A.Side TV

A.Side TV is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Blue Ant Media, as the television version of the website music brand, A.Side, which launched in May 2017. The channel originally launched in 2009 and adopted its current name in 2017.

A.Side TV
LaunchedOctober 1, 2009 (2009-10-01)
Owned byBlue Ant Media
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaCanada
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Formerly calledAux (2009-2017)
Websitetv.ontheaside.com
Availability
Satellite
Shaw DirectChannel 475 (SD)
Cable
CogecoChannel 415 (SD)
Channel 834 (HD)
EastLinkChannel 294 (SD)
Channel 877 (HD)
Rogers CableChannel 107 (SD)
Channel 699 (HD)
Shaw CableChannel 585 (SD)
Source CableChannel 206 (SD)
Channel 767 (HD)
IPTV
Bell Fibe TVChannel 572 (SD)
Channel 1572 (HD)
Bell Aliant Fibe TVChannel 222 (SD)
Channel 476 (HD)
Bell MTSChannel 321 (SD)

History

As Aux (2009-2016)

Aux was originally owned by Glassbox Television and launched as both a website, built on an Internet television model, and a programming block on sister channel BiteTV (which became Makeful in August 2015). Both the website and the programming block launched on November 24, 2008[1] and focused on music related programming featuring independent, and new and emerging artists in alternative, hip hop, indie rock, indie pop and other similar genres.

Aux logo

In February 2009, Aux participated with CBC Radio 3 and Exclaim! to launch "X3", a new collaborative cross-promotional platform which saw all three outlets air or publish content spotlighting a particular "Artist of the Month". X3 artists of the month have included K'naan, Malajube, Thunderheist, Japandroids, Apostle of Hustle and The Rural Alberta Advantage.[2] The project ceased in 2012.

Glassbox Television received approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch Aux as a national English-language category 2 specialty channel on March 6, 2009.[3] The channel was launched on October 1, 2009 exclusively on Rogers Cable[4] (in Ontario and New Brunswick, and shortly thereafter in Newfoundland and Labrador). Later, other providers such as Shaw Cable, Shaw Direct, EastLink, and Source Cable launched the channel on their systems.

In April 2010, the CRTC denied an application by Glassbox to launch a French-language version of Aux, as Astral Media had filed an intervention against the Glassbox application suggesting that the channel would be in competition with the established music video networks MusiquePlus and MusiMax.[5] In May 2010, Astral Media acquired control of Aux.

On April 11, 2011, it was announced that Blue Ant Media would acquire a controlling interest in Glassbox Television. Blue Ant Media initially acquired a 29.9% stake in the company, with the option to expand their stake up to 75% which would give the company controlling interest.[6][7] The company would later be purchased outright by Blue Ant Media in the summer of 2012.[8]

On June 4, 2013, Aux launched a high definition simulcast feed of its originating standard definition channel.

2017-present

On April 6, 2017, Blue Ant Media, along with Shed Creative Agency, announced that the channel would be rebranded A.Side TV, later confirmed to launch on May 30, 2017,[9]. The purpose of the rebrand was to align the channel with the newly formed multi-platform music brand, A.Side, which launched on May 18, 2017 and focuses on music and pop culture content aimed at millennials.[10] Blue Ant Media will continue to operate the channel, while Shed will manage content for the A.Side website and social media platforms.[11]

Programming

The majority of A.Side TV's programming consists of entertainment and lifestyle programming unrelated to music, many of which have aired on other Blue Ant Media channels. Music programming is carried in the form of music video blocks seen on weekdays in the morning hours.

As Aux, the channel aired a mix of music-related programming in the form of music videos, docuseries, and live performances. Reruns of several Aux programs, such as Master Tracks and Camera Music, were carried over to A.Side TV.

Original programming produced under the Aux brand has included:

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References
  1. Great AUXpectations; Torontoist; 2009-09-24
  2. "A.Side". A.Side. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  3. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2009-121; CRTC; 2009-03-06
  4. AUX music television debuts October 1 on Rogers Cable with 24 series devoted to music and music culture CNW press release 2009-09-23
  5. CRTC Denies French-Language Version of AUX TV. Exclaim!, April 23, 2010.
  6. "Blue Ant Media to acquire GlassBox Television". ctv.ca. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  7. "Broadcast veteran MacMillan buys GlassBox Television stake". www.marketingmag.ca. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  8. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-419 CRTC 2012-08-01
  9. A.Side, A New Multi-Platform Brand Celebrating Music And Pop Culture, Launches Today. Blue Ant Media press release 05-18-17
  10. BLUE ANT MEDIA AND SHED CREATIVE AGENCY ANNOUNCE PLANS TO LAUNCH NEW MULTI-PLATFORM MUSIC OFFERING, A.SIDE Blue Ant Media press release 04-06-17
  11. "Blue Ant Media and Shed Creative partner to launch new music offering". mediaincanada.com. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
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