Sportsnet 360 was originally known as Sportscope, and operated an alphanumeric service beginning in 1994. In 1996 the CRTC licensed Sportscope Plus as a national specialty channel devoted to “video highlights of sports events, as well as text and graphic displays that provide sports scores and schedules”. The owners were Headline Media Group and Western Co-Axial Limited. Sportscope was specifically excluded from carrying live sports events. After being launched in 1997, and renamed as Headline Sports, the channel was rebranded as The Score in March 2000, on being authorized to carry live sports events in no more than 15% of its program schedule, but with a requirement to maintain sports ticker tape score updates at the foot of the screen at all times.
CanWest Media Networks acquired Alliance Atlantis in December 2007, and with it a minority ownership position in The Score.
On September 1st 2008, with TSN starting a second channel, and the CBC about to launch its own Sports channel, The Score reacted to the potential increased competition by relaunching itself, claiming now to be “the first totally interactive sports channel in Canada, if not the world”.
In September 2011 the media were carrying stories suggesting that The Score was up for sale. It was noted that the channel’s access to the more popular live sports events had been severely limited by competitive bids by such competitors as BCE and Rogers, on behalf of TSN amd Rogers Sportsnet, and the asking price was regarded by many as being unrealistically high.
However, on August 25th 2012 it was reported that Rogers Communications Inc. had concluded a deal to purchase Score Media Inc, subject to CRTC approval.
On January 16th 2013, while still awaiting CRTC approval for the purchase, Rogers said it had applied to the CRTC for permission to change the broadcast format for The Score, to enable Rogers to schedule more live sporting events on the channel, and allow them to provide only one information break per hour.
Rogers also asked that the trusteeship in The Score be transferred from Peter Viner to Rogers.
Written by Pip Wedge – June, 2013
On April 30th 2013, the Commission approved an application by Rogers on behalf of The Score Television Network Ltd. (STNL) for authority to change the effective control of STNL so that control was exercised by Rogers.
On June 4th 2013, Rogers president of broadcast Scott Moore announced that The Score would be rebranded as Sportsnet 360, providing breaking news, scores, stats, highlights, analysis and live events, and would launch on July 1.
“All of the things that viewers of The Score have come to know and love will not change,” said Moore. “Sportsnet 360 will continue to offer the hardcore sports fan highlights, stats, and scores across the broadest range of sports, but on a much larger scale. We’ll deliver a vast breadth of premium sports content in a fast-paced, energetic and entertaining manner – and the new name, logo and animation will embody this.”
Ownership: Rogers Media
Start Year: 2013