Lifetime (Canada)

Lifetime
Launched September 7, 2001
Owned by Corus Entertainment
(name licensed from A&E Networks
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
(2013-present)
480i (SDTV)
(2001-present)
Country Canada
Broadcast area National
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Formerly called Showcase Diva (2001–2012)
Website Lifetime
Availability
Satellite
Bell TV Channel 335 (SD)
Channel 1707 (HD)
Shaw Direct Channel 615 (SD)
81 / 581 (HD)
Cable
Available on most Canadian cable systems Check local listings, channels may vary
IPTV
FibreOP Channel 561 (SD)
Channel 516 (HD)
Bell Fibe TV Channel 335 (SD)
Channel 1335 (HD)
MTS Channel 244 (SD)
Channel 1244 (HD)
Optik TV Channel 221 (SD)
SaskTel Channel 81 (SD)
Zazeen Channel 117 (HD)

Lifetime is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment. Based on the U.S cable network of the same name, Lifetime broadcasts films, dramatic television series, and reality series aimed at women.

History

2001–2009
2009–2012
Logos of former network Showcase Diva

In November 2000, Showcase Television Inc., a division of Alliance Atlantis, was granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a television channel called Romance Television, described as "a national English-language Category 2 specialty television service devoted to romance. Programming will include relationship- themed game shows and magazine style programs featuring romantic vacation resorts. Other programs will explore romantic moments in people's lives, as well as classic romantic feature films, epic mini-series and made-for-television movies."[1]

The channel was launched on September 7, 2001 as Showcase Diva, a spin-off of another Alliance Atlantis television channel, Showcase. Programming consisted of primarily television dramas and films.

On January 18, 2008,[2] acquired control of Showcase Diva through its purchase of Alliance Atlantis' broadcasting assets, which were placed in a trust in August 2007.[3] On October 27, 2010, ownership changed again as Shaw Communications gained control of Showcase Diva as a result of its acquisition of Canwest and Goldman Sachs' interest in CW Media.[4][5]

Lifetime logo used from 2012 to 2013.

On May 30, 2012, it was announced that Showcase Diva would be rebranded as a Canadian version of Lifetime on August 27, 2012, through a brand licensing agreement with the U.S. channel's parent company A+E Networks. The rebrand would result in the addition of more reality series, talk shows and other original series from Lifetime to the channel's films and television dramas.[6][7][8]

On May 29, 2013, Shaw Media launched Lifetime HD, a high definition simulcast of the standard definition feed. It is currently available on Eastlink, Shaw Direct, Shaw Cable, Bell Fibe TV, and Bell TV. Rogers Cable would later add the HD feed on April 24, 2014. On April 1, 2016, Shaw Media was sold to Corus Entertainment.[9]

Programming

In addition to programming from its American counterpart, Lifetime also airs an acquired slate of programming from other sources.[10][11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Decision CRTC 2000-674 CRTC 2000-12-14
  2. ↑ Canwest Global receives final CRTC approval for acquisition of Alliance Atlantis CNW press release 2008-01-18
  3. ↑ CanWest Completes Acquisition of Alliance Atlantis Investor Point 2007-08-15
  4. ↑ Shaw Communications closes purchase of Canwest TV assets, rebrands as Shaw Media
  5. ↑ CRTC approves Shaw’s purchase of the Canwest Global television properties
  6. ↑ Upfronts: Shaw adds more drama to Global and brings Lifetime to Canada Dose.ca 2012-05-30
  7. ↑ Shaw Media and A+E Networks extend partnership to bring to Canada two exciting channels in fall Shaw Media press release 2012-05-30
  8. ↑ "Shaw Media and A&E to Launch Two New Specialty Channels". Broadcaster Magazine. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  9. ↑ "Corus Entertainment Completes Acquisition of Shaw Media". Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  10. ↑ http://www.mylifetimetv.ca/schedule/
  11. ↑ http://tvschedule.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCSGrid.do?stnNum=26768&channel=83&aid=tvschedule

External links

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