View source for Rogers Sports & Media

{{Short description|Subsidiary of Rogers Communications}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Rogers Media Inc.
| trade_name = Rogers Sports & Media
| logo = Rogers Sports & Media logo.png
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| predecessor = [[Maclean-Hunter]]
| industry = [[Mass media]]
| products = [[Entertainment]], [[News]], and [[Sports]]
| parent = [[Rogers Communications]]
| divisions = [[Rogers Radio]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.rogerssportsandmedia.com/|rogerssportsandmedia.com}}
| founded = {{start date and age|1960}} (original)<br />{{start date and age|1994}} (current)
| hq_location = [[Rogers Building (Toronto)|1 Mount Pleasant Road]]
| hq_location_city = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]
| hq_location_country = Canada
}}
'''Rogers Media Inc.''', [[operating as]] '''Rogers Sports & Media''',<ref name="rsm-tm-filing" /> is a Canadian subsidiary of [[Rogers Communications]] that owns the company's [[mass media]] and [[sports]] properties.
==Operations==
{{Main|List of assets owned by Rogers Communications}}
Current television brands owned by Rogers include two [[television system]]s: the English-language [[Citytv]], and the [[Multiculturalism in Canada|multicultural]]-oriented [[Omni Television|Omni]]. Other television brands owned by Rogers include [[TSC (TV channel)|TSC]], and Canadian versions of [[FX (Canadian TV channel)|FX]], [[FXX (Canadian TV channel)|FXX]], and [[Bravo (Canadian TV network)|Bravo]]. In addition to television, the [[Rogers Radio]] division owns 55 stations across Canada.
The [[Sportsnet]] family of channels, which began as a group of regional sport channels, now serves as the ''de facto'' sports programming brand and division for Rogers. Through Sportsnet, Rogers also distributes the linear version of [[WWE Network (Canada)|WWE Network]]; as part of a larger program rights agreement with [[WWE]], in which [[Sportsnet 360]] carries WWE's main programming.
Rogers previously owned a number of magazines under the Rogers Publishing banner, including the former [[Maclean-Hunter]] magazines (such as namesake ''[[Maclean's]]''). In 2019, Rogers completed its divestment of the unit's remaining properties to [[St. Joseph Communications]].
== History ==
=== Background, formation, and early expansion ===
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{{Expand section|early history with sources|date=May 2020}}
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Rogers Media was established in 1960 when [[Edward S. Rogers Jr.|Ted Rogers]] and Joel Aldred acquired [[CHFI-FM|CHFI]].<ref name=Rogers>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listing_and_histories/rogers-media|title = Rogers Media &#124; History of Canadian Broadcasting}}</ref> The origins of Rogers can be traced to 1925 when [[Edward S. Rogers Sr.]] launched a radio station that would eventually become [[CFRB]]. In August of 1925, the name Rogers came into view on the Canadian broadcasting scene with the introduction of the Rogers Batteryless Radio at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. This invention was made with new tubes by Edward S. (Ted) Rogers, who invented them. Edward's father funded Albert's holding company Standard Radio Manufacturing Corporation Ltd. Standard this development. During the year 1927, the first ever seen radio broadcasting transmitter was built by Edward Rogers. This was a big deal because it operated from power lines without the assistance of batteries or converters. Rogers Batteryless was born from this invention.
In 1939, Edward Rogers died, and his son was only six years old. The Rogers family had involvement in Canada's broadcasting until about the mid-1940s; Velma, Edwards's wife, sold her shares away in Standard Radio Limited. Sixteen years later, the business would resurface again due to the son of Edward Rogers, Ted.
Rogers Media business began in 1960, when Ted borrowed $85,000 to buy Canada's first FM radio station, CHFI. That year, Rogers and Aldred formed [[Baton Aldred Rogers Broadcasting]] (a forerunner to present-day competitor [[Bell Media]]) when it acquired the license for [[CFTO-DT]], which launched the following year.<ref name="Rogers" /> In 1962, Rogers bought Aldred's shares of CHFI, which changed its name to CHFI-FM Limited, then Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. By 1964, CHFI-AM, which would eventually become [[CFTR (AM)|CFTR]] went on air.<ref name="Rogers" />
In 1986, Rogers acquired [[CFMT-DT|CFMT]], Canada's first multicultural station. It also received many stations from [[Selkirk Communications]] in 1989.<ref name="Rogers" />
In the most significant acquisition to date, Rogers Media acquired the assets of [[Maclean Hunter]] broadcasting properties in 1994. It later resold various properties to [[Western International Communications]].<ref name="Rogers" />
In 2000, Bell GlobeMedia acquired NetStar, the parent company of [[The Sports Network|TSN]], and ultimately divested their stake in [[Sportsnet]]<ref name=Rogers />
=== 2007–2013: Acquisition of Citytv and The Score ===
In June 2007, as part of [[CTVglobemedia|CTVglobemedia's]] acquisition of [[CHUM Limited]], Rogers announced its intent to acquire its [[Citytv]] stations. CTV had originally intended initially intended to sell CHUM's [[CTV 2|A-Channel]] stations and several other specialty channels to Rogers. Still, the CRTC required the Citytv stations to be divested to comply with major-market ownership restrictions.<ref name="TorStar2007">{{cite news|author=Jim Byers|date=June 12, 2007|title=Rogers buys Citytv stations|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|publisher=[[Torstar Corporation]]|url=https://www.thestar.com/Business/article/224297|access-date=May 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614074910/http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/224297|archive-date=June 14, 2007}}</ref> CTV maintained ownership of flagship Toronto station CITY-TV's local news channel [[CP24]], prompting Rogers to establish its own short-lived [[CityNews Channel]] in 2011 as a substitute, in cooperation with CITY-TV and sister news radio station [[CFTR (AM)|680 CFTR]]. The network folded in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rogers shuts down CityNews Channel {{!}} Financial Post|url=https://financialpost.com/technology/rogers-citynews|last=Des|date=2013-05-30|website=Financial Post|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref>
On January 16, 2008, the CRTC rejected an application by Rogers to establish a new [[Rock music|rock]] radio station in [[Parry Sound, Ontario|Parry Sound]], citing that it would have a disproportionately negative impact on its [[North Bay, Ontario|North Bay]] stations and local competitor [[CKLP-FM]]/.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2008/db2008-6.htm |title=Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-6 English-language FM radio station in Parry Sound |work=[[CRTC]] |date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=20 August 2019 |publisher=[[Gouvernement du Canada]]}}</ref>
Rogers acquired a minority interest in the web-based video production firm [[Vuguru]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-buys-stake-in-web-video-firm-vuguru-1.849235 |title=Rogers buys stake in web video firm Vuguru |work=[[CBC News]] |date=28 October 2009 |via=[[cbc.ca]] |access-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027183108/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2009/10/26/rogers-eisner-vuguru-web-video.html |archive-date=27 October 2009 |url-status=live |publisher=[[CBC Canada]]}}</ref> In 2010, Rogers received [[CHST-FM]] in London, Ontario, from CTVglobemedia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ARCHIVED - CHST-FM - Acquisition of assets|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2010/2010-953.htm|last=Government of Canada|first=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)|date=2010-12-22|website=crtc.gc.ca|access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref>
In 2011, Rogers announced a partnership with [[FX Networks]] to launch a [[FX (Canadian TV channel)|Canadian version]] of [[FX (TV channel)|FX]]. The channel was launched as FX Canada on October 31, 2011, with FX Networks acquiring a minority stake later that year.<ref name="fxcanada-launch-pr">[http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/864995/critically-acclaimed-fx-canada-launches-with-exclusive-free-view-for-digital-subscribers-starting-october-31 {{sic|hide=y|Critically|-}}acclaimed FX Canada launches with exclusive free-view for digital subscribers starting October 31] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528024044/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/864995/critically-acclaimed-fx-canada-launches-with-exclusive-free-view-for-digital-subscribers-starting-october-31 |date=May 28, 2013 }} Canada Newswire October 25, 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-783.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-783] CRTC December 16, 2011</ref>
On August 25, 2012, Rogers Media acquired [[Score Media]]'s broadcast business, including The Score Television Network, for $167 million, including a 10% stake in its digital business. The network has since been rebranded as [[Sportsnet 360]].
=== 2013–2017: NHL, WWE, and Vice deals ===
On November 26, 2013, Rogers announced that it would become the exclusive national media rightsholder for the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) beginning in the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]] under a 12-year contract valued at $5.2 billion. This gave Rogers rights to broadcast [[NHL on Sportsnet|national telecasts]] on the Sportsnet networks and [[CBC Television]] (the latter as part of a sub-licensing agreement to maintain ''[[Hockey Night in Canada]]'') and handle distribution for the NHL's [[Out-of-market sports package|out-of-market packages]].<ref name="torstar-rogersnhl14">{{cite news|date=November 26, 2013|title=NHL signs 12-year TV, Internet deal with Rogers; CBC keeps 'Hockey Night in Canada'|work=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2013/11/26/nhl_signs_12year_broadcast_deal_with_rogers_cbc_keeps_hockey_night_in_canada.html|access-date=November 26, 2013}}</ref><ref name="gandm-rogersnhl14">{{cite news|date=November 27, 2013|title=Rogers reaches 12-year broadcast deal with NHL worth $5.2-billion|work=The Globe and Mail|location=Toronto|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rogers-reaches-12-year-broadcast-deal-with-nhl-worth-52-billion/article15600412/|access-date=November 26, 2013}}</ref><ref name="cbcsports-rogers14">{{cite news|title=CBC partners with Rogers in landmark NHL rights deal|work=CBC Sports|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/cbc-partners-with-rogers-in-landmark-nhl-rights-deal-1.2440326|access-date=November 26, 2013}}</ref><ref name="cbcnews-rogersnhl">{{cite news|title=Rogers scores national NHL TV rights for $5.2B|work=CBC News|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-scores-national-nhl-tv-rights-for-5-2b-1.2440645|access-date=November 26, 2013}}</ref>
On April 1, 2014, a [[FXX (Canadian TV channel)|Canadian version]] of FX's younger-skewing sibling network, [[FXX]], and the "FXNOW Canada" app were launched.<ref name="[[Toronto Star]] article">[https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2014/01/14/rogers_goes_after_younger_audience_with_new_fxx_channel.html Rogers goes after younger audience with new FXX channel] [[Toronto Star]], January 14, 2014</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rogersmediatv.ca/pr_detail.php?id=983|title=Rogers Media Announces Launch of New Premium Specialty Channel FXX, April 1|work=Rogers Media TV Access|date=January 14, 2014|access-date=March 27, 2014}}</ref>
On August 1, 2014, Rogers reached a deal with American [[professional wrestling]] promotion [[WWE]]. An expansion of Sportsnet 360's existing deal with the promotion as The Score, the network would continue to be the exclusive broadcaster of WWE's weekly television programming, while Rogers would distribute the [[WWE Network (Canadian TV channel)|linear feed]] of the [[WWE Network]].<ref name="rogers-wwe-cdnbiz">{{cite web|url=http://www.canadianbusiness.com/technology-news/wwe-rogers-10-year-deal/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810203215/http://www.canadianbusiness.com/technology-news/wwe-rogers-10-year-deal/ |archive-date=2014-08-10 |title=Working from NHL playbook, Rogers locks down 10-year cable deal with WWE wrestling|first=Peter|last=Nowak|work=[[Canadian Business]] Captured by: [[Wayback Machine]]|date=2014-08-01|language=en}}</ref><ref name="rogers-wwe-10yrs-pr">{{cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1393042/rogers-and-wwe-announce-landmark-television-and-wwe-network-agreement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006100534/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1393042/rogers-and-wwe-announce-landmark-television-and-wwe-network-agreement |archive-date=2014-10-06 |title=Rogers and WWE® Announce Landmark Television and WWE® Network Agreement|author1=[[Rogers Communications]]|author2=[[WWE]]|date=2014-07-31|language=en}} ''Captured by: [[Wayback Machine]].''</ref>
In October 2014, Rogers announced a $100 million joint venture with [[Vice Media]] to establish a production studio in Toronto <ref name="cbc-rogersvice">{{cite news|date=October 30, 2014|title=Rogers, Vice Media strike $100M deal to create Canadian content|website=CBC News|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-vice-media-strike-100m-deal-to-create-canadian-content-1.2818406|access-date=October 30, 2014}}</ref> and launch Vice-branded television and digital properties in 2015.<ref name="canbusiness-globalaudience2">{{cite web|title=Viceland content will be made in Canada, for a global audience|url=http://www.canadianbusiness.com/innovation/viceland-content-will-be-made-in-canada-for-a-global-audience/|website=Canadian Business|publisher=Rogers Media|access-date=29 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="gandm-vicecanada">{{cite news|date=October 30, 2014|title=Rogers, Vice Media to partner on $100-million venture|work=The Globe and Mail|location=Toronto|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rogers-vice-media-to-partner-on-100-million-venture/article21380037/|access-date=October 30, 2014}}</ref> The following year, on November 5, 2015, Rogers and Vice announced that it would launch a [[Viceland (Canadian TV channel)|Canadian version]] of Vice's specialty cable channel, [[Viceland]], in Canada on February 29, 2016. The new channel would replace the Canadian version of [[FYI (American TV channel)|Biography Channel]]; a brand which was also owned by Vice Media investor [[A+E Networks]].<ref name="thr-vicecanada">{{cite news|title=Vice Media to Launch Cable TV Channel in Canada|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/vice-media-launch-cable-tv-837395|access-date=29 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="canbusiness-globalaudience2"/>
In September 2016, Rogers acquired Tillsonburg Broadcasting Company's [[CJDL-FM]] and [[CKOT-FM]] in [[Tillsonburg]].<ref name="lfp-rogers">{{cite web|title=Tillsonburg radio stations bought by Rogers communications|url=https://lfpress.com/2016/09/27/tillsonburg-radio-stations-bought-by-rogers-communications|website=The London Free Press|publisher=Postmedia Network|access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2017/2017-90.htm Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-90], ''CRTC'', April 5, 2017</ref><ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2017/2017-251.htm Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-251], ''CRTC'', July 13, 2017</ref> In January 2018, Rogers announced its acquisition of [[CJCY-FM]] in Medicine Hat, Alberta, from [[Clear Sky Radio]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2018/01/17/rogers-media-buys-cjcy-radio/|title=Rogers Media buys CJCY radio|website=Medicine Hat News|date=17 January 2018|access-date=2018-01-19}}</ref>
=== 2017–2023: Sale and shuttering of assets ===
Following an announcement on July 5, 2017, and over two years after the shuttering of its [[G4 (American TV network)|U.S. namesake]], the Canadian version of [[G4 (Canadian TV channel)|G4]] shut down on August 31, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://cartt.ca/article/rogers-media-pulls-plug-g4|title=Rogers Media pulls the plug on G4|date=July 7, 2017|work=Cartt|access-date=July 13, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
After Rogers pulled out of its venture with Vice, Viceland shut down on March 31, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Viceland to Go Off the Air on Canada's Rogers Communications|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/canadas-rogers-communications-pulls-plug-viceland-1076892|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|date=January 22, 2018|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=VICELAND – Revocation of licence|date=15 February 2018|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2018/2018-65.htm|publisher=CRTC|language=en|access-date=2018-03-23}}</ref>
In March 2019, Rogers announced that it would sell its remaining print publications, including ''[[Maclean's]]'', ''[[Chatelaine (magazine)|Chatelaine]]'', and ''[[Hello! Canada]]'', ''[[Today's Parent]]'', and the digital operations of former magazines ''[[Canadian Business]]'' and ''[[Flare (magazine)|Flare]]'' to [[St. Joseph Communications]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rogers Media Sells Remaining Print Titles, Including 'Maclean's,' To St. Joseph|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/333524/rogers-media-sells-remaining-print-titles-includi.html|website=Mediapost|language=en|access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=St. Joseph acquires Rogers Media's magazine titles|url=https://mediaincanada.com/2019/03/20/st-joseph-acquires-rogers-medias-magazine-titles/|last=Rody|first=Bree|date=2019-03-19|website=Media in Canada|access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref>
[[File:Rogers Sports & Media 2020 logo.svg|thumb|Rogers Sports & Media logo from 2020 to 2024]]
In February 2020, Rogers Media was rebranded as '''Rogers Sports & Media''' to "more accurately [reflect] our mix of assets."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regulatory, Telecom & Media News - SAIT Broadcast Systems Technology course to fall under cuts|url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/cbc-financial-report-for-the-third-quarter-ended-december-31-2019/|date=2020-03-05|website=Broadcast Dialogue|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref> However, the subsidiary's legal name did not change.<ref name="rsm-tm-filing">{{cite journal|url=http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/viewTrademark?id=2025954&lang=eng|title=ROGERS SPORTS & MEDIA DESIGN — 2025954|journal=Canadian Trademarks Database|publisher=[[Canadian Intellectual Property Office]]|date=May 4, 2020|access-date=September 4, 2020|quote=Applicant: ROGERS MEDIA INC.}}</ref>
In November 2023, Rogers reached an agreement with [[Disney Streaming]] to handle advertising sales for the ad-supported version of [[Disney+]] in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Andrea |date=2023-11-02 |title=Rogers Sports & Media settles into the Mouse House |website=[[Media of Canada]] |url=https://mediaincanada.com/2023/11/02/rogers-sports-media-settles-into-the-mouse-house/ |access-date=2024-08-19}}</ref>
=== 2024–present: New licensing agreements ===
On June 10, 2024, Rogers Sports & Media announced a licensing agreement with [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] (WBD) beginning in 2025. Under the agreement Rogers will hold the Canadian rights to WBD's factual brands, including [[Animal Planet]], [[Discovery Channel]], [[Food Network]], [[HGTV]], [[Investigation Discovery]] (ID), [[Magnolia Network]], [[Motor Trend (TV network)|Motor Trend]], the [[Oprah Winfrey Network]] (OWN), and [[Science Channel]].<ref name="msn">{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2024 |title=Rogers scoops rights to HGTV, Food Network, Discovery and more from Corus, Bell |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/tv/rogers-scoops-rights-to-hgtv-food-network-discovery-and-more-from-corus-bell/ar-BB1nYfQv |access-date=2024-06-12 |publisher=[[The Canadian Press]] |language=en}}</ref> Content will be distributed via new and existing Rogers platforms, including its television networks and [[Citytv+]]. Rogers also announced an agreement with [[NBCUniversal]] to relaunch [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]] in Canada{{efn|The original Canadian incarnation of Bravo was launched by [[CHUM Limited]] in 1995. It would later by acquired by Bell Media's predecessor, CTVglobemedia, and eventually relaunched as [[CTV Drama Channel]] following a format change in the late 2000s}} in September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-06-10 |title=Rogers scoops Warner Bros. Discovery rights from Corus and Bell |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/rogers-scoops-warner-bros-discovery-rights-from-corus/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref> Rogers' agreement with WBD succeeds long-time partnerships the latter company had with [[Bell Media]]{{efn|At the time of the announcement, Bell Media managed the Canadian versions of the factual properties, other than OWN, inherited by WBD from the pre-2018 [[Discovery Communications]] (including [[Discovery Channel (Canadian TV channel)|Discovery Channel]] and its branded siblings) through [[List_of_assets_owned_by_Bell_Media#CTV_Specialty|CTV Specialty Television Inc.]], a partnership with [[ESPN Inc.]] dating back to the launch of NetStar Communications formed after [[Interbrew]]'s acquisition of [[Labatt Brewing Company|Labatt]] in 1995.}} and [[Corus Entertainment]]{{efn|At the time of the announcement, Corus Entertainment managed the Canadian versions of WBD properties that were inherited from [[Scripps Networks Interactive]] (such as [[Food Network (Canada)|Food Network]] and [[HGTV (Canadian TV channel)|HGTV]]) as well as [[Oprah Winfrey Network (Canadian TV channel)|OWN]]. The majority ownership of some of these networks date back to the days of [[Alliance Atlantis]]. Corus was also a marketing partner for the Canadian launch of [[Discovery+]].}}, while the Bravo relaunch would be Rogers' third collaboration on a TV channel with [[Comcast]] after the launches of [[NBCSN|OLN]] and [[G4 (American TV network)|G4]] in Canada.{{efn|Rogers Cable also has a technology partnership with Comcast, including use of the [[Xfinity|X1]] IPTV platform for its Ignite TV service.}}
In a statement to ''[[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Gazette]]'' media writer Steve Faguy, a Bell Media spokesperson stated that their agreements with Discovery "includes protections against the launch of competing services", and that they "fully intend to assert our rights with a view to protecting our business."<ref>{{cite web |last=Faguy |first=Steve |date=June 10, 2024 |title=Rogers kneecaps Corus, stealing Canadian rights to HGTV and Food Network |url=https://blog.fagstein.com/2024/06/10/rogers-hgtv-food/ |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=Fagstein}}</ref> Bell subsequently filed for a court [[injunction]] to prevent Rogers from operating channels under the relevant brands for at least two years after the Rogers deal takes effect, citing [[non-compete clause]]s in its outgoing agreement, along with monetary damages from both Rogers and WBD. Bell further alleged that Rogers induced WBD to break the non-complete clauses in question.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/bell-files-injunction-seeking-to-block-rogers-from-broadcasting-warner-bros-content/article_16bed36e-f4d8-583c-a530-3b3f43b5330f.html|title=Bell files injunction seeking to block Rogers from broadcasting Warner Bros. content|first=Sammy|last=Hudes|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|date=July 2, 2024|access-date=July 3, 2024}}</ref> Subsequently, Rogers filed documents asserting  that WBD had failed to disclose the non-compete clauses to Rogers. On August 30, Bell said that in light of that revelation, it was no longer seeking monetary damages from Rogers, but would proceed with claims against WBD; including injunctive relief.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/bell-no-longer-pursuing-damages-from-rogers-in-warner-bros-discovery-beef/|title=Bell no longer pursuing damages from Rogers in Warner Bros. Discovery beef|first=Connie|last=Thiessen|work=Broadcast Dialogue|date=August 30, 2024|access-date=August 30, 2024}}</ref>
Corus also retaliated by filing a complaint with the CRTC in August 2024, accusing Rogers Communications as a whole of abusing a dominant position due to [[Rogers Cable]] offering the ad-supported version of Disney+ to Ignite TV subscribers, and promoting the service adjacent to Corus' Disney-licensed specialty services in the Ignite TV [[Electronic program guide|program guide]]. Rogers countered that Corus "has not kept up with the demands of Canadians and is now looking for the regulator to protect their broken business model" and accused Corus of forcing service providers to carry channels that consumers "no longer want to watch."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-08-13 |title=Corus lodges CRTC complaint alleging Rogers abusing 'dominant position' |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/corus-lodges-crtc-complaint-alleging-rogers-abusing-dominant-position/ |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref>
On August 28, Rogers announced its plans for how it will deploy the Warner Bros. Discovery factual brands: new specialty channels for the Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, ID, and Magnolia Network brands will launch on January 1, 2025, while content from Animal Planet, Cooking Channel, Motor Trend, OWN, and Science Channel will stream on Citytv+.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-08-28 |title=Rogers outlines plans to launch new channels |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/rogers-outlines-plans-to-launch-new-channels/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref> Rogers would also confirm that OLN will be rebranded as Bravo on September 1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rogers deal to shift Discovery Science, OWN, Animal Planet channels to streaming, on demand |date=28 August 2024 |url=https://www.cochraneeagle.ca/lifestyle/rogers-deal-to-shift-discovery-science-own-animal-planet-channels-to-streaming-on-demand-9446381 |access-date=2024-08-28 |via=Cochrane Eagle |agency=Canadian Press}}</ref>
Later in September, Rogers launched a new audio app known as Seekr, which carries radio stations and podcasts from across the Rogers Sports & Media division. The company will continue its existing partnership with [[Radioplayer|Radioplayer Canada]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-09-10 |title=Rogers Sports & Media launches Seekr app |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/rogers-sports-media-launches-seekr-app/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref> On October 8, 2024, Bell announced that it had settled with WBD, agreeing to a renewal of its licensing agreements for [[HBO]] and [[Warner Bros.]] content on [[Crave (streaming service)|Crave]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whittock |first=Jesse |date=2024-10-08 |title=Bell Expands Warner Bros Discovery Pact For HBO & Max Content And Ends Legal Action Over Rogers Deal |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/bell-warner-bros-discovery-hbo-max-deal-expands-1236109976/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.rogerssportsandmedia.com/}}
*[http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/index3.html?url=http%3A//www.broadcasting-history.ca/station_groups/Radio_Television_Station_Groups-Rogers_Media.html History of Rogers Media - Broadcasting] - [[Canadian Communications Foundation]]
{{Rogers Communications}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rogers Sports and Media}}
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