COMPANIES VIE FOR MORE SPECIALTY CHANNELS
By Adnews Staff
Winnipeg-based CanWest Global Communications has filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to launch eight new specialty channels. Three channels will be based on themes of mystery, action and romantic programming. The other five channels are regional all-news channels for the Martimes, Quebec, Red River, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Astral Broadcasting Group and Les Reseaux Premier Choix have filed applications with the CRTC to launch seven specialty TV channels, two in English and five in French. The English-language stations will target the travel and teen markets. The French language stations will cover topics such as history, drama, the law and family entertainment. Astral and Les Reseaux Premier are both subsidiaries of Astral Communications of Montreal. In total, the CRTC received 100 applications for specialty channels. Other companies filing applications included WIC Western International of Vancouver, Rogers Communications and Salter Street Films, both of Toronto.