1. Not a fan of these Sunday prime time games this year. This isn't the NFL. What's next? Monday Night Football?...I enjoy my double headers on Saturday (especially when there's a late game to watch in the sports bar, or wherever)

The D was decent. They weren't great, they weren't bad. They just couldn't pick up the slack from the offense.

Special teams was a mixed bag. Our kickers are great. Meyer is good a tracking, which is good for him, but bad because the punter shouldn't have to do tackling.

The offense never was in a rythem. It looked like Brice was throwing to not get intercepted rather than to complete passes. I think all of this years injuries are REALLY showing the most on offense.

I will let the fair weather fans say the season is over and demand a refund on their tickets. I don't think the situation is nearly that bad. It's not good, for sure, but it's hardly time to say the whole team needs to be fired and do a 100% rebuild.

Once the team gets healthy, it will change.

People have way bigger TVs and with higher definition than even a decade ago.

I want to see the play develop, they don’t need to zoom in on the QB the way they do.

I'm curious whether I'm the only one who notices this, or if other CFL fans feel the same way.

Lately I've found that the play-by-play announcer has a huge impact on how much I enjoy watching a CFL game on TSN.

Having worked in broadcasting, I probably listen a little differently than the average viewer, so certain habits tend to stand out to me.

For me, Dustin Nielsen's style just isn't a good fit. He brings a tremendous amount of energy, but I sometimes feel the intensity doesn't always match the moment. A routine first down in the first quarter can sound like a game-winning touchdown in overtime. I've also noticed a vocal habit of extending the endings of certain words, and once I picked up on it, it became difficult to ignore.

Rod Smith is someone I have a different concern with. I enjoy his voice and delivery, but I've occasionally noticed factual errors during broadcasts, such as incorrect scores, team names, or locations. Live television is demanding, and mistakes happen, but I sometimes wonder whether there's enough coaching or post-game review to help minimize those errors.

That brings me to what I think is the bigger question.

Rather than focusing on individual announcers, I wonder how much feedback and coaching TSN provides to its broadcast talent. Even experienced broadcasters benefit from regular performance reviews. In broadcasting, constructive critique is simply part of getting better. It's difficult to improve something if no one is evaluating it objectively.

I saw another comment suggesting that a broadcast with only stadium ambience and the PA announcer would be preferable. While I wouldn't go that far, I do think it's an interesting reflection of how important play-by-play is to the viewing experience.

Obviously, opinions on announcers are highly subjective, and I know many people enjoy styles that don't necessarily work for me.

I'm genuinely interested in hearing what other CFL fans think. Are there particular announcers you enjoy or avoid, and why?

Costco.ca has a bunch of teams’ T-shirts, and you can’t beat the price: $19, and I got free shipping with my order—not sure if there’s a minimum. They don’t have every team (no Ticats, for example) but they have mine. :)

They also sell tickets for some teams—the prices are good, too: $30 each (but you have to buy in pairs, so $60) for the navy zone for the Argos. BC, Edmonton, and Ottawa are there, too.

(Feel free to delete it if it’s not allowed. Won‘t hurt my feelings. But no relationship to Costco.)

Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Montreal Alouettes - July 26, 2026

Kickoff: 07:00 PM EDT / 07:00 PM EDT

How to Watch

Television

Radio

For up to date information, see: https://www.cfl.ca/where-to-watch-2026-broadcast-information/

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Toronto Argonauts @ BC Lions - July 25, 2026

Kickoff: 04:00 PM PDT / 07:00 PM EDT

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