| SPACE | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | October 17, 1997 |
| Owned by | CTV Limited (CTVglobemedia) |
| Country |  Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters |  Toronto, Ontario |
| Website | www.spacecast.com |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bell ExpressVu | Channel 627 |
| StarChoice | Channel 528 |
| Cable | |
| Available on most Canadian cable systems | Check local listings |
SPACE is a Canadian English language cable television specialty channel owned and operated by CTV Limited a division of CTVglobemedia. It features sci-fi and fantasy movies, documentaries and television series programming. SPACE has formerly used the subtitle, The Imagination Station after its name.
History
The channel was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1996. It debuted on October 17, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. EST, under the ownership of CHUM Limited, airing the film Forbidden Planet, followed by a commentary on that film by author Robert J. Sawyer, followed by the film Mars Attacks! The Sawyer commentary was the first example of the interstitial materials -- mostly produced by Mark Askwith -- that have become SPACE's signature: short, snappy, mini-documentaries on science fiction and science topics shown between programs, collectively known as "SPACE Flow". Daily installments include Space News (formerly SPIN, for "SPACE Information and News").
As with TELETOON and MuchMusic, SPACE was created specifically to prevent the import of a similar American television network, thereby maintaining Canadian content whenever possible. In this case, SPACE was introduced in lieu of Canadians receiving the SCI FI Channel; it has been criticized for not carrying the same type of programming as its US counterpart, although most (but not all) original SCI FI programming eventually finds its way onto SPACE. There are some delays, however. For example, the popular SCI FI series The Invisible Man didn't begin airing on SPACE until after it had finished its run on SCI FI. It does currently run Stargate SG-1 delayed from its initial airing on SCI FI, and as of January 22, 2006, began airing the companion/spin-off series Stargate Atlantis. There are some shows that air on SPACE that do not air on SCI FI, though, such as Charlie Jade, and the popular Conspiracy Guy shorts. Conversely, there are many people in the US who feel SPACE more accurately reflects the look, feel, and basic tenets of what a network devoted to science fiction should be and that the American SCI FI Channel does not.
CTVglobemedia took over SPACE on June 22, 2007, as a result of a buyout of CHUM Limited.
Annual events
- The Spacey Awards
- SPACE presents its own awards called the Spacey Awards to the best in sci-fi, fantasy and horror films, television series and video games. Some of the awards are voted on by viewers and the others by Space.
- Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
- Every Christmas, SPACE airs Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, a "so bad it's good"-category film, as a salute to bad sci-fi.
Programs on SPACE
First-run programming
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Current programs
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Mini-series
Original programming
- Behind The Scenes - A look at the creation and bringing to life of various sci-fi series and specials, features interviews with writers, editors, stars and others
- HypaSpace - News and information as well as the latest gossip from the entertainment industry, specifically science fiction and fantasy genres
- It Came From The Basement! - A look at people's eclectic collections of sci fi related material
- Shadow Hunter - A series that focuses on the paranormal as seen by a ghost hunter (hosted by Darryll Walsh)
- Shelf Space - A look at and interviews with authors of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and science fact
- SpaceBar - Late night movie "host segments" reminiscent of Mystery Science Theater 3000
- Space Interstitials
- SpaceNews - News tidbits relating to space, NASA, CSA and Earth-based satellites
- Space Top 10 Countdown - SPACE counts down what’s hot and what’s caught our attention in genre film and television, from superheroes, movie villains, aliens and killer cyborgs. Hosted by SPACE on-air personalities Kim Poirier and Jonathan Llyr.
External link
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
