On November 17th 2011, the CRTC approved an application by Cottage Life Television Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate Cottage Life Television, a national, English-language specialty Category B service that would offer information and lifestyle programming about cottage communities and cottage activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, water sports and indoor games; information about buying, selling, renting and renovating cottage properties; and programs of special interest to the cottage owner dealing with such matters as shoreline, docks, decks, boathouses, water supply, wood stoves, cottage cooking and recipes, and the history of cottaging.
In late 2012, before the channel went to air, Blue Ant Media acquired ownership of Cottage Life Inc., including its print, TV and digital assets as well as Cottage, Outdoor Canada and Canadian Home Workshop, and their associated websites, as well as its custom magazines, books, social media apps and the bi-annual Cottage Life consumer shows.
On May 13th 2013, Blue Ant Media announced that its Cottage Life channel had begun production on seven brand new original half-hour television series that were set to launch on the new digital specialty channel in the fall of that year.
The new series would span the scope of DIY and design, outdoor living, food and entertaining, and real estate. “These new original series encompass what is unique about cottage living,” said Marcia Martin, Blue Ant Media’s SVP of original content.
The new shows announced were Decks, Docks and Gazebos, My Retreat (a cross-Canada tour of unique and iconic cottages, cabins and second homes), Selling Big (big machinery with big price tags with larger than life auctioneers),Cottage Cheese (exploring crafty, kitschy, collectibles) Weekend Reno ( updating and refreshing family vacation properties), What’s For Sale and Cottage Cook-off.
The Cottage Life Channel was launched on September 4th 2013, replacing the former Bold channel.
Written by Pip Wedge – May, 2013
Ownership: Blue Ant
Start Year: 2013