Radio legend Alan Cross to be creative director
TORONTO – Vintage TV announced this morning its entrance to the Canadian market.
Launching today, Vintage TV Canada is available exclusively on Shaw Cable on channel 178 (channel 140 in Winnipeg), Shaw Direct Classic on channel 519, and Shaw Direct Advanced on channel 219.
Vintage TV, which has been a successful brand for six years in the U.K., offers “multiple touch points across a variety of platforms built around strategic partnerships,” says the company’s press release.
“Vintage TV Canada is forging these relationships across different industries in Canada, from music labels, music awards and satellite radio to concert halls and even airlines with an exciting new partnership with Air Canada, who have signed a licensing deal to offer Vintage TV programming as in-flight entertainment.”
In the U.K. the channel has become a popular destination for music fans – with an average daily reach of over 200,000 – which beats entertainment offerings delivered by major brands such as Sky, MTV, Discovery and BT, says the company.
As well as having access to more than 500 hours of original content produced by Vintage TV in the UK, the Canadian team will also be creating their own original shows with Canadian artists, both established and up-and-coming.
Vintage TV Canada’s creative director is Alan Cross, an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker with 35 years in the broadcast and music businesses. “I believe that Vintage TV is the kind of serious, intelligent music TV that Canada wants and needs. It’s not about lifestyle and celebrities. Vintage is a channel that treats music and artists of all eras with the respect they deserve,” said Cross in the release.
The Canadian channel’s board of directors includes an eclectic, knowledgeable bunch of media folks: Neil Warnock – founder of The Agency Group, Sunni Boot – former president and CEO at ZenithOptimedia Canada, Deane Cameron – president and CEO of The Corporation of Massey Hall, Roy Thompson Hall – former president and CEO of Capitol-EMI Music Canada. Also on the board is Rita Cugini – communications industries expert and former Alliance Atlantis executive and CRTC commissioner, and Jim Nelles, who has over 35 years of experience in broadcast.
Nathalia Browning is the general manager of the channel.
Check it out at VintageTV.ca
