WINNIPEG – Rogers Media Television will launch its recently acquired broadcast license, a faith-based service to be named, of course, OMNI TV Manitoba – on Monday, February 6th.
OMNI TV Manitoba is the newly branded, newly licensed television station resulting from Rogers’ 2005 purchase of NOW TV from the Thiessen family and the subsequent approval by the CRTC (Decision Public Notion 2005-207).
It had been scheduled to launch in November but was put off until the new year.
"This is an exciting time for the Rogers OMNI Television family as well as the Canadian broadcasting industry," said Leslie Sole, CEO of Rogers Media Television in a press release. "Not only is the OMNI brand now reaching more viewers in the West but we are also providing greater choice to Canadians by meeting the needs of those who are looking for more multi-faith/multi-spiritual programming."
As previously announced, leading the OMNI Manitoba team is general manager Geoff Poulton who has worked for Rogers Broadcasting since 1989 in various roles and markets across Canada including Toronto, Kitchener, Whistler, Squamish and the Sunshine Coast. He will continue in his current role as vice-president and general manager of the Winnipeg Radio Group (92 CITI FM and 102 Clear FM).
"We are counting down the days to the eagerly anticipated launch of OMNI TV Manitoba on February 6th, 2006," says Geoff Poulton. "This new service will enhance the television landscape with relevant and entertaining television for people of all faiths and cultures – better reflecting the diverse makeup of Winnipeg."
Once OMNI TV Manitoba launches (on cable 11) to over 900,000 viewers, audiences will be treated each week to 2.5 hours of first run locally created single faith productions. The schedule will also include faith based programming such as Israel Today, Muslim Chronicles, Sat Sri Akal, Islam Today and the Mahabharata series. All time favorites such as Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Home Improvement, King of Queens and Touched by an Angel make up the primetime weeknight line-up. OMNI TV Manitoba combined with OMNI TV BC has promised just under $1 million for the independent production of religious and faith based documentaries.
