Stingray Juicebox
 Logo used since 2016 | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Canada |
| Headquarters | Montreal,Quebec |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080iHDTV (downscaled toletterboxed480ifor theSDTVfeed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Stingray Group |
| Sister channels | Stingray Loud Stingray Vibe Stingray Retro Stingray Country |
| History | |
| Launched | December 6, 2001[1] |
| Former names | MTV2(2001–2005) PunchMuch (2005–2011) Juicebox (2011–2016) |
| Links | |
| Website | Stingray Juicebox |
Stingray Juiceboxis aCanadiandiscretionarymusicspecialty channelowned byStingray Group.It is a commercial-free channel that broadcasts music andmusic videosaimed towards children and teens.
The channel was first established in 2001 byCraig MediaasMTV2;it operated as a licensed version of theU.S. channel of the same name,and acted as a sister to itsMTV Canadachannel. The service was licensed by theCRTCas part of a planned suite of five channels devoted to specific genres of music videos; MTV2 was the only channel of the suite to launch. After the sale of Craig toCHUM Limitedin 2004, the channel was relaunched in 2005 asPunchMuch—aninteractivespin-off ofMuchMusicfeaturing viewer-voted music videos.
In 2011 underBell Mediaownership, the network adopted its current format. In 2016, Juicebox and its sister channels were sold to Stingray Digital.
History
[edit]As MTV2
[edit]
In November 2000, Craig Broadcast Systems Inc. (later known asCraig Media) was granted approval from theCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission(CRTC) to launch a specialty service called "Music 5" that would consist of five separate music video channels that would each focus on a specific musical genre –dance,pop,urban,R&Band "hot hits".[2]
Before any of the channels had launched, in August 2001, Craig announced that it had reached an agreement withMTV Networksto license theMTVbrand in Canada for several their channels.[3]Although it was expected that 3 MTV branded genre-specific music channels would launch, on December 6, 2001,[1]only one channel was launched, the channel devoted to "Pop",[4]asMTV2.Shortly after the launch, MTV Networks acquired a minority interest in the channel, along with sister network MTV Canada. MTV2 was structured as a free-form music video channel that aired music videos from various artists from different genres aimed at teenagers to young adults, in addition to a small number of concert series including the MTV Canada original series,Pepsi Breakout.
In April 2004,CHUM Limitedannounced it would purchase Craig Media forCAD$265 million; Craig's interest in MTV2 was included in the sale.[5]The sale was approved by the CRTC on November 19, 2004,[6]and the transaction was completed two weeks later on December 1.[7]
As PunchMuch
[edit]After the sale, MTV Networks chose to terminate its licensing agreement with Craig due to a clause in the contract allowing it to end it if a change in control occurred.[8]CHUM was required to pay CAD$10 million in licensing fees to MTV Networks for the time remaining in their contract. The contract termination also meant that MTV Networks was no longer able to retain interest in the channel.[8]On June 9, 2005, CHUM announced it would rebrand the channel on June 30 asPunchMuch,changing the format to an automatedmusic videoservice that would allow viewers the ability to request music videos and participate in on-screen chat, polling, and other interactive participation with theirmobile phone.[8]MTV Canada was rebrandedRazeron the same day.[8]
In July 2006,Bell Globemedia(later CTVglobemedia) announced that it would purchase CHUM for an estimatedCAD$1.7 billion, including PunchMuch.[9]The sale, also needing approval from the CRTC, was approved on June 8, 2007,[10]with the transaction completed on June 22. After a three-year absence, the MTV2 brand returned in Canada when CTVglobemedia rebranded Razer asMTV2on August 1, 2008.[11]
From its inception, the channel had operated as an advertiser-supported service; on August 31, 2009, PunchMuch and its sister channelsMuchLoud,MuchMoreRetro,andMuchVibeall switched to commercial-free formats, while MuchMusic and MuchMoreMusic would continue to run commercials during programs.[12]
Ownership changed hands once again when on September 10, 2010,Bell Canada(a minority shareholder in CTVglobemedia) announced that it planned to acquire 100% interest in CTVglobemedia for a total debt and equity transaction cost of $3.2 billion CAD.[13]The deal was approved by the CRTC on March 7, 2011,[14]and was finalized on April 1 of that year, on which CTVglobemedia was rebranded Bell Media.[15]
As Juicebox
[edit]PunchMuch was subsequently rebranded asJuiceboxon November 17, 2011, focusing on music videos aimed at children, with an emphasis on videos aimed at preteen audiences.[16]The videos on the channel were approved by a committee consisting of parents and employees, who determine the appropriateness of a specific video for the channel's target audience.[16]As part of the channel's relaunch as Juicebox,CTVbegan airing a two-hour block of Juicebox-branded music videos on Saturday mornings, and even running commercials unlike the actual channel, later abandoned in April 2016, when they sold the service toStingray Group.
On June 21, 2016, it was announced thatStingray Digitalwould acquire Juicebox and its sister channels from Bell Media; the networks were sold for $4 million.[17]The deal for Juicebox would later close on August 15, 2016, with the channel changing its name toStingray Juiceboxon August 12, 2016.[18]
On June 1, 2017, Stingray announced the completion of the rebranding process for all four music video channels, which included new programming and a national promotional campaign.[19]
Since its launch in 2019, a number of television providers have replaced Juicebox withStingray Country,although the channel continues to be available on some providers.
References
[edit]- ^ab"Television Program Logs".Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.2016-03-02.[dead link]Alt URL
- ^Decision CRTC 2000-539CRTC 2000-12-14
- ^TV Land, MTV and Craig Broadcast Systems to Launch New Canadian Services in September;PR Newswire; 2001-08-21
- ^Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-65CRTC 2003-02-21
- ^CHUM buying TV broadcaster Craig Media for $265M;CBC;2004-04-12
- ^Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-502;CRTC; 2004-11-19
- ^CHUM completes $265 million purchase of Craig Media and financingFasken Martineau
- ^abcd"CHUM to launch interactive, automated music video station".The Globe and Mail. 2007-06-29.
- ^Bell Globemedia acquires CHUM;Fasken Martineau; 2006-07-12
- ^Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2007-165;CRTC; 2007-06-08
- ^MTV2 to Launch in CanadaMediacaster Magazine 2008-07-17
- ^More Music Videos as MuchVibe, MuchLOUD, MuchMoreRetro, and PunchMuch go commercial-freeChannel Canada 2009-08-26
- ^Bell Canada (2010-09-10)."Bell to acquire 100% of Canada's No.1 media company CTV".CNW Group.Retrieved2010-09-10.
- ^CRTC approves BCE's purchase of CTVglobemedia
- ^Bell completes acquisition of CTV, launches Bell Media business unitCNW 2011-04-01
- ^abBell Media Launches New 24-Hour Music Video ChannelBroadcaster Magazine 2011-11-17
- ^Bradshaw, James (2016-08-03)."Stingray Digital looks to bolster profits through international expansion".The Globe and Mail.Retrieved2021-11-04.
- ^Stingray Announces Closing of Its Acquisition of Three (3) Bell Media Specialty Television Channels,Market Wired press release, 08-15-16
- ^Stingray Introduces a New Golden Age of Music TV with the Launch of Stingray Retro, Stingray Vibe, Stingray Loud, and Stingray JuiceboxMarketWired press release 06 01 17
