World Cup Soccer 2006 on Sportsnet

[Lenster]

Just a re-post to keep the pressure on - the more people to send a request, the better. My reply was, "We haven't made a decision on whether or not we will carry the World Cup in HD".

Originally Posted by Lenster

Here's a copy of my e-mail to Rogers Sportsnet. Feel free to cut and paste. I know we'll get the standard canned response, but what's it going to hurt to try? C'mon - it'll only take a few minutes to send an e-mail. Tell all your friends. Enough already...

Mr. Doug Beeforth
President
Rogers Sportsnet

Dear Mr. Beeforth,

I am very excited about your recent press release announcing that Rogers Sportsnet has acquired the exclusive Canadian broadcast rights to all matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, which takes place in Germany.

By this letter, I wish to bring your attention to another press release which announced Host Broadcasting Services (HBS), the dedicated host broadcast company, has chosen to cover the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ Germany in Widescreen (16/9) HDTV digital format.

http://www.hostbroadcastservices.com...dnews=6&page=2

Since your agreement connects you to HBS and HD broadcasting, it will be possible to broadcast all 64 games in High Definition. I hope your company will take advantage of this great opportunity to showcase Rogers Sportsnet as the Canadian leader in HDTV Sports.

I trust you will give due attention to this matter.

Yours Truly,


[insert name here]
Faithful Rogers customer [for those who are]

cc D. Akande, V.P. Programming
B. Billinger, Assoc. Marketing Manager

Yeah, what's wrong with laying it on real thick? Thanks to Nels Stewart for the link to the addresses - http://www.broadcastdialogue.com/dir...p?IDnumber=999

[wildman]

Has anyone heard recently what the plans are for Rogers Sportsnet concerning the World Cup in HD.

The last I heard was about 3-4 months ago that they were still contemplating.

[Lenster]

I re-sent a revised version of my previous letter (see below) asking for an update. Cross your fingers.

If you feel so inclined, I invite anyone who's interested to send an e-mail to Mr. Beeforth and associates. The e-mail address is available at:

http://www.broadcastdialogue.com/dir...p?IDnumber=999

Time to give another kick at the can.

PS I don't want a lot of replies telling me how futile this effort is. I'm a big "futbol" fan and I want to do my part. End of story.

[Lenster]

And the reply was:

Hello ###,

Thank you for your recent email. Decisions with regards to whether we will be getting the HD broadcasting rights for the World Cup have yet to be arranged. If we are successful, we will add the details to our website much closer to the date. We certainly appreciate your interest in our network and we thank you for the feedback.

Sincerely
Jim LaChapelle
Audience Relations
1-877-288-7767

Looks like it may serve a purpose to contact Sportsnet. You never know.

PS I don't want a lot of replies telling me how futile this effort is. I'm a big "futbol" fan and I want to do my part. End of story.

[lellis]

Has anyone heard anything new about WC 2006 being avilable in HD format to us?

Tks....

[TurboTropic]

My latest enquiry, 2 weeks ago, has gone unanswered.

This is the number 1 reason I bought an HDTV. Please don't make me regret it Sportsnet.

[os]

It will not be in HD on any Canadian channel. Otherwise it would already have been announced.

[Nels Stewart]

That's rather cynical os. TSN/CTV didn't announce an HD production of the Canadian Figure Skating Championships until just a little more than a week before the actual event. NBC just put out their press release about HD Winter Olympics last week, a month before the event. There's still plenty of time for TSN/Sportsnet to get their HD act together for the World Cup. The feeds are available, they'd be crazy not to.

[TurboTropic]

Is there a cost premium for them to purchase HD content?

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by TurboTropic

Is there a cost premium for them to purchase HD content?

I wonder who has to be for the bandwidth to bring the feed to North America?

The bandwidth requied for HD is typically about 6X the bandwidth for SD so if Sportsnet has to pay for that then it will be more expensive for them. But if a US broadcaster is also showing in HD then they should be able to share the bulk of the cost.

[ryoung]

I'm almost positive I saw a commercial saying that the World Cup was going to be broadcast in HD, while I can't say for sure, I'm optimistic it will be and believe me, when it comes to tv broadcasting in this country I'm not normally very optimistic!

[os]

Originally Posted by Wayne

But if a US broadcaster is also showing in HD then they should be able to share the bulk of the cost.

Everything will be HD in US. On ESPN and ABC. That was already announced a few months ago.
Nothing will be HD in Canada (this is my prediction).

[Q]

Originally Posted by os

Everything will be HD in US. On ESPN and ABC. That was already announced a few months ago.
Nothing will be HD in Canada (this is my prediction).

Do you have a link?
This will be great if they do! OTA ABC......no prob.

[atari8472]

http://www.soccertv.com/espn.cfm

ESPN Networks to air World Cup 2006 in high definition

August 17, 2005

ESPN, Inc. has announced that all 64 matches of World Cup 2006 will air in the US LIVE in high definition on either ABC HD, ESPN HD, or ESPN2 HD.

ESPN, Inc. has an agreement with Soccer United Marketing (SUM), the television arm of Major League Soccer (MLS), which holds the US English-language TV rights to World Cup 2006.

[TurboTropic]

We already know that the US will broadcast all games in HD. However, TSN and Sportsnet have not announced anything and not responded to enquiries.

It's good if you can get OTA ABC, but you won't get the games broadcast on ESPN.