CHUM Television readies Razer, PunchMuch
By Adnews Staff
On June 30, Toronto-based CHUM Television will rebrand the specialty channels formerly known as MTV Canada and MTV2 into Razer and PunchMuch. Razer will be a lifestyle channel aimed at audiences aged 12 to 24. The programming will cover music, television, movies, gaming, sports and leisure activities. PunchMuch will be an automated all-request music video channel. Viewers will request videos, take part in on-screen chats and vote in polls by submitting text messages from their cell phones. This service will be provided by MyThum Interactive. "We've got an outstanding track record for staying connected to our viewers and responding with what they want," said David Kines, vice-president of music and youth specialty channels at CHUM Television. "Razer and PunchMuch are all about an energised community, and the digital landscape is a great new place to make that happen." In May, MTV Networks International of New York decided to terminate the licensing agreement under which MTV Canada and MTV2 operated. MTV exercised this option as a result of CHUM's takeover of Craig Media, the original licensee.