With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, conflicts between OneSoccer and Rogers Communications have only intensified. OneSoccer is a subscription video streaming service operated by Timeless Inc. It airs matches of the Canadian national team, the Canadian Premier League and the Canadian Championship. The conflict revolves around Rogers’ refusal to carry OneSoccer on its platform, which affects the accessibility of soccer content for fans across Canada.
Scott Mitchell, the owner of Timeless Inc., an affected small business, has been publicly scolding. He is the chair of both the Canadian Premier League and Canadian Soccer Business. Soccer is booming in this country, and OneSoccer subscriptions have increased by 40% this year, said Liew revealing the appetite Canadians have for soccer. If this deal goes through, Rogers will control approximately 50 percent of the linear television market in Canada. So, the possible audience is small.
In March 2023, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) ruled in favor of the OneSoccer service. Among other stipulations, they required that Rogers shall make available a “distant signal,” which is the only way the channel can be broadcast. Despite this ruling, Rogers is still not in full compliance. The telecommunications conglomerate revealed plans to air select OneSoccer live-match coverage in its On Demand service. You can watch it on the OneSoccer app on Ignite TV. Mitchell, understandably, isn’t happy with this setup. He thinks those current distribution options just don’t do a good job of reaching U.S. soccer fans.
It’s painfully obvious that Rogers is trying to drag the process out every way possible. Mitchell noted that it’s been sitting with the CRTC for over three years and stressed that this delay has lasted long enough already. He stressed the immediacy of settling the matter as Canada prepares to co-host the World Cup. He noted the enormous growth potential of soccer’s burgeoning audience and ecosystem across the country.
Rogers adamantly stands by its position. They are providing “valid commercial reasons” for delaying or not distributing OneSoccer, claiming that the channel has “limited Canadian consumer appeal.” The firm helps to offer aspiring new substitutes to the beautiful game for soccer lovers. Fans and customers can access OneSoccer as a standalone streaming service to watch more exclusive content.
Even with these alternatives, in Mitchell’s view, independent programming services such as OneSoccer, are “working uphill.” Delays like these are catastrophic for emerging new independent programming providers like ourselves,” he said. Production He told us that OneSoccer is investing millions into production this year. They’re now struggling mightily to generate enough revenue to cover the prohibitive costs associated with these operations.
Laura Mellanby, Another OneSoccer representative, supported Mitchell’s concern by pointing to the high production costs. “Production is very expensive, especially sports production. You can only dumb it down so much. You could not shoot a soccer game with one camera coverage,” she said. The enormous financial pressure has resulted in economically destructive bargains in certain cases.
Mitchell expressed frustration that Canadians will have access to fewer marquee matches. Instead of celebrating, he shared his disappointment. “More Canadians won’t be watching that important match as they should be,” he said. He lambasted the lack of economic viability in these types of agreements. “Those types of arrangements are economically not feasible in the least,” he added.
OneSoccer is definitely shedding light and raising expectations about how to meet these hurdles. It is committed to providing the most in-depth and detailed coverage of national team matches. Mitchell added, “Unfortunately we’ve been pushed into, at times, doing deals that are very economically harmful to us. As home team, we feel our obligation to be great stewards of the game—particularly for national team matches—is paramount. We want to get these games into the hands of as many people as possible.
The stakes couldn’t be higher as Canada heads into key international competitions. As soccer’s popularity continues to boom, all parties involved are pushing for a quick remedy to these distribution issues. Plus that home World Cup on the horizon and we clearly have a fast growing soccer audience and ecosystem. And this problem should be addressed as soon as possible,” Mitchell insisted.
The ongoing dispute highlights broader issues within Canada’s media landscape as emerging sports channels seek equitable access to audiences dominated by established broadcasters. Negotiations between OneSoccer and Rogers continues as we speak. Thousands of soccer fans eagerly await a resolution that will allow them to enjoy their favorite sport without any obstacles.
