Lifetime (Canadian TV channel)
{{Short description|Canadian specialty television channel}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Lifetime
| logo = File:Logo_Lifetime_2020.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| launch_date = {{start date and age|September 7, 2001}}
| picture_format = 1080i (HDTV)
(2013–present)
480i (SDTV)
(2001–present)
| owner = Alliance Atlantis (2001–2008)
CW Media
(2008–2010)
Shaw Media
(2010–2016)
Corus Entertainment
(2016–present)
(branding licensed from A&E Networks)
| parent = Showcase Television Inc.
| sister_channels = Showcase
Adult Swim
| country = Canada
| area = Nationwide
| headquarters = Toronto, Ontario
| former_names = Showcase Diva (2001–2012)
| website = {{URL|http://www.mylifetimetv.ca|Lifetime Canada}}
}}
Lifetime is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel based on the eponymous American basic cable channel owned by Showcase Television Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment. It broadcasts films, television shows and reality series aimed at women.
The channel was launched on September 7, 2001 as Showcase Diva as a digital offshoot of Showcase by Alliance Atlantis focusing on films targeting a female audience. After a series of ownership changes, the channel was relaunched into its current name in 2012 with the Lifetime branding licensed by A&E Networks.
History
{{multiple image|direction=vertical|align=left|image1=Showcase Diva Original Logo.png|width=125|caption1=2001–2009|image2=Showcasediva2009.svg|caption2=2009–2012|footer=Logos of former network Showcase Diva}}
In November 2000, Alliance Atlantis (via the Showcase Television subsidiary) 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."[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2000/DB2000-674.htm Decision CRTC 2000-674] CRTC 2000-12-14
The channel was launched on September 7, 2001 as Showcase Diva, a spin-off of Showcase. Programming consisted of primarily television dramas and films.
On January 18, 2008, Canwest Global[http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/213271/canwest-global-receives-final-crtc-approval-for-acquisition-of-alliance-atlantis Canwest Global receives final CRTC approval for acquisition of Alliance Atlantis] CNW press release 2008-01-18 acquired control of Showcase Diva through its purchase of Alliance Atlantis' broadcasting assets, which were placed in a trust in August 2007.[http://www.investorpoint.com/news/BROADCTV/5967631/ CanWest Completes Acquisition of Alliance Atlantis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423050448/http://www.investorpoint.com/news/BROADCTV/5967631/ |date=2012-04-23 }} Investor Point 2007-08-15
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.[http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/headline_news/article.jsp?content=b4951353 Shaw Communications closes purchase of Canwest TV assets, rebrands as Shaw Media] {{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}[http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2010/r101022.htm CRTC approves Shaw’s purchase of the Canwest Global television properties] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220233335/http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2010/r101022.htm |date=2013-12-20 }}
{{multiple image|direction=vertical|align=left|image1=Lifetime tv logo.svg|width=125|caption1=2012–2017|Lifetime logo used from 2012 to 2017|image2=Lifetime_logo17.svg|caption2=2017–2020|footer=Logos of former channel Lifetime}}
On May 30, 2012, Showcase Diva changed its name to the 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.[http://blogs.dose.ca/2012/05/30/global-fall-2012-schedule-lifetime-canada-rhov-season-2/ Upfronts: Shaw adds more drama to Global and brings Lifetime to Canada] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603173755/http://blogs.dose.ca/2012/05/30/global-fall-2012-schedule-lifetime-canada-rhov-season-2/ |date=2012-06-03 }} Dose.ca 2012-05-30[http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shaw-media-and-ae-networks-extend-partnership-to-bring-to-canada-two-exciting-channels-in-fall-2012-05-30 Shaw Media and A+E Networks extend partnership to bring to Canada two exciting channels in fall] Shaw Media press release 2012-05-30{{cite news|title=Shaw Media and A&E to Launch Two New Specialty Channels|url=http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/shaw-media-and-a-e-to-launch-two-new-specialty-channels/1001418951/|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Broadcaster Magazine|date=30 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210161801/http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/shaw-media-and-a-e-to-launch-two-new-specialty-channels/1001418951/|archive-date=2012-12-10|url-status=dead}}
An HD feed was launched on May 29, 2013, along with the never-before-seen HD feeds for H2, Slice, and the DHX-owned Disney Junior service (now known as Family Jr.).
In February 2022, Lifetime was added to streaming bundle StackTV.{{citation|title=STACKTV NOW AVAILABLE ON ROGERS IGNITE TV AND IGNITE SMARTSTREAM|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/stacktv-now-available-on-rogers-ignite-tv-and-ignite-smartstream-841013012.html|access-date=February 22, 2022|work=Newswire|date=February 9, 2022}} It was later added in February 2023 to the Global TV app along with the Canadian version of the Magnolia Network.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.mylifetimetv.ca}}
{{Corus Entertainment}}
{{A+E Networks}}
Category:Television channels and stations established in 2001
Category:2001 establishments in Canada
Category:Corus Entertainment networks
Category:Specialty television channels in Canada