Comedy Gold | |
---|---|
Launched | September 7, 2001 |
Owned by |
Bell Media (Sale pending to Wow Unlimited Media) |
Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
Slogan | Comedy Shines |
Country | Canada |
Language | English |
Broadcast area | Nationwide |
Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
Formerly called | TV Land (2001–2010) |
Sister channel(s) | The Comedy Network |
Website | Comedy Gold |
Availability
|
|
Satellite | |
Bell TV | Channel 637 |
Cable | |
Available on many Canadian cable systems | Consult your local cable provider for channel availability |
IPTV | |
Bell Aliant Fibe TV | Channel 265 |
Bell Fibe TV | Channel 637 |
Bell MTS | Channel 162 |
Optik TV | Channel 501 |
SaskTel | Channel 142 |
VMedia | Channel 637 |
Zazeen | Channel 119 |
Comedy Gold is a Canadian English language Category B cable and satellite specialty channel owned by Bell Media. An offshoot of The Comedy Network, the channel focuses primarily on sitcoms and sketch comedy programs from the 1970s to 2000s.
On November 24, 2000, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) granted Craig Media, through its subsidiary Craig Broadcast Systems Inc., permission to launch a national Category 2 digital specialty channel tentatively known as Retro; a channel described as being "devoted to classic television programming".
In August 2001, before the channel had launched, Craig Media announced it had reached a deal with U.S.-based MTV Networks, to launch Retro as a domestic Canadian version of the American classic television-focused cable channel, TV Land. The channel was launched in September 2001 as TV Land, with a slate of programming focusing on sitcoms and dramas. MTV Networks purchased a minority share in the service months later.
In April 2004, CHUM Limited announced it would purchase Craig Media for CAD$265 million; Craig's 80.1% interest in TV Land was included in the sale. The sale was subject to CRTC approval and was approved on November 19, 2004. The transaction was completed on December 1, 2004. In July 2006, Bell Globemedia (later CTVglobemedia) announced that it would purchase CHUM, including TV Land Canada, for an estimated CAD$1.7 billion. The sale was approved by the CRTC on June 8, 2007, with the transaction completed on June 22.