BURLINGTON, ONTARIO — (CANADIAN CHRISTIAN NEWS SERVICE) — YES TV and Canadian Basketball League (CBL), announced today the launch of a broadcast partnership which highlights the role of a national TV audience in opening up sponsorship opportunities both in sports and in business. The partnership is designed to leverage the relationship between the entities to bring more family-friendly entertainment into Canadian homes. In an agreement with the Canadian network, CBL has secured a 10-year broadcast partnership with YES TV, and believes that television exposure-plus basketball’s growing popularity in Canada, will lead to success where it counts most.
“We are very fortunate to have a broadcast partner like YES TV,” says Butch Carter, retired NBA player and former Toronto Raptors head coach, who now heads up the league. “The CBL needed a consistent day and time that would allow a steady opportunity for viewership of our basketball league. YES TV is the perfect place for the CBL.” YES TV’s General Manager, Rob Sheppard, noted, “This is great family entertainment at a great value. YES TV is all about positive, quality entertainment with a family-friendly focus, so this partnership aligns well with our vision.”
Both entities recognize that Canadian content is very important to nationalize the league, so that potential sponsors can support that content-similar to the CFL mandate. The league will start with four (4) Ontario-based teams, followed by five (5) in Western Canada. It will thrive by providing affordable entertainment in mid-sized markets, while allowing hopeful pros on modest salaries to nurture NBA dreams. A doping policy will be in effect, and the total game time will be forty minutes of four 10-minute quarters. The CBL has committed to astute fiscal responsibility to further set itself apart.
YES TV is a commercial television station, based in Ontario and is committed to positive, family-friendly, entertainment programming. It is an exclusively Canadian television station, available in 6.9 million homes across Canada, which would give the league an immediate national platform.
The CBL season began on December 11, 2016, when Durham United Basketball Club defeated Hamilton United Basketball Club 91-84. The CBL’s first full season will end on April 2, 2017. “Game of the Week” airs LIVE – Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. EST., beginning January 7, 2017, ONLY on YES TV. “CBL in 30” game recaps will air Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
-30-
For additional information about this press release or to conduct interviews, please contact:
Doriel Moulton
Director, Corporate Communications
Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
Office: 905.332-6400 ext. 2277
Email: dmoulton@crossroads.ca
About YES TV
YES TV is a commercial television station committed to positive, family-friendly, entertainment programming. YES TV is licensed and regulated by the CRTC as a religious channel and an exclusively Canadian television station, available in 6.9 million homes across Canada.
YES TV consists of three over-the-air conventional stations, two local stations, CKCS-DT (Calgary, AB) and CKES-DT (Edmonton, AB), and one regional broadcaster, CITS-DT (Hamilton, ON). The regional broadcaster primarily reaches the Greater Toronto Area with re-broadcast transmitters in Kitchener, London, and Ottawa. YES TV is a brand of CTS, a Canadian incorporated non-profit. www.yestv.com
About Canadian Basketball League
The Canadian Basketball League is a professional basketball league founded in Toronto, Canada on July 30, 2014. CBL teams play by Fiba rules. (INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL FEDERATION) CBL franchises play in Canadian basketball arenas with average seating capacity of 2000 Seats. Franchise teams are required to play in communities with a population base of over 400,000 people. The long term goal of the Canadian Basketball League is to be a development league for younger players. With over 250 Canadian players not playing in Canada, it is an ideal time to nationalize professional basketball similar to Europe (Euro League). The success of the Canadian Basketball League is directly related to Canadian content requirements in its bylaws and collective bargaining agreement. Canada is the largest country in the world that does not have a professional basketball league to support its national team.