Canadian Television Sales
Encyclopedia
Canadian Television Sales (CTS) is a U.S. rep firm that provides information to American advertising agencies so they have the ability to place advertising on Canadian television, radio stations and online properties. CTS represents Astral Media
, Canwest and the Score Media
properties.
(CBC) with a dedicated sales force in the United States and respond to the increasing number of requests from U.S. advertising agencies looking to incorporate Canada into their upcoming media campaigns.
In 1998, CTS began representing Showcase Television
and History Television
for Alliance Communications
, who merged with Atlantis Communications to become Alliance Atlantis
later that year. After the merger, CTS picked up Atlantis’ Life Network
(renamed Slice) and HGTV Canada
. CTS remained the U.S. sales representative for Alliance Atlantis stations after they were acquired by Canwest Global Communications
in 2007, and now represents all of their specialty television networks such as Food Network (Canada), Discovery Health (Canada)
, BBC Canada
, BBC Kids
and more.
CTS also began representing Astral Media
in 1998, expanding into the French-language market with their specialty stations Canal Vie
and Canal D
. Soon after, Standard Radio hired CTS to represent its 82 radio stations in English Canada. Astral Media acquired Standard Radio in 2007 and CTS continues to represent their extensive list of radio stations.
In 2001, CTS began representing The Score Television Network, a Canadian English-language cable television specialty channel. The next year, CTS further expanded into French Canada by picking up Société Radio-Canada (SRC), the French arm of CBC.
In 2008, CTS created a new division, ripe — reliable internet planning and execution — in response to audiences’ shift to the Internet for news and entertainment. Ripe works with U.S. agencies looking to place buys on the 40+ Canadian websites owned by CTS media partners.
In July, 2010, CTS became the exclusive U.S. rep for Canwest's Global Network and GlobalTV.com .
Astral Media
Astral Media Inc. is a Canadian media corporation. It is Canada's largest radio broadcaster with 83 radio stations in eight provinces, and is a major player in premium and specialty television in Canada, including The Movie Network, Super Écran, Family, Teletoon, Canal D, Canal Vie, VRAK.TV,...
, Canwest and the Score Media
Score Media
Score Media Inc. is a Canadian media company. Its main asset is The Score; a national specialty television service providing sports, news, information, highlights and live event programming...
properties.
History of Canadian Television Sales
CTS was started by Michael Custardo in April 1997 to provide the Canadian Broadcasting CorporationCanadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
(CBC) with a dedicated sales force in the United States and respond to the increasing number of requests from U.S. advertising agencies looking to incorporate Canada into their upcoming media campaigns.
In 1998, CTS began representing Showcase Television
Showcase Television
Showcase is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Shaw Media. Showcase is a predominantly fiction-based service centred around scripted television series and films....
and History Television
History Television
History Television is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that presents programming about history and some non-historical programming of military, science and technology interest. It is owned by Shaw Media. Its French language counterpart is Historia.The channel operates two...
for Alliance Communications
Alliance Communications
Alliance Communications was a former Canadian-based movie distribution company. Based in Toronto, Ontario the company was formed in 1984 by Stephen Roth, Denis Heroux, John Kemeny, Robert Lantos and Jay Firestone. It acquired a Montreal-based Francophone production company, Vivafilm, in 1990. In...
, who merged with Atlantis Communications to become Alliance Atlantis
Alliance Atlantis
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. was a Toronto-based media company that operated primarily as a specialty service operator in Canada. Alliance Atlantis also had offices in Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Madrid, Barcelona, Shannon and Sydney.Alliance Atlantis was acquired by Canwest...
later that year. After the merger, CTS picked up Atlantis’ Life Network
Life Network
Slice is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Shaw Media. Slice is a lifestyle channel directed towards women with programming including talk shows, reality television and more.-History:...
(renamed Slice) and HGTV Canada
HGTV Canada
HGTV is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned and operated by Shaw Media and Scripps Networks Interactive. It consists of programs regarding home and garden...
. CTS remained the U.S. sales representative for Alliance Atlantis stations after they were acquired by Canwest Global Communications
CanWest Global Communications
Canwest Global Communications Corporation, which operated under the corporate brand Canwest, was a major Canadian media company based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with its head offices at Canwest Place...
in 2007, and now represents all of their specialty television networks such as Food Network (Canada), Discovery Health (Canada)
Discovery Health (Canada)
Twist TV is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Shaw Media. Twist TV is a reality channel aimed primarily at women with programming featuring what the channel calls "people facing extraordinary situations", meaning the channel primarily features situational and...
, BBC Canada
BBC Canada
BBC Canada is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel. It presents programming primarily from the BBC. BBC Canada is a joint venture between Shaw Media and BBC Worldwide.-Programming:Main article: List of programs broadcast by BBC Canada...
, BBC Kids
BBC Kids
BBC Kids is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Knowledge Network Corporation and BBC Worldwide. It's a commercial-free channel that airs programming aimed at youth ranging from pre-schoolers to teens.-Overview:...
and more.
CTS also began representing Astral Media
Astral Media
Astral Media Inc. is a Canadian media corporation. It is Canada's largest radio broadcaster with 83 radio stations in eight provinces, and is a major player in premium and specialty television in Canada, including The Movie Network, Super Écran, Family, Teletoon, Canal D, Canal Vie, VRAK.TV,...
in 1998, expanding into the French-language market with their specialty stations Canal Vie
Canal Vie
Canal Vie is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel owned by Astral Media. Canal Vie airs lifestyle and entertainment programs aimed at women in the form of talk shows, documentaries, reality TV series, films, and more...
and Canal D
Canal D
Canal D is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel owned by Astral Media. Canal D focuses on documentary programming primarily in the form of documentary-style television series that focus on a variety of topics such as crime, biographies, nature, science, and more.-History:In June...
. Soon after, Standard Radio hired CTS to represent its 82 radio stations in English Canada. Astral Media acquired Standard Radio in 2007 and CTS continues to represent their extensive list of radio stations.
In 2001, CTS began representing The Score Television Network, a Canadian English-language cable television specialty channel. The next year, CTS further expanded into French Canada by picking up Société Radio-Canada (SRC), the French arm of CBC.
In 2008, CTS created a new division, ripe — reliable internet planning and execution — in response to audiences’ shift to the Internet for news and entertainment. Ripe works with U.S. agencies looking to place buys on the 40+ Canadian websites owned by CTS media partners.
In July, 2010, CTS became the exclusive U.S. rep for Canwest's Global Network and GlobalTV.com .