Z (TV channel)

For the American pay television service that existed from 1974 to 1989, see Z Channel. For other uses, see Z Channel (disambiguation).
Z
Z logo
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNational
HeadquartersMontreal, Quebec
Programming
Language(s)French
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
480i (SDTV)
Ownership
OwnerBell Media
Sister channelsNoovo
CTV Sci-Fi Channel
Canal D
Canal Vie
History
LaunchedJanuary 31, 2000 (24 years ago) (2000-01-31)
Former namesCanal Z (2000–2005)
Ztélé (2005–2014)
Links
WebsiteZ (in French)

Z [zɛd] is a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by Bell Media. Z focuses on programming primarily from the science fiction, fantasy, and technology genres consisting of dramas, films, and documentaries.

Founded on January 31, 2000 as Canal Z by Astral Media, the channel was rebranded to Ztélé in 2005 and was acquired by Bell Media in 2013, which by that point becoming aligned with English-language counterpart to Space (renamed to CTV Sci-Fi Channel in 2019), before renaming to its current name in 2014.

History

In May 1999, Radiomutuel Inc. was granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a television broadcasting licence for a channel called Canal Z, aux limites du savoir, described as "a national French-language television specialty service that is dedicated entirely to science and technology, the earth and its secrets, space exploration, the paranormal and science fiction, lifestyles and computer science."[1]

Before the channel was launched, in June 1999, Astral Media announced its intention to purchase Radiomutuel,[2] which was approved by the CRTC on January 12, 2000[3] and closed shortly thereafter.

The channel launched on January 31, 2000[4] as Canal Z (often referred to as simply Z). The channel was renamed Ztélé in 2005 and a new logo was introduced. In 2006, an HD feed debuted.

Astral Media was acquired by Bell Media on July 5, 2013, making Ztélé a sister channel to the English-language science-fiction channel Space, while retaining its other sister stations. Disney Junior was sold to DHX Media, and MusiMax and MusiquePlus were sold to V Media Group, both deals occurring the next year.

As of August 25, 2014, the channel has been renamed Z.[5]

On August 16, 2023, Z and Vrak were removed from Vidéotron, a cable service serving most major markets in Quebec.[6]

  • Canal Z logo (2000–2005)
    Canal Z logo (2000–2005)
  • Ztélé logo (2005–2014)
    Ztélé logo (2005–2014)

Z HD

On October 30, 2006, Astral Media launched "Z HD" (then-known as "Ztélé HD"), a HD simulcast of Z's standard definition feed.[7]

References

  1. ^ "ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 99-110, Summary". www.crtc.gc.ca. Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). 21 May 1999.
  2. ^ "Astral bids on Radiomutuel". playbackonline.ca.
  3. ^ "ARCHIVED - Summary - Transfer of effective control from Radiomutuel inc. to Astral Communications inc". www.crtc.gc.ca. Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
  4. ^ "Astral integrates Radiomutuel TV". playbackonline.ca.
  5. ^ "Bell Media - Details". bellmediapr.ca.
  6. ^ "Fin des émissions pour Vrak après 23 ans" [Vrak ends broadcasts after 23 years]. www.iheartradio.ca (in French).
  7. ^ "La haute définition en français". Infopresse. 30 October 2006.