The CRTC on Friday gave its blessing to The Sports Network for turning its alternate feed into TSN2, a permanent, 24-hour digital channel.

Dismissing complaints from Score Media and the CBC, the regulator said TSN remained ‘in compliance’ as it offered alternate TV sports feeds without a proper broadcast licence.

‘In launching TSN2, The Sports Network has combined authorizations in an unexpected manner, but is nonetheless in compliance with both its condition of licence relating to multiple feeds and with the Commission’s policy on time-shifting,’ the CRTC ruled.

A TSN spokesman applauded the CRTC for not finding fault with its use of multiple feeds: ‘We are pleased with the Commission’s decision. TSN2 operates in total compliance with its regulatory obligations and will continue to do so.’

Both the CBC, which will launch its own sports channel in 2009, and Score Media had argued that TSN did not have regulatory authority to multiplex its programming by using split-feeds.

TSN has since 2006 used its split feed for Canada’s east and west time zones to broadcast live TV sporting events that would otherwise be bumped by previously scheduled programming. But starting in August, TSN used a regulatory loophole to launch TSN2 to air live National Hockey League, National Basketball League, NASCAR and Canadian Football League events.

In its decision, the CRTC ruled that the CTVglobemedia-owned sports channel can use TSN2 to distribute regional programming in place of its national feed to individual cable and satellite operators.

At the same time, the regulator said programming on TSN2 that is distinct from the national feed cannot exceed 10% of TSN’s quarterly program schedule.

TSN intends to bank hours so that it can air live, national sporting events for which it holds the Canadian rights on TSN2.

The CRTC decision is expected to see other specialty channels multiplex their TV signal under a single broadcast licence. That will in turn put pressure on domestic cable and satellite TV operators to carry and market the split feeds.