In June 2008, Glassbox Television Inc. announced a $5,000,000 private financing that involved four major industry names: former CHUM Limited CEO Jay Switzer, former Standard Radio CEO Gary Slaight, former Alliance Atlantis International Distribution head Ted Riley, and former XM satellite radio exec Stephen Tapp. Glassbox had launched cable specialty channel Bite TV (q.v.) in 2005, and the growth of this company had attracted some heavyweight investors to the Board.
In November 2008, Glassbox Television launched an on-line music channel called Aux, with a format reminiscent of the cable specialty channel MuchMusic. Its content included music videos and performer interviews, in the course of which many new and upcoming performers were featured. The website quickly found a large following among teens and twenties online visitors, which suggested that there could well be demand for a specialty channel using the same kind of format.
On March 6th 2009, Glassbox received CRTC approval for a new television specialty channel, also to be called Aux, and to be “devoted to emerging music and its creation, including programming featuring emerging music and aimed at helping emerging musicians.”
Rogers Cable soon committed to carry Aux TV, and the new channel was launched in September 2009.
On April 11th 2011, Glassbox announced that media executive Michael MacMillan’s Blue Ant Media Inc was acquiring a controlling interest in Glassbox, subject to CRTC approval, and MacMillan would become Executive Chairman. Raja Khanna would become CEO, and Jeffrey Elliott would be made President and Chief Strategy Officer. Jay Switzer would be stepping down as chairman of the board of Glassbox.
On 14 September 2011, the CRTC approved the application by Glassbox, on behalf of itself and of its wholly owned subsidiary 7506465 Canada Inc. for authority to effect a change in the effective control. As a result of the transaction, Blue Ant Media Inc. would exercise effective control of both Glassbox and 7506465 Canada Inc.
On August 13th 2013, the CRTC approved a request to revoke the broadcasting licence for AUX TV, effective 31 August 2013, and for a new broadcasting licence for the service. The new licence would take effect 1 September 2013 and expire 31 August 2018, and would align it with other specialty channel licences held by Blue Ant.
In the spring of 2017, Aux TV was rebranded A.Side TV.
Ownership: Blue Ant
Start Year: 2008