Comedy Gold (TV channel)
| Comedy Gold | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Comedy Gold logo | |
| Launched | September 7, 2001 |
| Owned by | Bell Media |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Formerly called | TV Land Canada (2001-2010) |
| Sister channel(s) | Comedy Network |
| Website | Comedy Gold |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bell TV | Channel 637 |
| Cable | |
| Available on many Canadian cable systems | Check local listings, channels may vary |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant TV | Channel 265 |
| Bell Fibe TV | Channel 637 |
| MTS | Channel 232 |
| Optik TV | Channel 183 |
| SaskTel | Channel 142 |
Comedy Gold is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel that focuses primarily on sitcoms from the 1970s to 1990s. It is wholly owned by Bell Media and is an offshoot of The Comedy Network.
Contents |
[edit] History
On November 24, 2000, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) granted Craig Media, through its subsidiary Craig Broadcast Systems Inc., permission to launch a national category 2 digital specialty channel tentatively known as Retro; a channel described as being "devoted to classic television programming".[1]
In August 2001, before the channel had launched, Craig Media announced it has reached a deal with US-based MTV Networks, to launch Retro as a domestic Canadian version of the US specialty channel, TV Land.[2] The channel launched in September 2001 as TV Land Canada with a slate of programming focusing on sitcoms and dramas. MTV Networks would purchase a minority share in the service months later.
In April 2004, CHUM Limited announced it would purchase Craig Media for $265 million CAD. Included in the sale were Craig's 80.1% interest in TV Land Canada.[3] The sale was subject to CRTC approval and was approved on November 19, 2004.[4] The transaction was completed on December 1, 2004.[5]
In July 2006, Bell Globemedia (later CTVglobemedia) announced that it would purchase CHUM for an estimated $1.7 billion CAD, including TV Land Canada.[6] The sale, also needing approval from the CRTC, was approved on June 8, 2007,[7] with the transaction completed on June 22.
On June 21, 2010, it was announced that TV Land Canada would be re-branded as Comedy Gold, an offshoot of The Comedy Network, effective August 2, 2010. The rebranded channel focuses primarily on sitcoms and sketch comedy programs from the 70s, 80s and 90s.[8] Viacom sold back their stake in the channel to CTV after the rebrand took place.[9]
Ownership changed hands once again when on September 10, 2010, BCE (a minority shareholder in CTVglobemedia) announced that it planned to acquire 100% interest in CTVglobemedia for a total debt and equity transaction cost of $3.2 billion CAD.[10] The deal which required CRTC approval, was approved on March 7, 2011[11] and closed on April 1 of that year, on which CTVglobemedia was rebranded Bell Media.[12]
[edit] Programming
Comedy Gold focuses primarily on sitcoms and sketch comedy programs from the 70s, 80s and 90s like Full House, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and others.
[edit] References
- ^ Decision CRTC 2000-548; CRTC; 2000-12-14
- ^ TV Land, MTV and Craig Broadcast Systems to Launch New Canadian Services in September; PR Newswire; 2001-08-21
- ^ CHUM buying TV broadcaster Craig Media for $265M; CBC; 2004-04-12
- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-502; CRTC; 2004-11-19
- ^ CHUM completes $265 million purchase of Craig Media and financing Fasken Martineau
- ^ Bell Globemedia acquires CHUM; Fasken Martineau; 2006-07-12
- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2007-165; CRTC; 2007-06-08
- ^ CTV tweaks TV Land Canada's focus, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 June 2010
- ^ http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ownership/cht209d.pdf
- ^ Bell Canada (2010-09-10). "Bell to acquire 100% of Canada's No.1 media company CTV". CNW Group. http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2010/10/c8677.html. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ CRTC approves BCE's purchase of CTVglobemedia
- ^ Bell completes acquisition of CTV, launches Bell Media business unit CNW 2011-04-01
[edit] External links
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