CBC, Sportsnet deal broadens FIFA coverage

The partnership between CBC Sports and Sportsnet continues to grow, at least from a soccer perspective.

On Tuesday, CBC announced an agreement between the two broadcasters that will provide Canadians with an unprecedented level of coverage of upcoming international soccer events including the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

In February 2011, CBC Sports and Sportsnet joined forces for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. That deal saw CBC air all matches involving Canada, save for one quarterfinal which Sportsnet televised, along with encore broadcasts of the other three quarter-finals, semifinal, bronze and gold-medal matches.

Under the new sub-licensing agreement, Sportsnet will carry matches of the competitions for which CBC Sports holds broadcast rights under its agreement with FIFA. The list includes:

FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup Japan

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012

FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012

FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013

FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014

2014 World Cup Brazil

“This is an exciting arrangement which will ensure that Canadians are able to enjoy all of the action of ‘the beautiful game’ at its most prestigious level,” Jeffrey Orridge, CBC’s executive director of sports properties, said in a statement.

“CBC is committed to sharing the best in Canadian and international sporting events with viewers across the country, and this new agreement allows for broader coverage of these marquee FIFA tournaments.”

Sportsnet now officially becomes a licensed broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

“Sportsnet is committed to providing fans with access to premium soccer content, and providing viewers with exceptional broadcast coverage,” Scott Moore, president, broadcast, Rogers Media, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be part of bringing Canadians comprehensive coverage of the 2014 World Cup and other world-class FIFA events over the next three years.”

Starting Aug. 20, CBC will broadcast live as Canada begins its first round of group play matches for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup. Completed matches will be available on demand at CBCSports.ca.

The Canadians open the tournament against Argentina, then face Norway Aug. 23. Their toughest match is expected to be Aug. 27 versus North Korea, the runner-up from 2008.

The Aug. 19-Sept. 8 tournament is the first FIFA-sanctioned women’s competition to be held in Japan.