Slice (TV channel)

{{Infobox television channel

| name = Slice

| logo = Slice logo (2017).svg

| logo_caption = Logo used since 2017

| logo_size =

| launch_date = January 1, 1995, 30 years ago

| closed_date =

| picture_format = 1080i (HDTV)
{{small|(2013–present)}}
480i (SDTV)
{{small|(1995–present)}}

| network =

| owner = Atlantis Communications
(1995–1998)
Alliance Atlantis
(1998–2008)
CW Media
(2008–2010)
Shaw Media
(2010–2016)
Corus Entertainment
(2016–present)
(Life Network Inc.)

| country = Canada

| area = Nationwide

| headquarters = Toronto, Ontario

| former_names = Life Network (1995–2007)

| replaced =

| sister_channels = W Network
Showcase
ABC Spark

| timeshift_service =

| website = {{URL|http://www.slice.ca/|Slice}}

| online_serv_1 = StackTV

| online_chan_1 = Internet Protocol television

}}

Slice is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment. The channel primarily broadcasts programming targeting young adult women, including comedy, reality, lifestyle, and true crime programming.

It was launched on January 1, 1995, as Life Network under the ownership of Atlantis Communications. Atlantis was acquired by Alliance Communications in 1998 and Life Network was relaunched as Slice on March 5, 2007. In 2008, Canwest and Goldman Sachs acquired Alliance Atlantis, and the channel's ownership was later sold to Shaw Media in 2010, and ultimately, Corus in April 2016.

History

=As Life Network=

In June 1994, Your Channel Television Inc., a company majority owned by Atlantis Television Ventures Inc. (Atlantis Communications), was granted a television broadcasting licence by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a channel called YOU: Your Channel, described at the time as broadcasting "programming consisting of documentaries and information programming." The channel proposed programming grouped into five themes, "Habitat" stressing programming for the home and environment; "Bodyworks" covering fitness, health and nutrition; "Food Plus" including programs related to cooking and food; "Explorations" dealing with travel, adventure and nature; and "Relationships" focusing on parenting, childcare, careers and personal relationships."[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1994/DB94-279.HTM Decision CRTC 94-279] CRTC 1994-06-06

The channel was launched on January 1, 1995, as Life Network.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120904222855/http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/tier-two-turns-ten/1000188380/ Tier Two Turns Ten]}} Mediacaster Magazine 2005-03-01 The channel broadcast programs in themes focusing on such areas as food, gardening, and home design. The success of these strands ultimately enabled Atlantis and its successors to launch dedicated channels focusing on these subjects, HGTV and Food Network, based on the similar American channels owned by Scripps Networks.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lifestyle+nets+a+profitable+trend.-a020485652|title=Lifestyle nets a profitable trend|work=Variety|date=March 23, 1998|access-date=December 9, 2024|via=TheFreeLibrary}}

In June 1998, Atlantis Communications announced that it planned to merge with Alliance Communications,[https://archive.today/20130131200420/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/444387151.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+22,+1998&author=Vinay+Menon&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Merger+creates+film,+TV+giant&pqatl=google Merger creates film, TV giant] Toronto Star 1998-07-22 another television and film producer and broadcaster, owners of History Television and Showcase at the time,[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1999/DB99-106.HTM Decision CRTC 99-106] 1999-05-20 to form a new company called Alliance Atlantis Communications. The CRTC approved the merger in May 1999.

=As Slice=

Plans to relaunch the channel as Slice were announced on November 2, 2006 by Alliance Atlantis Communications.[http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/alliance-atlantis-to-launch-slice/1000057874/?issue=11022006 Alliance Atlantis To Launch SLICE] Broadcaster Magazine 2006-11-02 The new name and programming reflects Life's shift towards a more entertainment-based schedule with what Alliance Atlantis called "addictive" programming. The name was revealed in a 2006 Life Network online survey on future programming strategies. The channel was relaunched on March 5, 2007, although the on-air branding appeared intermittently during a "sneak preview" on March 3 and 4.

On January 18, 2008,[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 a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners known as CW Media,[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/streetwise/goldmans-happy-ending-at-canwest/article1555201/ Goldman's happy ending at CanWest] The Globe and Mail 2010-05-03 acquired control of Slice 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 Slice 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=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}[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 }}

Slice ultimately became the de facto Canadian home to most reality programs from the American cable network Bravo, not to be confused with the Canadian arts-focused channel of the same name (later renamed CTV Drama Channel). On June 10, 2024, rival broadcaster Rogers Sports & Media announced an agreement with NBCUniversal to relaunch the Bravo brand in Canada in September 2024, and that its platforms would carry new seasons of Bravo original programming going forward.{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-06-10 |title=Rogers scoops Warner Bros. Discovery rights from Corus and Bell |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/rogers-scoops-warner-bros-discovery-rights-from-corus/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}

As a result of the Rogers deal, Bravo originals are being phased out from the Slice schedule in early fall 2024 as ongoing seasons end, and being replaced by reality and true crime content from other producers (including new seasons of existing Slice acquisitions from We TV such as Love After Lockup, and new additions such as The Braxtons and Tia Mowry: My Next Act). One notable acquisition was The Daily Show, which had not been aired on linear television in Canada since it was dropped by its long-time home of CTV Comedy Channel in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/coruss-slice-shops-around-expands-into-new-genres-after-losing-bravo-content/|title=Corus’s Slice shops around, expands into new genres after losing Bravo content|first=Jordan|last=Pinto|work=C21Media|date=September 2, 2024|access-date=September 2, 2024}}

Programming

File:Slice Blue logo.png

=Notable programs=

Logos

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width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" \| 1995–2003 !width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" \| 2003–2007 !width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" \| 2007–2016 !width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" \| 2016–2017 !width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" \| 2017–present

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!height="150px" bgcolor="#F9F9F9" | 150px

width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" | 1995–2003

!width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" | 2003–2007

!width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" | 2007–2016

!width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" | 2016–2017

!width="150px" colspan="1" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" | 2017–present