ESPN Classic (Canadian TV channel)
ESPN Classic is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by CTV Speciality Television Inc. (Bell Media (80%) and ESPN (20%). ESPN Classic broadcasts a range of archive sports coverage, talk shows, documentaries and films.
![]() ESPN Classic logo | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | National |
| Slogan | Timeless |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | CTV Speciality Television (Bell Media 80% ESPN Inc. 20%) |
| Sister channels | TSN TSN2 |
| History | |
| Launched | September 7, 2001 |
| Links | |
| Website | ESPN Classic |
| Availability | |
| Cable | |
| Available on many Canadian cable systems | Check local listings, channels may vary |
| Satellite | |
| Shaw Direct | Channel 125 / 464 |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant Fibe TV | Channel 130 |
| Bell Fibe TV | Channel 412 |
| Bell MTS | Channel 202 |
| Optik TV | Channel 951 |
| SaskTel | Channel 125 |
| VMedia | Channel 75 |
| Rogers | Channel 417 |
History
ESPN Classic was licensed as Classic Sports in November 2000 by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), and was launched on September 7, 2001 as ESPN Classic Canada.[1] A few years after its launch, "Canada" was dropped from its name and logo to "ESPN Classic". ESPN Classic is the only ESPN-branded channel broadcasting in Canada, although in addition to owning a stake in the Canadian version of ESPN Classic, ESPN is part-owner of TSN (which uses on-air branding similar to the flagship ESPN channel in the U.S.), along with Bell Media.
Programming
The channel's programming consists primarily of archived sporting events associated with TSN-owned event rights, including hockey (particularly IIHF events), the CFL and NFL, basketball, and curling, as well as SportsCentre-branded highlights compilations and countdowns originating from the main TSN network.
See also
- ESPN Classic (U.S.)
- ESPN Classic (UK)
References
- Decision CRTC 2000-578 CRTC 2000-12-14
