BELL MEDIA specialty channels NEWS & SCHEDULES 2017

[CDN Viewer]

I don't really like these re-brands, the generic CTV branding removes the unique character each channel had and just turns them into general channels that supposedly are focused on a specifc genre but more likely will seeing them airing whatever Bell wants. It looks like they are trying to align them together with the new online portal they launched last year, the same thing they did with Crave but IMO the specialty channels should be separate from the streaming services and have their own branding.

I wonder what's next- a re-brand of TSN to CTV Sports or perhaps Comedy Gold re-branding as CTV Retro since it doesn't appear as though the deal to sell the channel is going forward?! It has been months since the deal to sell Comedy Gold was announced and there is no sign that that people that bought it have taken over operation.

[lostjon]

I don't really like these re-brands, the generic CTV branding removes the unique character each channel had and just turns them into general channels that supposedly are focused on a specifc genre but more likely will seeing them airing whatever Bell wants.

At this point, it is what it is. Frankly, as you pointed out, I do not see what difference the rebranding will make based on the current programming on these channels. Aside from the acquired programming they are boasting about, Gusto has been looking a lot less like the food and lifestyle channel from few years ago. Gimme a break...Marathon reruns of Flashpoint, Bones and now, Criminal Minds all airing on Gusto? As if itÂ’s not enough that they are already airing on Bravo. Heck, even Space has been showing Bones reruns. And Comedy has pretty much gone on itÂ’s way to running The Big Bang Theory nearly 24/7 on weekends.

It looks like they are trying to align them together with the new online portal they launched last year, the same thing they did with Crave but IMO the specialty channels should be separate from the streaming services and have their own branding.

True. One of the channels on the portal was initially called CTV Vault but that has since been renamed as CTV Throwback.

I wonder what's next- a re-brand of TSN to CTV Sports or perhaps Comedy Gold re-branding as CTV Retro since it doesn't appear as though the deal to sell the channel is going forward?! It has been months since the deal to sell Comedy Gold was announced and there is no sign that that people that bought it have taken over operation.

Gosh, I really hope they leave the TSN branding alone. It is a unique, well known and established brand not only in Canada but even outside the country, with plenty of nostalgia. Looking back to when they changed the logo for TSN in the early 2000s, I suggested or figured that they would be renamed ESPN Canada given how it closely resembled the original one from the United States. Boy, was I ever wrong. So for those reasons, changing it to CTV Sports just does not feel right. And besides, before Bell (at the time Bell Globemedia) bought TSN, CTV did launch its network of sports channels with the Sportsnet branding, which was eventually sold over to Rogers. Speaking of which, that would be like taking ESPN and rebranding it to something like ABC Sports...a total no-no. Though I can see why, it was very peculiar when they decided to take The Movie Network name (formerly First Choice) and rebran I it Crave to align with the SVOD service of the same name few years since its launch.

The transaction of Comedy Gold from Bell to Wow Unlimited Media was already approved by the CRTC. The new owners have requested for a delay in the transfer of the license. So it will happen...eventually.

Source: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-r...ell-Media.html

[mtlguy]

Have you look at June's schedule for Space...it is basically the Star Trek channel. Besides the 2 original show, and Stargate in the mornings.

https://www.bellmedia.ca/sales/tv/space/