Category A services were a class of
Canadian
Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...
specialty television channel
A television channel is a terrestrial frequency or virtual number over which a television station or television network is distributed. For example, in North America, "channel 2" refers to the terrestrial or cable band of 54 to 60 MHz, with ...
which, as defined by the
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, must be offered by all
digital cable and
direct broadcast satellite
Satellite television is a service that delivers television programming to viewers by relaying it from a communications satellite orbiting the Earth directly to the viewer's location. The signals are received via an outdoor parabolic antenna comm ...
providers that have the capability to do so.
Category A services were an amalgamation of the former analog pay and specialty services licensed prior to digital television (with the exception of general interest national news and sports specialty services which are designated as
Category C services
A Category C service is the former term for a Canadian discretionary specialty channel which, as defined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, operates under the conditions of license for "competitive Canadian specia ...
) and the former category 1 digital specialty channels. In a policy decision released on October 30, 2008, the CRTC decided that all Category 1 digital services as well as all analog pay and specialty channels would be renamed Category A services, effective September 1, 2011.
Category A services share a number of similar regulations, including that they must be offered by all television providers in Canada, and have higher
Canadian content
Canadian content (abbreviated CanCon, cancon or can-con; ) refers to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requirements, derived from the Broadcasting Act of Canada, that radio and television broadcasters (includ ...
quota levels than
Category B services
A Category B service is the former term for a Canadian discretionary specialty television channel which, as defined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, may be carried by all subscription television providers. Suc ...
. They were also previously protected by "genre protection" rules forbidding other specialty channels from directly competing with them, but the CRTC phased out this rule by reclassifying the majority of specialty channels as
discretionary services with standardized conditions of license.
Category A specialty services
English
Former analog services
*
BNN Bloomberg
BNN Bloomberg (formerly Business News Network and Report on Business Television) is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Bell Media. It broadcasts programming related to business and financial news and analysis. The channel is he ...
*
CMT
*
CP24
CP24 is a Canadian English-language specialty news channel owned by Bell Media, a subsidiary of BCE Inc. and operated alongside the Bell-owned CTV Television Network's owned-and-operated television stations CFTO-DT (CTV Toronto) and CKVR-DT ( ...
*
CPAC
*
CTV Comedy Channel
CTV Comedy Channel (often shortened to CTV Comedy and formerly known as The Comedy Network) is a Canadian English-language specialty channel owned by Bell Media which focuses primarily on comedy programming. The channel first launched on Octobe ...
*
CTV Drama Channel
CTV Drama Channel (formerly known as Bravo) is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Bell Media.
The channel was founded as the Canadian version of the U.S. channel Bravo (which is now owned by NBCUniversal) on January 1, 199 ...
*
CTV Life Channel
CTV Life Channel is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Bell Media. The channel primarily broadcasts factual and reality programming on lifestyle topics such as cooking, home improvement and real estate, along with scripted dra ...
*
CTV Sci-Fi Channel
CTV Sci-Fi Channel is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Bell Media. The channel primarily broadcasts speculative fiction and related programming.
The network was launched on October 17, 1997 as Space under its original pa ...
*
Discovery Channel
*
DTour
DTour (styled as DTOUR) is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment.
The channel was originally established by Canwest in 1997 as Prime, a cable companion to Global with a general entertainment format focusing o ...
*
E!
*
Food Network Canada
Food Network, formerly called Food Network Canada, is a Canadian English language specialty channel based on the U.S. cable network of the same name. It airs programming related to food, cooking, cuisine, and the food industry. The Canadian versi ...
*
HGTV Canada
HGTV is a Canadian English-language Category A cable and satellite specialty channel owned as a joint venture between Corus Entertainment (which serves as managing partner and owns 80.24% majority control through licensee HGTV Canada, Inc.) ...
*
History
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
*
MTV
*
Much
*
OLN
OLN (formerly Outdoor Life Network) is a Canadian English-language Category A specialty channel. OLN primarily broadcasts factual-based and adventure-related reality programming aimed at male audiences. OLN is wholly owned by Rogers Sports & Me ...
*
OWN Canada
*
Showcase
Showcase or vitrine may refer to:
*Cabinet (furniture)
*Display case
Music
* ''Showcase'' (Bill Anderson album), 1964
* ''Showcase'' (Patsy Cline album), 1961
* ''Showcase'' (Buddy Holly album), 1964
* ''Showcase'' (Philly Joe Jones album), 1959 ...
*
Slice
*
Sportsnet 360
*
Teletoon
Teletoon (stylized as TELETOON) is a Canadian English-language specialty channel owned by Teletoon Canada, Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment. Its name is a portmanteau of "television" and "cartoon". The channel primarily broadcasts an ...
*
Treehouse
A tree house, tree fort or treeshed is a platform or building constructed around, next to or among the trunk or branches of one or more mature trees while above ground level. Tree houses can be used for recreation, work space, habitation, a hang ...
*
VisionTV
VisionTV is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that broadcasts multi-faith, multicultural, and general entertainment programming aimed at the 45 and over demographic.
VisionTV is currently owned by ZoomerMedia, a compan ...
*
W Network
W Network (often shortened to W) is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment. The channel primarily broadcasts general entertainment programming oriented towards a female audience.
W Network was established in ...
*
The Weather Network
The Weather Network (TWN) is a Television in Canada, Canadian English language, English-language weather information specialty channel available in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. It delivers weather information on television, ...
*
YTV
Former Category 1 digital services
*
AMI-tv
AMI-tv is a Canadian, English-language, digital cable specialty channel owned by the non-profit organization Accessible Media. AMI-tv broadcasts a selection of general entertainment programming with accommodations for those who are visually or h ...
*
Cottage Life
''Cottage Life'' is a Canadian magazine focusing on cottage lifestyle content. First published in the summer of 1988, the publication features how-to articles, buying guides, and tips on aspects of cottage living and lifestyle.
Formally publish ...
*
Crime + Investigation
In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definitions of", in Ca ...
*
Documentary Channel
A documentary channel is a specialty channel which focuses on broadcasting documentaries. Some documentary channels further specialize by dedicating their television programming to specific types of documentaries or documentaries in a specific a ...
*
History2
*
MTV2
*
One
*
OutTV
OutTV (stylized OUTtv) is a Canadian English language specialty channel that was launched in September 2001. It broadcasts general entertainment and lifestyle programming aimed at the LGBT community.
The network is owned by OUTtv Media Global I ...
*
T+E
French
Former analog services
*
Canal D
Canal D is a Canadian French language discretionary service owned by Bell Media. Canal D focuses on documentary programming primarily in the form of documentary-style television series that focus on a variety of topics such as crime, biographies ...
*
Canal Vie
Canal Vie is a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by Bell Media. Canal Vie airs lifestyle and entertainment programs aimed at women in the form of talk shows, documentaries, reality TV series, and films. Programs focus on a variet ...
*
CPAC
*
Elle Fictions
Elle Fictions (stylized ELLE Fictions) is a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by Remstar Media Group. The channel broadcasts general entertainment programming targeting young adult women.
It was first established in 1986 as the m ...
*
Évasion
Évasion is a Canadian French language discretionary service channel owned by Groupe TVA. The channel broadcasts programming devoted to travel and adventure.
History
In May 1999, a consortium consisting of BCE Inc. (50.1%), Groupe Serdy (19.9%), ...
*
Historia
*
Ici ARTV
Ici ARTV (stylized as ICI artv) is a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (known in French as Société Radio-Canada). The channel broadcasts the arts and culture including music, dance, thea ...
*
Max
*
MétéoMédia
MétéoMédia is a Canadian French-language weather information specialty channel and web site owned by Pelmorex. MétéoMédia primarily serves viewers in Quebec, although some cable TV systems in Ontario and New Brunswick carry the channel as we ...
*
SériesPlus
SériesPlus (formerly Séries+) is a Canadian French language specialty channel devoted to French-language scripted comedy and dramatic programming. The channel is owned by Corus Entertainment.
History
On May 11, 1999, Alliance Atlantis Communi ...
*
Télétoon
Télétoon (styled as TĒLĒTOON) is a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by Teletoon Canada, Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment. Its name is a portmanteau of " télévision" and "cartoon". As of 2013, along with its Englis ...
*
TV5
*
Unis UNIS or Unis may refer to:
*Union of Nigerien Independents and Sympathisers, a defunct political party in Niger
*Unis, a new religious movement founded in the 1960s, based on the teachings of George Gurdjieff
*UniS, the corporate logo of the Univer ...
*
Vrak
Vrak (stylized as VRΔK) is a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by Bell Media. The channel primarily broadcasts live-action programming aimed at youth audiences.
History Background
The youth channel TVJQ () went on the air in 19 ...
*
Z
Former Category 1 digital services
*
addikTV
addikTV is a Canadian French-language specialty channel owned by Groupe TVA, a division of Quebecor Media. The channel is devoted primarily to French-language drama programming focusing on mystery, suspense, and thriller TV series and films. Th ...
*
RDS Info
RDS Info is a Television in Canada, Canadian French language Category A services, Category A digital cable 24-hour sports information specialty channel. It is owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc., a division of Bell Media (80%) and ESPN (20%).
...
Multicultural
Former analog services
*
ATN Channel
*
Fairchild TV
Fairchild TV or FTV is a Canadian Cantonese language exempt specialty channel."Waging a war over a large, wealthy, educated audience ; Fairchild TV and CFMT are battling it out to deliver the news to Canada's Chinese community". ''Toronto Star'' ...
*
Odyssey
The ''Odyssey'' (; grc, Ὀδύσσεια, Odýsseia, ) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the ''Iliad'', th ...
*
Talentvision
Talentvision is a Canadian Mandarin Chinese specialty channel. It is owned by the Vancouver-based Fairchild Media Group (a subsidiary of the Fairchild Group) and TVB. Talentvision's studios are located inside Aberdeen Centre in the Golden Vi ...
*
TLN
Category A pay services
English
Former analog services
*
Family Channel (two multiplex channels)
**
Family Jr.
Family Jr. is a multiplex channel of the Canadian specialty channel Family Channel. It broadcasts children's programming aimed at viewers aged 2 to 7.
The channel launched on November 30, 2007 as a Canadian version of Playhouse Disney, under ...
*
The Movie Network
Crave (formerly The Movie Network or TMN) is a Canadian premium television network and streaming service owned by the Bell Media subsidiary of BCE Inc.
Launched in 1983 as the national service First Choice, early difficulties and a subsequent ...
(four multiplex channels)
**
HBO Canada
HBO (previously known as HBO Canada, and still referred to as such on social media) is a Canadian premium television network from Crave (formerly The Movie Network), which is owned by Bell Media. The channel is primarily devoted to original pro ...
(East)
** TMN2
** TMN3
*
The Movie Network Encore (two multiplex channels)
** The Movie Network Encore 2
Former digital services
*
Super Channel (four multiplex channels)
** Super Channel 2
** Super Channel 3
** Super Channel 4
French
Former analog services
*
Super Écran (four multiplex channels)
** Super Écran 2
** Super Écran 3
** Super Écran 4
Defunct services
*
Argent
In heraldry, argent () is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it. In engravings and line drawings, regions to ...
*
BookTelevision
BookTelevision was a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Bell Media.
The channel was originally established in 2001 by CHUM Limited, airing programming relating to books, literature, and various media. The network later shifted ...
*
Encore Avenue
*
Fashion Television
''FashionTelevision'', also known as ''FT'', is a Television in Canada, Canadian-produced special interest show focusing on fashion. The show, created by Jay Levine in 1985, was last hosted by Jeanne Beker. Production of the broadcast ended on A ...
*
FYI
*
G4
*
IFC
*
M3
*
Movie Central
Movie Central (occasionally abbreviated as "MC", mostly in program guides) was a Canadian English language Category A premium cable and satellite television channel that was owned by Corus Entertainment. Movie Central was designated to operat ...
*
Viceland
Viceland (stylized in all caps), and Vice TV in the United States, are brands used for television channels owned and programmed by Vice Media. Viceland launched on February 29, 2016, with two branded cable channels; the American version (rebra ...
*
WTSN
See also
*
List of television stations in Canada by call sign
This is a list of television stations in Canada licensed to broadcast by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), all having call signs which begin with the letter C.
indicates a station that continues to broadcast ...
*
List of Canadian television networks (table)
*
List of Canadian television channels
Television in Canada has many individual stations, networks, and systems.
National broadcast television networks
English
* CBC Television, a national public network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
* Citytv, a privately own ...
*
List of Canadian specialty channels
The following is a list of Canadian specialty channels, premium television services, and most other channels not available via terrestrial television.
English
Entertainment
* ABC Spark
* Adult Swim
* AMI-tv
* BBC First
* CTV Comedy Channel
* CTV ...
*
Category B services
A Category B service is the former term for a Canadian discretionary specialty television channel which, as defined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, may be carried by all subscription television providers. Suc ...
*
Category C services
A Category C service is the former term for a Canadian discretionary specialty channel which, as defined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, operates under the conditions of license for "competitive Canadian specia ...
*
List of foreign television channels available in Canada
This is a list of foreign television channels available in Canada. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates which television channels are allowed to air in Canada. Although the vast majority of television cha ...
*
List of United States stations available in Canada
This article lists all of the local over-the-air television stations in the United States that are carried in Canada via cable/digital cable or satellite. This list also includes stations that were formerly carried, but have since been dropped. ...
*
Digital television in Canada Digital terrestrial television in Canada (often shortened to DTT) is transmitted using the ATSC standard. Because Canada and the U.S. use the same standard and frequencies for channels, people near the Canada–United States border can watch digital ...
*
Multichannel television in Canada
Canada is served by various multichannel television services, including cable television systems, two direct-broadcast satellite providers, and various other wireline IPTV and wireless MMDS video providers.
Canadian multichannel television provi ...
*
List of Canadian stations available in the United States
This article lists all of the stations in Canada that are viewable in parts of the United States.
See also
* List of television stations in Canada by call sign
* List of Canadian television networks (table)
* List of Canadian television cha ...
*
List of television stations in North America by media market
These links go to individual lists of television stations by the markets in which they are located.
United States
Continental States, Alaska, and Hawaii
There are 210 Designated Market Areas (DMAs) listed by the 2022–2023 Nielsen rankin ...
References
{{reflist
External links
CRTC list of all 21 original category 1 licensees
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
*1