Hubbry Logo
SportsCentreSportsCentreMain
Open search
SportsCentre
Community hub
SportsCentre
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
SportsCentre
SportsCentre
SportsCentre
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
SportsCentre
Also known asSportsDesk
(original title; 1984–2001)
Based onSportsCenter by Chet Simmons and ESPN
Presented bySee below
Opening theme"Pulstar" (1984–1990) "SportsCenter Theme" (1990–present)
Ending themeSame as opening
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production locations9 Channel Nine Court,
Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running timeVaries; usually 60+ minutes
Production companyTSN
Original release
NetworkTSN (1984–present)
CTV (2007–2020, Weekends)
ReleaseSeptember 1, 1984 (1984-09-01) –
present

SportsCentre (SC) is a Canadian daily sports news television program sports news television program, and the flagship program on TSN. The program airs several times daily TSN feeds, and on weekends on CTV.

History

[edit]

The program was launched under its original title SportsDesk the same day as TSN itself debuted, on September 1, 1984. It retained that title until September 5, 2001, when the program was relaunched under a similar look and format to American cable network ESPN's flagship sportscast SportsCenter, with the title rendered in Canadian spelling. It also uses the current ESPN SportsCenter theme. The change in name occurred after majority ownership in TSN had been turned over to CTV the previous year when it acquired 80% of the network; the transaction required the approval of existing minority shareholder ESPN, which did so on the condition that TSN align its branding and programming more closely with ESPN's, and with it, also introducing a new logo that was akin to that of ESPN's. Since relaunching as SportsCentre, the program has normally originated from the CTV (now Bell Media) Agincourt studios at 9 Channel Nine Court in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario.

On September 25, 2006, SportsCentre began broadcasting in high definition. At that time, TSN expressed hopes to have all reports from its bureaus in HD in the near future.[1]

In the early 2010s, the program drew significant attention, including from media in the United States, for its 1 a.m. ET/morning-loop anchor team of Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole, which had taken the program in a much more irreverent and comedic direction. The Wall Street Journal published a feature story on the pair titled "Why Can't We Have Canada's 'SportsCentre'?", which compared the Onrait-O'Toole pairing to the likes of 1990s ESPN SportsCenter anchors Keith Olbermann and Craig Kilborn.[2]

The attention eventually led to Onrait, O'Toole, and their longtime producer Tim Moriarty all being hired by Fox Sports in the U.S. to help launch its new national cable channel Fox Sports 1 in 2013.[3] Onrait and O'Toole served as hosts of Fox Sports Live, which was initially a competitor to the U.S. version of SportsCenter on ESPN (and later relaunched as a sports-oriented talk show), until February 2017 when Fox cancelled the show and allowed their contracts to expire.[4] Jay and Dan were later rehired by TSN becoming the anchors of a new rebranded midnight ET edition of SportsCentre, SC with Jay and Dan.[5]

Kraft Celebration Tour

[edit]

From 2009 to 2014, for ten days in late August and/or early September of each year, SportsCentre travelled to ten communities across Canada under the banner of the "Kraft Celebration Tour". Two teams of anchors, one starting in the East and the other in the West, broadcast on alternating days during the tour. Each of the ten host communities received a minimum C$25,000 grant from Kraft Foods to support a community project related to sports or active living.

Host communities were nominated by local residents and submissions are reviewed by a TSN/Kraft judging panel. From 2009 to 2013, the panel named the top 20 finalists each year (10 pairs of two) which were reduced to the ten hosts via online voting. In 2014, the judging panel named all ten hosts directly, with the public instead voting on the winner of a new $100,000 grand prize, and the nine other communities winning $25,000 as before.[6] While the main judging criteria were related to the value of the proposed project and overall submission quality, production logistics and "the need to create a viable cross-Canada tour" were also considerations.[7] The majority of provinces were represented each year, though some provinces sometimes had multiple hosts per year, meaning that smaller provinces (most frequently one or more in Atlantic Canada) were skipped in some years. No community in the territories was selected prior to 2013, when Fort Smith, Northwest Territories was selected in online voting over Whitehorse, Yukon.

In 2015, the Kraft Celebration Tour was replaced with a new initiative, Kraft Project Play, which involves increased funding for community projects, but no longer includes live on-location broadcasts of SportsCentre.[8]

2020 coronavirus pandemic reaction

[edit]
Main articles: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports and COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

On March 11, 2020, the NBA announced that it would suspend its season indefinitely following the conclusion of that night's games as a result of Rudy Gobert testing positive for COVID-19 before a game between the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, which caused the game to be initially postponed. The following day, all of the other major sports leagues followed suit in suspending their seasons for an indefinite period in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and other sporting events were also canceled after plans to hold them without an audience fell through. After the cancellations were announced, TSN aired special editions of the program chronicling the effects of the pandemic and its impact on sporting events and the athletes' reactions to the pandemic via social media.

Following a hiatus of original broadcasts, production of SportsCentre and SC with Jay and Dan resumed on April 6, 2020, with anchors and editorial staff working from their homes.[9] Studio production of SportsCentre resumed in mid-June 2020. Airings of ESPN's SportsCenter and Get Up! were also added to the TSN schedule to provide supplemental news content.

Scheduling

[edit]

TSN generally produces three editions of SportsCentre each day, all of which are usually at least one hour in length: early evening (6:00 p.m. ET), late evening in the East (typically 10:00 p.m. ET), and late evening in the West (1:00 a.m. ET). The latter broadcast is repeated on an hourly loop throughout the overnight and morning hours, typically running until 1:00 p.m. ET. Since the launch of TSN2 in 2008, some editions (and repeats) have occasionally aired on that channel in the event of programming conflicts on TSN. TSN has gradually increased the length and, in some cases, repetition of SportsCentre broadcasts such that the program is now sometimes carried for up to 16.5 hours out of the day (including "morning loop" repeats) on either TSN or TSN2 (this is similar to the expansion of SportsCenter broadcasts on ESPN since 2008, although with fewer live telecasts).

For a time, TSN2 also carried an abbreviated highlights-only broadcast called SportsCentre Morning Rush, which aired on a 15-minute loop during the morning hours. This program has since been replaced with TSN Radio simulcasts and repeats of other TSN-produced programs such as That's Hockey 2Nite.

Beginning with the 2007 NFL season, extra editions have been produced for sister network CTV as its post-game program for early-window Sunday afternoon NFL games. On weekends, CTV also airs repeats of the previous night's late edition of SportsCentre at noon local time.

On September 4, 2017, a new midnight ET edition, SC with Jay and Dan was introduced, which was hosted by Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole as a distinct version of their previous tenure as late-night anchors of the program prior to their move to Fox Sports 1.[10] On February 2, 2021, Bell Media (TSN's majority owner) released O'Toole from the program, re-naming it SC with Jay Onrait.

Format

[edit]

For a 60-minute broadcast, the first half-hour typically contains highlights for the day's biggest events, sometimes with a weekly feature (such as "Plays of the Week" or "Ultimate SC") towards the end of that half-hour. The first segment of the second half-hour typically returns to the top two or three stories with packaged reports and/or panel analysis, which is followed by additional highlights and other features. Some highlights segments are given individual names at their conclusion (for example, "NHL Wrap-Up" or "Golf Report") for the apparent sole purpose of providing sponsorship opportunities related to those sports and are otherwise indistinguishable from the rest of the show.

The second-to-last segment traditionally contains two daily features: the "Honour Roll", which is a collection of the best plays of the day in no particular order, and (on weeknights) the "SportsCentre Top 10", a countdown of past sports highlights with some theme, typically related to a recent sports event (typical topics might include: "Game 6 Performances Forcing a Game 7", "Odd Celebrity Moments", or "Objects Thrown by Spectators"; the Friday night/Saturday morning topic is almost always "Top 10 Must-See Moments" of the past week). This differs from ESPN's SportsCenter Top 10, which is usually just the top 10 plays of the day. The final segment includes the "Worst Play of the Day" and the "Highlight of the Night", the latter chosen from the Honour Roll highlights.

In 2014, an online-poll feature titled "1v1", sponsored by Ram Trucks, was added to the closing segment of SportsCentre five nights per week (Sunday night/Monday morning through Thursday/Friday). Each day's poll pairs a reigning "champion" highlight (with a ten-day maximum) with a "challenger" (usually that edition's Highlight of the Night). This caused the Highlight of the Night announcement to be moved to the second-last segment right after the Top 10, and later the Honour Roll to be moved to the third-last segment. The traditional format is still used Friday and Saturday nights (Saturday and Sunday mornings).

The early-evening (6:00 p.m. ET) edition varies from the above format slightly as it mostly previews the night's games and covers other off-field sports news, along with any daytime highlights. The second half-hour is largely a repeat of the first, with the exception of some features such as the extra segment of Pardon the Interruption produced for ESPN's SportsCenter in the first half, and the "Honour Roll Encore" (a repeat of the previous night's set of top highlights) at the end of the broadcast.

On-air staff

[edit]
"Jermain Franklin" redirects here; not to be confused with Jermaine Franklin.

Current anchors

[edit]
  • Kate Beirness (2009–present)
  • Sarah Davis (2018–present)[11]
  • Laura Diakun (2015–present)
  • Jermain Franklin (2020–present)
  • Kayla Grey (2018–present)
  • Lindsay Hamilton (2016–present)
  • Jennifer Hedger (2002–present)
  • Paul Hollingsworth (2012–present)
  • Jay Onrait (2002–2013, 2017–present)
  • Glenn Schiiler (2013–present)[12]
  • Rod Smith (1995–present)
  • Kara Wagland (2014–present)[13]
  • Mark Roe (sportscaster) (2015–present)

Former anchors

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

SportsCentre

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
SportsCentre is the flagship sports news television program of (TSN), Canada's premier sports broadcaster, delivering daily coverage of highlights, scores, analysis, and exclusive interviews from major sports events worldwide. Launched in 1984 as SportsDesk, the program evolved into SportsCentre and has since become a cornerstone of TSN's programming, airing multiple editions throughout the day on the network's five national feeds and available for streaming to subscribers via the TSN app. The show features a dynamic format with fast-paced segments, expert commentary, and in-depth reporting on leagues such as the NHL, CFL, NBA, and MLB, often anchored by prominent TSN personalities who contribute to its reputation for comprehensive and engaging sports journalism.

History

Inception and early years

SportsCentre originated as SportsDesk, the flagship program of The Sports Network (TSN), which launched on September 1, 1984, as Canada's first national 24-hour sports television channel. Founded by the Labatt Brewing Company through its subsidiary Labatt Communications Inc., TSN was established with a $20 million investment to target male viewers aged 18-49, aligning with Labatt's core beer consumer demographic and leveraging the company's ownership of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. The network's creation marked a pioneering effort in Canadian specialty cable television, approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) earlier that year as the Action Canada Sports Network before adopting the TSN branding. In its early format, SportsDesk served as a straightforward sports news update program, functioning as a traditional newscast that provided highlights, analysis, and reports on major events, initially airing in a late-evening slot to complement TSN's live programming. Key anchors included Jim Van Horne, who became TSN's first sports commentator and hosted the show from its debut, alongside early contributors like and Don Chevrier, who helped establish the program's professional tone. The show played a central role in covering prominent Canadian sports, particularly the NHL and CFL seasons, delivering timely recaps during the 1980s hockey boom fueled by stars like and the league's expanding popularity, which boosted TSN's early audience engagement. TSN experienced steady growth throughout the , reaching one million subscribers by December following CRTC approval for basic cable carriage, which broadened its accessibility beyond premium pay-TV. This milestone supported the introduction of weekend editions of SportsDesk in , enhancing weekend sports coverage amid rising demand for NHL and CFL highlights. By 1990, the program expanded to additional daily time slots, reflecting TSN's increasing prominence as a dedicated sports outlet and setting the stage for its evolution into SportsCentre in 2001.

Relaunch and expansion

In 2000, CTV Inc. acquired an 80% controlling interest in NetStar Communications Inc., the parent company of (TSN), marking a significant shift in ownership that facilitated closer alignment with , in which NetStar held a minority stake. This partnership paved the way for the of TSN's sports news program from SportsDesk to on , 2001, adopting a format and visual style inspired by 's to enhance its appeal and production quality. The relaunch emphasized dynamic highlights, analysis, and on-air energy, positioning as Canada's premier sports highlight show while respecting Canadian spelling and regulatory approvals that prevented a full rebrand of TSN itself to " Canada." Accompanying the rebrand, SportsCentre expanded from its original half-hour format to full one-hour episodes, with additional evening slots introduced to increase daily airtime and provide more comprehensive coverage of major events. This growth in programming duration and frequency supported TSN's evolving role as a 24-hour sports destination, allowing for deeper dives into daily recaps and emerging stories. By the mid-2000s, these changes contributed to operational enhancements, including the integration of advanced digital elements such as improved on-screen graphics for real-time statistics and play breakdowns. On September 25, 2006, SportsCentre transitioned to high-definition broadcasting, upgrading studios and feeds to deliver sharper visuals and immersive production values that aligned with global sports media standards. This technical leap coincided with viewership surges in the early , particularly during the 2004–2005 NHL lockout, when TSN's overall audiences rose 10% year-over-year despite the absence of league games, driven by alternative sports coverage and highlights programming. Further boosts came from TSN's expanded involvement in Canadian Olympic broadcasting following the CTV-TSN-Rogers consortium's successful $153 million bid for rights to the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2012 Summer Games in 2005, which elevated the network's national profile and cross-promoted SportsCentre segments. In 2007, SportsCentre broadened its national reach through integration with the CTV network, airing weekend repeats that extended accessibility beyond cable subscribers to conventional television audiences. This expansion solidified the program's status as a cornerstone of Canadian sports media, bridging TSN's specialty focus with wider broadcast distribution.

Signature personalities and tours

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole emerged as pivotal figures on SportsCentre, transforming the late-night edition into a cult favorite through their irreverent, comedic style that blended sharp wit, pop culture references, and self-deprecating humor. Their approach, often compared to classic SportsCenter duos like Keith Olbermann and Dan Patrick, resonated with Canadian audiences and extended to the U.S., where clips of their banter went viral on platforms like YouTube, drawing international acclaim and prompting Fox Sports 1 to recruit them in 2013 to host Fox Sports Live. This departure marked a brief hiatus from TSN, but their return in 2017 reignited the duo's chemistry with the launch of SC with Jay and Dan, a dedicated late-night show that capitalized on their signature humor to rebuild SportsCentre's personality-driven appeal following the network's 2009 relaunch. Parallel to the duo's ascent, SportsCentre enhanced its community engagement through the Kraft Celebration Tour, an annual sponsored event running from 2009 to 2014 that featured live on-location broadcasts from fan-nominated communities across Canada. Anchors like Darren Dutchyshen, Jennifer Hedger, and Kate Beirness hosted special editions from sites such as Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, in 2010 and Montebello, Quebec, in 2014, incorporating local sports demonstrations, barbecues, and $25,000 grants for recreational improvements, which fostered grassroots excitement and tied the program directly to everyday Canadian sports culture. The tour's high-energy format, blending highlights with interactive fan events, amplified SportsCentre's accessibility and helped solidify its role as a national touchstone. In 2015, the Kraft Celebration Tour evolved into Kraft Heinz Project Play, redirecting emphasis toward youth sports development with ongoing community funding and select live SportsCentre broadcasts from winning locales, such as , in 2019. This shift, which has awarded over $4 million to more than 138 communities since its , maintained the on-location tradition but prioritized long-term infrastructure for minor sports over one-off celebrations, aligning with broader societal goals for accessible athletics. These elements collectively boosted SportsCentre's , with Onrait and O'Toole's viral segments—such as their improvised "parking lot" riffs originating from early TSN shoots—driving online shares and heightened engagement during high-stakes periods like NHL playoffs. Their antics contributed to the program's rising popularity in the , attracting larger audiences through memorable, shareable content that extended beyond traditional viewership metrics.

COVID-19 adaptations

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread cancellations of live sports events across Canada and globally, TSN suspended studio production of SportsCentre to prioritize employee safety and comply with public health guidelines. The program, which had been a staple of nightly sports highlights, was temporarily replaced by imported content from ESPN's SportsCenter to fill the schedule gap. Production resumed on April 6, 2020, through fully remote broadcasts, with anchors delivering segments from their home environments to maintain the show's presence amid the crisis. Co-hosts and exemplified this shift, filming from personal setups—Onrait from his basement surrounded by toys and O'Toole from his kitchen featuring exposed brick and household items—using simple equipment like iPhones mounted on tripods provided by TSN. Other anchors, such as , similarly contributed from home offices, creating a makeshift ""-style atmosphere that highlighted the improvisational nature of the adaptations. Key operational changes included shortening episodes to 30 minutes from the usual hour, conducting all interviews virtually with guests appearing via video from their locations, and minimizing on-site personnel to a single technical operator at TSN's headquarters. These measures addressed technical challenges like internet signal delays and audio synchronization while ensuring . With major leagues such as the NHL, NBA, and MLB on indefinite hiatus, content pivoted from live recaps to analytical discussions on potential season resumptions, league policy updates, and non-competitive sports news. The adaptations also influenced thematic focus, with greater attention to athlete wellness and the psychological impacts of the pandemic, including interviews exploring risks of returning to play and coping with isolation. This resonated during lockdowns, providing viewers with relatable insights into sports figures' personal challenges, though it contrasted with pre-pandemic elements like in-person community tours. Studio production gradually resumed in limited capacity by mid-June 2020 at TSN's Scarborough facility, incorporating health protocols such as mandatory testing and reduced crew sizes to support safer on-site work. The remote era concluded amid these transitions, but it underscored SportsCentre's resilience in delivering content without traditional infrastructure. Dan O'Toole's departure from TSN was announced on February 4, 2021, as part of broader staff reductions during the ongoing , ending his long-running partnership with Onrait on the late-night edition and reflecting the broader industry strains from the crisis.

Post-pandemic developments

Following Dan O'Toole's departure from TSN in February 2021 amid broader layoffs, the popular SC with Jay and Dan segment concluded, marking the end of the duo's on-air partnership that had run since 2017. continued hosting solo segments under the rebranded SC with Jay Onrait, maintaining the program's humorous tone while adapting to a single-host format. Post-2021, TSN placed greater emphasis on digital streaming to reach cord-cutting audiences, enhancing the TSN app with expanded on-demand access to SportsCentre highlights and full episodes. This shift accelerated with the launch of TSN+ in January 2023, a direct-to-consumer streaming service that integrated SportsCentre content alongside live events and exclusive feeds, allowing viewers to access clips and recaps without traditional cable subscriptions. The program expanded its coverage of major international events during this period, including comprehensive highlights from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where TSN aired over 1,200 hours of Olympic programming across linear and digital platforms. To accommodate time zone differences, SportsCentre introduced additional late-night editions focused on Olympic recaps, providing in-depth analysis and athlete interviews shortly after events concluded. Sponsorship dynamics evolved with securing a presenting role for SportsCentre segments starting in January 2020, a that persisted through the post-pandemic era and integrated brand elements into highlight reels and community-focused content. Complementing this, TSN deepened its involvement in community initiatives, notably expanding the Project Play program, which committed over $325,000 annually to upgrading play spaces in Canadian communities, with SportsCentre hosting live broadcasts from beneficiary sites to promote access. By 2025, SportsCentre viewership had recovered to pre-pandemic levels, driven by streaming adaptations that captured younger demographics amid declining linear TV subscriptions.

Program Format

Core content elements

SportsCentre episodes typically run for , providing a structured platform for delivering sports news and analysis. The program divides its runtime into key content types, including highlight recaps from recent games, live or exclusive interviews with athletes and coaches, and in-depth analysis focused on major professional leagues such as the National Hockey League (NHL), (NBA), (CFL), and soccer competitions involving Canadian teams. This format ensures a balanced mix of immediate game summaries and contextual breakdowns. A standard episode follows a logical flow, beginning with an opening segment on the top stories of the day, such as key game outcomes or breaking developments, to quickly engage viewers. Mid-show segments shift toward previews of upcoming games and events, offering insights into matchups, player matchups, and predictions from TSN experts. The program wraps with coverage of the day's sports events. Visual and analytical enhancements are integral to the delivery, featuring multi-angle replays and slow-motion graphics to dissect pivotal plays, alongside expert commentary from TSN's network of analysts who provide specialized breakdowns. These elements underscore the show's commitment to clarity and depth in sports reporting. Editions of SportsCentre vary by time slot to cater to different viewer needs; early evening broadcasts emphasize previews of nightly action, while late-night versions concentrate on comprehensive recaps of completed games and extended highlights. This differentiation allows the program to serve as both a pre-game primer and a post-game debrief, maintaining its role as Canada's primary daily sports news source.

Signature segments and features

One of the most enduring elements of SportsCentre is the "Top 10" segment, which ranks the week's most spectacular highlight-reel plays across various sports, often accompanied by a lighthearted and humorous to enhance viewer engagement. The Top 10 has been a staple since the early . This feature has been a consistent highlight of the program, appearing in episodes that compile memorable moments from events like MLB postseason games and NHL action. The "Honour Roll" serves as another key branded segment, spotlighting exceptional individual performances with in-depth breakdowns of statistics and occasional player interviews to provide context and celebration of athletic achievement. The Honour Roll has been part of the show since at least 2000. It integrates seamlessly with updated graphics packages that emphasize visual storytelling for standout plays and contributions. Comedic elements have long defined SportsCentre's entertainment appeal, particularly through parody sketches and humorous commentary popularized during the anchoring duo of and from the early to 2013. Their style included satirical takes on sports tropes, such as exaggerated hockey discussions and fan-inspired gags like the recurring "Ya Blew It" recaps, which drew on viewer-submitted mishaps to blend levity with highlights. These bits transformed routine recaps into viral moments, fostering a for the show's irreverent tone. Interactive features have evolved to boost audience participation, including viewer polls conducted via the TSN , where fans vote on topics like game MVPs or playoff predictions integrated into live broadcasts. Since 2018, SportsCentre has included digital-exclusive formats tailored for social media, with short-form clips and full segments like Digital SportsCentre delivered via Stories and for on-demand access to highlights and commentary. These adaptations, including abbreviated Top 10 rundowns and Honour Roll recaps, cater to mobile viewers and have amplified the show's reach amid shifting consumption habits post-pandemic.

Broadcasting Details

Schedule and editions

SportsCentre airs multiple editions daily on weekdays across TSN's national feeds, including morning, afternoon, early evening, late evening, and overnight broadcasts, typically around 5:30 a.m. ET, 3:00 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. ET, 10:00 p.m. ET, and 1:00 a.m. ET, each approximately in length (as of November 2025). The overnight edition loops hourly through the early morning hours, providing continuous access to highlights and analysis until the afternoon. Weekend editions of SportsCentre are condensed to 30-minute formats, airing on Saturdays and Sundays to deliver key recaps and updates in a shorter timeframe. These weekend shows were previously repeated on CTV until around 2020. During major events such as in leagues like the NHL, CFL, or NBA, and international competitions including the Olympics, SportsCentre produces special extended editions that can run up to 90 minutes or expand into multi-hour marathons focused on live updates, interviews, and in-depth analysis. The program is available across TSN's regional feeds (TSN1 through TSN5), which incorporate localized content variations such as additional coverage of regional teams or events tailored to specific Canadian markets like , the Prairies, or . Since the launch of TSN+ in early 2023, all editions of SportsCentre have been accessible via streaming for subscribers, expanding availability beyond traditional cable broadcasts. Historically, the schedule evolved in the with the addition of dedicated overnight loops, enhancing 24-hour access to sports content amid growing demand for round-the-clock programming on TSN.

Production and technical evolution

SportsCentre is primarily produced at TSN's headquarters located at in , a facility that serves as the network's main studio complex for sports broadcasting. The program underwent a significant technical upgrade in 2006 when it launched in high definition, marking TSN as the first Canadian network to produce a daily sports news program in HD format. This transition involved comprehensive facility renovations over several months, enabling full HD production for the show and setting the stage for broader network adoption of the technology. Further evolution in production design occurred in 2013 with an updated studio set that retained the iconic anchor desk while incorporating new digital LED boards and enhanced elements to support dynamic visuals and multi-angle camera setups. In 2016, SportsCentre introduced a new graphics and animation package, leveraging advanced software for real-time data integration and immersive on-screen effects, which debuted during the evening edition of the program. TSN has continued to advance its broadcast capabilities, with the network pioneering live 4K productions in starting in 2016, initially for select events, and expanding to a dedicated 4K schedule by the early 2020s that includes high-profile sports content. While specific integration of 4K into SportsCentre's daily output remains tied to overarching network upgrades, these developments have enhanced the program's visual fidelity for viewers equipped with compatible technology.

On-Air Personnel

Current anchors and reporters

As of November 2025, SportsCentre's on-air team consists of a mix of veteran anchors and specialized reporters who deliver highlights, analysis, and live updates across TSN's platforms. Anchors primarily handle studio desk segments, providing recaps and commentary, while reporters focus on field coverage, interviews, and event-specific stories, with rotations during major events like the Olympics and NHL playoffs. Jay Onrait serves as the lead anchor for the late-night edition, SC with Jay Onrait, airing weekdays at 12 a.m. ET since his return to TSN in 2017, where he hosts humorous recaps and interviews; a Ryerson University graduate in Radio and Television Arts, he previously co-anchored with in a duo celebrated for its engaging style. anchors evening editions and contributes to Olympic coverage, including hosting NCAA March Madness, NBA broadcasts, and CFL ; originally from , , she transitioned from basketball to broadcasting after graduating from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. anchors the 10 p.m. ET SportsCentre, focusing on multi-sport reporting and highlights; a long-time TSN presence since 2002, she has covered Olympic events like Vancouver 2010 and London 2012. Among reporters, Davis specializes in NHL coverage, including events like the All-Star Weekend, Draft, and Awards, while anchoring general SportsCentre segments; she joined TSN in 2018 after studying at Western University and at UCLA Extension. Other key reporters include Ryan Rishaug from the bureau, who covers Western Canadian sports news and integrates play-by-play elements, and Kenzie Lalonde from , who handles Canadiens and Alouettes stories with a focus on French-language markets while also serving as play-by-play announcer for regional broadcasts since the 2024-25 season. Additional prominent anchors include Laura Diakun, who joined in 2015 and covers a range of sports including CFL and Olympics, and Jermain Franklin, a reporter and anchor since 2020 focusing on multi-sport highlights. Post-2022 additions have emphasized female representation and diversity to better reflect Canadian audiences, with talents like , who joined as a regular SportsCentre anchor in 2018 but expanded her role in and NBA sideline reporting; a College of Sports Media graduate and the first woman to host a Canadian sports highlight show, she also produces The Shift with Kayla Grey. This shift includes hires such as Lindsay Hamilton, who anchors morning loops after joining in 2016 from journalism programs. Many current personnel emerge from TSN's internal development pipeline, often starting in editorial or radio roles before advancing to on-air positions; backgrounds commonly include degrees from Canadian journalism schools like Ryerson University and the College of Sports Media, fostering a network of versatile broadcasters trained in both print and broadcast techniques.

Notable former staff

Jim Van Horne served as the primetime anchor for SportsCentre from its inception in 1984 until 2001, establishing the show's foundational format as TSN's inaugural sports news program upon the network's launch. His tenure included coverage of major events across hockey, golf, and other sports, setting the standard for daily highlights delivery that defined the program's early identity. Van Horne departed TSN in 2001 to join The Team 1050 radio station, later moving to Rogers Sportsnet before retiring from on-air roles. Pierre McGuire joined TSN in 1997 as an NHL color commentator and analyst, providing expert insights on hockey segments for SportsCentre throughout the late 1990s. His contributions helped elevate the show's NHL coverage during a period of growing Canadian interest in the league. McGuire left TSN in 2006 for a role with NBC Sports, shifting focus to U.S.-based broadcasting. In the mid-2000s, James Duthie anchored the evening edition of SportsCentre, bringing a polished style to the program after initially hosting TSN's football and coverage. Duthie, who joined TSN in 1998, hosted SportsCentre for several years before transitioning to lead NHL studio hosting duties around 2005. His pivot to specialized hockey programming allowed him to expand into international roles, including with . also anchored SportsCentre in the early 2000s, co-hosting with figures like and contributing to the show's evolving mix of highlights and analysis as one of the network's prominent female voices during that era. Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole formed one of SportsCentre's most iconic duos, co-anchoring the late-night edition from 2003 to 2013 after Onrait's return to TSN in 2002. Their humorous, irreverent style, initially paired with Hedger before O'Toole joined full-time, popularized segments like the Top 10 plays, which they helped make a staple of the early by blending with highlights. In 2013, the pair departed TSN for a contract opportunity at , hosting a similar late-night show until 2017. They returned to TSN in 2017 for a rebranded midnight SportsCentre edition, continuing until O'Toole's exit in 2021 amid Bell Media budget cuts that eliminated over 200 jobs. Onrait remained with TSN post-departure, maintaining affiliations while the duo's legacy endures through their influence on the show's entertaining format.

Reception and Impact

Popularity and cultural significance

SportsCentre has long been a cornerstone of Canadian sports broadcasting, achieving peak viewership during the under the co-hosting duo of and , whose irreverent humor and engaging style drew weekly audiences of up to two million viewers across editions. By adapting to trends through integrated streaming on the TSN app, the program has maintained its position amid competition from platforms like +. The program's cultural impact extends beyond ratings, with Onrait and O'Toole's segments generating widespread memes and viral clips that permeated , including parodies of "" intros and catchphrases like "Bobrovsky rises again." These moments amassed millions of views, cementing SportsCentre's reputation as Canada's preeminent sports authority and influencing online discourse around events like NHL playoffs. Its blend of hard news and entertainment has positioned it as a cultural touchstone, often referenced in Canadian media for shaping fan engagement. Demographically, SportsCentre maintains a strong hold among males aged 18-49, a core audience for sports programming. Expanded coverage of women's leagues like the (PWHL) and (NWSL) aligns with broader trends in fandom, where 67% of Canadians aged 13-65 identified as fans as of October 2023. This shift boosts the show's inclusive appeal. Crossovers into U.S. media have amplified its reach, with occasionally shouting out Canadian highlights featured on SportsCentre and Onrait-O'Toole's stint at introducing their style to American audiences. The program has integrated into pop culture through cameos in advertisements and films, such as satirical sports sketches, while facing challenges from digital rivals like Sportsnet's streaming exclusives—countered by TSN's app-based content drops and live highlights.

Awards and recognition

SportsCentre and its on-air team have garnered significant recognition from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, particularly through nominations and wins in sports broadcasting categories under both the and . During the era, which preceded the , SportsCentre earned acclaim for its innovative sports news format. In 2009, the program won the for Best Sportscast (National or Local), marking a key honor for TSN's flagship show in highlighting daily sports events. Additionally, co-host received the 2011 for Best Sportscaster/Anchor for his work on SportsCentre, celebrating his engaging delivery and contributions to the program's style. These early accolades underscored the show's role in advancing in during the and , though specific wins from the focused more broadly on TSN's broadcasting innovations. Transitioning to the Canadian Screen Awards, SportsCentre has continued to receive nominations for excellence. In 2023, Jay Onrait was nominated for Best Sports Host for SC with Jay Onrait, recognizing his solo hosting efforts post the original Jay and Dan pairing. The following year, in 2024, SC with Jay Onrait earned a nomination for Best Sports Program or Series, highlighting the show's ongoing impact in delivering highlights, analysis, and features. In 2025, the program received a nomination for Best Sports Analyst for contributor Luke Willson. While the program itself has not secured recent wins in these categories, TSN's broader sports coverage, including elements tied to SportsCentre, contributed to multiple Canadian Screen victories, such as in live event coverage and features. Individual and team recognitions have further affirmed the program's influence. In 2021, TSN received the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) Don McGillivray Award for Best Broadcast Feature for investigative , with team efforts during the adapting coverage formats that maintained viewer engagement amid disruptions. Despite its domestic success and popularity extending to U.S. audiences via streaming, SportsCentre has limited international awards, with honors primarily confined to Canadian industry bodies focused on sports journalism excellence.

References

  1. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/tv/tsn/sportscentre/
  2. https://www.tsn.ca/live/
  3. https://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/10/14/tsn-unveils-all-new-sportscentre-graphics-and-animation-package/
  4. https://www.tsn.ca/subscribe/
  5. https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/tsn-the-sports-network
  6. https://labattheritage.lib.uwo.ca/closer-look/labatt-sports-a-winning-tradition
  7. https://broadcasting-history.ca/tsn-the-sports-network/
  8. https://www.tv-eh.com/2012/07/25/tv-eh-rewind-sportsdesk/
  9. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2000/db2000-86.htm
  10. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2001/08/24/Sports-Media/Carbon-Copy-Tsns-New-Logo-Looks-Strikingly-Similar-To-ESPN/
  11. https://www.engadget.com/2006-09-25-oh-canada-tsn-sportscentre-hd-launches-today.html
  12. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2006/01/26/Sports-Media/No-NHL-No-Prob-Canadian-Sports-Audiences-Increase-In-05/
  13. https://gamesbids.com/eng/other-news/ctv-rogers-consortium-winning-bid-153-million-for-olympic-games/
  14. https://nesn.com/2013/08/jay-onrait-dan-otoole-bring-unique-style-humor-to-american-sports-tv-with-launch-of-fox-sports-1-gallery/
  15. https://www.sbnation.com/2013/8/7/4583406/ptm-interview-jay-onrait-dan-o-toole
  16. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/beloved-prodigal-sons-jay-onrait-and-dan-otoole-return-home-to-tsn-615106843.html
  17. https://news.kraftheinzcompany.com/press-releases-details/2014/Building-Better-Places-to-Play-Kraft-Canada-and-TSN-Launch-Sixth-Annual-Kraft-Celebration-Tour-with-a-New-100000-Grand-Prize/default.aspx
  18. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/kraft-celebration-tour-gets-rolling-with-tsn-and-sportscentre-on-cross-canadaadventure-beginning-friday-545239782.html
  19. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/tsn-and-kraft-heinz-project-play-deliver-a-live-edition-of-sportscentre-from-belleville-ont-june-15/
  20. https://3downnation.com/2017/09/04/jay-and-dan-return-to-scarborough-tsn-parking-lot-roots/
  21. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-memorable-on-air-moments-from-jay-onrait-dan-otoole-graham-cox
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1732010/2020/04/08/we-just-really-wanted-to-have-our-own-voice-back-why-tsn-revived-sportscentre/
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1755146/2020/04/21/waynes-world-experiment-jay-onrait-and-dan-otoole-adapt-to-working-at-home/
  24. https://www.tsn.ca/other-sports/athletes-speak-on-the-risks-of-returning-to-play-1.1477767
  25. https://www.thestar.com/sports/dan-o-toole-of-jay-and-dan-among-tsn-cuts/article_834ce412-ffe2-5cc5-8b56-baba12b02bdd.html
  26. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-tsn-flagship-show-sc-with-jay-and-dan-cancelled-as-bell-media-cuts/
  27. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2368972/2021/02/04/jay-and-dan-broken-up-dan-otoole-among-major-cuts-as-tsn-looks-to-streamline/
  28. https://www.tsn.ca/olympics/tsn-rds-to-broadcast-2022-and-2024-olympics-1.380164
  29. https://www.tsn.ca/olympics/paris-2024-olympic-summer-games-tsn-broadcast-schedule-1.2151876
  30. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/mcdonalds-announced-as-new-title-sponsor-for-tsns-sc-with-jay-and-dan/
  31. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/kraft-heinz-project-play-returns-committing-325-000-to-building-better-places-to-play-alongside-tsn-and-rds-866876912.html
  32. https://www.ontvtonight.com/ca/guide/listings/channel/69048911/tsn.html
  33. https://www.sikids.com/kid-reporter/behind-scenes-tsns-sportscentre-toronto
  34. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/tsn-unveils-all-new-sportscentre-graphics-and-animations-package-debuting-today-at-5-p-m-et/
  35. https://www.tsn.ca/video/2025/11/07/top-10-must-see-moments/
  36. https://www.tsn.ca/video/2025/10/21/top-10-plays-from-2025-mlb-postseason/
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VWgDXdClfY
  38. https://torontolife.com/city/send-in-the-clowns-tsn-sportscentre-jay-onrait-dan-otoole/
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3L4zRZuTgY
  40. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.tsn.mobile.android&hl=en_US
  41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTpJKsYhnkc
  42. https://www.tsn.ca/live/schedule/
  43. https://www.tvpassport.com/tv-listings/stations/tsn1/11
  44. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/the-nfl-touches-down-on-tsn-and-ctv-as-the-networks-deliver-comprehensive-coverage-of-the-2025-nfl-season-beginning-september-4/
  45. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/tsn-is-home-to-multi-platform-coverage-of-the-special-olympics-world-winter-games-turin-2025-march-8-15/
  46. https://www.cabletv.com/sports/what-channel-is-tsn
  47. https://www.tsn.ca/tsnplus/
  48. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/top-ranked-canadian-basketball-prospect-jamal-murray-reveals-highly-anticipated-college-decision-live-tsn/
  49. https://broadcastermagazine.com/broadcasting/tsn-s-sportscentre-goes-high-definition/1000048664/
  50. https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/canada-tsn-sportscentre-signals-hd
  51. https://www.newscaststudio.com/2013/12/20/tsn-sportscentre-debuts-updated-set/
  52. https://www.tsn.ca/nba/tsn-produces-first-ever-live-4k-broadcast-in-north-america-1.425794
  53. https://www.tsn.ca/other-sports/article/tsn-4k-broadcast-schedule/
  54. https://support.sasktel.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/26571/~/watching-sports-in-4k-resolution-on-maxtv-and-maxtv-stream
  55. https://www.tsn.ca/talent
  56. https://www.tsn.ca/talent/jay-onrait
  57. https://www.tsn.ca/talent/kate-beirness
  58. https://www.tsn.ca/talent/jennifer-hedger
  59. https://www.tsn.ca/talent/sarah-davis
  60. https://x.com/KenzieTSN
  61. https://www.tsn.ca/talent/laura-diakun
  62. https://www.cebl.ca/2025-cebl-on-tsn-broadcast-team-announced
  63. https://www.tsn.ca/talent/kayla-grey
  64. https://wxnetwork.com/page/Bio-KaylaGrey
  65. https://www.collegeofsportsmedia.com/advisory-board/
  66. http://wp1050chumto.blogspot.com/2010/12/jim-van-horne.html
  67. https://www.torontomike.com/2016/06/toronto_miked_podcast_episode_180/
  68. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/359038-is-pierre-mcguire-overstaying-his-welcome-in-the-broadcast-booth
  69. https://fansided.com/2015/04/23/nobody-likes-pierre-mcguire/
  70. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/exclusive/world-hockey-summit/home/attendees/facilitators/james-duthie
  71. https://awfulannouncing.com/2014/james-duthie-on-why-tonight-is-not-a-goodbye-for-the-nhl-on-tsn.html
  72. https://www.globalspeakers.com/speakers/jay-and-dan/
  73. https://www.si.com/more-sports/2016/06/05/media-circus-fox-sports-1-jay-onrait-dan-otoole-mma-ariel-helwani
  74. https://www.buzzfeed.com/laurenstrapagiel/bobrovsky-rises-again
  75. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIDHsM27Jew
  76. https://www.tsn.ca/other-sports/report-60-of-canadians-say-perception-of-women-s-sport-has-improved-over-3-years-1.2323508
  77. https://womenandsport.ca/en-ca/resource/17-million-canadians-consider-themselves-fans-ofwo
  78. https://awfulannouncing.com/2013/jay-onrait-and-dan-o-toole-finish-tsn-career-in-style.html
  79. https://emerge.ghmedia.ca/mdst3330_posts/competitors-analysis-tsn-vs-sportsnet/
  80. https://www.academy.ca/2025/luke-willson/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.