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Subsidiary of Star Choice Television Network Incorporated and Star Choice Satellite TV Inc
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1996 <!--modifies "Founded" entry-->
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Calgary , Alberta
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Canada
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Canada
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TV Service Provider
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http://wwwstarchoicecom
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is a Direct Broadcast Satellite Television distributor in Canada which is majority-owned by Cable TV operator Shaw Communications Inc. As of 2007, Star Choice had over 860,000 subscribers. It broadcasts on Ku Band from two Communications Satellite s, Anik F1 at 107.3°W and Anik F2 at 111.1°W; these satellites are owned by Telesat Canada and otherwise are used primarily to distribute programming to various Canadian cable TV companies.
A full list of channels carried by these two satellites is available from satellite-related sites such as Lyngsat: Anik F1 Anik F2 . Anik F1 carries most mainstream English-language programming; Anik F2 programming includes French-language and HDTV broadcasts.
Star Choice began in Lincoln , New Brunswick , but is now based in Calgary , Alberta . It also has an operations centre in Mississauga , Ontario and its Call Centres in Montreal , Calgary and Mississauga.
The system requires an elliptical antenna of at least 45x60cm in size with a special LNB pair built as one unit to accommodate the narrow 3.8° spacing between satellites; the receiver uses the Motorola -proprietary Digicipher II system which has so far been virtually free of the problems with Pirate Decryption that have plagued other providers such as rival Bell ExpressVu . The standard 18" DBS antennas used by other providers are not compatible with this system as the signals differ in both frequency and polarization, due to Star Choice being relayed via FSS satellites, Anik F1 and F2 in this case.
Over 430 channels are offered, including:
- multiple feeds from various affiliate stations of Canadian networks, including CBC , CTV and Global
- CJON-TV , better known as NTV, Newfoundland And Labrador 's only private TV station
- multiple feeds from various affiliate stations of U.S. networks, including ABC , CBS , NBC , Fox and PBS ; these feeds come from Detroit , Buffalo (Fox excluded), Rochester, New York (Fox only), Seattle and Spokane 1
- French Canadian networks such as Radio-Canada , TVA , TQS and Tele-Quebec
- U.S. Superstations including WSBK , WPIX , WGN and KTLA
- Various Specialty Channels such as A&E , Bravo! and Showcase
- The Movie Network and Movie Central
- 40 commercial-free Digital Music Channels provided by Max Trax and Galaxie
- Pay Per View Movies and events from Viewers Choice
- NFL Sunday Ticket
- NHL Centre Ice {Link without Title}
The monthly packages range from $20 for the basic service, up to $89.99 for specialty and movie channels. Individual premium and specialty channels can also be purchased. The receivers range from $99 for a basic system to $699 for a high-definition Personal Video Recorder .
- Awarded broadcasting license.
- Opened first customer care centre.
- Activated their first customer, who purchased a receiver for $999 with 100 digital channels when he purchased $400 worth of programming.
- Added Pay Per View to their lineup.
- Added 60 new channels to their lineup.
- Launched HDTV programming with the broadcast of Super Bowl XXXIV , the first High Definition TV broadcast in Canada.
- Privatized by Shaw Communications Inc. through its acquisition of Cancom .
- Activated both Anik F1 and Anik E2 satellites, becoming the first Canadian provider to broadcast services from two satellites simultaneously.
- Moved its head office from Lincoln, New Brunswick to Calgary, Alberta.
- Sold its one millionth receiver.
- Launched its first fully integrated High Definition receiver, the Motorola DSR500 HD.
- Added 18 additional channels including 2 high-definition ones.
- Announced the expansion of new channels as a result of the launch of the Anik F2 satellite.
- Launched the dual tuner High Definition Digital Video Recorder.
- TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is introduced to the Canadian market for the first time.
- AMC (American Movie Classics) is introduced to the Canadian market for the first time.
- A&E HD, Discovery HD and SRC HD (Montréal) launch on October 12, 2006. Super Ecran HD launches October 30 2006.
- Showcase HD and National Geographic HD launch on December 19, 2006 bringing the total amount of free HD channels to 17.
- Launched the DSR317 receiver, featuring a faster processor than previous Standard Definition receivers, and picture-in-guide. Superstation WGN was swapped for the local Chicago feed on January 17, 2007.
- Launched the DSR207 receiver, featuring a faster processor than previous Standard Definition receivers, and picture-in-guide.
- Star Choice announces the addition of GOL-TV, World Fishing Network, WGN-HD and HDNet.
- Star Choice celebrates it's 10 Year Anniversary
- Series+ HD and Canal Vie HD launch on May 31 2007. MuchMusic and TLN move to essentials and PunchMuch is removed. Casino and Gaming Television was added on June 5 2007 to the essentials package.
- A new interactive program guide was deployed to all DSR505's and DVR530's. The new interactive program guide introudced new features such as instant on capiblity (Guide will load within 3 minutes after power failure), support for Open TV and support for 8PSK modulation.
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