Mainstream Media vs. Sports Leagues: A Battle Over Coverage

Strategic Insights -

The ongoing struggle between Canadian mainstream media outlets and sports leagues has escalated, leading to a boycott of a West Indies-Australia cricket series by major news providers. The Associated Press (AP) has pulled coverage due to Cricket Australia's demands for accreditation, including a request to see the AP's client list and restrictions on text and photo usage on newspaper websites. The Canadian Press (CP) and other major news outlets are in agreement with the AP, citing the importance of traditional newsgathering rights.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cricket Australia's demands for accreditation have led to a boycott of the West Indies-Australia series by major news providers, including the AP and Reuters.
  • The AP and CP have declined to comply with Cricket Australia's demands, citing concerns over restrictions on text and photo usage on newspaper websites.
  • The leagues' refusal to bend on what they see as an invasion of their turf is based on their desire to control the flow of information and drive traffic to their own websites.
  • The NHL, NBA, and MLB have all imposed similar restrictions on coverage, leading to an uneasy truce in Canada over limitations on hockey, baseball, and basketball coverage.
  • The leagues' websites generate significant revenue, with the MLB raking in $400 million per year from web operations.

Statistics:

  • Average audience for Rogers Sportsnet's coverage of the Bills game in Toronto: 524,000.
  • Viewership for Monday's Thrashers-Leafs game on Sportsnet Ontario: 711,000, outpacing Monday Night Football on TSN by 140,000 viewers.
  • Revenue generated by the MLB from web operations: $400 million per year.

Sources:

  • The Toronto Star
  • The Canadian Press
  • The Associated Press
  • Reuters
  • Agence France-Press
  • Sportsnet
  • TSN
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • NBA