HARDtv

Infobox_TV_channel
name = HARDtv
logofile = HARDtv.gif
logoalt =
logosize =
launch = April 12, 2005
closed date =
picture format =
share =
share as of =
share source =
network =
owner = Shavick Entertainment (51% & managing partner) Pink Triangle Press (21.43%) Peace Point Entertainment Group (15%) Score Media Inc. (8.41%)
Others (4.16%)
slogan = Get Hard
country = Canada
broadcast area = National
headquarters = Toronto, Ontario
former names =
replaced names = HARD on PrideVision (2005-2006)
sister names =
timeshift names =
web = [http://www.hardtv.ca HARDtv]
sat serv 1 =
sat chan 1 =
sat serv 2 =
sat chan 2 =
cable serv 1 = Rogers Cable
cable chan 1 = Channel 570
cable serv 2 = Vidéotron
cable chan 2 = Channel 226
cable serv 3 = CCAP
cable chan 3 = Channel 226
cable serv 4 = Cablovision Warwick
cable chan 4 = Channel 226
cable serv 5 = Persona
cable chan 5 = Channel 980
adsl serv 1 =
adsl chan 1 =
online serv 1 =
online chan 1 =

HARDtv is a Canadian English language category 2 digital cable specialty channel. It is a premium adult entertainment television channel aimed at gay men, with programming consisting mainly of adult films and adult-related television series.

HARDtv's licensee is 6166954 Canada Inc. which is 51% owned by Shavick Entertainment, 21.43% owned by Pink Triangle Press, 15% owned by Peace Point Entertainment Group, 8.41% owned by Score Media Inc. and 4.16% owned by various other investors.

History

:"see OUTtv article for further detailed information."HARDtv's history dates back to 2004 when the new owners of PrideVision TV, a then fledging Canadian general entertainment digital cable television channel aimed at LGBT audiences, wanted to launch a separate 24 hour gay male adult subscription channel. The owners decided to launch the service to allow better distribution for PrideVision, which at the time was airing pornography after midnight EST, which led many cable and satellite television providers to market PrideVision as a standalone premium channel rather then a general interest channel packaged along with other similar specialty channels. [ [http://www.channelcanada.com/Article772.html Pridevision Announces Expansion and the Launch of a New Gay Channel] ; Channel Canada; 2005-02-12]

In September 2004, the owners of PrideVision began their application process for the new adult channel as they applied for the licence to operate the channel from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2004/n2004-6-2.htm Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2004-6-2] ; CRTC; 2004-10-02] While two months later, in November, in preparation for the launch of the new 24 hour adult subscription channel, PrideVision was temporarily renamed "HARD on PrideVision", exclusively airing adult content in primetime (9pm-6am EST), while lifestyle and general entertainment programming aired during the remaining time period. [ [http://www.channelcanada.com/Article639.html PrideVision changing its format in preparation of new adult-only channel] ; Channel Canada; 2004-11-09] The companies plan was that when the new adult subscription channel launched, it would then take over the HARD on PrideVision name from the existing general entertainment channel, while that channel would be renamed OUTtv and move to a 24 hour schedule of general entertainment and lifestyle programming. This was done in hopes of creating an illusion of PrideVision evolving into a 24 hour adult channel, however this is not the case.

The licence for HARDtv was approved by the CRTC on March 4, 2005, then tentatively known as "617". [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2005/db2005-89.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-89] ; CRTC; 2005-03-04] The expected launch date for the adult subscription channel was April 7, 2005, however the new channel launched 5 days later on April 12 due to difficulties with digital cable and satellite providers. On that date, HARD on PrideVision's lifestyle and entertainment programming expanded to a 24 hour schedule and the channel was re-named OUTtv, while the adult subscription channel took over the name HARD on PrideVision with a 24 hour schedule of adult content.

On July 19, 2006, Shavick Entertainment, a film and television producer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, announced their intent to purchase a majority stake in both HARD on PrideVision and OUTtv from then majority owner William Craig. The transaction was finalized later that year, with other investors shares changing to reflect Shavick's new ownership.

In November 2006, under new ownership, HARD on PrideVision was renamed HARDtv.

Logos

References

External links

* [http://www.hardtv.ca HARDtv]