HomeGeneral + Regulatory + Telecom + MediaBell and Rogers reach specialty channel...

Bell and Rogers reach specialty channel carriage agreement

Bell and Rogers have announced an agreement to distribute each other’s specialty channels across platforms, ending a carriage dispute stemming from changes in the content licensing rights landscape that saw Rogers scoop rights to Warner Bros. Discovery’s suite of English-language U.S. lifestyle and factual brands from Bell and Corus Entertainment last year.

Announced Tuesday morning, under the agreement Bell Fibe TV and Satellite TV subscribers will now have access to Rogers Sports & Media channels HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Magnolia Network and Investigation Discovery, along with continued access to Bravo. As of the announcement, those channels are available to all customers in free preview.

Conversely, Rogers Xfinity customers will continue to have full access to Bell Media’s Specialty portfolio, which includes channels such as USA Network, Oxygen True Crime, and CTV specialty channels, including CTV Comedy Channel, CTV Drama Channel and CTV Sci-Fi Channel. Rogers Xfinity customers continue to have access to HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Magnolia Network and Investigation Discovery.

“Delivering the most compelling content to Canadians is our focus, and this agreement furthers that goal. We are providing customers more choice and ensuring Rogers customers will continue to have access to Bell Media favorites like Highway Thru Hell , Heavy Rescue 401 and Fear Thy Neighbor on our specialty channels,” said Kevin Cluett, SVP, Distribution and Product Platforms, Bell Media, in the announcement. “By making these channels more widely available, we’re giving viewers more of what they love while strengthening the Canadian broadcasting ecosystem.”

“It’s great that more Canadians will now have access to North America’s most beloved and specialty TV brands like HGTV, Food Network and Discovery, and can access new titles and the latest seasons of top shows from Rogers Sports & Media,” added Hayden Mindell, SVP Television, Rogers Sports & Media. “The premium content we’ve invested in is unmatched in Canada, offering Canadians the programming they want most, including hits like My Lottery Dream Home , Beat Bobby Flay and Expedition Unknown, along with new series Chasing The West with Drew and Jonathan Scott.”

Connie Thiessen
Connie Thiessenhttps://broadcastdialogue.com
Connie has worked coast-to-coast as a reporter, editor, anchor and host at CKNW and News 1130 in Vancouver, News 95.7 and CBC in Halifax, and CFCW Edmonton, among other stations. With a passion for music, film and community service, she led News 95.7 to a 2013 Atlantic Journalism Award and regional RTDNA award for Best Radio Newscast. More recently, she was nominated for Music Journalist of the Year at Canadian Music Week 2019. To report a typo or error please email - corrections@broadcastdialogue.com

SUBSCRIBE NOW - IT'S FREE!

At Broadcast Dialogue®, we are committed to delivering industry-leading insights, news, and analysis directly to your inbox—completely free of charge.

By providing full / accurate information, you are helping us sustain Broadcast Dialogue® as a free resource. In return, we commit to delivering high-quality content that keeps you informed on the latest trends, technology, and news shaping the broadcast landscape—at no cost to you.

The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue® is delivered exclusively to our subscribers by email every Thursday.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Your Subscription Information

Your Name
Your Email Address
Broadcast Dialogue uses this information to understand our audience and deliver relevant content.
Broadcast Dialogue uses this information to understand our audience and deliver relevant content.

Your Company Information

A Couple Of Questions

Do you consider yourself retired?
Are you seeking employment opportunities?

Broadcast Dialogue uses this information to understand our audience and deliver relevant content.

Latest News

OP-ED: Ottawa’s journalism policy still has a radio blind spot

Submitted by Barry Rooke, Executive Director, National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) Canada’s journalism-support system contains a basic contradiction.  A reporter covering a municipal council...

Brent Bambury reflects on his more than four decades with CBC

Despite a career that's included being heard Saturday mornings on CBC Radio for nearly a quarter century, Brent Bambury will eternally be known by...

News Director – Prince George BC

NEWS DIRECTOR Prince George, BC Pattison Media Prince George has a very rare opening in it’s operation. We are seeking an exceptional newsroom leader to guide all...

OP-ED: Ottawa’s journalism policy still has a radio blind spot

Submitted by Barry Rooke, Executive Director, National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) Canada’s journalism-support system contains a basic contradiction.  A reporter covering a municipal council...

The Weekly Briefing

REVOLVING DOOR: Kayla Grey has announced her exit from TSN after a decade. Grey, who revealed the move in a lengthy Substack post on Monday,...