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CTV Speed Channel

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CTV Speed Channel
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNational
Headquarters9 Channel Nine Court, Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario
Programming
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Ownership
Owner
Sister channelsCTV
CTV2
CTV Comedy Channel
CTV Drama Channel
CTV Life Channel
CTV Nature Channel
CTV Sci-Fi Channel
CTV Wild Channel
Oxygen
USA Network
History
LaunchedDecember 19, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-12-19)
Former namesDiscovery HD Theatre (2005–2009)
Discovery HD (2009–2010)
Discovery World HD (2010–2012)
Discovery World (2012–2015)
Discovery Velocity (2015–2025)
Links
WebsiteCTV Speed Channel

CTV Speed Channel is a Canadian discretionary specialty channel owned by CTV Specialty Television, a joint venture between Bell Media and ESPN Inc., with a minority interest owned by Warner Bros. Discovery via licensee 2953285 Canada Inc.[1] It broadcasts factual and reality-style series related to the automotive industry and transportation.

This channel was founded on December 19, 2005 as Discovery HD Theatre (a Canadian spelling of HD Theater) by Bell Globemedia and Discovery Communications. Two years after the U.S. counterpart was rebranded to HD Theater, it was renamed to Discovery HD in 2009. It did not follow the U.S. counterpart's rebrand to Velocity (now Motor Trend) in 2011, and instead rebranded as Discovery World HD in 2010 (shortened to simply Discovery World in 2012). In 2015, the channel rebranded as Discovery Velocity, shifting primarily to programming related to automobiles and transport.

In January 2025, the channel was rebranded as CTV Speed Channel, due to Bell losing its rights to Warner Bros. Discovery factual brands and related programming to Rogers Sports & Media. Rogers does not plan to launch a new linear channel for Motor Trend, with its programming to instead be distributed via digital platforms.

History

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Beginning in August 2003, CTV had operated a channel known as Discovery Channel HD, which served as a high-definition simulcast of the main Discovery Channel lineup, where applicable. In August 2005, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved an application for a new category 2 digital service, Discovery HD Theatre (based on the U.S. channel of the same name), covering many of the same genres as Discovery Channel, but with a separate lineup consisting exclusively of high definition programming.[2] Discovery HD Theatre replaced Discovery Channel HD on December 19, 2005. While maintaining the same format, the channel was renamed Discovery HD in 2009.

In June 2010, CTVglobemedia announced that it would launch three new Discovery-branded channels in Canada, among them included a re-branding of Discovery HD as Discovery World HD (later renamed Discovery World in 2012) on August 2, 2010, with a new lineup aiming to "showcase a beautiful and brilliant portrait of our world in vivid high definition".[3] Discovery Channel relaunched its HD simulcast in June 2011.[4]

In January 2015, Bell Media announced that Discovery World would be re-branded as Discovery Velocity on February 12, 2015. It was a Canadian version of the U.S. channel Velocity—which was the current format of the network's original U.S. counterpart. With the re-branding, the network increased its focus on automotive-oriented series, although selected non-automotive programs from Discovery World were carried over.[5]

See also: 2024 Canadian specialty television realignment

On June 10, 2024, Rogers Sports & Media announced it had reached an agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) for Canadian rights to its lifestyle brands beginning in January 2025, which were subsequently confirmed to include Discovery Velocity / Motor Trend.[6][7] This led to a lawsuit by Bell, which claimed the move would violate previous non-compete clauses with WBD; the matter was settled out of court in October.[8][9] Rogers announced that Motor Trend content would move to its on-demand and streaming platforms including Citytv+, rather than a new linear channel.[10]

On October 17, 2024, Bell Media announced the channel would rebrand as CTV Speed Channel on January 1, 2025, and would continue to feature programming "for automotive and thrill-seeking enthusiasts".[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ownership - BCE - Bell Media - Discretionary Services (other than Mainstream Sports)" (PDF). CRTC. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  2. ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-519, CRTC, 21 October 2005
  3. ^ Discovery to Launch Three New Channel Brands In Canada Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Discovery Channel and Bell Media Factual Networks Announce Fall 2011 "Must See" Highlights Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine CNW 2011-06-17
  5. ^ "High Stakes Adventure, Precision Machines, Raw Power: Specialty Service Discovery Velocity Launches February 12". Press release. Retrieved 20 January 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ Thiessen, Connie (June 10, 2024). "Rogers scoops Warner Bros. Discovery rights from Corus and Bell". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  7. ^ "Rogers announces licensing deals with NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery". CityNews.ca. June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  8. ^ Thiessen, Connie (June 28, 2024). "Bell files injunction against Rogers in Warner Bros. Discovery content battle". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Whittock, Jesse (2024-10-08). "Bell Expands Warner Bros Discovery Pact For HBO & Max Content And Ends Legal Action Over Rogers Deal". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  10. ^ Thiessen, Connie (August 28, 2024). "Rogers outlines plans to launch new channels". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  11. ^ Bell Media (October 17, 2024). "Bell Media Brings Powerhouse Brands USA Network and Oxygen True Crime to Canada" (Press release). Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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