TSN2 has extended its reach in the west and across Canada, following pickups by Shaw Cable and Star Choice.

The cable and satellite companies — the latter majority owned by Shaw Communications — announced on Wednesday that the new sports channel will join their lineups on Friday, making it available in ‘select markets’ to Shaw subscribers and on channels 401 and 269 through Star Choice.

The new channel was without a national carrier until last week, when Bell TV came on board, and the addition of Shaw and Star Choice should do much to shore up its presence on the dial.

Still noticeably absent from the list is Rogers Cable in Ontario, the sister company of TSN’s rival, Rogers Sportsnet. TSN2 is also carried on Cogeco in Ontario, EastLink and SaskTel.

The new channel has met criticism from CBC and The Score, which have accused parent CTVglobemedia of exploiting a rule that allows broadcasters to split east and west feeds, creating a de facto new channel that operates without a licence. TSN insists it is playing by the rules.