Showcase (Canadian TV channel)
- This article is about a Canadian specialty channel. For other uses, see Showcase (disambiguation).
| Showcase | |
|---|---|
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| Showcase logo | |
| Launched | January 1, 1995 |
| Owned by | Shaw Media (Showcase Television Inc.) |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) (2006-present) 480i (SDTV) (1995-present) |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Sister channel(s) | Action Lifetime |
| Website | Showcase |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bell TV | Channel 616 (SD) |
| Shaw Direct | Channel 521 (SD) Channel 277 (HD) |
| Cable | |
| Available on most Canadian cable systems | Check local listings, channels may vary |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant TV | Channel 201 (SD) Channel 416 (HD) |
| Bell Fibe TV | Channel 616 (SD) Channel 1616 (HD) |
| MTS | Channel 111 (SD) Channel 1111 (HD) |
| Optik TV | Channel 172 (SD) Channel 672 (HD) |
| SaskTel | Channel 75 (SD) Channel 375 (HD) |
Showcase is a Canadian English-language Category A specialty channel owned by Shaw Media. Showcase predominantly airs works of fiction, centred on scripted television series and films.
The channel operated two time shifted feeds, East (Eastern Time) and West (Pacific Time). The Western feed was discontinued on August 24, 2012.
Contents |
History [edit]
Licensed in 1994, Showcase was a venture between Alliance Communications (prior to its merger with Atlantis), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and a number of smaller independent Canadian producers, and was intended to be a showcase for "the best of independently-produced movies, drama, comedy and mini-series from Canada and around the world", with limited content from the United States.[1] It launched at midnight on January 1, 1995.
When the network premiered, it garnered some negative publicity due to a disclaimer it would broadcast prior to reruns of older series. The disclaimer, which advised viewers to remember that "attitudes were not always the same as they are now" was applied to relatively recent programs such as Seeing Things. Following media scorn and accusations of political correctness and being condescending to viewers, Showcase abandoned this form of disclaimer.
After several acquisitions over the years, Alliance Atlantis gained full control of Showcase.
On January 18, 2008, a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners known as CW Media bought Alliance Atlantis and gained AAC's interest in Showcase.
On October 27, 2010, ownership changed again as Shaw Communications gained control of Showcase as a result of its acquisition of Canwest and Goldman Sachs' interest in CW Media.[2][3]
Programming [edit]
From the beginning it has aired frequent series repeats of Canadian series such as Due South, Cold Squad, and Da Vinci's Inquest, the lineup changing from year to year, along with other foreign series and independent films. Showcase also carries series programming from American cable networks, such as Burn Notice, Fairly Legal, Game of Thrones, Royal Pains, Rizzoli & Isles, and Warehouse 13. It also airs off-network reruns of Canadian and American network series (primarily sourced from its sister television network Global), such as Rookie Blue, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Showcase has also aired first-run Canadian series, dubbed "Showcase Originals". In the past, these have included Paradise Falls, KinK, and Naked Josh. Another of these shows, the low-budget Trailer Park Boys became a bona fide national phenomenon, spawning DVDs, merchandising tie-ins, and two feature films (Trailer Park Boys: The Movie and Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day). The success of Tralier Park Boys led to the increasing prominence of edgy and risqué programming on Showcase, including a block consisting entirely of its eroticism-themed shows known as Fridays Without Borders.[4]
However, network staff felt that Showcase's adult programming was alienating viewers and advertisers: in August 2009, Showcase underwent a major re-branding, introducing a new programming lineup with a greater focus on hit dramas and films. Showcase hoped that the new lineup would make the channel more attractive to viewers and advertisers.[4] In 2010, Showcase premiered a new original series, Lost Girl, which brought the network its highest-rated series premiere ever with around 400,000 viewers.[5]
Foreign programs can only air in primetime beginning at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern/Pacific), as a result of a condition of license[6] obligating Showcase to air 100% Canadian content between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. In fall 2005, Showcase began promoting 10:00 as its flagship timeslot, even hiring branded taxis in major markets, driving people home for free by 10:00 p.m.[7]
Showcase also spawned two digital television services, the male-oriented Action (formerly Showcase Action) and the more feminine Showcase Diva (which was re-launched as a Canadian version of Lifetime in 2012).
Original programming [edit]
- Almost Heroes (1 season, 2011)
- Billable Hours (3 seasons, 2006–2008)
- Bliss (3 seasons, 2002–2004)
- Continuum (1 season, 2012-present)
- Cra$h & Burn (1 season 2009)
- The Drunk and On Drugs Happy Fun Time Hour (in production - 2011)
- Endgame (2011)
- Exes and Ohs (2 seasons, 2009–2010)
- The Foundation (1 season, 2009–2010)
- It's Me...Gerald (1 season, 2005)
- Kenny vs. Spenny (6 seasons, 2003–2010)
- King (2011–present)
- KinK (5 seasons, 2001–2006)
- Lost Girl (3 seasons, 2010–present)
- Moccasin Flats (3 seasons, 2003–2006)
- Moose TV (1 season, 2007–2008)
- Naked Josh (3 seasons, 2004–2006)
- Paradise Falls (3 seasons, 2001, 2004, 2007; 2 later seasons on here!)
- Pure Pwnage (1 season, 2010–2011)
- Rent-a-Goalie (3 seasons, 2006–2008)
- Show Me Yours (2 seasons, 2004–2005)
- Single White Spenny (1 season, 2011-present)
- Slings and Arrows (3 seasons, 2003–2006)
- Testees (1 season, 2008–2009)
- Trailer Park Boys (7 seasons, 2001–2007)
- Webdreams (3 seasons, 2005–2008)
- XIII: The Series (1 season, 2011–present)
Showcase HD [edit]
On December 19, 2006, Alliance Atlantis launched a high definition simulcast of Showcase.[8] Unlike the standard definition feed that has both an East and West coast feed, Showcase HD has only one national feed operating from the Eastern Time Zone.
It is available through all major TV providers in Canada.
References [edit]
- ^ CRTC Decision 94-280
- ^ Shaw Communications closes purchase of Canwest TV assets, rebrands as Shaw Media
- ^ CRTC approves Shaw’s purchase of the Canwest Global television properties
- ^ a b "Showcase puts new look on display". Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
- ^ "Lost Girl premiere achieves supernatural ratings" (Press release). Toronto: Canwest Broadcasting. September 14, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-20. "Source: Canada: BBM-PPM Data — as of Sept 13, 2010."
- ^ CRTC Decision 2001-153
- ^ [1]
- ^ Alliance Atlantis Launches High Definition Channels Broadcaster Magazine 2006-10-11
External links [edit]
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