The network was launched on October 17, 1997 as Space, under its original parent company CHUM Limited. Its slogan, The Imagination Station, continued to be used informally by its fans for many years after its retirement. In 2007, Space was acquired by CTVglobemedia, after acquiring CHUM Limited, while the Citytv stations were sold to Rogers Media. The channel adopted its current name in 2019.
History
Logo for Space, used from 2013 to 2019
The channel was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1996.[1] It launched on October 17, 1997 at 6:00p.m. ET (3:00p.m. PT), as Space: The Imagination Station, launching under the ownership of CHUM Limited, airing the film Forbidden Planet, followed by a commentary on that film by author Robert J. Sawyer, followed by the film Mars Attacks!. The Sawyer commentary was the first example of the interstitial materials — mostly produced by Mark Askwith — that became SPACE's signature: short, snappy, mini-documentaries on science fiction and science topics shown between programs, collectively known as "SPACE Flow". Daily installments include Space News (formerly SPIN, for "Space Information and News").[2]
CTVglobemedia took over Space on June 22, 2007, as a result of a takeover of CHUM Limited.[citation needed] At the same time, the Citytv stations were sold to Rogers later that year. Ownership changed hands once again when on April 1, 2011, BCE Inc. gained 100% control of CTVglobemedia's non-publishing assets that it did not already own, placing Space under the ownership of Bell Media.[citation needed]
On March 4, 2013, Space introduced a new logo and slogan ("It's all around you") to coincide with the premiere of its original co-production Orphan Black. The rebrand notably moved from a outer space theme to scenes of the new logo formed by real-life objects with a "phenomenal twist", symbolizing a broadening of the science fiction genre (and, in turn, the channel's programming) beyond space operas.[5]
On June 7, 2018, it was announced that Space would be rebranded as "CTV Sci-Fi", as part of a re-alignment of several Bell Media specialty channels under the CTV brand.[6] The following year, it was revealed the channel would instead rebrand as CTV Sci-Fi Channel on September 12, 2019.[7]
Programming
CTV Sci-Fi Channel's programming includes scripted television series and films primarily focused on the science fiction, fantasy, superhero fiction, horror, and paranormal genres, often in a marathon format outside of prime time. The channel's original programming has included in-studio shows (including the daily newsmagazine Innerspace), scripted dramas, as well as shows co-produced with the American channel Syfy, from which the channel also acquires the bulk of its programming.
The channel holds the linear television rights to the Star Trek television franchise in Canada, holding library rights to past Star Trek television seasons and movies, and having acquired the rights to the newer Star Trek era, beginning with Star Trek: Discovery, that are produced for the Paramount+ streaming service.[8][9][10][11]
The Spacey Awards: Space previously presented its own awards called the Spacey Awards to the best in sci-fi, fantasy and horror films, TV shows, and video games. Some of the awards are voted on by viewers and the others by Space.
The Twelve Days of Space-mas: Twelve days of marathons, either of popular Space programs or of similarly-themed, sci-fi or fantasy films. This normally includes the Doctor Who Christmas special on Christmas Day.
2Also available as part of an OTT multichannel service.
3Also available via TV Everywhere.
4Also available as a add-on.
5Channel available on TV Everywhere through the indicated platform; programming also available as part of that platform's SVOD service. Programming for most traditional TV channels listed here also available through provider-specific VOD sites/apps for TV service subscribers.
