CBC wins rights to 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto

CBC/Radio-Canada has been awarded the host and Canadian broadcast rights for the 2015 Pan American Games and Parapan American Games in Toronto.

The agreement will give Canadians access to comprehensive coverage in both official languages and on multiple platforms. Specific broadcast details will be made available at a later date.

"We are pleased to have been selected to partner with Toronto 2015," said Jeffrey Orridge, Executive Director, Sports Properties for CBC English Services. "This is more good news for Canadians and the amateur sport community across the country, and we are thrilled to connect viewers with these Canadian athletes on home soil in advance of the Olympic Games in Rio the following year."

"As the host broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada will also bring the Pan/Parapan Am Games to the world, which positions us well for a revenue-positive outcome."

The Pan/Parapan American Games are considered a proving ground of sorts for Summer Olympic hopefuls, offering viewers the chance to see athletes that will potentially be representing Canada at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

The 2011 Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, featured 15 sports with either direct or indirect qualifying implications for the London Olympics.

The CBC/Radio-Canada deal includes English and French-language television, online, mobile and non-commercial radio rights for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, which run from July 10-26, and the Parapan Am Games, which go from August 7-14.

Last month, CBC/Radio-Canada was awarded the Canadian media rights for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. That deal is expected to be cost-neutral for the public broadcaster.