We just want to watch live
Dear TSN (The Sports Network):
It’s been a wild few years. As a curling fan outside of Canada, one of my favorite times of the year is when the calendar turns to February, and I get to watch the Scotties.
We just want to watch in real time.
You can imagine my panic when, a few years ago, ESPN decided to stop carrying TSN’s broadcasts of the Scotties (and Brier). I didn’t know what to do, and yet, you stepped in and helped out.
You gave international viewers an opportunity to watch live as Kerri Einarson won her fourth consecutive Scotties title. Because of you, we were able to watch the sendoff of Jennifer Jones in real time.
Thanks to you, TSN, we were able to laugh at Rachel Homan’s incredible reaction when one of her rocks bounced backwards on her way to the 2024 title.
Now it’s the middle of February in 2025 and I want to see curlers taking calls during the Sandra Schmirler Telethon.
I want to hear Vic Rauter say “Count ’em up,” hear Cathy Gauthier keep us plugged into the action on other sheets, and listen to Joanne Courtney give us valuable insights into team communication and sweeping.
I want to experience your new graphics package and sound, live.
I want commercials about farm implements.
But I can’t see any of those things. At least not live. By the time I and the rest of my curling family will be able to watch those moments, that game along with as many as 12 other matches will have already concluded.
It’s not the same this way.
I hear you might be working on a livestream solution. I hope I heard right.
Otherwise, I won’t be able to watch live when Kerry Galusha plays her final game at the Scotties. I want to watch in real time when Krista McCarville gets an ear-splitting cheer. I want to be able to see if Homan can defend her title without having to wait between 24 and 48 hours for the replay.
I know ESPN started the betrayal, but what did curlers outside of Canada do to deserve this? We want to celebrate Canada’s best curlers. We want to cheer when they cheer. We want to cry when they cry. We want to celebrate when they celebrate.
But we can’t.
It doesn’t need to be free. It just needs to be live.
With love,
Your International Viewership