 Logo used since 2016 | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Canada |
| Headquarters | Montreal,Quebec |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 1080iHDTV (downscaled toletterboxed480i for theSDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Craig Media (50%, 2001–2005) Viacom (National Amusements) (50%, 2001–2005) CHUM Limited (2005–2007) CTVglobemedia (2007–2011) BCE Inc. (2011–2016) Stingray Group (2016–present) |
| Parent | CTV Limited (2007–2011) Bell Media (2011–2016) |
| Sister channels | Stingray Loud Stingray Vibe Stingray Retro Stingray Country |
| History | |
| Launched | December 6, 2001 (2001-12-06)[1] |
| Former names | MTV2 (2001–2005) PunchMuch (2005–2011) Juicebox (2011–2016) |
| Links | |
| Website | Stingray Juicebox |
Stingray Juicebox is aCanadiandiscretionarymusicspecialty channel owned byStingray Group. It is a commercial-free channel that broadcasts music andmusic videos aimed towards children and teens.
The channel was first established in 2001 byCraig Media asMTV2; it operated as a licensed version of theU.S. channel of the same name, and acted as a sister to itsMTV Canada channel. The service was licensed by theCRTC as part of a planned suite of five channels devoted to specific genres of music videos; MTV2 was the only channel of the suite to launch, which drew the ire ofCHUM Limited, the parent company ofMuchMusic, to file a complaint with the CRTC, accusing MTV2 Canada of airing more programming much like its sister channel MTV, that exceeded its licence and being a MuchMusic competitor.
After the sale of Craig to CHUM in 2004, the channel was relaunched in 2005 asPunchMuch—aninteractive spin-off ofMuchMusic featuring music videos voted on by viewers online and viatext messaging. In 2011 underBell Media ownership, the network adopted its current format. In 2016, Juicebox and its sister channels were sold to Stingray Digital.
In November 2000, Craig Broadcast Systems Inc. (later known asCraig Media) was granted approval from theCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a specialty service called "Music 5" that would consist of five separate music video channels that would each focus on a specific musical genre –dance,pop,urban,R&B and "hot hits".[2]
Before any of the channels had launched, in August 2001, Craig announced that it had reached an agreement withMTV Networks to license theMTV brand in Canada for several their channels.[3] Although it was expected that 3 MTV branded genre-specific music channels would launch, on December 6, 2001,[1] only one channel was launched, the channel devoted to "Pop",[4] asMTV2. Shortly after the launch, MTV Networks acquired a minority interest in the channel, along with sister network MTV Canada. MTV2 was structured as a free-form music video channel that aired music videos from various artists from different genres aimed at teenagers to young adults, in addition to a small number of concert series including the MTV Canada original series,Pepsi Breakout.
MuchMusic ownerCHUM Limited would file a complaint with the CRTC over MTV2 Canada, accusing the service of violating its CRTC licence by devoting over 60% of its programming to music videos. CHUM also accused Craig of using its promise of a pop music channel service as a backdoor to gain approval for a channel that would encroach on MuchMusic's protected format. Craig disputed the allegations, and this channel operated similarly to thecontemporary hit radio format.[5]
According to CHUM's complaint, Craig operated MTV2 as a general interest music video service, rather than a narrower "pop" channel as it was licensed and it also stated that it must air "less than 95% of music video clips broadcast on the channel" of pop music videos.[5] The CRTC would then order Craig Media to address these shortcomings.[6]
CHUM's disputes over the channel were soon rendered moot when it acquired Craig Media in 2004, primarily to gain control of itsA-Channel television stations in western Canada (which joined itsCitytv brand). However, per a clause in the licensing agreement, Viacom exercised its right to pull out of the venture upon the change in ownership.[7][8][9][10] On June 9, 2005, CHUM announced it would rebrand the channel on June 30 asPunchMuch, changing the format to an automatedmusic video service that would allow viewers the ability to request music videos and participate in on-screen chat, polling, and other interactive participation with theirmobile phone.[10] MTV Canada was rebrandedRazer on the same day.[10]
In July 2006,Bell Globemedia (later CTVglobemedia) announced that it would purchase CHUM for an estimatedCAD$1.7 billion, including PunchMuch.[11] The sale, also needing approval from the CRTC, was approved on June 8, 2007,[12] with the transaction completed on June 22. After a three-year absence, the MTV2 brand returned in Canada when CTVglobemedia rebranded Razer asMTV2 on August 1, 2008.[13]
From its inception, the channel had operated as an advertiser-supported service; on August 31, 2009, PunchMuch and its sister channelsMuchLoud,MuchMoreRetro, andMuchVibe all switched to commercial-free formats, while MuchMusic and MuchMoreMusic would continue to run commercials during programs.[14]
Ownership changed hands once again when on September 10, 2010,Bell Canada (a minority shareholder in CTVglobemedia) announced that it planned to acquire 100% interest in CTVglobemedia for a total debt and equity transaction cost of $3.2 billion CAD.[15] The deal was approved by the CRTC on March 7, 2011,[16] and was finalized on April 1 of that year, on which CTVglobemedia was rebranded Bell Media.[17]
PunchMuch was subsequently rebranded asJuicebox on November 17, 2011, focusing on music videos aimed at children (such asteen pop musicians), with an emphasis on videos aimed at preteen audiences.[18]
On June 21, 2016, it was announced thatStingray Digital would acquire Juicebox and its sister channels from Bell Media; the networks were sold for $4 million.[19] The deal for Juicebox would later close on August 15, 2016, with the channel changing its name toStingray Juicebox on August 12, 2016.[20]
On June 1, 2017, Stingray announced the completion of the rebranding process for all four music video channels, which included new programming and a national promotional campaign.[21]
Since its launch in 2019, a number of television providers have replaced Juicebox withStingray Country, although the channel continues to be available on some providers.
Since its relaunch as Juicebox and sale to Stingray, this channel airs primarily music video and programs aimed at younger children and teenagers. The videos on the channel were approved by a committee consisting of parents and employees, who determine the appropriateness of a specific video for the channel's target audience.[18]
During its run as MTV2, this channel primarily aired music programming along with movies, acquired sitcoms and reality shows, as well as reruns of MTV programming and other shows from its sibling owned networks in the U.S. in pattern with its sister channel, MTV.
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