UFC Renews Canadian Broadcast Deals With TSN and RDS

MMA Fighting reports that the UFC has renewed its Canadian broadcast deals with TSN and RDS, with TSN becoming the exclusive English-language home for the promotion in Canada. TSN is the main Canadian sports channel, similar to ESPN. UFC has been there since 2015 after it moved from Rogers Sportsnet, where it was at its most popular in Canada during the Georges St-Pierre era. At that time, PPV and TV viewership was more than that of the US.

RDS, a French-language sports channel in Quebec, will continue to air the UFC’s French-language events. While no terms were revealed, Canadian sports deals usually go for less than they do in the US.

It was also announced that UFC events will not air on the Fight Network anymore, where the UFC has been for over a decade. TSN and RDS will air UFC preliminary cards before every PPV and 22 different Fight Night events. They will also air Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contenders Series. UFC fights that aren’t on TSN, including early preliminary fights and some Fight Night Events, will air on Fight Pass. TSN and RDS will also air content through social media channels and other Bell Media platforms like SnackableTV and Crave, for content streaming on demand. Finally, TSN will air exclusive non-fight programs that air on ESPN in the US.

Shawn Redmond, Vice President of TSN and Discovery Networks in Canada said: “We are incredibly excited to build on our strong relationship with UFC to extend our agreement as their Canadian home. This expanded partnership allows us to deliver even more UFC content across not only TSN and RDS, but also Bell Media platforms, providing additional choice and coverage to our viewers.”

David Shaw, UFC Senior Vice President of International and Content, added: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with TSN and RDS, as they have been a key component of UFC’s growth in Canada. Canada is one of UFC’s most important markets, supported by a strong and loyal fan base. With this continued relationship, TSN and RDS will help us reach more UFC fans in Canada than ever before.“