CTV Life Channel

CTV Life Channel is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by Bell Media. The channel primarily broadcasts factual and reality programming on lifestyle topics such as cooking, home improvement and real estate, along with scripted drama series.

CTV Life Channel
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNationwide
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Ownership
OwnerBell Media
Sister channelsCTV
CTV Drama Channel
CTV Comedy Channel
CTV Sci-Fi Channel
History
LaunchedDecember 11, 2013 (Original iteration)
September 1, 2016 (Current iteration)
ReplacedM3
Former namesGusto TV (2013–2016)
Gusto (2016-2019)
Links
Websitectv.ca/life

The channel was originally established in 2013 by Knight Enterprises as the Category B service Gusto TV. In May 2016, Knight licensed Canadian rights to the Gusto brand and associated programming to Bell Media. The company would relaunch the channel on September 1, using a Category A license formerly used by its music and entertainment channel M3 (formerly MuchMoreMusic, which was launched in 1998 by CHUM Limited).

As part of a rebranding of several Bell Media-owned specialty channels, the channel rebranded as CTV Life Channel on September 12, 2019. Gusto TV later relaunched independently in Canada in 2022.

History

Under Knight Enterprises

In October 2010, Chris Knight was granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to operate "MmmTV", described as "a national, English‑language Category 2 specialty programming service devoted to luxury, from vacations and leisure activities to home furnishings and fashion."[1]

In the summer and fall of 2013, several media outlets began reporting on aspects of the channel, now branded as Gusto TV, and its founder, Chris Knight, owner of Knight Enterprises.[2][3] In several reports, it indicated the launch of the channel on December 11, 2013. This was confirmed, when on December 5, an official press release was issued by Knight Enterprises.[4]

On August 29, 2015, Gusto TV broadcast Live Feed, a live broadcast of footage from the kitchen of the Beckta Dining and Wine Bar in Ottawa. It was described by the network as an example of slow television.[5]

Bell Media relaunch
See also: M3 (Canadian TV channel)
Gusto logo used from 2016 to 2019; later enclosed within a rectangle.

On May 4, 2016, Knight Enterprises announced that it had sold Canadian rights to the Gusto TV brand to Bell Media and that the current channel would be shut down and replaced by a new version of the service under Bell Media ownership. The brand's parent company, Gusto Worldwide Media (GWM), will license Gusto TV's current programming to Bell in addition to producing future series for the channel. GWM will continue to own international rights to the Gusto brand and announced plans to launch an internet television service under the brand in 2017.[6][7] Gusto re-launched on September 1, 2016, replacing Bell Media's entertainment and music network M3 under its existing Category A license and channel allotments.[8]

As CTV Life Channel

On June 7, 2018, during the CTV upfronts, it was announced that Gusto would be re-branded as "CTV Life", as part of a re-branding of several Bell Media specialty channels under the CTV name.[9] The following year, it was revealed the channel would rebrand as CTV Life Channel on September 12, 2019.[10] Bell also announced an output deal with Mike Holmes and his studio, under which CTV Life Channel would air his future productions (such as the new series Holmes 911), and acquire reruns of his past series (such as Holmes on Homes).[11]

Programming

References
  1. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2010-772 CRTC 19 October 2010
  2. Mark Prasuhn named Gusto! VP, GM Media in Canada 23 September 2013
  3. Doing it with gusto Archived 2013-12-06 at the Wayback Machine Ottawa Citizen Style 31 October 2013
  4. Gusto TV to launch nationally on December 11, 2013 with free preview on Bell Fibe TV and Bell Satellite TV CNW 5 December 2013
  5. "Arts & Life Best Bets". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  6. "Ottawa's Gusto TV to expand after deal with Bell Media". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  7. "Bell Media goes for Gusto, eyes lifestyle channel launch". Realscreen. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  8. "UPDATED: Bell TV dropping several channels, including CNBC, Shopping Channel". Cartt.ca. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.(subscription required)
  9. "Magnum P.I. reboot, new Jann Arden comedy on CTV's fall lineup". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  10. "Bolstered by New Acquisitions, New CTV Suite of Specialty Channels to Be Unveiled Sept. 12". Newswire. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  11. "Mike Holmes moves to Bell Media". Realscreen. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  12. "Supermarket Sweep UK".
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