Fashion Television

Fashion Television was a Canadian English-language specialty television channel created as an extension of the FashionTelevision television series associated with CHUM Limited and Citytv. The channel was conceived as a national service devoted to fashion and adjacent creative industries, including beauty, modelling, photography, art, architecture, and design. Canada's broadcast regulator approved the service in November 2000, and it launched on September 7, 2001, under the FashionTelevisionChannel name. The channel's original identity was closely tied to the FashionTelevision program and to the broader editorial world of runway coverage, fashion personalities, visual culture, and design. Its launch gave the established television brand a dedicated specialty-channel outlet rather than limiting the concept to a recurring program block. The service's programming mandate positioned it as a niche lifestyle and cultural channel rather than a general entertainment network. Ownership changed as Canada's broadcasting groups consolidated. Bell Globemedia announced its proposed acquisition of CHUM Limited in 2006. Following regulatory approval, the transaction closed in June 2007, while CHUM's Citytv stations were subsequently sold to Rogers Media. Bell later reassembled full ownership of CTVglobemedia through BCE's 2011 transaction; the company was renamed Bell Media when the deal closed on April 1, 2011. Fashion Television therefore became part of Bell Media's specialty-channel portfolio. The original FashionTelevision series ended production in 2012, although repeats and related programming continued on the channel for a period. Over time, the network moved away from its initial fashion-centered format. It increasingly relied on library programming from other Bell Media services, much of which had limited connection to fashion, modelling, photography, or design. The channel also ceased investing in original Canadian programming and received little promotional support, weakening its distinctiveness and commercial position. In January 2021, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approved Bell's request to revoke the licences for Fashion Television and BookTelevision. Both services were shut down on February 21, 2021. Fashion Television consequently remains a historical Canadian specialty-channel brand rather than an active broadcaster.

Fashion Television originated in the Canadian specialty-television expansion of the early 2000s. CHUM Limited received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on November 24, 2000, to establish a national English-language service dedicated to fashion, beauty, style, art, architecture, photography, and design. The proposed channel was designed as a brand extension of the FashionTelevision series associated with Citytv, converting a recognized program concept into a continuous specialty service. The channel launched on September 7, 2001, using the FashionTelevisionChannel name. Its original editorial proposition covered the runway and fashion industries while also reaching into modelling, beauty, visual arts, photography, architecture, and design. This gave the service a broader creative-culture remit than a channel focused solely on clothing. Programming was intended to serve viewers interested in fashion media, industry personalities, visual presentation, and related cultural fields. The service became part of a changing Canadian media landscape when Bell Globemedia announced its proposed purchase of CHUM Limited in July 2006. The transaction was reviewed by the CRTC and completed on June 22, 2007. As part of the regulatory and corporate reorganization surrounding the deal, the Citytv stations were later sold to Rogers Media. Fashion Television, however, remained within the CTV-related corporate structure. A further ownership change followed BCE's plan to reacquire full control of CTVglobemedia. The transaction received CRTC approval in March 2011 and closed on April 1, 2011. CTVglobemedia was renamed Bell Media, placing Fashion Television under Bell Media's ownership. The channel thus moved from its CHUM origins into one of Canada's largest integrated broadcasting groups. The channel's relationship with its original source brand weakened after the FashionTelevision series ended production in 2012. Although episodes and related series continued to be repeated for a time, Fashion Television gradually abandoned its original subject-matter focus. Under Bell Media, it increasingly carried reruns and library programming drawn from other Bell services, with comparatively little connection to fashion, modelling, photography, art, architecture, or design. The service also stopped investing in original Canadian programming and was rarely promoted, reducing its role as a distinctive specialty brand. In January 2021, Bell sought and received approval to revoke the licences for Fashion Television and BookTelevision. The request reflected the company's decision to discontinue both channels amid declining investment and limited strategic emphasis. Fashion Television shut down on February 21, 2021. Its history illustrates the life cycle of a niche television brand: a focused specialty service launched from a recognizable program property, absorbed through media consolidation, gradually diluted through library programming, and ultimately retired when its original format no longer received sustained investment.

• 2021

  Channel closure

  [1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  Following regulatory approval of Bell's licence-revocation request, Fashion Television ended operations on February 21.

• 2012

  Namesake series ends production

  [1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  The FashionTelevision series stopped producing new episodes, although repeats and related programming remained on the channel temporarily.

• 2011

  Bell Media ownership begins

  [1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  BCE completed its transaction to reacquire CTVglobemedia on April 1; the company was renamed Bell Media.

• 2007

  CHUM acquisition closes

  [1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  Bell Globemedia completed its acquisition of CHUM Limited on June 22, bringing Fashion Television into the CTV-related corporate group.

• 2001

  Channel launch

  [1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  FashionTelevisionChannel began broadcasting on September 7 as a dedicated Canadian specialty channel.

• 2000

  CRTC approves the specialty-channel application

  [1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  The CRTC approved CHUM Limited's proposal for a national English-language service centered on fashion, beauty, style, art, architecture, photography, and design.

A Canadian specialty television brand originally positioned around fashion, beauty, modelling, photography, art, architecture, and design; later repositioned in practice as a Bell Media library-programming outlet before closure.

• Specialty television channel · 2001

  Fashion Television

  A Canadian English-language specialty channel launched as a brand extension of the FashionTelevision series. Its initial programming mandate covered fashion, beauty, modelling, style, photography, art, architecture, and design. After the namesake series ended production, the service increasingly relied on library programming from other Bell Media networks and no longer maintained a strong connection to its original editorial focus. The channel was discontinued in February 2021.

• 2021

  Licence revocation and shutdownOther

  Background

  After a period of declining investment, limited promotion, and reduced relevance to its original mandate, Bell decided to discontinue Fashion Television alongside BookTelevision.

  Action taken

  Bell requested revocation of the channels' licences, and the CRTC approved the request in January 2021.

  Aftermath

  Fashion Television ceased broadcasting on February 21, 2021, becoming a defunct Canadian television brand.

  Source

• 2012

  End of original-series productionStrategy

  Background

  The channel's namesake FashionTelevision series ended production, reducing the supply of programming most closely associated with the brand.

  Action taken

  Bell continued some repeats and related programs but increasingly filled the schedule with library programming from other Bell Media services.

  Aftermath

  The channel's practical programming identity shifted away from its original fashion and design mandate, and investment in original Canadian programming ceased.

  Source

• 2011

  BCE reacquires CTVglobemediaM&A

  Background

  BCE announced its intention to regain full ownership of CTVglobemedia, which included Fashion Television.

  Action taken

  After CRTC approval, BCE completed the transaction on April 1, 2011, and renamed the company Bell Media.

  Aftermath

  Fashion Television became a Bell Media specialty service.

  Total debt and equity transaction cost. Approximately CAD 3.2 billion (Transaction announced in 2010 and completed in 2011)

  Source

• 2007

  CHUM acquisition by Bell GlobemediaM&A

  Background

  Bell Globemedia announced the purchase of CHUM Limited as part of wider consolidation in Canadian broadcasting.

  Action taken

  The transaction received regulatory approval and closed on June 22, 2007. Fashion Television moved into the CTV-related corporate structure, while Citytv stations were later sold to Rogers Media.

  Aftermath

  The channel continued under the enlarged Bell-affiliated media portfolio.

  Announced estimated acquisition value. Approximately CAD 1.7 billion (Announcement in 2006)

  Source

• 2000

  Approval and creation of a dedicated fashion channelProduct launch

  Background

  CHUM sought to extend the FashionTelevision program brand into a continuous national specialty service covering fashion and related creative disciplines.

  Action taken

  The CRTC approved the proposed English-language service, which launched the following year.

  Aftermath

  FashionTelevisionChannel entered the Canadian specialty-channel market on September 7, 2001.

  Source

• 2021

  CRTC approves licence revocation for Fashion Television[1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  The CRTC approved Bell's request to revoke the Fashion Television and BookTelevision licences as Bell prepared to discontinue both services.

• 2021

  Fashion Television shuts down[1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Fashion Television ceased broadcasting on February 21, together with BookTelevision, after a period of declining investment, limited promotion, and reduced original programming.

• 2012

  FashionTelevision series ends production[1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Production of the namesake FashionTelevision series ended. Repeats and related content continued on the channel for a time, but the service's connection to its original programming identity weakened.

• 2011

  Fashion Television enters Bell Media ownership[1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  BCE completed its re-acquisition of CTVglobemedia, which was renamed Bell Media, making Fashion Television part of Bell Media's specialty-channel portfolio.

• 2006

  Bell Globemedia announces acquisition of CHUM[1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Bell Globemedia announced plans to acquire CHUM Limited, the original owner of Fashion Television. The transaction brought the channel into the Bell-controlled CTV corporate structure after regulatory review and completion.

• 2001

  FashionTelevisionChannel launches in Canada[1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The channel began broadcasting on September 7 as a dedicated specialty service extending the FashionTelevision television brand.

• 2000

  Canadian regulator approves Fashion Television specialty-channel licence[1]Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  The CRTC approved CHUM Limited's application for a national English-language specialty service devoted to fashion, beauty, style, art, architecture, photography, and design.

1. 1Fashion Television (TV channel)en.wikipedia.org