Huzzah! I never loved MuchMusic, it's at least nice to get an alternative!
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CTV bringing back MTV
Wednesday, September 28, 2005 Posted at 11:58 AM EDT
Globe and Mail Update with CP

TORONTO — Broadcaster CTV Inc. announced an agreement Wednesday to bring U.S.-based MTV, one of the world's biggest television brands, back to Canada.

CTV and MTV will also become partners in creating original Canadian programming for both systems, giving CTV exclusive access to MTV's digital media assets, including on-line, wireless, and Video on Demand.

The Canadian network's plan is to rebrand its Talktv analogue specialty channel as a Canadian MTV channel, as well as to apply to the CRTC for a new digital-tier music television channel. In addition there will be an MTV program block on the main CTV network.

CTV chief executive Ivan Fecan made the announcement simultaneously with Bill Roedy, president of MTV Networks International.

“Canada is a very important market to MTV,” Mr. Roedy said in a statement. “As a source of dynamic debate, diversity and culture, MTV in Canada will reflect a uniquely Canadian perspective to enrich our global operation.”

MTV first came to Canada in 2001 when Alberta-based Craig Media, in a surprise move, acquired Canadian rights and launched both MTV Canada and MTV2. However, when the company's television assets collapsed, the channels fell into the hands of CHUM last December. Under MTV's deal with Craig, if the Canadian partner was sold, all bets were off and MTV had the right to seek another partner.

CHUM paid $10-million to MTV Networks International as a penalty for terminating the Craig-MTV contract.

This latest partnership will leave CHUM's MuchMusic suite of music channels without its former rights to air MTV programming.

CTV is owned by Bell Globemedia, a division of BCE Inc. that also owns The Globe and Mail and globeandmail.com.

Good to hear, I always liked MTV2, and was upset when it went off air in Canada. MuchMusic tends to play too much alternative for my taste and has too many interruptions.

does this mean no more E-Talk Daily (Ben Mulroney)? :D

Will it be based in Vancouver again? If their going to be partnered with CTV, i bet they will use that streetfront studio space in the CTV/HMV building on Burrard.

Will it be based in Vancouver again? If their going to be partnered with CTV, i bet they will use that streetfront studio space in the CTV/HMV building on Burrard.

Based in Vancouver? wow! hopefully......aren't there like two vacant floors above the CTV downtown studios?

the only thing that kept me watching much music was amanda walsh... now she's gone and i haven't watched that channel since... lol

i distinctively remember watching the mtv based out of vancouver before... that sucked even more... i hated the vjs there... so fake.

Wow. MTV was in Canada in 2001!? I thought it was a US thing.

I hope they do it in Vancouver again, the street front below CTV next to HMV (used to be Virgin) would be awsome they would get so much street traffic there.
They used to broadcast from Robson street near the Art Gallery in Vancouver, some people in my broadcasting class worked there. Aparently it was pretty wellfare, they should inject some real money into it this time.

Wow. MTV was in Canada in 2001!? I thought it was a US thing.

Much Music was in the US since the 90's man I grew up in Kentucky watching Much and when I moved to FL we had Much there too....not suprised MTV was in Canada

If much is losing the rights to air MTV programmes, will they actually air videos now? And, when MTV does come on the air, will they air videos? Neither channel has a very good record when it comes to actually airing music, do they?

Good to have more choice though. CHUM has had that monopoly for far too long.

good, glad to see that MTV is comin back to Canada...

hopefully Much will get better hosts... the ones they have now are garbage.

i've always liked Much though - my canadian roots talkin - i just felt that in the mid-90's they missed out on coming up with original programming and the outcome is what you see now... a percentage of MTV shows on Much.

i think Much has some original shows that will be able to anchor the station when the CTV-MTV conglamorate comes around.

'video on trial' - i caught the tail end of the show one night, and found mad funny

Chum's interest in MuchMusic USA was sold a couple of years ago, and now the station is called Fuse. I think it makes sense to not have it HQ'd in Toronto, spread it around.

Based in Vancouver? wow! hopefully......aren't there like two vacant floors above the CTV downtown studios?

Yeah, thats where MTV was last year, so they will most likely be going back to the same place =P

Yeah, thats where MTV was last year, so they will most likely be going back to the same place =P

They should install two jumbotrons onto the CTV/MTV/HMV Building, like the ones that are gonna be installed at Future Shop/Winners down the road.

Was this building the old central library?

Yeah with an MTV/HMV/CTV combo in that building at such a key intersection, I wouldnt be suprised if they did just that. I could see something like a CTV news ticker running along the building much like news tickers in times square.

Nothing major...but a spotlight has been installed on that building which projects a CTV logo onto the sidewalk that moves around.

much is alot better than mtv, you can actually see real canadian artists videos and not the same corporate America crap!

much is alot better than mtv, you can actually see real canadian artists videos and not the same corporate America crap!

Well, had you read the thread, the point of this MTV is to have an MTV the promotes Canadian Talent.

They did a good job with the MTV in South Africa, focussing mainly on African music.

What? I thought Much=Canada, MTV=USofA.

MTV doesn't appeal to me at all. At least I can relate to Much and I grew up with it.

Why on earth is everyone so excited about MTV??

Well, had you read the thread, the point of this MTV is to have an MTV the promotes Canadian Talent.

They did a good job with the MTV in South Africa, focussing mainly on African music.

Ya like Avril Lavigne and Avril Lavigne and Avril Lavigne and maybe Simple Plan...Yay!!! :bash:

OMG!!!!!! That R0x0RS, lol. But seriously who could compare Falcon beach to Laguna beach?

Yeah with an MTV/HMV/CTV combo in that building at such a key intersection, I wouldnt be suprised if they did just that. I could see something like a CTV news ticker running along the building much like news tickers in times square.

Nothing major...but a spotlight has been installed on that building which projects a CTV logo onto the sidewalk that moves around.

That would be so freakin awsome. Robson and Burrard the location to have, I saw a thing on CBC talking about how that is the most expensive place in Canada. If city hall loosned up its Ad laws we could have a mini Time Square.

I guess this is good news, some of MTV's programs are quite entertaining, but I think most teenagers in TO, MuchMusic is still the channel...for now.

MTV Canada plays a lot of Canadian artists especially on the Canadian version of TRL (Total Request Live). I think it's a lot better than Much because the shows tend to be better. Much is just now starting to get its own material, for the longest time it was washed up MTV hand-me-downs from last season.

Much should bring back Bill Welychka and Master T. You know, from the days when watching Much (or Much Music as it was then called) was actually interesting, and actually involved music. Redecorating people's rooms and fixing up their cars belongs on HGTV and Speed Television, respectively.

http://www.citytv.com/images/personalities-edmonton/BillWelychka_sm.jpg
http://www.chartattack.com/pics/2000/juldec/20000818-mastert.jpg

MTV is the American version of Much, why do we need two channels of the same dreck?

Much VJs are lame. enuff said!

That would be so freakin awsome. Robson and Burrard the location to have, I saw a thing on CBC talking about how that is the most expensive place in Canada. If city hall loosned up its Ad laws we could have a mini Time Square.

I hope it never does resemble that, why copy other cities, video screens etc on main streets is good enough, ie. Robson, Granville, Davie, Denman, Seymore etc.

Many major cities have that Toronto, NYC, Tokyo, London, LA and many others why not Vancouver. I think it gives a city more life.

I hope it never does resemble that, why copy other cities, video screens etc on main streets is good enough, ie. Robson, Granville, Davie, Denman, Seymore etc.

The corner we're talking about is on Robson. It's one of the most key intersections in the city. I highly doubt they would ever place a large jumbotron screen on Denman. It doesn't suit that area at all. The screens at Robson & Granville should be up within the next 2 months.

The corner we're talking about is on Robson. It's one of the most key intersections in the city. I highly doubt they would ever place a large jumbotron screen on Denman. It doesn't suit that area at all. The screens at Robson & Granville should be up within the next 2 months.

Exactly. And Robson & Burrard, where MTV Canada might be located, is where 50,000 people walk by daily.

i think its a cool idea in some areas, just not everywhere it can get annoying.

As much as I think video screens/billboards add colour and vibrance to the streetscape, I don't think VanCity is a city that needs this. VanCity is already very beautiful in its own way and a mini-Times Square might make it too tacky.

I don't think we need anything like a mini Times Square...as yes that is tacky as all hell, especially for a City like Vancouver. But the few screens that are going up will complement their respective areas nicely. Granville & Robson is an epicentre of activity, with Granville already having quite a lot of neon signage, I believe it used to be home to the largest concentration of neon outside Las Vegas at one time.

The corner we're talking about is on Robson. It's one of the most key intersections in the city. I highly doubt they would ever place a large jumbotron screen on Denman. It doesn't suit that area at all. The screens at Robson & Granville should be up within the next 2 months.


Yeah i guess your right, i just thought it was such a busy place, it could use something like that. Good to see the Robson and Granville ones ae finally going to go up soon.

Where was the old MTV Canada's studios located?

^ Vancouver:

http://davidakin.blogware.com/_photos/HPIM0710.sized.JPG

Oh wow, what if they moved MUCH to Dundas Square?! That would be pretty awesome.

I have a feeling that MTV Canada will be in Toronto this time, not Vancouver.

[EDIT] huh

I have a feeling that MTV Canada will be in Toronto this time, not Vancouver.

Why? Its possible for it to be in Toronto but Vancouver seems more likely.

Why? Its possible for it to be in Toronto but Vancouver seems more likely.

I don't know why, but hopefully I'm wrong. It's just one of those strange feelings u have.

BTW, if it's in Vancouver, would those two floors above CTV studios be really enough for MTV?

Damn, what's up with all these franchises...

Canadian Idol
Entertainment Tonight Canada
MTV Canada

What's next?
The Apprentice: Frank Stronach?

:bash: It's getting sad...

Oh gee, I await MTV's arrival with the same enthusiasm I reserved for FOX News, Howard Stern, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Oh gee, I await MTV's arrival with the same enthusiasm I reserved for FOX News, Howard Stern, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Thankfully Krispy Kreme's leaving. What was all the hype about, anyway?

It WERE american..I don't know.

I think MTV Canada should either be in Vancouver or Montreal, TO already has MuchMusic headquartered in the Chum City building. But you never know, it could very well be part of the Metropolis complex which is currently U/C in YD Square.

It WERE american..I don't know.

Well, Canadian love their Tim Hortons' coffee and donuts and Mmmm...Cinnamon buns... :)

Krispy Kreme is awesome, American or not. The problem was mostly due to a bad franchisee, and the locations they have now are to stay. What, Entertainment Tonight Canada? What channel is that on?

So the MTV Canada studios were by CTV before too?

I know CBC is on Front, CityTV is on Queen, but where is the CTV building (with the sign on its corner)?

I know CBC is on Front, CityTV is on Queen, but where is the CTV building (with the sign on its corner)?

the downtown one is on Yonge just north of bloor a bit... (a few streets up)
and the scarborough one is at McCowan and the 401.

Will there be a french version of MTV Canada?

-TVM (shrug)

I don't know why, but hopefully I'm wrong. It's just one of those strange feelings u have.

BTW, if it's in Vancouver, would those two floors above CTV studios be really enough for MTV?

Well, the seemed to operate fine out of that space for 4 years, so they will probably just pick up where they left off...with the possibility of grabbing space in that streetfront studio on Burrard for their "TRL" show.

Well, the seemed to operate fine out of that space for 4 years, so they will probably just pick up where they left off...with the possibility of grabbing space in that streetfront studio on Burrard for their "TRL" show.

LOL, it's hillarious because CTV Vancouver finished renovating that streetfront space for their CTV shop just 6 months ago and they even advertised it on tv. Anyway, that would be awesome ...... so Time Square CNN.

^ Yeah but that shop is pretty pathetic though. They basically put up a few shelves with some merchandise on them, and got a person to sit there next to a cash register. It probably takes up an entire 20% of the usable floor area...looks like a temporary use to me.

I don't know why, but hopefully I'm wrong. It's just one of those strange feelings u have.

BTW, if it's in Vancouver, would those two floors above CTV studios be really enough for MTV?

CTV also has street. level space they are currently wasteing on the CTV Store which sell pretty much the same stuff neighbouring HMV does, only CTV charges more. Being right on the street would be much better for attracting an audience rather then flyering like they used to do.

Krispy Kreme is awesome, American or not. The problem was mostly due to a bad franchisee, and the locations they have now are to stay. What, Entertainment Tonight Canada? What channel is that on?

So the MTV Canada studios were by CTV before too?

7:00 PM Weekdays on Global hosted by Cheryl Hickey armed with Mary Hartbot 3000 TM. :bash:

An ex-muchmusic VJ Rick left to join ET.

^It's also on Prime, for places that don't get Global OTA (Like NWO, Territories)

Rick the Temp's on ET Canada now? What?

Oct. 11, 2005. 01:00 AM
Networks gird for battle of the brands
CTV and CHUM set to duke it out over MTV
ANTONIA ZERBISIAS

CTV wants its MTV — and CHUM Ltd. is determined to get it off the brandwagon.
Late last month, CTV announced it had stuck a deal with Viacom Inc. for "a bold new strategic alliance to build and grow the MTV brand in Canada" by converting its moribund talktv channel on basic cable into a domestic version of "the world's most valuable media brand."
CHUM quickly moved to protect its turf, including MuchMusic and MuchMoreMusic, as well as Citytv, which historically have aired MTV programming.
It's not so much that CHUM airs a great volume of MTV programming, especially since the late, not-so-great Craig Broadcasting partnered with the U.S. channel in 2001. It's just that what CHUM does air provides a great return.
For example, say insiders, The MTV Video Awards deposited more than $500,000 into CHUM's coffers.
Indeed, MuchMusic is easily the cash cow of the CHUM stable of TV and radio properties. For the year ending Aug. 31, 2003, the last in which the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC, broke out the financials for individual channels, MuchMusic's PBIT (profit before interest and tax) was $12 million, 21 per cent of CHUM's EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) of $56 million.
Which is why CHUM has hunkered down to plan its regulatory counterattack.
The way to go is through talktv's conditions of licence which, when issued in 1996, stipulated that it "explore a wide range of topics, including social trends, relationships, daily news events, technology and controversial issues facing Canadian society."
The schedule, the licence stated, must be "drawn exclusively" from strictly defined "human-interest'' and "analysis and interpretation" categories.
How MTV's The Osbornes, Pimp My Ride, Punk'd and Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica — all on CTV and touted by the network as "success stories" — fit in with that mandate is a mystery.
"Over the years, CTV's channels have greatly benefited from CRTC support and genre protection," Jay Switzer, CHUM's president and chief executive, said in a statement last month.
"We'll be intrigued to see how talktv can be morphed into an MTV brand and still remain a talk channel as licensed."
Switzer is counting on the long-running gentleman's agreement in Canadian TV that this market isn't big enough for two channels offering the same type of programming. It's a regulatory I'll-stay-off-your-toes-if-you-stay-off-mine idea.
But, if anybody can pull this off, it's Ivan Fecan, CEO of Bell Globemedia, which owns CTV, and Susanne Boyce, CTV president of programming.
That's because they're now the poster kids of Canadian TV, giving viewers the top-rated comedy, Corner Gas, and the blockbusting Canadian Idol, a show so huge that Prime Minister Paul Martin took time from the recent United Nations summit to call winner Melissa O'Neil to congratulate her.
(The fact that Fecan, who handed her the phone, was vice-chair of Martin's record-breaking $750-a-plate Confederation Dinner in 2003 had nothing to do with that, of course.)
What's more, the regulatory environment is tilting in CTV's favour.
Consider that, last January, the CRTC gave the green light to cable operators to carry Spike TV, a boys-and-their-toys channel Viacom fashioned out of the Nashville Network, even though it competes directly with Global's Men TV.
Last spring, CTV Newsnet landed permission to go head-to-head with CBC Newsworld. And this summer's satellite radio decision lowered the bar on Canadian music requirements. It was a blow to CHUM's application for a land-based digital system that promised more home-grown music than the bird-delivered Sirius Radio Canada and Canadian Satellite Radio Inc.
If CTV wins this MTV fight, it not only gets a brand that sells itself, it also gets a lucrative second window for the youth-oriented Canadian content, such as Degrassi: The Next Generation and The Juno Awards. In addition, thanks to its corporate alliance with BCE Inc., there are possibilities for mobile phones, text messaging and online products.
But the CRTC should hold CTV to account.
That's because, since 2002, talktv, despite its prime real estate on the analogue dial, has been little more than a dumping ground for repeats, with nothing resembling the "five hours daily of interactive programming that will give viewers the opportunity to participate in the on-air discussions through live television hook-ups, telephone, fax or Internet" it had promised to deliver.
Ever since its chatroom, which launched the TV careers of Ben Mulroney (eTalk Daily) and Seamus O'Regan (Canada AM) was shut down, talktv has been, to these eyes, violating its condition of licence. Even the channel's website is all but dead.
And yet talktv has continued to be eligible for a wholesale rate — what CTV can charge cable-providers carrying the channel as part of basic service — of 7 cents per subscriber per month. With its presence in 4.4 million households, that's at least $3.7 million per year for old episodes of defunct talk shows.
No wonder that for the year ending Aug. 31, 2003, the last one for which figures are available, talktv boasted a 59 per cent profit margin. No way should CTV be rewarded for that.
As for CHUM, it's facing a triple threat.
Not only does it lose relatively inexpensive and yet highly profitable MTV programming, it will have to make up the schedule deficit with riskier fare that must either be produced or procured at higher cost.
On top of that, it's clear that CTV is setting its sights straight on CHUM's youth demographic, which means a loss of ad revenues.
But CHUM was not blindsided by the CTV arrangement with MTV. It knew something was coming last spring when, after it bought Craig's assets, which included two MTV Canada channels, MTV insisted on exercising its option to bail out.
The U.S. channel felt it could find greener pastures elsewhere.
That forced CHUM to pay off some $10 million in MTV programming fees Craig had contracted and then stand back to see who would be stepping up.
Now it knows. Now the battle of the bands, and brands, begins.

I think MTV Canada should either be in Vancouver or Montreal, TO already has MuchMusic headquartered in the Chum City building. But you never know, it could very well be part of the Metropolis complex which is currently U/C in YD Square.

MuchMusic not even remotely affiated with MTV...so the possiblilty of a new MTV would be in TORONTO...besides Doesn't Calgary already have MTV2????

I think MTV Canada should either be in Vancouver or Montreal, TO already has MuchMusic headquartered in the Chum City building.

I agree. No need to cram so much into one city, especially when other cities are just as qualified and enthusiastic about welcoming/embracing MTV.