H2 (Canada)
| H2 | |
|---|---|
 H2 logo | |
| Launched | September 7, 2001 |
| Owned by | Shaw Media |
| Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) (2013-present) 480i (SDTV) (2001-present) |
| Slogan | More 2 History |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Formerly called |
mentv (2001–2010) The Cave (2010-2012) |
| Sister channel(s) | History |
| Website | H2 |
Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bell TV | Channel 629 (SD) |
| Shaw Direct |
Channel 570 (SD) 83 / 583 (HD) |
| Cable | |
| Available on most Canadian cable systems | Check local listings, channels may vary |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant TV |
Channel 279 (SD) Channnel 545 (HD) |
| Bell Fibe TV |
Channel 629 (SD) Channel 1629 (HD) |
| MTS |
Channel 163 (SD) Channel 1163 (HD) |
| Optik TV | Channel 151 (SD) |
| SaskTel | Channel 165 (SD) |
H2 is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel dedicated to airing historic and non-historical programming of military, science, and technology interest. The channel is wholly owned by Shaw Media. Its name is licensed from the American company, A+E Networks, owners of the American channel H2.
History
In November 2000, Groupe TVA and Canwest (through its subsidiary Global Television Network Inc.) were granted approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a television channel called Men TV, described as "a national English-language Category 1 specialty television service dedicated to men's lifestyle. It will provide programming related to the luxury market, the gourmet market, men's beauty and fitness, the book and music market, outdoor adventures and leisure sports, from a Canadian men's perspective."[1]
The channel launched on September 7, 2000 under a slightly modified name, mentv. Despite Canwest's 49% minority interest in the service, Canwest was the managing partner of the channel from its inception until September 2008, when managing operations were handed over to Groupe TVA, who owned a 51% stake in the service.
Throughout its history as mentv, the channel maintained a programming slate of general interest programming aimed at a male audience. Programming included series focusing on themes such as crime and mystery, cuisine, leisure sports such as extreme sports and fishing, technology, and more. Due in part to the channel's licence requirements, the majority of the programming were documentary, reality series, talk shows, and other such non-scripted programming. Scripted programming such as films, variety shows, comedies, and television dramas did also air on the channel, however.
On August 2, 2010, with little marketing initiative behind it and little notice from the press, mentv was quietly rebranded The Cave, while maintaining mentv's programming strategy of a lifestyle service aimed at men.
On October 27, 2010, Shaw Communications gained a 49% stake in the channel as a result of its acquisition of Canwest.[2][3]
On December 22, 2011, Groupe TVA announced its intention to sell its share of The Cave and Mystery TV to Shaw Communications, giving Shaw full control of the two channels.[4] It was revealed in regulatory documents, that the transaction for The Cave was valued at $2,000,000.[5] The deal was approved by the CRTC on April 25, 2012.[6]
On May 30, 2012, Shaw Media announced that it would be launching a Canadian version of the history-focused American channel, H2, on August 27, 2012. Several in the press speculated that the channel would be a rebranded version of The Cave, which had been recently acquired by Shaw.[7][8] However, no official statement was released from Shaw Media.
The Cave was rebranded as H2 on August 27, 2012.
H2 HD
On May 29, 2013, Shaw Media launched H2 HD, a high definition simulcast of the standard definition feed. It is currently available on Eastlink, Shaw Direct, Shaw Cable & Bell Fibe TV.
Noted series
- 10 Things You Don't Know About
- Aftermath
- Blowdown
- Greatest Tank Battles
- Ice Pilots NWT
- Modern Marvels
- The Universe
- Top Gear (US)
- Top Guns
- William Shatner's Weird or What?
- Note: Series list is current as of September 2012.
References
- ↑ Decision CRTC 2000-464 CRTC 2000-12-14
- ↑ Shaw Communications closes purchase of Canwest TV assets, rebrands as Shaw Media
- ↑ CRTC approves Shaw’s purchase of the Canwest Global television properties
- ↑ TVA selling two specialty channels to Shaw Media; financial terms not disclosed
- ↑ Application 2011-1581-6 CRTC 2012-01-20
- ↑ Decision CRTC 2012-239 CRTC 2012-04-25
- ↑ A&E Networks Sending Lifetime and H2 to Canada The Hollywood Reporter 2012-05-30
- ↑ Shaw Media to bring Lifetime, H2 to Canada Cartt.ca 2012-05-30
External links
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