VRAK.TV

Infobox TV channel
name = VRAK.TV
logofile = Logo VRAKTV.png logosize = 200px
logoalt =
logo2 =
launch = September 1, 1988
closed date =
picture format =
share =
share as of =
share source =
network =
owner = Astral Media
slogan = Complètement VRAK.TV
country = Canada
broadcast area = National
headquarters = Montreal, Quebec
former names = Canal Famille (1988–2001)
replaced names =
sister names =
timeshift names =
web = [http://www.vrak.tv VRAK.TV]
terr serv 1 =
terr chan 1 =
sat serv 1 = Bell TV
sat chan 1 = Channel 140 (SD)
Channel 855 (HD)
sat serv 2 = Star Choice
sat chan 2 = Channel 770 (SD)
cable serv 1 = Available on many Canadian cable systems
cable chan 1 = Check local listings
sat radio serv 1 =
sat radio chan 1 =
adsl serv 1 =
adsl chan 1 =
online serv 1 =
online chan 1 =

VRAK.TV is a Canadian French language cable television specialty channel aimed at youth audiences. VRAK.TV is currently owned by Astral Media.

History

Licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1987, Le Canal Famille launched on September 1, 1988 as a replacement to the youth channel TVJQ (Télévision des Jeunes du Québec) otherwise known as Télé des Jeunes. "Le Canal Famille", name translated as "The Family Channel", which was the name of another Canadian youth channel that also began airing in 1988 and is, today, the channel's Astral-owned English language counterpart. [ [http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/history/1980s.shtml CBC/Radio-Canada - History - 1980s ] ] Le Canal Famille rebranded as VRAK.TV on January 2, 2001.

Programming

Since its creation as Le Canal Famille, the channel airs animated series and teenage sitcoms as well as light dramas. Many of them are French translations of existing programs such as "Charmed", "What I Like About You", "", "Gilmore Girls", "One Tree Hill", "The O.C", "Life with Derek", "Smallville", "SpongeBob SquarePants", "That '70s Show", and many others. However, the channel also features local Quebec-French-language productions, such as "Il était une fois dans le trouble" and "Une grenade avec ça?". Other series that the channel popularized were "Dans une galaxie près de chez vous" and "Radio Enfer". VRAK.TV rarely airs feature movies, except on holidays.

Initially, as required by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the channel carried no commercials [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/1987/DB87-896.HTM Decision: Premier Choix: TVEC Inc. "Canal Famille" — 871204400] , Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, 1 December 1987] , except for promotional messages, interstitial programs (such as help segments known as "R-Force"), as well as public service announcements. However, since the renewal of its licence in 2006, the channel is able to air product advertisements. [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2006/db2006-382.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-382: VRAK.TV – Licence renewal] , Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, 18 August 2006] VRAK.TV does frequently join forces with various companies (mainly grocery products) to present special promotions related to its programming.

Unlike most other specialty channels, VRAK.TV is only on the air daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. When the station was Le Canal Famille, the station would close down at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. on weekends), sharing time with a scrambled Super Écran channel (also owned by Astral). In 2001, when the channel was revamped as VRAK.TV, its hours were increased to 10 p.m. (Super Écran followed on most systems). VRAK.TV's current close down time, at midnight, went into effect in mid-2005.

VRAK.TV HD

simulcast of VRAK.TV called "VRAK.TV HD".

Logos

References

External links

* [http://www.vrak.tv VRAK.TV] fr