The Cult Movie Network
The Cult Movie Network is a Canadian English language exempt Category B specialty channel consisting of programming devoted to cult films from a variety of genres including horror, fantasy, comedy, and action, among others. The channel is owned by the Cult Movie Channel Inc., a company owned by Dieter Kohler.
 | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Edmonton, Alberta |
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | The Cult Movie Channel (Dieter Kohler) |
| History | |
| Launched | December 2010 |
| Links | |
| Website | The Cult Movie Network |
The channel is available as an online video-on-demand service; it was previously available as a linear television service until the channel was dropped by the only provider who carried it (Bell MTS) in early 2019.
History
In May 2003, Dieter Kohler was granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a television channel called The Cult Movie Channel, described as being "devoted to exploring the world of cult film and television."[1]
Prior to the channel's launch as a linear television service available through various cable and satellite television service providers, the channel began operating online as a subscription video-on-demand service under the name The Cult Movie Network focusing on low-budget B movies primarily from the horror film genres.
The channel was launched as a linear television service in December 2010 when it began being carried by MTS TV in Manitoba. Since that time, the channel has reached carriage agreements with other TV providers around the world for carriage on their systems.[2][3]
On July 21, 2015, the CRTC approved The Cult Movie Channel Inc.'s request to convert The Cult Movie Network from a licensed Category B specialty service to an exempted Cat. B service.[4]
On December 1, 2018, the only Canadian television service provider to carry the channel, Bell MTS, dropped the channel from their service.[5]
Rebranding
According to the channel's website in early 2011, the channel was scheduled to undergo a rebrand in the summer of 2011 by introducing a new logo, on-air graphics, and programming initiative. The channel was expected to focus on higher profile cult films from various genres including comedy, sci-fi, and fantasy. However, the rebrand did not take effect as planned. The rebranding took effect in January 2012; and although the channel began to broadcast programming from a wider variety of films, the majority remains focused on films from the horror genre and are low budget B movies.
References
- Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-134 CRTC 2003-05-01
- Slovak T-Com boosts IPTV offer Broadband TV News 2010-11-25
- Wild TV and the Cult Movie Network Announce New Deal with IP Vision Outdoor Hub 2011-11-16
- The Cult Movie Network - Revocation of licence
- Changes to select Fibe TV channels and local weather programming effective December 1, 2018, Bell MTS Service Bulletin, retrieved 12-09-20