(Prince George, B.C.) Through innovative partnerships, the 2015 Canada Winter Games will feature the most comprehensive webcasting coverage in Canada Games history; all available on one online Canada Games portal.
The webcasting will complement conventional broadcasting coverage with over 900 hours of sports coverage webcast during the 2015 Canada Winter Games, as well as unique human interest programming never before offered at a Canada Games.
As part of the 2015 Games extensive webcast programming, an innovative partnership between the 2015 Games, ViaSport British Columbia and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) was announced today. The groups have partnered on a 30 minute magazine-style online show, Canada Games TV TODAY, which will air daily in both Official Languages during the 2015 Games.
“We are very excited for the announcement of the comprehensive webcasting for the 2015 Canada Games, as it will allow viewers to get in-depth coverage of the Canada Games like never before,” says Tom Quinn, Canada Games Council Chair. “I truly commend all of the hard work put forth by the 2015 Games staff, BCIT, ViaSport and SportsCanada.tv for planning such comprehensive programming that will benefit athletes, their parents, and fans of the Canada Games across the nation.”
“We are proud to deliver comprehensive webcasting and another Canada Games first by providing enhanced coverage of the 2015 Canada Winter Games through Canada Games TV TODAY,” says Stuart Ballantyne, 2015 Canada Winter Games CEO. “This innovative partnership helps ensure the spirit of the 2015 Games and the northern story will be shared across the nation, as it will be accessible by anyone with an internet connection.”
“This is such exciting news. We cannot wait to share the unique culture and beauty of BC’s North with the rest of the country, and this partnership will allow us to showcase what makes this region so remarkable with an even broader reach. On behalf of Prince-George Valemount MLA Shirley Bond and Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris, I would like to congratulate all the parties involved in making this show possible,” says Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
Over 900 hours of sports webcasting is planned for the 2015 Canada Games and will be produced by SportsCanada.TV. Canada Games TV TODAY, powered by ViaSport and captured by 30 BCIT students, will also broadcast online during the 2015 Games. It will provide viewers across the nation highlights from the day’s events, behind-the-scenes exclusives about the 2015 Games, athlete profiles and features on the 2015 Games activities and festival.
“A goal for ViaSport is to offer innovative programming in a way that is entertaining and accessible in every home across the country; our partnership with the 2015 Canada Winter Games and BCIT is an unprecedented way to deliver on that goal,” says Bill Woodley, Vice President, Business Development & Operations with ViaSport. “For the first time in Canada Games history, we will be producing a daily show that offers a true glimpse into the ‘Canada Games Experience.’ By focusing on the unheard stories, inspirational interviews and behind-the-scenes action of athletes, coaches and volunteers, I’m confident this new initiative will bring increased exposure to the value of sport in our communities, province and country.”
“BCIT is very proud and excited to help tell the stories of the first Canada Winter Games in British Columbia,” says Randy Singer, Associate Dean, Digital Arts / Broadcast & Media Communications at BCIT. “For 50 years, BCIT Broadcast and Online Journalism, Radio Arts and Entertainment and Television & Video Production programs have been providing students with real-world, hands-on experience. Broadcasting the 2015 Canada Winter
Games with ViaSport will be a spectacular opportunity and we are looking forward to working with our partners in this innovative method of broadcast.”
“SportsCanada.TV is proud to be a webcast partner of the Canada Games,” says Choyal Brown of sportscanada.tv. “SportsCanada was founded to give exposure to Canadian athletes. We look forward to being part of this team and providing Canada Games fans coverage of their favorite athletes, teams and sports.”
The home for the webcasting, canadagamestv.ca, is currently in development and the portal and webcast programming schedule will be announced in November.
About 2015 Canada Winter Games
The 2015 Canada Winter Games will be the largest multi-sport and cultural event to ever be held in Prince George and northern British Columbia and is forecasted to generate an economic impact of over $90 million while building champions and inspiring dreams amongst Canadian youth. Athletes from 10 provinces and three territories will compete in 19 sports with the dream of becoming Canada’s next champions. In 2015, choose your path, leave your tracks, and journey with the 2015 Canada Winter Games as we host the nation and share a northern story with all of Canada.