H2 (Canada)
| H2 | |
|---|---|
H2 logo
|
|
| Launched | September 7, 2001 |
| Owned by |
Corus Entertainment (Men TV General Partnership) |
| Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) (2013-present) 480i (SDTV) (2001-present) |
| Slogan | More 2 History |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Formerly called | mentv (2001–2010) The Cave (2010-2012) |
| Sister channel(s) | History |
| Website | H2 Canada |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| Bell TV | Channel 629 (SD) |
| Shaw Direct | Channel 570 (SD) 83 / 583 (HD) |
| Cable | |
| Available on most Canadian cable systems | Check local listings, channels may vary |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant | Channel 279 (SD) Channel 545 (HD) |
| Bell Fibe TV | Channel 629 (SD) Channel 1629 (HD) |
| MTS | Channel 163 (SD) Channel 1163 (HD) |
| Optik TV | Channel 9706 (SD) Channel 706 (HD) |
| SaskTel | Channel 165 (SD) Channel 465 (HD) |
| VMedia | Channel 280 (SD) |
| Zazeen | Channel 93 (SD) |
| Streaming media | |
| TVPlayer | Watch live (UK only) (TVPlayer Plus subscription required) |
H2 is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel dedicated to airing historic and non-historical programming of military, science, and technology interest. The channel is wholly owned by Corus Entertainment, with its name licensed from the American company, A&E Networks, owners of the American channel.
In November 2000, Groupe TVA and Canwest (through its subsidiary Global Television Network Inc.) were granted approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a television channel called Men TV, described as "a national English-language Category 1 specialty television service dedicated to men's lifestyle. It will provide programming related to the luxury market, the gourmet market, men's beauty and fitness, the book and music market, outdoor adventures and leisure sports, from a Canadian men's perspective."
The channel launched on September 7, 2000 under a slightly modified name, mentv. Despite Canwest's 49% minority interest in the service, Canwest was the managing partner of the channel from its inception until September 2008, when managing operations were handed over to Groupe TVA, who owned a 51% stake in the service.
Throughout its history as mentv, the channel maintained a programming slate of general interest programming aimed at a male audience. Programming included series focusing on themes such as crime and mystery, cuisine, leisure sports such as extreme sports and fishing, technology, and more. Due in part to the channel's licence requirements, the majority of the programming were documentary, reality series, talk shows, and other such non-scripted programming. Scripted programming such as films, variety shows, comedies, and television dramas did also air on the channel, however.
On August 2, 2010, with little marketing initiative behind it and little notice from the press, mentv was quietly rebranded The Cave, while maintaining mentv's programming strategy of a lifestyle service aimed at men. On October 27, 2010, Shaw Communications gained a 49% stake in the channel as a result of its acquisition of Canwest.
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Wikipedia