FX Canada
| FX Canada | |
|---|---|
 FX Canada logo | |
| Launched | October 31, 2011 |
| Owned by |
Rogers Media (66.64% and managing partner) FX Networks (33.36%) |
| Picture format |
480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Slogan | There Is No Box |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Sister channel(s) | FXX Canada |
| Website | FX Canada |
Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Shaw Direct | Channel 251 / 334 (HD) |
| Cable | |
| Rogers Cable |
Channel 318 (SD) Channel 55 – 565 (HD) |
| Shaw Cable |
Channel 156 (SD) Channel 267 (HD) |
| Cogeco Cable |
Channel 410 (SD) Channel 750 (HD) |
| Cable Cable |
Channel 97 (SD) Channel 315 (HD) |
| EastLink |
Channels vary (SD) Channel 667 (HD) |
| Vidéotron | Channel 810 (HD) |
| IPTV | |
| MTS |
Channel 43 (SD) Channel 45 (HD) |
| SaskTel |
Channel 83 (SD) Channel 383 (HD) |
| Optik TV |
Channel 9413 (SD) Channel 413 (HD) |
FX Canada is a Canadian English-language Category B cable and satellite television specialty channel that is owned as a partnership between the Rogers Media division of Rogers Communications (which owns a controlling 66.64% interest and serves as managing partner) and the FX Networks subsidiary of 21st Century Fox (which owns the remaining 33.36%). FX Canada is devoted primarily to scripted dramas and comedies, and is based on the FX cable network in the United States.[1]
History
In February 2011, Rogers Media was granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a television channel called Highwire, described as "a national, English-language Category 2 specialty programming service devoted to the entire genre of action and adventure, including selections from crime fiction, epic and heroic drama."[2]
The channel was launched on October 31, 2011 as FX Canada in standard and high definition.[3] The channel was wholly owned by Rogers Media at its launch. However, on December 16, 2011 the CRTC approved an application for FX Networks to purchase a 20% interest in the channel's direct parent company, and a 16.7% interest in the holding company owning the other 80%, for an overall ownership interest of 33.6% (with Rogers retaining the remainder).[4]
Carried at launch by Rogers Cable and Eastlink,[3] the channel has gradually expanded its carriage to other pay television providers, with the notable exception of Rogers' main rival Bell Canada, which has not yet reached an agreement to carry the channel on either its satellite or fibre optic television services – a fact regularly noted by Rogers in promotions for FX Canada on its other channels.
On April 15, 2013, it was announced that FX Canada had acquired the exclusive domestic broadcast rights to air future episodes of soap operas All My Children and One Life to Live, which were rebooted through Hulu and iTunes in the United States. However, on May 17, 2013, almost three weeks since the premieres and a day after Prospect Park announced a schedule change for both series that reduced each week's broadcasts to two episodes (from four), All My Children and One Life to Live were abruptly pulled from FX Canada's schedule, and were replaced by reruns of 30 Rock.
Rogers has tentatively planned a January 2014 launch of FXX Canada, a Canadian version of FXX, the spinoff channel to which several FX comedy series moved in the U.S. in September 2013.[5] In the meantime, series which have moved to FXX in the U.S. are continuing to air on FX Canada. FXX Canada is scheduled to launch in April 2014. [6]
Programming
As part of the agreement between Rogers Media and Fox, any new original series produced for the flagship FX channel in the United States by its co-owned studios, FX Productions and 20th Century Fox Television, will be aired on FX Canada.[7]
This means that while FX Canada airs most programming from FX U.S., it does not carry some FX series that premiered prior to 2011. For example, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia did not begin to air on the channel until mid-2013, and FX Canada only has second window rights to Sons of Anarchy, with current seasons airing on Super Channel. It also does not carry certain new FX series produced by other studios, such as Anger Management (produced by Lionsgate) or Justified (primarily produced by Sony Pictures Television). In most of these cases, broadcast rights have been purchased by other Canadian broadcasters.
Additionally, FX Canada serves as an additional overflow channel for Sportsnet (its license dictates that FX Canada can air up to 10% sports programming); during the 2013 Major League Baseball season, FX Canada aired six pre-season Toronto Blue Jays games. FX Canada was made available as a free preview to providers during this period as well.[8] It will also be used as part of Sportsnet's new national rights to the National Hockey League.[9]
See also
References
- ↑ Dynamic programming slate unveiled for premier specialty channel FX Canada, launching Oct. 31 Digital Journal October 11, 2011
- ↑ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-103 CRTC February 17, 2011
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Critically-acclaimed FX Canada launches with exclusive free-view for digital subscribers starting October 31 Canada Newswire October 25, 2011
- ↑ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-783 CRTC December 16, 2011
- ↑ Vlessing, Etan (May 29, 2013). "Rogers Media to Launch FXX Canada in 2014 Via FX Networks Pact". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- ↑ "Rogers Media Announces Launch of New Premium Specialty Channel FXX, April 1". January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
- ↑ Rogers Media to launch FX Canada Rogers press release August 6, 2011
- ↑ "Blue Jays Lead Off with Spring Training TV, Specialty Channel World Series, New Mobile App". Mediacaster Magazine. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ↑ "Rogers unveils plans for NHL broadcasts next season". Toronto Star. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
External links
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