement its game broadcasts by producing extensive pre- and post-game shows.
THE TEAM 990 will also make live and on-demand audio available online at www.team990.com.
“It’s truly something special for everyone here at THE TEAM 990 to become the new radio home of the Montreal Canadiens,” said Wayne Bews, General Manager of THE TEAM 990. “As a proud member of the Montreal community, the Habs have always dominated our airwaves. This new partnership with the Canadiens organization will enable us to give hockey fans even more coverage of our city’s team.”
“We are very pleased to have entered a new partnership with THE TEAM 990 to become the Canadiens English radio broadcaster,” stated Geoff Molson, Chairman of the Board of Directors and owner of the Montreal Canadiens. “This long term agreement with THE TEAM 990 is a testament to our commitment to provide our fans with the most comprehensive and reliable broadcast on English radio for the foreseeable future.”
THE TEAM 990 and the Montreal Canadiens will announce its game play-by-play team later this summer.
That’s it for now.
