Rogers Media is to extend the national reach of its Citytv stations through an affiliate agreement signed with the Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN).

The distribution deal will open the way for local and U.S.-originating Citytv programming, including CityLine, Modern Family and Terra Nova, to be carried on SCN from 3 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. daily across Saskatchewan from Jan. 2.

The network will be branded “Citytv on SCN,” with the rest of the provincially funded broadcaster’s day to be given over to commercial-free educational and children’s programming.

Scott Moore, president of broadcasting at Rogers Media, in a statement said extending the Citytv footprint into Saskatchewan gets the over-the-air network into another key Canadian market and delivers its programming and promotes the Citytv brand across the province.

“Having a dedicated Citytv presence in Saskatchewan gives viewers a more consistent and reliable viewing experience.  It also offers the people of Saskatchewan great Canadian programming, which cannot be found on U.S. networks,” he said.