Shaw Media, in tandem with unveiling its fall lineup for its specialty channels and Global Television, announced Wednesday morning that it is expanding its partnership with A+E Networks in the U.S. with two new specialty channels, Lifetime and H2.
“A+E Networks is the force behind a number of the most sought-after TV brands and is recognized as a leader in pioneering innovative content,” said Paul Robertson, Shaw Media president and group VP of broadcasting, in a statement.
Lifetime Canada, which merged with A+E Networks two years ago, will boost Shaw’s viewership in the female demographic, according to a release, offering scripted and unscripted programming and movies. The channel also acts as a rebrand for Shaw’s Diva channel, formerly known as Showcase Diva.
The channel in Canada will feature Lifetime’s newest scripted series, The Client List, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Dance Moms, Bristol Palin: Life’s a Tripp and The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet.
History Television will rebrand as History, with H2 launching as a complement to the channel.
H2 will offer male-skewing programming with a broad view of history across science, technology and pop culture, including programs like 10 Things You Don’t Know About, The Universe and Mankind Decoded.
The channels are set to launch in fall 2012. There was no word at press time as to whether or not the channels will feature original Canadian programming in the future.
H2 will offer male-skewing programming with a broad view of history across science, technology and pop culture, including programs like 10 Things You Don’t Know About, The Universe and Mankind Decoded.
“History went off like a rocket in the US and Canada, with a broad interest program slate,” says Robertson. “They added H2 in the US and then that was the fastest growing specialty there. We were bursting at the seams with content on History Television, and could use the extra shelf space.”
New to Slice are Canadian series The Mistress (August), Ex-Wives of Rock (August) and Keasha’s Perfect Dress (October), while The Real Housewives of Vancouver and Four Weddings Canada return.
Showcase will bring Kristin Kreuk-starring new series Beauty and the Beast to screen, as well as Copper and U.S. series Common Law, while Lost Girl, Covert Affairs, Warehouse 13 and Royal Pains will all return to the channel.
New Canadian series Bomb Hunters will hit the rebranded History, while Holmes Makes it Right (Oct. 16) and the homegrown edition of U.K. format May The Best House Win (Aug. 30) are part of the original Canadian programming lineup that will premiere on HGTV.
Food Network will offer up new Canadian series SugarStars (Aug. 27) and Restaurant Takeover (formerly Restaurant Makeover, with new twists, Aug. 30), along with returning hits Top Chef Canada and Recipe to Riches.
From Playback Daily
