TORONTO – “It’s all good” for CHNU-TV in Vancouver and CIIT-TV in Winnipeg which relaunch Sept. 1 under the new brand name Joytv.
The stations, officially designated Joytv 10 in Vancouver (Joytv 7 in neighbouring Victoria) and Joytv 11 in Winnipeg, boast new schedules that, for the first time, will include simulcasts of top-rated U.S. network programs such as 60 Minutes and Smallville.
The new Joytv tagline, "It’s all good," is designed to reinforce the positive tone, while underlining the enhanced quality and variety of the stations’ new programming lineup.
Toronto-based multimedia company S-VOX, a multi-faith and multicultural television broadcaster, acquired the two stations from Rogers Media Inc. earlier this year.
Bill Roberts, president and CEO of S-VOX, said the Joytv brand name reflects the "vibrant, upbeat and energetic" spirit of the stations and their programming. "There is a positive, youthful energy in the Vancouver and Winnipeg markets, and we have sought to capture this in our branding," he said.
Under S-VOX management, the Joytv stations have acquired several U.S. network simulcasts: the hour-long dramas One Tree Hill, Smallville and Supernatural from The CW, and the award-winning current affairs series 60 Minutes and 48 Hours Mystery from CBS.
The Joytv prime time schedule also features a selection of high-quality syndicated dramas, including The Practice, Third Watch and Stargate SG-1.
On Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the stations offer family drama and comedy strips. New titles this season include The Waltons (on Joytv 11 in Winnipeg) and Scrubs (on Joytv 10 in Vancouver).
THE DAILY: With Mark & Laura-Lynn, Joytv’s new half-hour talk and information series, will continue to air Mondays through Fridays. An hour-long Sunday evening edition will premiere in September.
Renowned broadcaster and political commentator Rafe Mair hosts The Search, a new half-hour information program that will explore religious and spiritual issues.
Christian ministry and multicultural programming rounds out the Joytv schedule.
The Joytv brand name and all the related creative elements were developed for S-VOX by Toronto-based marketing agencies Cundari SFP and Loopmedia. The rebranding will be supported with an extensive campaign that includes outdoor, print and radio advertising, as well as on-air promos, a contest and visibility at Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition.
