MTV2 (Canadian TV Channel)
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MTV2 was a
Canadian Canadians () are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of their being ''C ...
English language English is a West Germanic language that developed in early medieval England and has since become a English as a lingua franca, global lingua franca. The namesake of the language is the Angles (tribe), Angles, one of the Germanic peoples th ...
discretionary
specialty channel A specialty channel (also known in the United States as a cable channel or cable network) can be a commercial broadcasting or non-commercial television channel which consists of television programming focused on a single genre, subject or targete ...
focused on general entertainment programming aimed at youth and teen audiences. The channel was owned by
Bell Media Bell Media Inc. (Canadian French, French: ) is a Canadian media conglomerate that is the mass media subsidiary of BCE Inc. (also known as Bell Canada Enterprises, the owner of telecommunications company Bell Canada). Its operations include nati ...
subsidiary of BCE, Inc., with the
MTV2 MTV2 (formerly M2) is an American pay television Cable television, channel owned by the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global, through PMN’s MTV Entertainment Group Subdivision. The channel launched initially as an all-music ...
name and branding used under an
agreement Agreement may refer to: Agreements between people and organizations * Gentlemen's agreement, not enforceable by law * Trade agreement, between countries * Consensus (disambiguation), a decision-making process * Contract, enforceable in a court of ...
with the
Paramount Networks Americas Paramount Networks Americas (PNA) (formerly MTV Networks Latin America, Viacom International Media Networks The Americas, then ViacomCBS Networks Americas) is a subsidiary of Paramount Global. PNA's operational headquarters is located in Miami, Fl ...
division of
Paramount Global Paramount Global (Trade name, d/b/a Paramount) is an American multinational mass media and entertainment Conglomerate (company), conglomerate controlled by National Amusements and Headquarters, headquartered at One Astor Plaza in Times Square, ...
. This channel went on the air on October 18, 2001, as MTV Canada by
Craig Media Craig Wireless Systems, Ltd. (initially Western Manitoba Broadcasters Ltd., then Craig Broadcast Systems, Inc., & next Craig Media, Inc. before its current branding) is a Canadian company which offers Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service i ...
and
MTV Networks Paramount Media Networks is the division of Paramount Global that oversees the operations of its television channels and online brands. The division was originally founded as MTV Networks in 1984, named after MTV. It would be known under this ...
. During its early existence, MTV Canada aired various music videos along with its related music and entertainment programming, which led to
CHUM Limited CHUM Limited was a Canadian media company based in Toronto, Ontario in operation from 1945 to 2007. The company was founded in 1945 as York Broadcasters Limited when it launched CHUM (AM), CHUM-AM 1050 but was acquired by salesman Allan Waters in ...
, the parent company of
MuchMusic Much is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by BCE Inc. through its Bell Media subsidiary that airs programming aimed at teenagers and young adults. It is headquartered at 299 Queen Street West in what was o ...
, to file a complaint with the CRTC, accusing MTV Canada of airing more programming that exceeded its licence and being a MuchMusic competitor. However in 2004, CHUM acquired the assets of Craig Media and relaunched the channel in 2005 as Razer as an interactive channel. While the new Canadian version of
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
was relaunched in 2006 in the space of talkTV, CHUM was acquired by
CTVglobemedia Bell Media Inc. ( French: ) is a Canadian media conglomerate that is the mass media subsidiary of BCE Inc. (also known as Bell Canada Enterprises, the owner of telecommunications company Bell Canada). Its operations include national television ...
in 2007 and relaunched the channel as the second reincarnation of MTV2 in 2008, taking the name of the former
MTV2 MTV2 (formerly M2) is an American pay television Cable television, channel owned by the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global, through PMN’s MTV Entertainment Group Subdivision. The channel launched initially as an all-music ...
channel. The channel closed at midnight on March 29, 2024.


History


MTV under Craig Media

Prior to the launch of MTV2 in Canada, the U.S.
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
had already been in Canada since 1981. On November 24, 2000, the
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC; ) is a public organization in Canada tasked with the mandate as a regulatory agency tribunal for various electronic communications, covering broadcasting and telecommunic ...
(CRTC) announced the licensees of the new, much-sought after, Category 1 digital services.
Craig Media Craig Wireless Systems, Ltd. (initially Western Manitoba Broadcasters Ltd., then Craig Broadcast Systems, Inc., & next Craig Media, Inc. before its current branding) is a Canadian company which offers Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service i ...
, in partnership with TD Capital Group Ltd, was granted a licence for a youth-oriented service known as "Connect", which would be catered to teens and young adults (but primarily the former) with programming such as "informal education, human interest, sitcoms, animation, and video clips". Due to genre protection rules prohibiting digital channels from unduly competing with existing analog services (such as
MuchMusic Much is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by BCE Inc. through its Bell Media subsidiary that airs programming aimed at teenagers and young adults. It is headquartered at 299 Queen Street West in what was o ...
), no more than 10% of its weekly programming could be devoted to
music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...
s. Nonetheless, in August 2001, Craig Media announced that it had reached an agreement with
MTV Networks Paramount Media Networks is the division of Paramount Global that oversees the operations of its television channels and online brands. The division was originally founded as MTV Networks in 1984, named after MTV. It would be known under this ...
to license programming and the
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
brand in Canada for the channel, prompting a pre-launch name change to MTV Canada. Prior to the channel's launch, Craig purchased TD Capital Group's interest in the channel. The channel launched as MTV Canada on October 18, 2001. Shortly afterward, Craig sold a minority interest in the service to MTV Networks. MTV Canada aired a mix of Canadian-produced programs (including ''Pepsi Breakout'' and ''
MTV Select ''MTV Select'' was an interactive music television program airing on MTV channels across Europe and later on MTV Japan, MTV Canada, and MTV India. The show was hosted by a VJ, and viewers were able to contact the programme (using technologi ...
''), as well as shows from the U.S. MTV channel (such as '' TRL'' and ''
The Real World ''The Real World'' (known as ''Real World'' from 2014 to 2017) is an American reality television series produced through MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions that most recently aired on Facebook Watch after airing on MTV from 1992 to 2017. It wa ...
''). MuchMusic owner
CHUM Limited CHUM Limited was a Canadian media company based in Toronto, Ontario in operation from 1945 to 2007. The company was founded in 1945 as York Broadcasters Limited when it launched CHUM (AM), CHUM-AM 1050 but was acquired by salesman Allan Waters in ...
filed a complaint with the CRTC over MTV Canada, accusing the service of violating its CRTC licence by devoting over 60% of its programming to music videos. CHUM also accused Craig of using its promise of a teen lifestyle service as a backdoor to gain approval for a channel that would encroach on MuchMusic's protected format. Craig disputed the allegations, arguing that music was an aspect of youth culture, and accusing CHUM of having counted any programming "that has some connection to the general topic of music or music videos" as "music video clips". The CRTC program categories distinguish between music videos and music-related programming that did not involve music videos, but the Commission ruled that music videos contained within music-related programming such as ''MTV Select'' and ''
Making the Video ''Making the Video'' is an MTV show consisting of half-hour episodes chronicling the process of filming various music videos. Usually the director outlines the concept of the video (or treatment) and the show often includes light-hearted and h ...
'' contributed towards the program category, and put MTV Canada over the 10% limit. The Commission also displayed a concern for the service's predominant focus on music programming, as it was at odds with its commitment to deliver a broadly teen-based service as licensed. In particular, the CRTC disputed MTV Canada's compliance with a requirement for 15% of its schedule to be devoted to "informal education/recreation & leisure" programming, as it did not include programming produced by "independent educational authorities", and consisted primarily of generic
extreme sports Action sports, adventure sports or extreme sports are activities perceived as involving a high degree of risk of injury or death. These activities often involve speed, height, a high level of physical exertion and highly specialized gear. Extre ...
programming and documentaries in overnight timeslots with low viewership and little to do with a curriculum. The CRTC ordered Craig Media to address these shortcomings.


Sale to CHUM and relaunch as Razer

CHUM's disputes over the channel were soon rendered moot when it acquired Craig Media in 2004, primarily to gain control of its
A-Channel A-Channel (proposed as The Alberta Channel) was a Canadian television system initially owned by Craig Media from September 1997 to 2004, then by CHUM Limited from 2004 to 2005 through A-Channel, Inc. It consisted of Craig's television stations i ...
television stations in western Canada (which joined its
Citytv Citytv (sometimes shortened to City, which was the network's official branding from 2012 to 2018) is a Television in Canada, Canadian television network owned by the Rogers Sports & Media subsidiary of Rogers Communications. The network consis ...
brand). However, per a clause in the licensing agreement, Viacom exercised its right to pull out of the venture upon the change in ownership. On June 9, 2005, CHUM announced it would rebrand the channel as Razer, a change that took effect on June 30 of that year. The new channel was built on interactivity, allowing its audience to "program, host and contribute to elements to the service and make it their own". In addition to the new programming slate, Razer debuted ''RazerTXT'', a new programming block where viewers could play a selection of SMS games while watching the shows. Razer would later debut ''Kamikaze'', the branding and programming block used for various
anime is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...
titles as well as shows such as ''
Happy Tree Friends ''Happy Tree Friends'' (commonly abbreviated as ''HTF'') is an adult animated web series created by Aubrey Ankrum, Rhode Montijo, and Kenn Navarro, and developed by Montijo, Navarro, and Warren Graff for Mondo Media. Disguised as a childr ...
''. Meanwhile,
Bell Globemedia Bell Media Inc. ( French: ) is a Canadian media conglomerate that is the mass media subsidiary of BCE Inc. (also known as Bell Canada Enterprises, the owner of telecommunications company Bell Canada). Its operations include national television ...
(later CTVglobemedia) struck a licensing agreement with MTV Networks to launch its own MTV channel (previously known as talktv) in early 2006. In July 2006,
Bell Globemedia Bell Media Inc. ( French: ) is a Canadian media conglomerate that is the mass media subsidiary of BCE Inc. (also known as Bell Canada Enterprises, the owner of telecommunications company Bell Canada). Its operations include national television ...
announced that it would purchase CHUM for an estimated CAD$1.7 billion, including its interest in Razer. The sale was approved by the CRTC on June 8, 2007, with the transaction completed on June 22.


MTV2

On August 1, 2008, Razer was relaunched as MTV2. Unlike the original channel (now known as
Juicebox A juice box with soju A juice box, also called a carton ( BrE) or popper ( AuE), is a small container used to conveniently carry and consume drinks. They are frequently made of paperboard with an aluminum foil lining, but variations exist. Ju ...
, the channel aimed at youth), with the vast majority of its programming consisting of music videos, the new channel became much closer in format to its U.S. counterpart. Because of their respective licences, it can air music videos and music programming unlike the current main MTV channel in Canada. Ownership changed hands again when on September 10, 2010,
BCE Common Era (CE) and Before the Common Era (BCE) are year notations for the Gregorian calendar (and its predecessor, the Julian calendar), the world's most widely used calendar era. Common Era and Before the Common Era are alternatives to the o ...
(a minority shareholder in CTVglobemedia) announced that it planned to acquire 100% interest in CTVglobemedia for a total debt and equity transaction cost of CAD$3.2 billion. The deal was approved by the CRTC on March 7, 2011 and was finalized on April 1 of that year, when CTVglobemedia was rebranded as Bell Media. In February 2024, Hay Communications and
Telus Telus may refer to: * Telus Corporation, a Canadian publicly traded holding company ** Telus Communications, a telecommunications company ** Telus Digital, a technology company ** Telus Health, a health technology provider ** Telus Mobility T ...
announced on their websites that the channel would be wound down permanently at midnight on March 29, 2024. The channel's licence was revoked to the CRTC on May 6, 2024.


Programming

The network's final schedule as of March 2024 was made up of content produced for other Bell Media channels (including a daily morning block of ''
Comedy Now! ''Comedy Now!'' is a Canadian comedy television series which debuted in 1997 and ended in 2014 featuring the newest in Canadian comedic talent. The show has won numerous Gemini Awards as well as many international awards. It is broadcast in Canad ...
'' to fulfill
Canadian content Canadian content (abbreviated CanCon, cancon or can-con; ) refers to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requirements, derived from the Broadcasting Act of Canada, that radio and television broadcasters (inclu ...
guidelines), along with limited reality programming from the American and UK/Irish versions of
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
, as MTV2 in the United States has had no original programming commissioned for it since 2017. Music videos had already been withdrawn from the schedule by the later part of the decade.


High-definition feed

A high-definition simulcast of the channel was launched on October 16, 2018, and first carried by Shaw Direct.


Notes


References

{{Viacom English-language television stations in Canada Defunct specialty television channels in Canada Former Bell Media networks Television channels and stations established in 2001 Television channels and stations disestablished in 2024 2001 establishments in Canada 2024 disestablishments in Canada MTV channels