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GameTV is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel. Owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, it primarily broadcasts contemporary and classic game shows and reality competition series, as well as feature films.

Key Information

The channel was first launched in 2005 under the ownership of Stuart Media Group as Casino and Gaming Television (CGTV), which primarily focused on sports betting and televised poker. Larry Tanenbaum's Insight Sports served as the channel's operating partner.

In 2007, the channel was re-launched under its current name, phasing out its casino-based programming in favour of a focus on classic game shows, reality series, and nightly movies. After GameTV was acquired by Anthem in 2016, the channel briefly added sports and sports entertainment-based programming.

History

[edit]
Official logo as CGTV (2005–2007)

As CGTV

[edit]

In September 2001, Stuart Media Group was granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch The Gaming Channel, described as "a national, English-language Category 2 specialty television service, providing live-event interactive programming about gaming or involving gaming. The service will offer programming including shorts and Canadian original programs about gaming that will be knowledge-based and entertaining, with a focus on providing unique insights into daily events of the gaming world and its participants. The service will also allow viewers to play along with Bingo Games, and will provide experimental, interactive and informational programming on gaming odds, lotteries, and the gaming experience in general."[1]

In December 2004, Stuart Media Group announced that it had reached an agreement with Casino and Gaming Television, Inc., owners of the Casino and Gaming Television (CGTV) brand, which would see Stuart Media Group launch The Gaming Channel as a Canadian version of the yet-to-be-launched American television channel of the same name. The agreement would see the Canadian channel launch in May 2005 on Bell ExpressVu and act as, what the companies called, a "test bed" for the American channel which would also launch later in 2005.[2]

The channel would later launch in November 2005 as Casino and Gaming Television (CGTV) Canada on Rogers Cable instead of initially on Bell ExpressVu.[3] Programming on the channel primarily focused on poker, including live and pre-taped tournaments; however, programming on other casino games and casino-related programming did occur.[4]

Upon the launch of the channel in 2005, CGTV Canada was owned by Stuart Media Group, who in turn was owned by a variety of investors, although was ultimately majority owned by what is now called Kilmer Group.[5] The channel was however operated by Insight Sports,[3] of which Kilmer Group was an investor in as well. The channel would go through several corporate reorganizations throughout its history but Kilmer Group would remain majority owner until it sold its interest in the channel in 2016.[citation needed]

As GameTV

[edit]
GameTV logo (2007–2012)

On October 26, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. EST, CGTV was rebranded as GameTV. With the relaunch, the channel would try to broaden its appeal to a larger audience by focusing on game-related programming including game shows (featuring classic Canadian game shows such as The Mad Dash and Test Pattern among others), reality series, and films, as well as "Watch & Win" contest promotions during prime time with weekly prizes.[6]

In October 2012, GameTV debuted a new logo and branding, and dropped its casino programming.[7]

On August 2, 2016, Anthem Sports & Entertainment announced that it would acquire GameTV pending CRTC approval.[8] The CRTC approved the purchase in November 2016.[9]

With the acquisition of GameTV by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, the channel began airing sports and sports entertainment programming, including live/tape-delayed matches and compilations, professional wrestling from the Anthem-owned Impact Wrestling, mixed martial arts programming from the UFC, and all 2017 season matches from the Toronto Wolfpack rugby league team.[10] A high definition feed launched in March 2017.[11][12]

On March 9, 2018, the CRTC approved of a previously unannounced sale of the channel from Anthem to Remuda Media, a newly established broadcasting company.[13] Shareholders in Remuda Media previously was granted approval from the CRTC to launch The Country Channel, noted at the time as a "service that would offer programming aligned to the interests and needs of rural Canadians."[14] In its application, it was noted that Remuda Media was unsuccessful at launching The Country Channel, and turned its eye to acquiring an existing channel, of which GameTV would be used to launch the service, or one similar. However, in July 2018, Anthem Media sent a letter to the CRTC stating that the proposed transfer in ownership from Anthem to Remuda was terminated, and Anthem would retain ownership of GameTV.

On April 1, 2019, FNTSY Sports Network was quietly replaced in Canada by a newly launched sister channel, Game+.

In August 2020, the channel introduced a new weekend block featuring music programming from new U.S-based sister network AXS TV.[15] The block was discontinued in September 2022.[16] In 2020, it premiered an original documentary series, The Search for Canada's Game Shows, which chronicles the history of Canadian game shows.[17]

In 2025, GameTV and Paramount+ co-commissioned the miniseries Hate The Player: The Ben Johnson Story, an Anthony Q. Farrell-panned satirical docudrama on Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson.[18]

See also

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References

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GameTV

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GameTV is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty television channel owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., focusing on game-related programming including classic and contemporary game shows, competition-based series, reality television, and blockbuster movies.[1][2] Launched in 2005 and targeting adults aged 25 to 54, the channel is available in over 6 million Canadian households through major cable, satellite, and IPTV providers, positioning it as a leading destination for interactive and entertaining content in the country.[1] Originally established as Casino and Gaming Television with a narrower focus on gaming and sports betting, GameTV rebranded in 2007 to expand its scope toward broader competition and fun-oriented entertainment, including retro game shows and original productions, with further programming expansion in 2012.[3][4] Acquired by Anthem in 2016, the network has since emphasized high-definition distribution and innovative partnerships, such as a 2025 collaboration with Paramount+ Canada to produce the original comedic miniseries Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story, set to debut in early 2026 and filmed in Toronto.[5][2]

History

Launch as CGTV

In 2001, Stuart Media Group Inc. received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch The Gaming Channel, a national English-language Category 2 discretionary specialty television service dedicated to interactive gaming programming.[6] The approval, issued on September 4, 2001, following a public hearing, authorized content focused on live-event interactive formats such as bingo games, lotteries, and informational segments on gaming odds and experiences, drawn from specific programming categories including general entertainment (Category 1) and sports/gaming analysis (Category 2).[6] The channel officially launched on November 1, 2005, under the name Casino & Gaming Television (CGTV), operating as a 24-hour national English-language discretionary specialty service headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.[7] Owned by Stuart Media Group Inc. at inception, CGTV emphasized programming related to poker tournaments, casino games, and sports betting, aligning with CRTC conditions that allocated 80% of airtime to Category 2 (sports and gaming) content and 20% to Category 1 (general entertainment).[8][6] Early distribution of CGTV reached subscribers via major Canadian providers, as part of the growing Category 2 digital specialty tier. This initial casino- and gaming-centric approach provided viewers with instructional and entertainment content on gambling activities, establishing CGTV as a niche player in Canada's specialty television landscape.

Rebranding to GameTV

In October 2007, CGTV underwent a significant rebranding to GameTV, launching on October 26 at 6:00 p.m. EST, with the aim of broadening its appeal beyond casino and gaming programming to attract a wider audience through a focus on entertainment-oriented content.[9] The rebrand shifted the channel's programming strategy to emphasize classic and modern game shows, incorporating acquired series from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, such as reruns of popular formats, while significantly reducing the emphasis on casino-related shows like poker tournaments, limiting them to a minor portion of the schedule.[9][3] This transformation marked GameTV's evolution into a dedicated game show and interactive entertainment network, introducing viewer participation elements through on-air contests and the companion website igametv.com, where audiences could engage in trivia and prize draws tied to broadcasts.[9] The changes were part of a broader effort to position the channel as a Canadian counterpart to international game show networks, blending imported hits with opportunities for real-time interaction to boost engagement among viewers aged 25-54.[3] In 2012, under the ownership of the Kilmer Group via its investment in Insight Sports, GameTV executed a major relaunch initiative to further diversify its lineup, incorporating more reality competitions and enhancing viewer interactivity.[10][3] The refresh expanded primetime scheduling to include nightly blocks of reality series like Footballers' Wives alongside acquired game shows such as Family Feud, while retaining select casino elements like backgammon and poker for niche appeal; interactive features were amplified with initiatives like the "Watch ‘N Win" contest, sponsored by Harvey's, offering weekly cash prizes through on-screen trivia prompts accessible via the channel's website.[3] Accompanying the 2012 relaunch were operational expansions, including new carriage agreements with major Canadian providers that increased distribution to over 9 million households by that year.[3] This period also saw the introduction of original Canadian content pilots, focusing on interactive quiz formats designed to foster local production and audience involvement, such as web-linked trivia challenges that piloted hybrid TV-digital experiences.[9] These developments solidified GameTV's identity as an interactive entertainment hub prior to its 2016 acquisition by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, under which the channel continued to evolve its programming strategy.[10]

Acquisition by Anthem and recent developments

In 2016, Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. acquired The GameTV Corporation from Kilmer Enterprises Inc., with the deal announced on August 2 and approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on November 25.[5] Under Anthem's ownership, GameTV underwent technical upgrades, including the launch of its high-definition (HD) feed on March 23, 2017, initially available on Bell Fibe TV in 1080i resolution across Ontario and Quebec.[11] This marked a significant enhancement in broadcast quality, expanding accessibility on channel 1624 in HD and 624 in standard definition. However, following the termination of a proposed sale to Remuda Media Inc. in summer 2018—after CRTC approval in March 2018—Anthem retained ownership and maintained GameTV's focus on its core game show format.[12] In August 2020, GameTV introduced a weekend programming block titled "AXS TV on GameTV," debuting on August 8 and featuring select music and entertainment series from sister network AXS TV, such as Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar and The Top Ten Revealed, airing Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET.[13] Recent developments include GameTV's co-commissioning of the original comedic miniseries Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story with Paramount+ Canada, announced in June 2025 and set to premiere simultaneously on both platforms in early 2026.[14] Produced by New Metric Media, the satirical series explores the 1988 doping scandal involving Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, starring Shamier Anderson in the lead role. In July 2025, additional cast members were announced, including Andrew Bachelor, Mark McKinney, Karen Robinson, and Ennis Esmer, with production underway in Toronto.[15] Additionally, the CRTC renewed GameTV's broadcasting licence in August 2023, extending it administratively from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2026, with conditions requiring expenditures on Canadian programming equivalent to 10% of the previous year's gross revenues, including credits for independent production and priority programming.[16]

Ownership and operations

Ownership timeline

GameTV was initially owned by Stuart Media Group Inc., which launched the channel in 2005 as Casino and Gaming Television (CGTV).[9] Ownership under Stuart Media Group continued until approximately 2010, after which control transferred to Kilmer Enterprises Inc. (later rebranded as Kilmer Group), a Toronto-based investment firm with interests in sports and media.[17] During this period, GameTV underwent a rebranding and relaunch in 2007, with operations managed by Insight Sports on behalf of Kilmer. The transfer aligned with Kilmer's expansion into entertainment assets, though exact transaction details remain limited in public records.[18] In August 2016, Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. announced its acquisition of 100% of The GameTV Corporation from Kilmer Enterprises for an undisclosed amount, subject to regulatory approval.[5] The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved the deal on November 25, 2016, integrating GameTV into Anthem's portfolio of sports, entertainment, and digital media channels.[12] This ownership shift facilitated GameTV's expansion beyond gaming-focused content, incorporating broader entertainment programming while maintaining its core interactive format.[19] In March 2018, Anthem sought to divest GameTV to Remuda Media Inc. for $6.5 million; the CRTC approved the transfer on March 9, 2018.[20] However, the transaction was terminated later that year, with Anthem notifying the CRTC in July 2018 that the deal had fallen through due to unspecified issues, allowing Anthem to retain full control.[12] No further divestiture attempts have been reported since. As of November 2025, GameTV remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., with no major changes in ownership structure.[12] This stable ownership under Anthem has supported ongoing investments in content acquisition and distribution partnerships.[13]

Corporate affiliations and sister channels

GameTV operates as a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., a Toronto-based global media company specializing in sports, entertainment, and combat programming distribution across television, streaming, and digital platforms.[21] Within Anthem's portfolio, GameTV maintains close affiliations with several sister channels that facilitate content synergies and cross-platform promotion. These include Fight Network, a Canadian channel dedicated to combat sports coverage and events; Game+, focused on sports analysis, fantasy leagues, and betting-related programming; and AXS TV, a U.S.-based network majority-owned by Anthem, which emphasizes music performances, live events, and entertainment specials.[21][22] Anthem leverages shared resources across its channels through co-production agreements, joint marketing initiatives, and content distribution arrangements. For instance, GameTV features dedicated programming blocks from AXS TV, allowing viewers access to select music and entertainment content, while broader Anthem promotions integrate GameTV's game show formats with sports-themed crossovers on sister networks.[13][23] Additionally, co-productions like the 2025 miniseries Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story with Paramount+ highlight collaborative original content development.[24] As a national English-language discretionary service licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), GameTV adheres to regulatory standards for specialty channels, including a condition to allocate at least 10% of the previous year's gross revenues to Canadian programming expenditures (CPE) to support domestic content creation.[25] GameTV's international ties are primarily facilitated through Anthem's broader ecosystem, with limited direct distribution partnerships in the U.S. and U.K. centered on acquired programming rights; for example, select content streams via U.S. platforms like Redbox, while sister channels such as Fight Network enable indirect reach in the U.K. market for shared sports and entertainment assets.[22]

Programming

Game shows and reality competitions

GameTV's programming is centered on competition-based content, with game shows forming the core of its daily lineup. The channel airs a diverse selection of acquired international formats, including the U.S. version of The Price is Right, hosted by Drew Carey in recent episodes and Bob Barker in classic reruns, where contestants bid on merchandise and play pricing games to win prizes.[26] Other staples include Family Feud with Steve Harvey, featuring fast-paced trivia surveys, and Match Game, a panel-based word association game from the 1970s era.[27] These shows emphasize trivia, puzzles, and quick decision-making, appealing to viewers seeking lighthearted, skill-based entertainment. Canadian originals and adaptations also feature prominently, such as Cash Cab, a mobile trivia quiz where passengers in a taxi answer questions for cash rewards during their ride through urban areas.[28] Similarly, Family Feud Canada adapts the survey format with local contestants competing in family teams. Additional game show reruns include Split Second, a rapid trivia race; Blockbusters, a word puzzle hexagon game; and Chain Reaction, a word association ladder. Recent additions as of fall 2025 include fan-favorite seasons of Survivor (S7, S16, S20, S28). These programs highlight GameTV's focus on accessible, high-energy competitions that test knowledge and wit.[26] Reality competitions constitute a smaller but notable portion of the schedule, often featuring endurance and strategy-based series like reruns of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, where castaways form alliances and compete in physical and social challenges on a remote island.[29] This format introduces elements of long-term strategy and interpersonal drama, contrasting with the shorter, episodic structure of game shows. Overall, game shows account for approximately 80-85% of GameTV's programming, with reality competitions filling select slots, typically airing in blocks that span 12 to 18 hours daily from morning through late evening.[26] Following its 2007 rebranding from CGTV, GameTV shifted its focus from casino gambling programming to these traditional game show and reality competition formats, establishing its identity as a dedicated hub for interactive entertainment.[30] The channel maintains extended daily blocks of such content, fostering viewer familiarity with recurring themes of chance, skill, and competition. In addition to game shows and reality series, GameTV airs blockbuster movies, typically in evening slots, featuring titles such as Four Brothers and 54. These films complement the competitive programming by offering high-entertainment value content, airing for about 2-3 hours daily.[26]

Special programming blocks and original content

GameTV has introduced several special programming blocks to diversify its schedule beyond core game shows, beginning with the "AXS TV on GameTV" weekend block launched on August 8, 2020. This block airs select content from its U.S.-based sister network AXS TV, featuring music performances, comedy specials, and alternative entertainment programming. Saturdays include Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar and The Top Ten Revealed starting at 12 p.m. ET, while Sundays feature The Very, VERY Best of the 70s and A Year in Music at the same time, providing approximately two hours of themed content each day.[13] In terms of original content, GameTV co-produced the satirical miniseries Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story in 2025, a six-episode production focusing on the 1988 sports doping scandal involving Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson. Created by Anthony Q. Farrell and starring Shamier Anderson as Johnson, the series offers a comedic, first-person account of the controversy and its aftermath, with additional cast including Andrew "King Bach" Bachelor as Carl Lewis and Mark McKinney. Filming began in Toronto in June 2025 at Dark Slope Studios, produced by New Metric Media and Bay Mills Studios with support from the Canada Media Fund, and is set to premiere simultaneously on GameTV and Paramount+ Canada in early 2026.[14][31][13] GameTV occasionally features themed nights to engage viewers with curated events, such as the Movember 2020 "Mustache Mondays" block, which aired films and specials with a mustache theme across GameTV, AXS TV, and HDNET Movies every Monday in November. These events highlight competitive or lighthearted twists on holidays and awareness campaigns, drawing from acquired content to create marathon-style viewing experiences.[13] Partnership-driven content includes crossovers and acquisitions from sister channels under parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment, such as Fight Network. These collaborations enhance the channel's competition-based offerings without requiring extensive in-house production.[32] Overall, GameTV maintains a limited scale for in-house originals, comprising under 10% of its schedule, with an emphasis on high-profile co-commissions like those with Paramount+ to supplement its primarily acquired library of game shows and reality series. This approach allows for targeted investments in premium content while prioritizing broad accessibility. Upcoming original-style additions include the new game show Funny You Should Ask, premiering on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ET.[13][33]

Availability and technical details

Distribution and carriage

GameTV is distributed nationally across Canada through major cable, satellite, and IPTV providers, including Rogers, Bell, Shaw, and Videotron, enabling access in over 6 million households as of 2025.[13] The channel is generally included in standard entertainment or variety tiers as part of digital basic packages, though subscribers seeking enhanced gaming content may opt for specialized add-on bundles offered by these providers.[13] The network's carriage has seen substantial growth since its rebranding, fueled primarily by the proliferation of digital cable infrastructure and broader IPTV adoption among Canadian households.[1] In compliance with Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulations, GameTV provides closed captioning for 100% of its English- and French-language programming and a minimum of 4 hours of described video per week to support accessibility for deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, and low-vision viewers.[34] HD upgrades to its feed have further improved distribution quality across compatible provider systems.[13]

Broadcast specifications

GameTV transmits its programming in a 1080i high-definition television (HDTV) format, which is downscaled to a letterboxed 480i standard-definition (SD) feed for compatibility with legacy systems. The channel completed its full high-definition rollout across major Canadian providers by 2018, enhancing viewer experience with sharper imagery for game shows and competitions.[11] Audio is delivered in stereo as standard, with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound implemented for select programs to provide immersive effects during high-energy contests. Where applicable, a Second Audio Program (SAP) track offers French-language audio to support bilingual accessibility in Canada.[35] The channel's signal is distributed to affiliates via satellite and fiber optic networks, ensuring reliable delivery nationwide. GameTV operates on a 24/7 schedule, maintaining continuous availability for subscribers. Since its rebranding from CGTV in 2007, GameTV has adhered to a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio as its broadcast standard, aligning with modern television conventions for panoramic viewing of interactive content.[9]

References

  1. About GameTV - Blockbuster Movies and Game Shows
  2. GameTV partners with Paramount+ in Canada to Greenlight Original ...
  3. GameTV relaunches, adds to top brass - Media in Canada
  4. Anthem Acquires GameTV
  5. ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2001-549
  6. ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2007-10
  7. [PDF] Exposure to Gambling-Related Media and its Relation to ... - CORE
  8. ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2007-132
  9. Game TV – The History of Canadian Broadcasting
  10. Anthem to acquire Kilmer-owned network GameTV - Kilmer Group ...
  11. Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. Acquires GameTV - PRWeb
  12. [PDF] Ownership Chart 217 - ANTHEM - Discretionary Services - CRTC
  13. Anthem's GameTV Launches in HD on Bell Fibe TV
  14. GameTV Media Information - Blockbuster Movies and Game Shows
  15. Shamier Anderson To Play Ben Johnson In 'Hate The Player' For ...
  16. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2023-245
  17. Portfolio - Sports & Media - Kilmer Group Corporate
  18. Altitude Sports Hooks Partnership In World Fishing Network - Next TV
  19. Anthem sells off GameTV for $6.5M - Cartt.ca
  20. Anthem Sports & Entertainment
  21. Redbox Partners With Anthem Sports & Entertainment to Bring the ...
  22. Anthem Sports & Entertainment and iHeartMedia Announce ...
  23. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2020-247
  24. What's On - Blockbuster Movies and Game Shows
  25. Shows and Series - Blockbuster Movies and Game Shows
  26. Cash Cab - Blockbuster Movies and Game Shows
  27. https://www.gametvnetwork.com/shows/survivor-heroes-vs-villains-s20/
  28. Canadian GS channel - GameTV - The Game Show Forum
  29. GAMETV/Paramount+ in Canada miniseries Hate the Player
  30. Anthem's Ed Nordholm talks Fight Network and more
  31. THE BEN JOHNSON STORY from New Metric Media in Association ...
  32. WHERE TO WATCH - Blockbuster Movies and Game Shows
  33. Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-436 | CRTC
  34. BTS-3 — Television Broadcasting
  35. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2016-458
  36. Anthem SE | Broadcast Services
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