 | |
| Type | Free-to-airtelevision system |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Affiliates | See§ CTV2 stations |
| Headquarters | 9 Channel Nine Court,Scarborough,Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 1080iHDTV |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | BCE Inc. |
| Parent | CTV Inc. (Bell Media) |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | September 1, 1995, 30 years ago (First aired onCKVR-TV inBarrie) September 7, 1998, 25 years ago (First national expansion) |
| Founder | Moses Znaimer (as creator of "The New..." format at CKVR)[1] |
| Former names |
|
| Links | |
| Website | www |
CTV2 is aCanadianEnglish-languagetelevision system owned by theBell Media subsidiary of BCE Inc. The system consists of four terrestrialowned-and-operated television stations (O&Os) inOntario, one inBritish Columbia and two regionalcable television channels, one inAtlantic Canada and the other inAlberta (the latter formerly being the provincial educational channel in that province under the name Access Alberta).
The CTV2 system began in 1995 asNewNet, which was originated from the stationCKVR-TV, owned byCHUM Limited, who disaffiliated from the CBC and modeled its format aimed at younger viewers after itsCitytv station,CITY-TV in Toronto. The NewNet system expanded with the acquisition of four Baton Broadcasting stations inSouthern Ontario, followed by the launch ofCIVI-TV inVancouver Island. NewNet was rebranded toA-Channel in 2005 after acquiring the assets ofCraig Media. In 2007, CHUM Limited was acquired by CTVglobemedia; to comply withCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) ownership limits, the Citytv stations were sold toRogers Media, while the non-Citytv stations were relaunched asA in 2008 then again asCTV Two in 2011 with two formerAstral Media stations inBritish Columbia joining the system in 2015.
Although patterned after the original station in Barrie and since its acquisition by Bell, CTV2 provides complementary programming to Bell Media's largerCTV network, though since the late 2010s it has increasingly aired repeats in primetime, with only a handful of first-run programs apart from late-night talk shows (simulcast fromNBC) and stations' local newscasts targeting younger demographics. It operates primarily in markets that overlap with the service area of an existing CTV station. CTV2 broadcast covers all provinces in Canada except Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
The system began to develop in 1995, atCKVR-TV inBarrie,Ontario. In September of that year, ownerCHUM Limited dropped CKVR's longtime affiliation withCBC Television[2] and relaunched it as anindependent station[3] with a more youthful image in order to generate interest from viewers in the neighbouringToronto market, where CKVR had long been available on basic cable. This included adopting a news format similar to theCityPulse newscasts on sister stationCITY-TV, replacing its various classic television shows with more contemporary series, and picking up a package of games for theToronto Raptors, Toronto's then-newNBA franchise.[4] The resulting station became known as "The New VR".
The experiment was successful enough that CHUM replicated CKVR's format on stations it had acquired from Baton Broadcasting in 1997, namelyCHRO-TV inPembroke,CFPL-TV inLondon,CKNX-TV inWingham, andCHWI-TV inWindsor. Most of these stations were also former CBC affiliates, and in markets where CKVR's sister station, CITY-TV, was already or subsequently became available on basic cable.CIVI-DT inVictoria, British Columbia was added into the system at its launch in October 2001.
CHUM informally referred to these stations as the "NewNet".[5] That name was never used on-air on any of these stations; rather it served as a common identifier for the stations to advertising buyers (it was also used on news vehicles inSouthwestern Ontario). On-air, each station was known as "The NewXX", withXX representing the last two letters of the station'scallsign (e.g., "The New WI" for CHWI, "The New RO" for CHRO, "The New PL" for CFPL, etc.)
On March 15, 2005, CHUM announced that the NewNet stations would be relaunched asA-Channel by that fall. The rebrand took place on August 2, 2005, the same date that the former A-Channel stations inWinnipeg,Edmonton andCalgary, recently acquired by CHUM from Craig Media, were relaunched asCitytv.[6] The change reflected a shift towards a more traditional broadcasting model at these stations.
On July 12, 2006, Bell Globemedia announced a friendly takeover bid to buy CHUM Limited. The company initially intended to keep CHUM'sCitytv system, while divesting the A-Channel and Access stations in order for theCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to approve the acquisition.[7]
On April 9, 2007,Rogers Communications announced an agreement to purchase the A-Channel stations, along with the CBC Television affiliate inBrandon, Manitoba (CKX-TV) and several cable channels being put up for sale as part of the CTV transaction.[8] The CRTC announced its approval of the purchase of CHUM Limited by what was now known as CTVglobemedia, on June 8 of the same year, but added a condition that CTVgm must sell off CHUM's Citytv stations to another buyer. At the same time, it was permitted to keep the A-Channel stations, in effect cancelling the planned sale of A-Channel to Rogers.[9][10]
On June 22, 2007, CTVglobemedia finalized its purchase of the CHUM Limited stations, while the Citytv stations were sold to Rogers. The company initially intended to keep the A-Channel stations' branding and programming independent from theCTV Television Network. However, as with the relationship betweenGlobal andE!, CTV radically adjusted A-Channel's announced schedule over the summer of 2007 to make room for several series that could not be accommodated on the main network's fall schedule. Notably, A-Channel picked up CTV's rights to30 Rock,Scrubs,Two and a Half Men,The Big Bang Theory andJeff Ltd. In October, CTV also movedDirty Sexy Money andBig Shots, both of which had originally premiered on the main network, to A-Channel.
Later in the fall, CTV also replaced A-Channel's daily entertainment newscast,Star! Daily, withMTV e2 and strip reruns ofDegrassi: The Next Generation, although new episodes of that series continued to air on CTV.
On July 26, 2007, CTVglobemedia named Richard Gray the head of news for the A-Channel stations andCKX-TV. Gray would report to the CTVgm corporate group, not CTV News, to preserve independent news presentation and management. Gray began to oversee the news departments for CKVR, CHRO, CFPL, CKNX, CHWI, CIVI and CKX.[11]
Shortly after CTV took control of A-Channel and most of the other assets owned by CHUM, media analysts began to speculate that the A-Channel stations would be renamed in 2008.[12] Viewer surveys in 2007 and 2008 suggested that the names "Much TV"[13] and "CHUM TV" were under consideration.
At its fallupfronts presentation on June 2, 2008, CTV announced that it would reformat the A-Channel stations with a new look and new logo, becoming known as simply "A" (originally stylized as "'A'", then as "/A\" to mimic the visual style of its logo). In anticipation of the format change, A-Channel's press materials began using the "A" name that same month, and on-air personalities began referring to the local newscasts asA News instead ofA-Channel News.
The on-air relaunch from A-Channel to A took place on August 11, 2008. On that same date,Atlantic Canada's Atlantic Satellite Network also joined the A television system asA Atlantic, and began to carry the entire A program lineup. In addition,Alberta'sAccess also adopted a new A-styled logo and began to feature the A lineup in certain prime time hours.[14]
On February 25, 2009, CTV announced that, given what it saw as ongoing structural problems facing the conventional television sector in Canada and the current2008 financial crisis, it would not seek to renew the licences ofWheatley'sCHWI-TV (and its rebroadcaster inWindsor) andWingham'sCKNX-TV.[15] The stations were not expected to be converted torebroadcasters of London's A station (CFPL-DT) upon the expirations of their existing licences in August 2009; however, CTV had said news coverage for both areas would be provided by CFPL andCKCO-DT. In addition, CTV also announced on February 19, 2009, that it would not apply to renew the licence ofBrandon'sCKX-TV beyond its August 31, 2009 expiration.[16]
CTV announced further cuts on March 3, 2009. TheA Morning programs produced separately at CKVR and CFPL were cancelled outright effective March 4 and were replaced by repeats of the previous evening's newscasts, while CIVI replaced itsA Morning show with a simulcast of CTVglobemedia's Victoria-based radio stationCFAX (1070 AM), although those stations retain their evening newscasts. On the other hand, CHRO saw itsA Morning program expanded from three hours daily to four hours daily, and launched a two-hour Saturday edition ofA Morning, while cancelling its evening newscasts (which trailed those of CTV network stationCJOH-TV). In all, 118 people, or 23% of all A employees, were laid off.[17] No cuts were announced for A Atlantic, which is already tightly integrated withCTV Atlantic.
On April 30, 2009,Shaw Communications announced that it would purchase CKX, CKNX, and CHWI for a dollar each, pending approval by the CRTC.[18] However, it was reported on June 30, 2009, that Shaw had backed out of the deal and declined to complete the purchase, putting the stations' futures in serious doubt.[19]
On July 8, 2009, CTV announced that it would keep CHWI open after the CRTC announced policy changes to increase funding for small-market television stations, and following lobbying efforts by theWindsor City Council, local Members of Provincial ParliamentSandra Pupatello andDwight Duncan, and federalMembers of ParliamentBrian Masse andJoe Comartin to keep the only local privately owned television station in Windsor on air. In the same announcement, CTV indicated its intention to file an application with the CRTC to convert CKNX into a rebroadcaster of CFPL once that station shut down on August 31.[20] On July 16, CTV announced that it would sell CKX-TV to Bluepoint Investment Corporation for a dollar. The deal was expected to close by December 31, 2009, pending CRTC approval; however, it was rejected on October 1, prompting the station to cease operations the following day.[21][22]
On September 10, 2010,Bell Canada announced it re-acquire the assets of CTVglobemedia and the A system for $3.2 billion. The overall deal was approved by the CRTC on March 7, 2011 and was finalized on April 1, 2011 when it was relaunched as Bell Media.[23]
On May 30, 2011, Bell Media (in conjunction with its contractor, the Troika Design Group) announced that it would extend the CTV brand to the A television system, for the start of the 2011-12 television season. As such, A was relaunched as CTV Two on August 29, 2011, with local newscasts in most markets rebranded fromA News toCTV News, and the morning shows produced inOttawa andAtlantic Canada becomingCTV Morning Live, ending nearly three years of the "A" brand. Additionally, anHD feed for the system launched on August 31, 2011.[24][25][26][27]
As part of the relaunch, Bell expanded the system's coverage area. Alberta's provincial education channel Access (which had aired a limited amount of A programming) was renamedCTV Two Alberta and began carrying the full CTV Two primetime lineup excluding local CTV News programming.[28] On June 17, 2011, Bell also filed an application with the CRTC andIndustry Canada to establish additional repeaters forCKVR-DT to expand its signal farther into theGolden Horseshoe area; on UHF 42 inFonthill, servingNiagara Falls,Fort Erie andSt. Catharines,[29] and a repeater on UHF 35 onCHCH-DT'sTower, servingHamilton,Oakville,Haldimand County,Caledonia,Brantford,Milton andCambridge.[30] These applications were later approved by the CRTC.
On October 28, 2015, the CRTC made public an application by Bell to disaffiliateCJDC-TV andCFTK-TV fromCBC Television effective February 22. Bell and the CBC agreed to an early termination of the affiliation agreements on October 5.[31] Programming from CTV Two began on the date of disaffiliation from CBC.
Beginning the 2018-19 television season, the network re-branded as "CTV2" under CTV's new brand identity.[32]
Aside from a few key genres, such as movies and local news, the types of programming carried by CTV Two has varied significantly over its history.
As NewNet, the system mainly carried programs from what were then the two U.S. "netlets" (The WB andUPN), movies, a few syndicated series, and lower-rated offerings from the U.S. "big four" networks. Certain programs weretimeshifted from their original airings onCitytv. During its early years, as with Citytv, NewNet's stations lack a no news desk (anchors read the news standing up, or on stools), and cameras are sometimes hand-held which included the concept of videojournalism, where reporters often carry their own camera report and videotape their own stories. The system calls its videojournalists "videographers", but unlike many stations in American television markets that try to conceal the fact that reporters are so-called "one-man bands", embraced the use of video journalism by highlighting the use of technology; its videographers often carry a second home video camera to record images of them videotaping on the scene. The low-grade video is then incorporated into the story to show viewers how the story was recorded.
Throughout most of the network's existence, CTV2 has aired NBC'sThe Tonight Show andLate Night since the mid–1990s under hostsJay Leno,Conan O'Brien,Jimmy Fallon andSeth Meyers. However,Late Night with Seth Meyers aired on CTV for the first two years of its run, but switched places withThe Late Late Show with James Corden (which aired on CTV2 since its March 2015 debut) in February 2016.
Like all other CHUM-owned properties, the system also aired several local programs inherited from Citytv and other CHUM channels such asCityLine,FashionTelevision,The NewMusic,Speakers Corner,MediaTelevision andGreat Movies. Late at night, NewNet also airedBaby Blue Movies,SexTV,Naked News andEd's Night Party.
After relaunching as A-Channel, the system shifted towards a more traditional mix, including game shows and more traditional U.S. sitcoms and dramas while retaining airings of library of programming from Citytv and its parent CHUM. Some of the American shows aired during this era includedSupernanny,America's Funniest Home Videos,Smallville,The Ellen DeGeneres Show andWheel of Fortune, as well asTonight andLate Night. Notable Canadian shows includeDegrassi: The Next Generation andCityLine. A few original productions, such as11 Somerset andCharlie Jade, have aired on A-Channel. The drama seriesMissing was carried over from the former Craig Media-owned A-Channel (nowCitytv) stations. Following the acquisition by CTVglobemedia, CTV would occasionally bump one of its programs over to A-Channel to make room for a different show; during the summer, A-Channel would often carry repeats of CTV series, freeing up CTV to carry original programming.
For several seasons,CHRO-TV also produced and broadcast 20 regular-season games per year of theNational Hockey League'sOttawa Senators. These games were generally seen on Thursday nights and were usually among CHRO's most popular programmes. These games have been reassigned to the team's cable home,Sportsnet, as of the 2008–09 season. Although CHRO no longer airs the games themselves, the station still produces and airs a post-game show.
There may be some confusion about the system's launch date due to a celebration of "50 years of local news" held by localCTV and A-Channel stations in April 2008.[33][34] Neither the system nor any local CTV-owned station launched in 1958, although some of the stations that later joined CTV launched earlier in the decade.[35] The celebration was not timed to any particular anniversary but rather to a CRTC review of regulations for local television stations also held that month.[36]
As A, the network's primetime schedule was revamped again, positioning A as the cutting-edge counterpart to the main CTV network. Most of the schedule consisted of anticipated new series such asEleventh Hour andFringe, and critically acclaimed or high-buzz (but lower-rated) sophomore series such asGossip Girl,Mad Men,Private Practice, andPushing Daisies, although a few older holdovers such asAFV andAmerica's Next Top Model (previously on Citytv) remained in primetime. Talk shows such asEllen,Tonight, andLate Night remain, whileWheel, which moved toCBC Television, was replaced byTMZ.
As part of its relaunch as CTV Two, the primetime schedule focused on highly anticipated new series, including results shows forThe X Factor (the performance shows aired on CTV),[26]Up All Night, andMan Up!.[37] Additionally,CSI: Miami,Criminal Minds andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit also moved to CTV Two.[37]
Since its acquisition by CTVglobemedia (nowBell Media), the network would also serve as an alternate outlet for CTV programming in the event of scheduling conflicts with other programming, major breaking news, and special events such CTV's coverage of the2010 Winter Olympics. Conversely, in markets where CTV Two is not available, some CTV affiliates may sometimes carry some CTV Two programming, although this is rare.
Notes:
| City of license/market | Station | Channel PSIP (RF) | Year of affiliation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrie,Ontario | CKVR-DT | 3.1 (10) | 1995 | Former CBC affiliate. |
| Calgary &Edmonton,Alberta | CTV2 Alberta | Cable only | 2008 | Formerly licensed as an educational television service for the province of Alberta until 2017, when all educational programming was dropped. This station formerly used two transmitters,CJAL-TV (Edmonton) andCIAN-TV (Calgary). Formerly ACCESS (1973-2011). |
| Halifax/Atlantic Canada | CTV2 Atlantic | Cable only | 2008 | Formerly ASN (A Citytv affiliate). |
| London, Ontario | CFPL-DT | 10.1 (10) | 1998 | Also operates a repeater inWingham, Ontario viaCKNX-TV, channel 8. Former CBC affiliate and independent station. |
| Pembroke,Ontario | CHRO-TV | 5 | 1998 | Former CBC and CTV affiliate and independent station. |
| Victoria/Vancouver Island & Vancouver,British Columbia | CIVI-DT | 23.1 (23) | 2001 | |
| Wheatley/Windsor, Ontario | CHWI-DT | 16.1 (16) | 1997 | Former independent station. |
These stations are also owned and operated by Bell Media and carry most CTV 2 programming, but are locally branded.
| City of license/market | Station | Channel PSIP (RF) | Year of affiliation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson Creek,British Columbia | CJDC-TV | 5 | 2016 | Former CBC affiliate. |
| Terrace/Kitimat,British Columbia | CFTK-TV | 3 | 2016 | Former CBC affiliate. |
.svg)
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Bell Media announced the programming lineups for CTV and CTV2 (previously stylized as CTV Two) on Thursday, June 7.