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CTV Sci-Fi Channel

{{short description|Canadian specialty TV channel}}

{{for-multi|the unrelated Latin American channel|Space (Latin American TV channel)|other uses|Space (disambiguation)}}

{{More citations needed|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox television channel

| name = CTV Sci-Fi Channel

| logo = CTV Sci-Fi Channel 2019.svg

| logo_caption =

| logo_size =

| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1997|10|17}}

| closed_date =

| picture_format = 1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)

| owner = CHUM Limited (1997–2007)
CTVglobemedia {{small|(CTV Limited)}} (2007–2011)
BCE Inc. (2011–present)

| parent = Bell Media

| country = Canada

| area = National

|headquarters = 299 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

| former_names = Space (1997–2019)

| sister_channels = CTV
CTV Drama Channel
CTV Comedy Channel
CTV Life Channel
CTV Nature Channel
CTV News Channel
CTV Speed Channel
CTV Wild Channel
Oxygen
USA Network
CTV 2
Z

| timeshift_service =

| website = {{URL|www.ctv.ca/sci-fi}}

}}

CTV Sci-Fi Channel is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel owned by Bell Media subsidairy of BCE Inc.. The channel primarily broadcasts speculative fiction and related programming.

The network was launched on October 17, 1997 as Space under its original parent company CHUM Limited. Its slogan, The Imagination Station, continued to be used informally by its fans for many years after its retirement. In 2007, Space was acquired by CTVglobemedia, after acquiring CHUM Limited, while the Citytv stations were sold to Rogers Media. The channel adopted its current name in 2019.

History

Image:Space logo 2013.svg

The channel was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1996.[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1996/DB96-605.htm Decision CRTC 96-605] CRTC 1996-09-04 It launched on October 17, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT), as Space: The Imagination Station, launching under the ownership of CHUM Limited, airing the film Forbidden Planet, followed by a commentary on that film by author Robert J. Sawyer, followed by the film Mars Attacks!. The Sawyer commentary was the first example of the interstitial materials — mostly produced by Mark Askwith — that became SPACE's signature: short, snappy, mini-documentaries on science fiction and science topics shown between programs, collectively known as "SPACE Flow". Daily installments include Space News (formerly SPIN, for "Space Information and News").[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv0sM5UlW4U Space: The Imagination Station launch] (incomplete), October 17, 1997

CTVglobemedia took over Space on June 22, 2007, as a result of a takeover of CHUM Limited.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} At the same time, the Citytv stations were sold to Rogers later that year. Ownership changed hands once again when on April 1, 2011, BCE Inc. gained 100% control of CTVglobemedia's non-publishing assets that it did not already own, placing Space under the ownership of Bell Media.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

On February 8, 2011, the Reeves-Stevenses submitted a letter to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in support of an application by CTVglobemedia to renew the broadcasting license of Space.{{cite web|url=https://services.crtc.gc.ca/pub/ListeInterventionList/Documents.aspx?ID=143905&Lang=e|title=Intervention Documents|publisher=services.crtc.gc.ca}}

On July 6, 2011, a high definition simulcast of Space was launched.[http://www.bellmediapr.ca/space/releases/release.asp?id=13919&yyyy=2011 SPACE HD to Launch July 6] It is available through all major television providers in Canada.

On March 4, 2013, Space introduced a new logo to coincide with the premiere of the channel's new original co-production Orphan Black. A Bell Media executive explained that the branding was designed to reflect upon the broadening of the sci-fi genre beyond outer space and "people in polyester onesies running around with taser guns", by portraying the new logo in the form of real-life objects with a "phenomenal twist" to symbolize the "space around you".{{cite web|title=Bell Media's Space gets a new look|url=http://www.marketingmag.ca/news/marketer-news/bell-medias-space-gets-a-new-look-73209?p=73209|publisher=Marketing Magazine|access-date=4 March 2013}} Through Bell Media's acquisition of Astral Media, Space is now co-owned with the French-language, sci-fi channel, Ztélé (since renamed Z).

On June 7, 2018, it was announced that Space would be rebranded as "CTV Sci-Fi", as part of a re-alignment of several Bell Media specialty channels under the CTV brand.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2018/06/07/ctv-unveils-their-fall-programming-slate-for-2018.html|title=Magnum P.I. reboot, new Jann Arden comedy on CTV's fall lineup|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2018-06-07|language=en}} The following year, it was revealed the channel would instead rebrand as CTV Sci-Fi Channel on September 12, 2019.{{Cite web|url=http://mediaincanada.com/2019/06/05/upfronts-19-bell-media-finalizes-rebrand-of-four-specialty-networks/|title=Upfronts '19: Bell Media finalizes specialty rebrands|date=June 5, 2019|website=Media in Canada|access-date=September 14, 2019}}

Programming

CTV Sci-Fi Channel's programming includes scripted television series and films primarily focused on the science fiction, fantasy, superhero fiction, horror, and paranormal genres, often in a marathon format outside of prime time. The channel's original programming has included in-studio shows (including the daily newsmagazine Innerspace), scripted dramas, as well as shows co-produced with the U.S. channel Syfy, from which the channel also acquires the bulk of its programming.

The channel holds the linear television rights to the Star Trek television franchise in Canada, holding library rights to past Star Trek television seasons and movies, and having acquired the rights to the newer Star Trek era run, Star Trek: Discovery, produced for the Paramount+ streaming service.{{Cite web |last= |date=July 18, 2016 |title=International Broadcasters Set for New Star Trek Series |url=http://www.startrek.com/article/international-broadcasters-set-for-new-star-trek-series |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720192608/http://www.startrek.com/article/international-broadcasters-set-for-new-star-trek-series |archive-date=July 20, 2016 |access-date=July 19, 2016 |website=StarTrek.com}}{{cite news |date=18 May 2016 |title=New Star Trek series to premiere on CTV, then air on Space and Z |work=The Globe and Mail |agency=The Canadian Press |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/new-star-trek-series-to-premiere-on-ctv-then-air-on-space-and-z/article30954899/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227193333/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/new-star-trek-series-to-premiere-on-ctv-then-air-on-space-and-z/article30954899/ |archive-date=27 February 2017}}{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Michael |date=23 April 2018 |title=Canadians get limited version of new CBS streaming app |newspaper=The Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2018/04/23/canadians-get-limited-version-of-new-cbs-streaming-app.html |url-status=live |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528133550/https://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2018/04/23/canadians-get-limited-version-of-new-cbs-streaming-app.html |archive-date=28 May 2018}}{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=May 14, 2019 |title=Canada's Bell Media Acquires Rights To CBS All Access' Patrick Stewart-Fronted 'Star Trek' Spin-Off – LA Screenings |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/bell-media-star-trek-picard-canada-1202614644/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514172016/https://deadline.com/2019/05/bell-media-star-trek-picard-canada-1202614644/ |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=May 17, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

=Current programming=

==Original==

==Acquired==

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=Former programming=

==Original==

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==Acquired==

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{{div col end}}

=Former annual events=

  • The Spacey Awards: Space previously presented its own awards called the Spacey Awards to the best in sci-fi, fantasy and horror films, TV shows, and video games. Some of the awards are voted on by viewers and the others by Space.
  • Santa Claus Conquers the Martians: Aired for many years in December 25.
  • The Twelve Days of Space-mas: Twelve days of marathons, either of popular Space programs or of similarly-themed, sci-fi or fantasy films. This normally includes the Doctor Who Christmas special on Christmas Day.

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|https://www.ctvscifi.ca}}

{{CTVglobemedia}}

{{Video on Demand Services in Canada}}

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Category:Television channels and stations established in 1997

Category:CTV Television Network

Category:Science fiction television channels

Category:English-language television stations in Canada

Category:1997 establishments in Canada

Category:Bell Media networks

Category:Specialty television channels in Canada