CTV Sci-Fi Channel

CTV Sci-Fi Channel (formerly known as Space) is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Bell Media. The channel primarily broadcasts speculative fiction and related programming. The network's original slogan was The Imagination Station, which for several years continued to be used informally by its fans. The channel launched on October 17, 1997.

For the unrelated Latin American channel of the same name, see Space (Latin American TV channel). For other uses, see Space (disambiguation).
CTV Sci-Fi Channel
LaunchedOctober 17, 1997 (1997-10-17)
Owned byBell Media
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNational
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Formerly calledSpace (1997-2019)
Sister channel(s)CTV
CTV Drama Channel
CTV Comedy Channel
CTV Life Channel
CTV News Channel
CTV 2
Z
Websitectvscifi.ca
Availability
Satellite
Bell Satellite TVChannel 627 (SD)
Channel 1746 (HD)
Shaw DirectChannel 528 (SD)
Channel 275 87 (HD)
Cable
Available on most Canadian cable systemsChannel number varies
IPTV
Bell Aliant Fibe TVChannel 209 (SD)
Channel 425 (HD)
Bell Fibe TVChannel 627 (SD)
Channel 1627 (HD)
Bell MTSChannel 122 (SD)
Channel 1122 (HD)
Optik TVChannel 392 (HD)
Channel 9392 (SD)
SaskTelChannel 72 (SD)
Channel 372 (HD)
VMediaChannel 281 (HD)
ZazeenChannel 100 (HD)

History
Final logo of Space, used from 2013 to 2019

The channel was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1996.[1] It debuted on October 17, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT), as Space: The Imagination Station, launching under the ownership of CHUM Limited, (the owners of the namesake CHUM-AM, since the launch involved the Space Shuttle's footage), 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").[2]

Like Teletoon and MuchMusic (both of which debuted differently, in 1984 and in Teletoon's case, on the same launch date as Space), Space was specifically created to prevent the importation of American specialty channels into Canadian territory, in this case Syfy, but still has to produce and broadcast Canadian original content on a license.

CTVglobemedia took over Space on June 22, 2007, as a result of a takeover of CHUM Limited. At the same time, the Citytv stations were sold to Rogers later that year. Ownership changed hands once again when on April 1, 2011, BCE Inc. gained 100% control of CTVglobemedia's non-publishing assets that it did not already own, placing Space under the ownership of Bell Media.

On February 8, 2011, the Reeves-Stevenses submitted a letter to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in support of an application by CTVglobemedia to renew the broadcasting license of Space.[3]

On July 6, 2011, a high definition simulcast of Space was launched.[4]

On March 4, 2013, Space introduced a new logo to coincide with the premiere of the channel's new original co-production Orphan Black. A Bell Media executive explained that the branding was designed to reflect upon the broadening of the sci-fi genre beyond outer space and "people in polyester onesies running around with taser guns", by portraying the new logo in the form of real-life objects with a "phenomenal twist" to symbolize the "space around you".[5] Through Bell Media's acquisition of Astral Media, Space is now co-owned with the French-language science-fiction channel, Ztélé (since renamed Z).

On June 7, 2018 during the CTV upfronts, it was announced that Space would be rebranded as "CTV Sci-Fi", as part of a re-branding of several Bell Media specialty channels under the CTV name.[6] The following year, it was revealed the channel would rebrand as CTV Sci-Fi Channel on September 12, 2019.[7]

Programming

CTV Sci-Fi Channel's programming includes scripted television series and films primarily focused on the science fiction, fantasy, superhero fiction, horror, and paranormal genres. The channel has produced original series (including the daily newsmagazine Innerspace, and scripted dramas such as Orphan Black), as well as co-produced and acquired programming primarily from the U.S Syfy cable network.

Current Programming

As of September 2019[8][9][10]

Original

Acquired

Upcoming programming

Former programming

Original
  • Aftermath
  • Behind the Scenes - A look at the creation and bringing to life of various sci-fi series and specials, features interviews with writers, editors, stars and others.
  • Being Human (North American TV series)
  • Bitten
  • Charlie Jade
  • The Conspiracy Guy - Suggested conspiracy theories from an odd-ball character.
  • Dark Matter
  • Fanboy Confessional - A celebration of geek and nerd cultures. Each episode focuses on an individual group such as LARP, Furry, Steampunk and real-life superhero.
  • The Girly Ghosthunters
  • Grand Star
  • HypaSpace - News and information as well as the latest gossip from the entertainment industry, specifically science fiction and fantasy genres
  • Innerspace, a flagship entertainment news program that focused primarily on the sci-fi genre, including films and television series, comic books, technology, and video gaming. The series was cancelled in May 2018 as the result of Bell Media layoffs.[13]
  • It Came From The Basement! - A look at people's eclectic collections of sci-fi related material
  • Orphan Black
  • Primeval: New World
  • Rabbit Fall
  • Shadow Hunter - A series that focuses on the paranormal as seen by a ghost hunter (hosted by Darryll Walsh)
  • Shelf Space - A look at and interviews with authors of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and science fact
  • The SpaceBar - Late night movie "host segments" wrapped around a sci-fi movie, vaguely reminiscent of Mystery Science Theater 3000
  • Space Interstitials
  • SpaceNews - News tidbits relating to space, NASA, CSA and Earth-based satellites
  • Space Top 10 Countdown - Space counts down what’s hot and what’s caught our attention in genre film and television, from superheroes, movie villains, aliens and killer cyborgs. Hosted by Space on-air personalities Kim Poirier and Jonathan Llyr.
  • Steve Smith Playhouse
  • Stormworld
  • Todd & The Book of Pure Evil
  • Tripping the Rift
  • Unexplained Canada

Acquired

Annual events
  • The Spacey Awards: Space previously presented its own awards called the Spacey Awards to the best in sci-fi, fantasy and horror films, TV series, and video games. Some of the awards are voted on by viewers and the others by Space.
  • Santa Claus Conquers the Martians: Aired for several years at Christmas.
  • The Twelve Days of Space-mas: Twelve days of marathons, either of popular Space programs or of similarly themed science-fiction or fantasy movies. This usually includes the Doctor Who Christmas Special on Christmas Day.

References
  1. Decision CRTC 96-605 CRTC 1996-09-04
  2. Space: The Imagination Station launch (incomplete, October 17, 1997
  3. "Intervention Documents". services.crtc.gc.ca.
  4. SPACE HD to Launch July 6
  5. "Bell Media's Space gets a new look". Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  6. "Magnum P.I. reboot, new Jann Arden comedy on CTV's fall lineup". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  7. "Upfronts '19: Bell Media finalizes specialty rebrands". Media in Canada. June 5, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  8. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/tv/ctv-sci-fi/
  9. https://www.ctvscifi.ca/shows/
  10. https://www.tvpassport.com/tv-listings/stations/ctv-scifi/153
  11. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/tv/ctv-sci-fi/resident-alien/
  12. TrekMovie Staff (June 23, 2020). "'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Coming To CTV Sci-Fi Channel And Crave In Canada". TrekMovie.com. United States: SciFanatic Network. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  13. "Bell Media cancels shows 'Daily Planet' and 'Innerspace,' lays off 17 positions". The London Free Press. 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  14. "SPACECAST.COM". 2004-12-30. Archived from the original on 2004-12-30.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  15. "Cosplay Melee – Bell Media". www.bellmedia.ca. Archived from the original on 2017-06-21.
  16. "Superman Prequel Series Krypton Is Coming To Space In 2018". www.space.ca.

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