TSN2

Infobox TV channel
name = The Sports Network 2 (TSN2)
logofile = TSN2.png logoalt =
logosize = 180px
launch = 1997 (as TSN alternate feed)
August 29, 2008 (as TSN2)
closed date =
picture format = 480i SD
720p HD
share =
share as of =
share source =
network =
owner = CTV Speciality Television Inc. (CTVglobemedia 80%/ESPN 20%)
slogan =
country = Canada
broadcast area = National
headquarters = Toronto, Ontario
former names =
replaced names = TSN alternate feed (1997-2008)
sister names = TSN
timeshift names =
web = [http://www.tsn.ca/tsn2/ TSN2]
terr serv 1 =
terr chan 1 =
sat serv 1 = Bell TV
sat chan 1 = Channel 401 (SD)
Channel 848 (HD)
sat serv 2 = Star Choice
sat chan 2 = Channel 401 (SD)
Channel 269 (HD)
cable serv 1 = Available on many Canadian cable systems
cable chan 1 = Check local listings, channels may vary
sat radio serv 1 =
sat radio chan 1 =
online serv 1 =
online chan 1 =

The Sports Network 2 (commonly known as TSN2) is a timeshifted West coast feed of the Canadian English language specialty channel, TSN, owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc; a division of CTVglobemedia (80%) and ESPN (20%). The channel was launched with a 24-hour schedule on August 29, 2008. TSN2 was originally an "alternate feed" for TSN, showing only programming that could not be shown on the main channel due to other programming commitments (initially for blackout purposes, but then for other programming it could not air). In August 2008, it was relaunched as its own channel with a separate 24-hour lineup, now known as TSN2.

Legally, TSN2 is a timeshift feed of TSN, with most non-live programming being programmed for the Pacific Time Zone, on a three hour tape delay from the main TSN feed which operates from the Eastern Time Zone. This abnormality allows TSN2 to operate under the same license as TSN.. TSN2, unlike its main feed, is only available to be distributed by digital cable and satellite means, rather then analogue.

History

The TSN alternate feed was originally launched in 1997 as a result of occasional blackouts for TSN programming, as well as its regional coverage for Toronto Maple Leafs games which were restricted to Ontario. [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/eng/Decisions/1997/DB97-290.htm Decision CRTC 97-290] , 3 July 1997] In its original iteration, the alternate feed could only air on analog cable in specific areas, replacing the national service. Alternate programming could make up a maximum of 10% of the TSN schedule—an average of 2.4 hours a day.

In fall 2006, TSN was allowed by the CRTC to air multiple feeds nationally, [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2006/db2006-620.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-620 ] ] with the alternate feed only available on digital platforms, as had previously been permitted for Rogers Sportsnet's regional feeds. In essence this means that for digital cable and satellite subscribers, TSN now had two channels on which to air programming. The broadcaster's use of the alternate feed changed significantly following this decision, as the alternate feed began to carry a much larger number of live events that could be aired nationally when the main feed was carrying another ongoing event.

The alternate feed was sometimes unofficially referred to in the media as "TSN2". However, it was at the time not a direct equivalent to a channel like ESPN2, which carries a completely separate 24-hour schedule from ESPN proper. In addition, the alternate feed was also only available in standard definition, leaving some events shown on it without high-definition coverage in Canada (unless the event was being simulcast from a broadcast network in the US, as HD feeds of major networks are readily available on Canadian cable and satellite services).

The birth of TSN2

A launch for the 24-hour TSN2 channel was revealed by The Globe and Mail on August 6, 2008. The new channel promised "major league programming" throughout the day, and will have extensive coverage of auto racing and tennis. Unlike the existing TSN alternate feed, which was available free of charge, service providers (and potentially, in turn, consumers) would apparently be required to pay extra in order to carry TSN2, and providers that have not yet agreed to carry the new channel were required to stop carrying the alternate feed in August 2008. [cite web |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080806.wspttruth6/BNStory/GlobeSports/?query= |title=TSN getting set to launch companion channel |accessdate=2008-08-07 |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=2008-08-06 ]

The new channel launched on August 29, 2008 at 7 p.m. EST, with live coverage of the US Open. While the existing TSN alternate feed has been discontinued, TSN2 will continue to operate as a subsidiary channel under the existing TSN licence. Moreover, it has the same limits on alternate programming: TSN promises "800+" hours per year of live events on TSN2, which is in line with the 10% maximum discussed above. All other programming is timeshifted from TSN proper, and also contains airings of TSN original programs such as SportsCentre and which is not necessarily inconsistent with the use of an alternate feed, as other cable channels such as Showcase and The Comedy Network already have timeshifted east / west feeds. [ [http://www.tsn.ca/other_sports/story/?id=246287&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main TSN press release] , August 14, 2008] This is indicated by a digital on-screen graphic used by TSN2, which contains indications on if the program is being shown live. In addition, TSN2 also became available in HDTV on the same day as the standard definition channel launched, unlike the previous alternate feed.

As of September 19, 2008, providers that have agreed to carry TSN2 include Aliant, Bell TV, Bragg Communications (including EastLink, Persona and other brands), SaskTel, Shaw Cable, Star Choice, Cogeco, Access Communications, and a handful of independent cablesystems. [ [http://www.tsn.ca/tsn2/schedule/?channel=TSN2 TSN2 channel listings] , retrieved August 29, 2008] Deals have yet to be reached with other providers such as Rogers and Vidéotron.

A separate " [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/eng/Decisions/2000/DB2000-720.htm TSN2] " channel was approved by the CRTC in 2000, but never implemented due to a prohibition on live programming. The authority for this channel expired in 2004 and never re-applied for, so the new channel is not directly connected to the 2000 licence. ["Final extension" approved in [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2003/db2003-599.htm Decision CRTC 2003-599] and expired November 2004]

Complaints by competitors

"The Globe and Mail" newspaper reported on September 15, 2008, that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (who have a licence for "CBC SportsPlus", a sports channel focusing on Canadian athletes with a particular interest on amateur sports) and Score Media Inc. (owners of The Score Television Network, which also has restrictions on the amount of live programming it can air) made a complaint to the CRTC about TSN2's exploitation of a rule imposed by the CRTC legally allowing timeshifted feeds of channels for the west coast.

As mentioned, timeshift channels must air at least 90% of the original schedule, but can air up to 10% of alternate programming when needed. John Levy of Score Media claimed that TSN2 should not be allowed to sell new advertising on the network based on their interpretation of the rules.cite web|url=http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080915.wrtsn15/BNStory/Business/home|title=Rivals want TSN2 kicked out of game|date=September 15, 2008|publisher=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=2008-09-18]

References

External links

* [http://www.tsn.ca/tsn2 TSN2]