Sportsnet West

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Lore & Background

Sportsnet was approved by the CRTC in September 1996 under the tentative name S3, with Baton Broadcasting Inc. holding a 40% controlling interest, and 20% minority stakes held by Rogers Media and Liberty Media. The network launched on October 9, 1998, as CTV Sportsnet. Rogers acquired CTV's stake in 2001 and renamed it Rogers Sportsnet, then bought the remaining 20 percent stake from Fox in 2004. The four regional feeds air common programming and simulcast major events but are capable of airing regional programming autonomously.

In Their Own Story

On September 2, 2008, Louie DeBrusk was announced as the new color commentator for Rogers Sportsnet Edmonton Oilers broadcasts, replacing Ray Ferraro. This marked a turning point for the on-air crew. DeBrusk was replaced by Drew Remenda in 2014 but continued to appear as an analyst. By 2018, he had returned to replace Remenda on most broadcasts, eventually taking over full-time in 2021. Today, the standard commentary team features Jack Michaels and Louie DeBrusk, joined by reporter Gene Principe. Kevin Karius also played a specific role, substituting for Morley Scott when Scott was assigned to games broadcast on pay-per-view starting in 2005.

Reader's Guide

Sportsnet West is one of the four regional Sportsnet channels available on analogue cable in its region and nationally via digital cable (subject to blackouts). It airs regional NHL coverage and other local sports programming.

Did You Know?

• Sportsnet was originally licensed as a category A service, operating as a group of regional sports networks.
• Since 2011, Sportsnet has operated under deregulated category C licensing, allowing multiple feeds with no restrictions on alternate programming.
• Sportsnet is the national cable rightsholder of the National Hockey League and holds full regional rights to three Canadian NHL franchises.