BBC First (Canadian TV channel)

Last updated

BBC First
BBC First Foxtel logo.svg
BBC First logo
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNationwide
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Ownership
Owner High Fidelity HDTV (2006–2013)
Blue Ant Media
(branding licensed from BBC Studios) (2013–present)
Sister channels BBC Earth
Cottage Life
Love Nature
Makeful
Smithsonian Channel
T+E
History
LaunchedMarch 12, 2006;18 years ago (2006-03-12)
Former namesTreasure HD
(2006–2011)
HIFI (2011–2021)
Links
Website BBC First

BBC First is a Canadian English language high definition discretionary television channel owned by Blue Ant Media. It is a localized version of the international BBC First service, which broadcasts a variety of drama, comedy, and film programming originating primarily from the BBC. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

History

In August 2005, John S. Panikkar (co-founder of the channel's original owner, High Fidelity HDTV), was granted a licence by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch ArtefactHD, described as "a national English-language Category 2 high definition (HD) specialty programming undertaking... devoted to collectors and their collections, and would showcase creations, celebrate beauty, intricacy, aesthetics and the merits of an object for its own sake. The programming would also include tours of museums and galleries open to the public and behind-the-scenes, celebrate unique architecture and design, and highlight the dedication and knowledge of the committed collector." [4]

The channel launched on March 12, 2006 [5] as Treasure HD. Much of its programming was purchased and its name licensed from Rainbow Media, original owners of the now defunct Voom HD Networks, who owned the originating Treasure HD in the United States. Like its American counterpart, the channel originally broadcast factual programming on primarily collectibles, artifacts, and other art-based programming. Programming included such programs as Secrets of the Exhibit, Art in Progress, Treasure Divers, and Romance in Stone. When the American channel, Treasure HD, ceased broadcasting in 2009, the Canadian channel broadened its programming to include music (primarily focusing on the classic rock, jazz, classical music genres) and films.

The channel was rebranded as HIFI in August 2011. [6] The rebranded channel would put an emphasis on music and art-based programming, including films, exemplified by its slogan, music+art. On December 21, 2011, HIFI's parent company, High Fidelity HDTV, announced that it had entered into an agreement to be purchased outright by Blue Ant Media, majority owners of Glassbox Television and minority owners of Quarto Communications. While initially purchasing 29.9% of the company, the remaining 70.1% was purchased after CRTC approval. [7] [8] [9]

Blue Ant announced in March 2021 that the channel would be rebranded as a Canadian version of BBC First on March 16. The relaunch was an expansion of Blue Ant Media's partnership with BBC Studios, which saw sibling channel radX relaunch as a Canadian version of BBC Earth in 2017. [10] [11]

Programming

Though the BBC First brand is primarily dedicated to scripted programming, the Canadian version also carries unscripted, factual, and reality programming, as well as reruns of shows from Blue Ant's programming libraries to fulfill Canadian content requirements. [12] BBC First effectively succeeds the now-defunct BBC Canada channel, carrying several programs previously seen on the latter (such as Top Gear and Antiques Roadshow ), while continuing to air The Graham Norton Show , which had already moved to the channel in 2018 prior to its relaunch. [10] [13]

By mid-2024, the channel had begun devoting a large portion of its schedule to British-produced game shows, such as The Chase , Impossible , and the British and (UK-filmed) Australian versions of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! . [12]

Logos

Treasure HD.png Treasure HD Canada.svg HIFI logo.svg BBC First Foxtel logo.svg
2006-20082008-20112011–20212021–present

Related Research Articles

BBC Canada was a Canadian English language specialty channel that mostly broadcast television series originally produced by the BBC, the public-service broadcaster of the United Kingdom. The channel was owned by Corus Entertainment and BBC Studios (20%).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elle Fictions</span> Canadian French language specialty channel

Elle Fictions is a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by Remstar Media Group. The channel broadcasts general entertainment programming targeting young adult women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Investigation Discovery (Canadian TV channel)</span> Television channel

Investigation Discovery is a Canadian Discretionary service owned by Bell Media. Based of the U.S. cable network of the same name, the channel focuses on true crime programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FYI (Canadian TV channel)</span> Defunct Canadian television channel

FYI was a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Discovery Health Canada, ULC, a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment. Based on the American cable network of the same name, the channel featured lifestyle programming, with a mix of reality, culinary, home renovation and makeover series.

Cottage Life is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by Blue Ant Media. Operated as a brand extension spin-off of the magazine of the same name, the network originally aired a variety of programming focusing on the cottage and rural lifestyle genre within the core themes of DIY and design, food and entertaining, real estate, and outdoor living. It now primarily airs a limited slate of reality and engineering-focused programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History (Canadian TV channel)</span> Canadian English-language specialty TV channel

The History Channel is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel that primarily broadcasts programming related to history and historical fiction. It is owned by History Television, Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makeful</span> Canadian pay television channel

Makeful is a Canadian pay television channel owned by Blue Ant Media focused on lifestyle programming relating to do-it-yourself projects such as food, design, style, and crafts in connection with maker culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Nature</span> Canadian-based English language television channel

Love Nature is a Canadian specialty television channel owned by Blue Ant Media. Originally launched on March 12, 2006, the channel broadcasts documentaries and television series related to wildlife and nature.

Smithsonian Channel is a Canadian pay television channel, owned and operated by Blue Ant Media. Smithsonian Networks, a subsidiary of Paramount Global’s MTV Entertainment Group division, owners of the American channel of the same name from which its brand and programming is licensed, serve as a minority partner. The channel broadcasts factual programming on categories such as air and space, science and nature, pop culture, and history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBC Earth (Canadian TV channel)</span> Television channel

BBC Earth is a Canadian discretionary service channel owned by Blue Ant Media. It is a localized version of the international BBC Earth brand, which is licensed from BBC Studios, a subsidiary of the BBC. The channel broadcasts factual programming related to natural history and wildlife.

High Fidelity HDTV was a Canadian licensed television broadcaster specializing in HD content. The company was founded in 2003 by co-founders John Panikkar and Ken Murphy, both of whom have been involved in the Canadian broadcasting industry for many years. David Patterson, an experienced Canadian senior broadcast executive, joined the company in 2005 as a partner and part owner of the company, and Frank Bertolas, also an experienced Canadian senior broadcast executive, joined the company in 2010. High Fidelity HDTV was headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and it operated 4 HD channels. In 2006, the company was set to launch a 5th HD channel, Baby HD. In 2007, the company was poised to launch more HD channels: Aqua HD, Centre Stage HD, Clash HD, Crafts & Hobbies HD, Eureka! HD, GameWorld HD, Seniors Life HD, Women's Sports HD, Horror HD, & W HD. In 2008, the company proposed 2 more HD channels, Diversion HD & Canada HD, as well as a non-HD network, Diversion. However, the applications for the channels was denied by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). In 2010, the company was set to launch yet another channel (non-HD), The Wedding Channel.

Sportsnet World is a Canadian English language discretionary digital cable and satellite specialty channel owned by Rogers Sports & Media, a subsidiary of Rogers Communications operating as a national sports channel complementing the Sportsnet group of regional sports networks. The channel was launched in August 10, 2007 as a Canadian version of Setanta Sports as a joint venture between UK-based Setanta Sports and Rogers Media. In 2011, Rogers acquired the stake of Setanta relaunching the channel to its current name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G4 (Canadian TV channel)</span> Former Canadian TV channel

G4 was a Canadian English-language specialty television channel owned by Rogers Media. The name was licensed from NBCUniversal, whose parent company Comcast formerly owned a minority stake in the channel. Based on the U.S subscription networks TechTV and G4, the channel was originally focused on technology-themed programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A.Side TV</span> Defunct Canadian speciality music television channel

A.Side TV was a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by Blue Ant Media. Originally focusing on music and pop culture programming, the channel drifted towards generic true crime and paranormal programming before it wound down operations in mid-January 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Ant Media</span> Canadian broadcasting and media company

Blue Ant Media Inc. is a Canadian broadcasting and media company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The company was founded by Michael MacMillan and formed in 2011 following the acquisition of Glassbox Television. Its name was chosen in reference to William Gibson's informal "Blue Ant" trilogy.

The following is a list of events affecting Canadian television in 2012. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Geographic Wild (Canadian TV channel)</span> Television channel

National Geographic Wild is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment and National Geographic Global Networks. The channel airs programming devoted to wildlife, nature, and animals.

Rewind is a Canadian English language specialty channel majority-owned by Channel Zero Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBC First</span> International television channel owned by the BBC

BBC First is an entertainment subscription television channel featuring comedy, crime, drama and film programming, originating from UK and mostly from the BBC. The channel is wholly owned and operated by BBC Studios. The channel began rolling out internationally in 2014, launching first in Australia. It is supported by extended localised advertising breaks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBC Earth (TV channel)</span> Documentary subscription television channel

BBC Earth is a documentary subscription television channel featuring premium factual programming. The channel is wholly owned and operated by BBC Studios. Originally set to roll out internationally in 2014, it was later announced that it would launch in 2015, starting in Poland.

References

  1. ↑ Middleton, Richard (18 October 2013). "BBCWW to scrap global iPlayer". C21 Media. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Middleton, Richard (27 January 2014). "BBCWW unveils new Brit brand". C21 Media. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  3. ↑ Parker, Robin (27 January 2014). "BBC Brit unveiled by Worldwide". BroadcastNow. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ↑ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-364 CRTC 2005-08-02
  5. ↑ Bell ExpressVu Invites Canadians to Explore New High Definition Oasis and Visual Treasures Archived 2011-10-02 at the Wayback Machine BCE press release 2006-03-13
  6. ↑ High Fidelity rebrands Treasure HD to HIFI Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine Cartt.ca 2011-09-06
  7. ↑ Blue Ant Media Enters Agreement to Acquire High Fidelity HDTV CNW press release 2011-12-21
  8. ↑ Blue Ant Completes Acquisition of High Fidelity HDTV Archived 2012-08-03 at the Wayback Machine , Broadcaster Magazine, August 1, 2012.
  9. ↑ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-419 CRTC 2012-08-01
  10. 1 2 Ramachandran, Naman (3 March 2021). "BBC Studios, Blue Ant Media Team to Launch BBC First Channel in Canada (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  11. ↑ Craig, Sean (6 December 2016). "Blue Ant Media to launch BBC Earth channel in Canada, shut down adventure-focused radX". Financial Post . Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  12. 1 2 "BBC First Schedule for July 17, 2024". TVPassport. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  13. ↑ HIFI Brings Canadian Fans of The Graham Norton Show New Episodes, October 01, 2018
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.