Category 1 specialty channel

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A Category 1 specialty channel is a Canadian specialty television channel which, as defined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, must be carried by all digital cable and direct broadcast satellite providers that have the capability to do so. Canadian content levels on Category 1 channels are required to be at a minimum of 50 percent.

Like older specialty television services licensed prior to digital channel capacity expansion, Category 1 channels are protected as to format. They have been licensed to broadcast within defined formats which are not provided by or overly close to existing protected channels, and Category 1 formats are protected themselves from close direct competition from Category 2 channels, the junior category of digital channels which was introduced at the same time.

It is expected that, henceforth, most or all new Canadian specialty channels will be licensed as Category 2 channels.

Contents

[edit] Category 1 Channels

[edit] Defunct Category 1 channels

  • WTSN, one of the original Category 1 licensees, ceased broadcasting on September 23, 2003 for financial reasons.

[edit] Category 1 channels that never launched

  • Perfecto, La Chaîne - was to be a French language digital channel with programming related to fashion and design. It was to be owned by Astral Media and CHUM Limited with both companies owning 50% each.
  • Télé Ha! Ha! - was to be a French language digital channel with programming related to comedy and humour. It was to be owned by Groupe TVA (60.2%), Les Films Rozon (19.9%) and BCE Média (19.9%).

[edit] External link