NBA TV Canada
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (Toronto Raptors Network, Ltd.) |
NBA TV Canada is a Canadian English language Category B cable and satellite specialty channel that is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).
History
In December 2000, MLSE was granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a Category 2 digital specialty channel license tentatively known as Raptors Basketball Channel, a channel described as being devoted primarily to the Toronto Raptors basketball franchise and the National Basketball Association (NBA), with additional programming related to other aspects of basketball.[1]
The channel was launched on September 7, 2001 as Raptors NBA TV, with programming focused on the NBA and other basketball-related programming, although it maintained a particular emphasis on the Toronto Raptors. On October 15, 2010, the channel was renamed as NBA TV Canada, as the network began to air more programming devoted to the NBA and international basketball in general, much like its American counterpart.[2]
The channel was valued at $21 million on behalf of the CRTC in 2012.[3]
Programming
NBA TV Canada broadcasts programming primarily related to the NBA, as well as coverage of other basketball leagues including the Euroleague and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Programming includes live games during the regular season and playoffs in simulcast with NBA TV (U.S.), TNT, ABC or ESPN, classic games, the NBA All-Star Game and NBA Finals, and other NBA-related programs. Regular hosts for shows include David Amber, Sherman Hamilton, Matt Devlin, Leo Rautins and Jack Armstrong.
Although it airs the team's pre-season games, NBA TV Canada does not air live broadcasts of regular-season Raptors games; they are split between the networks of TSN and Sportsnet—which are owned by the co-majority owners of MLSE, Rogers Communications and Bell Canada. The network does, however, air full and abbreviated encores of Raptors telecasts.
NBA TV Canada HD
NBA TV Canada HD is a high definition simulcast feed of NBA TV Canada, which broadcasts in the 1080i resolution format. It was launched November 1, 2005 on Bell TV and has since been added to several other television providers. The channel was formerly called Raptors NBA TV HD, however, it was rebranded as NBA TV Canada HD on October 15, 2010 to coincide with the rebranding of its parent standard-definition channel.
References
- ^ Decision CRTC 2000-627, CRTC, 2000-12-14
- ^ NBA TV Canada is on the Air!, NBA, 2010-10-15
- ^ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-443". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. 2012-08-16. Retrieved 2015-09-03.