|
| G4 Canada |
 |
| G4 Canada logo |
| Launched |
September 7, 2001 |
| Owned by |
Rogers Media (66.67%)
G4 Media (33.33%) |
| Country |
Canada |
| Broadcast area |
National |
| Headquarters |
Toronto, Ontario |
| Formerly called |
TechTV Canada
(2001-2004)
G4techTV Canada
(2004-2009) |
| Website |
G4 Canada |
| Availability |
| Satellite |
| Bell TV |
Channel 515 |
| Shaw Direct |
Channel 514 |
| Cable |
| Available on many Canadian cable systems |
Check local listings, channels may vary |
| IPTV |
Available on
most IPTV systems |
Check local listings |
G4 Canada is a Canadian English language category 1 digital cable specialty channel co-owned by Rogers Media and G4 Media. G4 is an entertainment and information channel based on gaming, technology and pop culture programming.
History
On November 24, 2000; through a joint venture, Rogers Media (33.34%), Shaw Communications (33.33%) and TechTV US (33.33%) (the licensees) were granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch TechTV Canada, a service described by its nature of service to "providing programming about computing, technology and the Internet.".1 The licensees proposed TechTV Canada will "provide programs that will "take technology mainstream, with programming for every level of viewer." TechTV will not offer any drama-based programming, and will limit the provision of documentary programs.".1
The channel would launch as TechTV Canada on September 7, 2001; the same day tens of other digital cable specialty channels would launch on Canadian airwaves.
After months of speculation, on March 25, 2004, American communications company, Comcast, announced it would acquire TechTV US from Vulcan Programming Inc., with plans to merge TechTV with its own gaming-related channel, G4.2 On May 10, 2004, the transaction was complete3 and due to Comcasts purchase of TechTV, it would acquire TechTV's 33.33% interest in TechTV Canada, spinning it off into its subsidiary, G4 Media.
Plans to merge the American services to create a newly formed channel called G4techTV, were set for May 28, 2004.3 TechTV Canada would follow suit and be renamed G4techTV Canada on the same date.4 On February 15, 2005, less than a year after the merger, American service G4techTV was renamed back to G4.
In June 2006, Shaw Communications opted to sell its interest in the channel to the managing partner, Rogers Media.
In June 2009, G4techTV Canada was renamed G4 Canada, completely eliminating the TechTV brand.
Programming
Originally, when the channel launched in 2001 as TechTV Canada, it consisted solely of technology and gaming related programming, mainly originating from its American counterpart, TechTV, along with Canadian programming. Such programming included Call for Help, The Screen Savers and TechLive.
As the channel's name changed from TechTV to G4techTV, so did the channel's programming. Much like the American service, G4techTV Canada would acquire a mixture of the former TechTV and G4 programs, of which a number of those would be the younger-skewing gaming-related series such as Arena and Cinematech from the former channel, G4.
In 2006, the CRTC granted approval, allowing G4techTV Canada to broadcast drama and comedy programs, including animated series such as anime.5 Less than two months later, G4techTV Canada introduced Anime Current, a programming block consisting of anime series. It was the channel's first venture into the airing of scripted series. Later, in 2007, G4techTV Canada would begin to introduce more scripted series including Code Monkeys and The IT Crowd.
When the channel was finally renamed G4 Canada in June 2009, it marked the shift towards a more entertainment based schedule with less emphasis on technology; rather focusing primarily on gaming and other general entertainment geared towards a younger audience. Much of the technology-based programming were removed or scheduled during off-peak hours. New programming introduced included Adult Digital Distraction (ADd), a programming block consisting of comedy and animated series, many of which were non-technology based. Along with ADd, the channel would later add outdoor adventure programming including Angry Planet and Mantracker in the fall of that year.
Distribution
As a category 1 television service, it is mandatory for all digital cable and direct broadcast satellite providers in Canada to carry the channel in markets where English is the majority language, that have the capacity to do so.
G4 Canada, under the name G4techTV Canada, was broadcast internationally in the Barbados market. The government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation in Barbados switched from providing the American-based feed, in favour of the Canadian channel for its cable television network known as Multi-Choice TV. For unknown existing reasons, the channel has since been removed.
Logos
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| 2001 - 2004 |
2004 - 2005 |
2005 - 2009 |
References
See also
External links
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