Checking out TSN.ca this afternoon, the headline of the moment was “CTV Saves The Hockey Theme” I was shocked as most Canadian hockey fans were when they heard of this shift of the song we consider our second national anthem.
I personally think CBC the network who used the song since the 1960’s for the Hockey Night In Canada broadcasts made a big mistake by not trying to keep this song. This song has been apart of Hockey Night In Canada’s tradition and seeing it on a different network will just feel a bit off. I love TSN and I think it’s the best sports network in Canada but hearing this theme song on their hockey telecasts and hearing a brand new song on CBC will be disappointing.
CBC’s Hockey Night In Canada will not feel the same anymore and CBC should be ashamed for not keeping this theme. But I’m happy the theme song will stay alive and still be connected to hockey even if it is dead to Hockey Night In Canada. Here is the article courtesy of TSN.ca:
Toronto, ON – CTV Inc., together with Copyright Music & Visuals, today announced that CTV Inc. has acquired all rights to ‘The Hockey Theme’ in perpetuity, preserving the song’s legacy and ensuring it will be heard on national television for years to come. ‘The Hockey Theme’ song will now live on CTV Inc. properties TSN, RDS and across Canada on CTV during coverage of the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympics as outlined below.
The deal between CTV and Copyright Music & Visuals was agreed to in principle after the CBC publicly announced last Friday at 5 p.m. ET that a deal could not be reached with the rights holders. Due diligence was completed earlier today.
The song, which was created by Vancouver’s Dolores Claman in 1968, will now be used in NHL broadcasts on TSN and RDS beginning this Fall. In addition, CTV will utilize the song as part of its hockey coverage during the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
“The song has a long and storied history in Canadian sports and has become ingrained in the hearts and minds of hockey fans across the country. It is an iconic tune, embraced by Canadians everywhere, and we felt it was imperative to save it. We know we will be in hockey forever, so there’s no doubt this acquisition will create value for us,” said Rick Brace, President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc. “It’s an honour and a privilege to own such a cherished piece of Canada.”
“I am very moved by how so many Canadians have taken the hockey theme to heart. We are so pleased the song has found a new home,” said Claman. “Throughout our negotiations, CTV displayed a tremendous amount of respect for my family and the song. ‘The Hockey Theme’ means so much to Canadians, and we know it’s in good hands with CTV.”
The announcement complements TSN’s new six-year multi-platform NHL deal, featuring more coverage of Canadian teams than ever before with at least one Canadian team in every game. Earlier this year, RDS extended its exclusive rights agreement with the Montreal Canadiens through the 2011-12 season.
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