Rogers Sportsnet and the Vancouver Canucks are pleased to announce details of their multi-year agreement that will see Sportsnet Pacific continuing as the Canucks' Official Broadcaster.

This is Sportsnet's ninth consecutive season as the team's primary broadcaster. The network will televise 47 Canucks games exclusively in British Columbia and Yukon during 2007-08. Further, during the term of the agreement, high definition telecasts of the Canucks on Sportsnet will be introduced, increasing each year to a total of at least 95 HD telecasts over the next four seasons.

"We are very excited that our coverage on Sportsnet will increase for the 2007-08 season," said Chris Zimmerman, President & CEO of the Vancouver Canucks. "The relationship we have with Sportsnet has allowed our fans to enjoy a high quality broadcast and consistent place to enjoy Canucks games over the years. We look forward to continuing this relationship."

"We are thrilled to continue as the television home of the Canucks," said Doug Beeforth, President, Rogers Sportsnet. "The partnership between our two organizations has grown every year of the past decade - and continuing that relationship into the future is a benefit for everyone - most of all, the loyal Canucks fans throughout BC and Yukon."

Sportsnet averaged 332,000 viewers (2+) for the 2006-07 season, including a season-high 481,000 on April 3rd when the Canucks faced the Los Angeles Kings.

The match-ups of the 47 games will be announced at a later date when the Canucks release their 2007-08 broadcast schedule.

In addition, Zimmerman said this contract will likely mean another crowd pleaser — there won’t be an increase in the number of pay-per-view games. In fact, there will probably be fewer. That should come as a huge relief to fans who had to shell out exorbitant fees for the 17 pay-per-view games last year even though the telecasts were criticized for not being network quality.

The 17-game pay-per-view package last season sold for for $159.99. (By comparison you could have purchased every other NHL game played in 2006-07 in a package for $209.)

“There’s still some different variables, including how many CBC games there are and TSN games,” Zimmerman said. “So I don’t know the exact numbers yet but my expectations, based on our Sportsnet agreement for next year, in all likelihood we will actually reduce the number of pay-per-view games.”

I understand your concern about some of the non-televised games.  We hope to address that in a future contract with the NHL.
 
Unfortunately, time and budget do not allow us to add all the games you mentioned.  We did add the Canucks/Sharks game, and we have also added another regional game on March 31, the Senators/Isles.   We will keep our options open for April 7 as the playoff races will dictate what we do.
 
Thanks again for your note.  And thank you for your kind words.  It's a pleasure and an honour to be at the CBC.
 
All the best...
 
Scott Moore
Executive Director,
CBC Sports