CBC to broadcast World Curling Tour
CBC announced on Tuesday an extensive curling broadcast deal that ensures the network will remain involved with one of Canada's favourite sports for many years.
Former world champion Wayne Middaugh is among the many top curlers to compete on the World Curling Tour. (Canadian Press)
In the eight-year deal with Insight Sports Ltd., CBC Sports will broadcast the World Curling Tour's Grand Slam events.
The agreement, which includes multimedia rights, begins this fall and runs until spring 2014.
"Curling has enjoyed a long and proud tradition of coverage on CBC, and we are excited to add these events to our lineup," said Nancy Lee, executive director, CBC Sports.
"The Grand Slams feature the top curlers from Canada and around the world going head to head in thrilling competition. There is no better place for them to be showcased to all Canadians than on CBC."
The Grand Slam of Curling boasts many of the sport's biggest stars competing for large cash prizes.
The new deal keeps curling on the CBC well beyond 2008, when its current joint agreement with TSN expires.
CBC currently shares coverage of several elite curling events with TSN. The events including the Brier, Hearts and world championships.
Under the current deal, TSN broadcasts afternoon and evening draws for the opening week before CBC televises the final weekend. That pact ends after the 2007-08 season.
TSN gets exclusive broadcast rights to the Brier, Hearts, world championships and Olympic trials from 2008 until 2014.
CBC airs the first Grand Slam of Curling final on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. ET. The full season broadcast schedule will be released in the coming weeks.
CBC has won several awards for its curling coverage over the years, including the 1998 IOC Golden Rings Award from the International Olympic Committee for excellence in curling coverage.
