| Space | |
|---|---|
| Space logo | |
| Launched | October 17, 1997 |
| Owned by | Bell Media |
| Picture format | HDTV (2011-present) 480i (SDTV) (1997-present) |
| Slogan | No Limits |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Website | Space |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bell TV | Channel 627 (SD) Channel 1746 (HD) |
| Shaw Direct | Channel 528 (SD) |
| Cable | |
| Available on most Canadian cable systems | Channel number varies, check your local listings |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant TV | Channel 209 (SD) |
| Bell Fibe TV | Channel 627 (SD) Channel 1632 (HD) |
| MTS | Channel 122 (SD) |
| Optik TV | Channel 174 (SD) Coming Soon (HD) |
| SaskTel | Channel 72 (SD) Channel 371 (HD) |
Space (styled SPACE) is a Canadian Category A specialty channel owned and operated by Bell Media. It features science fiction, fantasy, horror, and paranormal programming including films, documentaries, scripted television series and more. SPACE originally used the subtitle The Imagination Station following its name; although, it is still sometimes used informally by fans today.
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The channel was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1996. It debuted on October 17, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. EST, under the ownership of CHUM Limited, airing the film Forbidden Planet, followed by a commentary on that film by author Robert J. Sawyer, followed by the film Mars Attacks!. The Sawyer commentary was the first example of the interstitial materials — mostly produced by Mark Askwith — that have become SPACE's signature: short, snappy, mini-documentaries on science fiction and science topics shown between programs, collectively known as "SPACE Flow". Daily installments include Space News (formerly SPIN, for "Space Information and News").
As with Teletoon and MuchMusic, Space was created specifically to prevent the import of a similar American television network, thereby maintaining Canadian content whenever possible. In this case, Space was introduced in lieu of Canadians receiving the Sci Fi Channel (now Syfy); it has been criticized for not carrying the same type of programming as its U.S. counterpart, although most (but not all) original SyFy programming eventually finds its way onto Space. There are some delays, however. For example, the popular Sci Fi series The Invisible Man didn't begin airing on Space until after it had finished its run on Sci Fi. It ran Stargate SG-1 delayed from its initial airing on Sci Fi, and as of January 22, 2006, began airing the companion/spin-off series Stargate Atlantis. There are some shows that air on Space that do not air on SyFy, such as Relic Hunter.
CTVglobemedia took over Space on June 22, 2007, as a result of a takeover of CHUM Limited.
Ownership changed hands once again when on April 1, 2011, BCE Inc. (parent company of Bell Canada) gained 100% control of the assets that CTVglobemedia did not already own, CTVglobemedia was replaced by Bell Media.
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On July 6, 2011, Space launched Space HD, a high definition simulcast of the standard definition feed.[1] It is currently available on several major television service providers including Bell TV, Bell Fibe TV, SaskTel, and Shaw Cable.
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