Rogers and Bell recently increased fees paid for cable packages that include TSN and Sportsnet by licensed establishments with capacity over 100 people.
Now for the home consumer that news probably didn’t make a blip on your radar. But for golf courses around Northern Ontario, it’s become another expense on an industry that is suffering already.
An article from The Toronto Star approximated that some establishments bills to rise about $1,200 to $2,400 a year.
Facebook post citing TV cost increase for the small golf club
Coming across a Facebook post from Kapuskasing Golf Club drove this message home even more this week. According to their post, Eastlink Cable had quoted them $310/month for the Sports Package (TSN, Sportsnet, etc…). Club Manager David Guay reported to members that it’s another expense that may be out of reach.
The Kapuskasing post references an online site and action that is called notasportsbar.ca.
The site was setup to protest the fee hike to local curling clubs, but it appears it will not only affect them it will also add up quickly for golf courses also.
“increased fees paid for cable packages that include TSN and Sportsnet by licensed establishments with capacity over 100 people. Establishments licensed for seating for 100-200 people are facing an increase of approximately $300 per month to continue to show TSN and Sportsnet, in addition to their regular cable or satellite fees.”
In an industry that is already susceptible to Mother Nature, fighting rising Hydro costs, set in a short summer season and Provincial restrictions to course conditions, could this be just another nail in the coffin of an already decreasing participation sport.
Check out notasportsbar.ca and let me know how you feel.
We are facing a similar dilemma and are just waiting for Cogeco to turn off the two Sports Networks that were previously a part of our “Basic Cable” subscription.
We don’t blame Cogeco, they are just the delivery vehicle for the content, and understand the desire for the network owners to capitalize on their asset, but it would be nice if they’d not paint everyone with a liquor license with the same brush. Sure, we have more than 100 seats, but average occupancy is far below that and not once have we used a Sports Network as a draw to showcase an event.
I also applaud the curling association for trying to educate all parties on the effect of this pricing strategy. I sent a note to the NGCOA to draw the campaign to their attention and hopefully they launch a similar lobbying effort.