GolTV was a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel. GolTV was exclusively dedicated to soccer, with live and recorded sporting events from around the world, and news programs. GolTV was owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).
History
In August 2005, Insight Sports (on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated) was granted a television broadcasting licence by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for The Soccer Net, described as "a national English-language Category 2 specialty programming undertaking devoted to soccer and soccer enthusiasts. The programming will focus on instruction from beginner to advanced play and on amateur and professional soccer games. All of the programming will be devoted to soccer or soccer-related subjects."Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-380 CRTC August 3, 2005
The channel was launched on November 1, 2005, as GolTV.Gol TV Canada to launch on November 1st Channel Canada October 27, 2005 At some point, GOL TV USA, a division of Tenfield, purchased a minority interest in the channel.
On November 7, 2007, GolTV provided live broadband coverage of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s friendly home game against David Beckham and the Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy over the internet on a pay-per-view basis.
On January 23, 2009, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, owners of Major League Soccer franchise Toronto FC (along with other major sports teams in the city), announced they would acquire Insight Sports' interest in GolTV.Canoe.ca: MLSE scores GolTV January 23, 2009 The deal was approved by the CRTC on June 2, 2009.Broadcasting Information Bulletin CRTC 2009-323 In 2015, MLSE reported to the CRTC that it had bought out GOL TV USA's stake in the channel.
On July 6, 2015, in a notice to revoke the licence of GolTV Canada posted on the CRTC website, it was revealed that the channel would be ceasing operations on August 31, 2015.Gol TV – Revocation of licence According to the timetable shown on their website, GolTV Canada would cease broadcasting on August 31, 2015, after it finished airing the whole third season of a Toronto FC documentary "All For One" starting at 9:30 pm (Eastern Time),The last schedule of GolTV Canada while their website would redirect to the Toronto FC's website.
Programming GolTV Canada featured live and taped events from the following leagues and competitions:
Brazil: Campeonato Brasileiro, Campeonato Carioca, Campeonato Paulista Mexico: Liga de Ascenso (2nd division)
Other programs
Bundesliga Magazine Canadian Football Weekly Foot Brazil Football Today GolTV News Hallo Bundesliga Liga BBVA
MLS Weekly Off The Pitch Oh My Gol!
Past programming GolTV previously aired coverage of Spain's La Liga. Since mid-2012, the Canadian broadcast rights to that league have been owned by the upstart Al Jazeera-owned channel beIN Sport.
High definition GolTV announced on December 5, 2011, that it would launch HD programming in partnership with the RealSports and Xbox 360. HD programming will be available via a free app for the Xbox 360 with a monthly subscription fee.
GolTV officially launched its HD service on television systems in November 2012 with EastLink. GolTV Canada HD was also available on Ch.428 on Rogers.
See also GOL TV (Latin American) GOL TV (United States)
References