VRAK.TV
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| VRAK.TV | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | September 1, 1988 |
| Owned by | Astral Media |
| Slogan | Je suis VRAK.TV |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Montreal, Quebec |
| Formerly called | Canal Famille (1988–2001) |
| Website | www.vrak.tv |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bell ExpressVu | Channel 140 |
| Star Choice | Channel 770 |
| Cable | |
| Available on many Canadian cable systems | Check local listings |
VRAK.TV is a Canadian French language cable television specialty channel aimed at youth audiences. VRAK.TV is currently owned by Astral Media.
Contents |
[edit] History
Licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1987, Le Canal Famille launched on September 1, 1988. Its name meant "The Family Channel", which, was the name of another Canadian youth channel that also began airing in 1988 and is, today, the channel's Astral-owned counterpart.[1] Le Canal Famille rebranded as VRAK.TV on January 2, 2001.
[edit] Programming
Since its creation as Le Canal Famille, the channel airs animated series and teenage sitcoms as well as light dramas. Many of them are French translations of existing programs such as Charmed, What I Like About You, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, The O.C, Life with Derek, Smallville, Spongebob Squarepants, That '70s Show, and many others. However, the channel also features local Quebec-French-language productions, such as Il était une fois dans le trouble and Une grenade avec ça?. Other series that the channel popularized were Dans une galaxie près de chez vous and Radio Enfer. VRAK.TV rarely airs feature movies, except on holidays.
Initially, as required by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the channel carried no commercials[2], except for promotional messages, interstitial programs (such as help segments known as R-Force), as well as public service announcements. However, since the renewal of its licence in 2006, the channel is able to air product advertisements.[3] VRAK.TV does frequently join forces with various companies (mainly grocery products) to present special promotions related to its programming.
Unlike most other specialty channels, VRAK.TV is only on the air daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. When the station was Le Canal Famille, the station would close down at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. on weekends), sharing time with a scrambled Super Écran channel (also owned by Astral). In 2001, when the channel was revamped as VRAK.TV, its hours were increased to 10 p.m. (Super Écran followed on most systems). VRAK.TV's current close down time, at midnight, went into effect in mid-2005.
[edit] VRAK.TV HD
On October 30, 2006 Astral Media launched an HD simulcast of VRAK.TV called VRAK.TV HD.
[edit] Gallery
 Original logo of Canal Famille (1988-1994) |
 Second logo of Canal Famille (1994-2001) |
 Original VRAK.TV logo (2001 to 2007) |
 Current logo. There is other colour variation. |
 VRAK.TV HD logo. |
 This is a variation of the current logo. There is other colour variation. |
[edit] References
- ^ CBC/Radio-Canada - History - 1980s
- ^ Decision: Premier Choix: TVEC Inc. "Canal Famille" — 871204400, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, 1 December 1987
- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-382: VRAK.TV – Licence renewal, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, 18 August 2006
[edit] External links
- Official VRAK.TV website (French)
