The Life Channel

The Life Channel was a short-lived Canadian cable specialty channel featuring programming on lifestyle and health subjects. The programming represented some of the earlier efforts of Canada's premium television industry, considering pay-TV movie channels had commenced in 1983.

History

The Life Channel was approved for broadcast by the CRTC on 14 March 1985 following licencing hearings on 5 February 1985.

Three parties established a company to operate the channel:

• Winnipeg doctor John Tyson, who became President of the company
• Toronto lawyer Michael G. Rinaldo, who became Director and Secretary
• Broadcast company CUC Limited (subsequently purchased by Shaw Communications), with numerous existing Ontario ventures

On 18 October 1985, The Life Channel began satellite broadcasts to cable companies on a pay-TV basis. The initial broadcasts were available free to cable subscribers as a preview until 1 November 1985.

Due to financial problems, The Life Channel ceased broadcasts after 30 November 1986. Its licence was revoked by the CRTC on 1 February 1988.

Further reading

• Canadian Press reports on the demise of The Life Channel, published in the Windsor Star 29 November 1986

See also

• Life Network, a subsequent Canadian lifestyle themed broadcaster
• Movie Central, which was known as Superchannel in the 1980s
• MuchMusic, which began in 1984
• The Movie Network, which was known as First Choice in the 1980s
• TSN, which began in 1984

External links

• CRTC: Decision 85-141 (licence approved)
• CRTC: Decision 88-67 (licence cancelled)