A-Channel
A-Channel is a system of three local television stations owned by Craig Media Inc
, Craig owned only two stations: CKX, a CBC affiliate in Brandon, Manitoba, and CHMI, branded as the Manitoba Television Network (or MTN), in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba (later Winnipeg, Manitoba). Looking to expand, Craig decided to counter CanWest Global's attempts to obtain licenses from the CRTC for television stations in Alberta. The first time in the early 1990s, neither company obtained a license, but the second time in the mid-1990s, Craig won against CanWest. (CanWest would later buy out WIC and assume control of its Alberta-based stations.) A-Channel stations in Edmonton and Calgary launched in 1997, and MTN adopted the A-Channel branding in 1999.
Craig has tried to expand the A-Channel network to Hamilton (CHCH), Montreal (CFCF), Vancouver (CKVU), and Victoria (what would become CIVI), but they were either denied by the CRTC or outbid by other buyers. They did, however, get a station in Toronto, Toronto One, which, while not part of the A-Channel network, broadcasts a similar lineup to A-Channel's and has also adopted a similar logo.
A-Channel broadcasts local programs (including the popular morning show The Big Breakfast), programs which are syndicated or not aired on other networks in the area, and programs from MTV Canada, which is partially owned by Craig. A-Channel is also known for its Prime Ticket Movies, which have been a staple of the system since its MTN days.
On April 12, 2004, CHUM Limited announced a deal, subject to Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approval, to purchase Craig Media for $265265 million. It is unclear whether (or which of) the A-Channel stations will become part of Citytv or NewNet.
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A-Channel stations
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