_logo.svg){kind=logo} | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Edmonton,Alberta |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) 480i (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Allarco Entertainment[1] |
| History | |
| Launched | November 2, 2007 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Amazon Prime Channels | Over-the-top TV |
| Roku | Over-the-top TV |
| RiverTV | Over-the-top TV |
Super Channel Entertainment Network (Formally and commonly known asSuper Channel) is aCanadianEnglish languagepremiumcable andsatellite televisionchannel owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc. Super Channel's programming primarily includes theatrically released, first to televisionmotion pictures andtelevision series, along with documentaries and other niche programs.
The current Super Channel service was launched in 2007, and is not affiliated with the two pre-existing English-language premium channels which used the name at various times prior to 2001, which were later known asMovie Central (inWestern Canada; defunct since March 2016) andThe Movie Network (inEastern Canada; merged withCraveTV and rebranded asCrave in 2018). The Allards were the original owners of Movie Central, and later re-acquired rights to the Superchannel trademark.
Prior to 2016, Super Channel was the first and only general-interest English-language pay television service authorized to operate nationally.Family Channel (with its multiplex channelFamily Jr.) was the only other national pay television channel, though it currently operates as a de facto basic tierspecialty channel.
Super Channel is available on nearly all major cable, IPTV and satellite providers includingTelus Optik TV,Bell Satellite TV,Shaw Direct,Access Communications,Cogeco,Rogers Cable,Shaw Cable,Eastlink,SaskTel, Westman Communications,Bell MTS,Novus,VMedia,RiverTV,Amazon Channels,Apple TV Channels and other providers. Super Channel was granted as a "must carry" service by theCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), meaning all television service providers must carry the service on their systems.
The Allard family were the original owners ofMovie Central, which during their stewardship until 2001 was known as "Superchannel" (rendered as a single word title). For a time in the 1980s, First Choice (now thePay TV counterpart to theCrave streaming service) had also used the "Superchannel" name under aco-branding agreement). The "Movie Central" name was adopted shortly afterCorus Entertainment acquired the service, but Corus maintained ownership of the "Superchannel" trademark. Just before the new channel's launch, the Allards re-acquired the rights to the "Superchannel" name under undisclosed terms.[2]
Allarco was one of four applicants for new pay television licences that were considered at a public hearing held by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on October 24, 2005.[3] Its competing applicants were:
The Allarco application was approved on May 18, 2006, while the other three applicants were rejected.[8]Super Channel would be launched on November 2, 2007, onBell Satellite TV.
Two years after Super Channel's launch, parent company, Allarco Entertainment entered into theCompanies' Creditors Arrangement Act on June 18, 2009.[9] On August 31, 2010, its creditors unanimously approved a restructuring plan for the company under the act. The restructuring plan, which needed approval of the court, was later approved.[citation needed]
On May 26, 2016, Allarco filed for bankruptcy a second time. The next round of submissions to the court were due on April 21, 2017.[10] As part of this process 96 of the 135[11] licensed content agreements for Super Channel were terminated.
On February 15, 2017, it was announced that a Canadian version ofGinx TV would launch as a replacement for one of Super Channel's multiplex channels.[12] Replacing Super Channel 4, Ginx eSports TV Canada launched on May 4, 2017, with a live Canadian edition ofThe Bridge, a late night talk show.[13]
On February 22, 2017, Super Channel announced it had acquired the Canadian broadcast rights to theLegends Football League, as part of a three-year deal in which Super Channel will be the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of all LFL games through the 2019 season. The LFL will be used to launch the "Super Channel Sports" sub-brand that will be used for all sporting events and sports-themed programming.[14] Super Channel 1 debutedLFL Football Night on April 22, 2017.[15]
On April 4, 2017, Super Channel announced that it would rebrand Super Channel 3 as Super Channel Vault on April 28, 2017. The channel is described as offering programming based on "a collection of hand-picked, fan-favourites, critically-acclaimed films."[16]
In 2018, after emerging from creditor protection, Allarco announced the relaunch of Super Channel with the rebranding of SC1 and SC2 as Super Channel Fuse and Super Channel Heart & Home, and the service adopting the "Super Channel Entertainment Network" branding.[17][18]
In 2020, the service announced a partnership with theCanadian Film Festival to broadcast the films that had been slated to premiere at the festival prior to its cancellation due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Canada.[19]
In 2023, Super Channel would expand intostreaming media with launch of Super Channel+ viaRoku in September,[20] and the Super Channel Uncovered and Super Channel HeartiesFAST channels in October.[21]
On September 4, 2024, Ginx eSports TV Canada was replaced by Super Channel Quest, a new channel focused primarily on documentaries andfactual television; the new channel subsumes most of the docuseries that were aired by Super Channel Fuse, aside from true crime programs. Some Ginx programming will continue to air on Quest. Allarco stated that the channel would launch with a 100% Canadian content schedule.[22]
In March 2025, the network updated its logo to include amaple leaf, and adopted the new slogan "Canadian, Always", in a move to emphasize its broadcasting of Canadian programming.[23]
Super Channel's main programming consists of and both theatrically released andmade for TV movies, including domestically produced programming, shows acquired from U.S cable networks, foreign films, and international series.[24][25]
From its launch until December 2015, Super Channel was the broadcaster for20th Century Studios films from January 2007 to February 2015.[citation needed]The Movie Network took over the deal in January 2016 for releases starting in March 2015. These rights were shared withDisney+ in Canada, and effective 2021, sister channelStarz Canada broadcasts the entire back catalogue.[citation needed]
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Depending on the service provider, Super Channel provides up to eightmultiplex channels – four 24-hour multiplex channels, all of which are simulcast in bothstandard definition andhigh definition – as well as asubscription video-on-demand service (Super Channel On Demand). Super Channel broadcasts its primary channel and multiplex channels on anEastern Time Zone schedule, operating a singular feed for all channels.
| Channel | Description and programming |
|---|---|
| Super Channel Fuse | Focuses primarily on general interest movies, television series,true crime programming, and concerts. |
| Super Channel Heart & Home | Focuses on general interest movies and television series targeting family viewing. |
| Super Channel Vault | Focuses primarily on "fan favourite" and "critically acclaimed" films. |
| Super Channel Quest | Focuses primarily on documentary and docuseries programming. |
Super Channel HD is ahigh definition simulcast feed that broadcasts in the1080i resolution format. In addition to its main channel, Super Channel also operates high definition simulcast feeds of all three multiplex channels. Initially, Allarco launched twohigh definition feeds upon the launch of the service in November 2007: Super Channel HD 1 and Super Channel HD 2. Super Channel HD 1 simulcast thestandard definition feed of the same name, while Super Channel HD 2 initially aired programming from the three remaining SD feeds. In February 2013, Allarco launched HD feeds for the two remaining channels, Super Channel 3 and Super Channel 4, with each HD channel now simulcasting their standard definition equivalent.
Super Channel operates asubscription video-on-demand television service calledSuper Channel On Demand, which is available at no additional charge to new and existing subscribers of Super Channel. Content featured on the service includes movies, acquired foreign series and special features previously seen on the linear television network.[citation needed]
On September 25, 2023, Allarco launched a standalone subscription service forRoku devices calledSuper Channel+. The service offers both the linear channels and their video-on-demand content.[20]
Allarco introduced twofree ad-supported streaming television channels in October 2023 as part ofTubi's launch of that service in Canada.[21]Super Channel Uncovered is themed aroundtrue crime programming, whileSuper Channel Hearties focuses onromance. The two channels were added toXumo the following month.[26]