It's us vs the rest of the country
I believe that you are correct, AV. Remember when Bell/TSN first took over exclusive coverage to CFL games back in 2008? The first move they made was to switch playoff games to Saturdays (save for the Grey Cup). Ratings subsequently fell and playoff games were promptly moved back to Sundays the next year.
Cameron Dukes + Dan Adeboboye + Kevin Mital + David Ungerer + Damonte Coxie + DaVaris Daniels + Dejon Brissett = Unstoppable Force
this is what Chris Zelkovich said about Sunday games last year
Last weekend’s CFL division finals each topped the million mark but were seven per cent lower than last year’s finals. But the West final this year was basically over in the second quarter, which no doubt sent a lot of viewers scrambling for something more interesting to watch. In light of the previous week’s 14 per cent increase, though, the CFL and TSN will take that into Sunday’s Grey Cup game.
Besides, it can console itself with the realization that Sunday’s games drew almost double the audience that watched comparable NFL offerings. So much for the alleged wisdom that the CFL should never go head-to-head against its American counterpart.
Despite taking a thumping from the CFL and despite a double-digit drop in ratings south of the border, the NFL is doing fine in Canada. Bell Media reports that overall NFL ratings are up six per cent this season (similar to the CFL’s regular-season jump), with a 26 per cent increase among those aged 18 to 34.
Exactly my point. Bell is basically just protecting their NFL investment by not having Sunday afternoons on the schedule. It's probably even more so now that Rogers has all the national NHL rights. They need good numbers from both the CFL and NFL, and in their minds that can't happen if they are on at the same time.
It's us vs the rest of the country
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