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BBC Earth (Canadian TV channel)

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BBC Earth
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaCanada
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Programming
Picture format1080i HDTV
Ownership
OwnerBlue Ant Media
(branding licensed from BBC Studios)
Sister channelsBBC First
Cottage Life
Love Nature
Makeful
Smithsonian Channel
T+E
History
LaunchedSeptember 5, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-09-05)
Former namesRush HD
(2006–2010)
radX
(2010–2017)

BBC Earth is a Canadian discretionary service channel owned by Blue Ant Media. It is a localized version of the international BBC Earth brand, which is licensed from BBC Studios, a subsidiary of the BBC. The channel broadcasts factual programming related to natural history and wildlife.

History

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In April 2006, John Panikkar (co-founder of the channel's original owner, High Fidelity HDTV), was granted a licence by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch AHD (for Adrenaline HD), described as "a national, English-language Category 2 high definition (HD) specialty programming undertaking... that would focus on the impact of high definition imagery on high-octane, limit-defying human activity and adventure that tests individual personal limits, both physical and mental."[1]

The channel launched on September 5, 2006[2] as Rush HD, with its name, and much of its programming, licensed from Rainbow Media, the owners of the Voom HD Networks, owners of the original Rush HD-branded channel in the United States.

Rush HD logo used from 2006 to 2010.

Like its American counterpart, Rush HD originally broadcast programming largely focused on high adventure and extreme sports such as snowboarding, windsurfing, bungee jumping, and cliff diving. Over a year after the American version shut down, Rush rebranded as radX on August 23, 2010.[3] With the rebrand, programming was expanded to include a broader range of action-related programming such as feature films, outdoor lifestyle, travel, reality television, and other programming aimed primarily at men.

radX logo used from 2010 to 2017.

On December 21, 2011, radX's parent company, High Fidelity HDTV, announced that it had entered into an agreement to be purchased outright by Blue Ant Media, majority owners of Glassbox Television and minority owners of Quarto Communications. While initially purchasing 29.9% of the company, the remaining 70.1% was purchased after it was approved by the CRTC.[4]

In December 2016, Blue Ant Media announced that it had reached an agreement with BBC Worldwide to rebrand radX as BBC Earth in January 2017,[5] later confirmed officially as January 23, 2017.[6] Blue Ant Media has had a history of partnerships with the BBC, while its CEO Michael MacMillan assisted in launching the BBC Canada channel whilst working for Alliance Atlantis. BBC Worldwide North America president Ann Sarnoff remarked that Blue Ant Media had a strong interest in factual programming, and that the timing of the launch would coincide with the then-upcoming North American premiere of Planet Earth II.[5][7]

References

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  1. ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-172 CRTC 2006-04-27
  2. ^ High Fidelity HDTV Launches 'Rush HD' and 'Equator HD' Archived 19 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Broadcaster Magazine 2006-09-05
  3. ^ High Fidelity Rebrands Rush HD, Equator HD Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine TVB.ca 2010-08-20
  4. ^ Blue Ant Media Enters Agreement to Acquire High Fidelity HDTV CNW press release 2011-12-21
  5. ^ a b Craig, Sean (6 December 2016). "Blue Ant Media to launch BBC Earth channel in Canada, shut down adventure-focused radX". Financial Post. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  6. ^ BBC EARTH UNVEILS PROGRAMMING LINE-UP FOR CANADIAN LAUNCH ON JANUARY 24 Blue Ant Media press release 01 10 17
  7. ^ "BBC Earth to Launch in Canada Following Blue Ant, BBC Worldwide Deal (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
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