TORONTO – Calling itself a broadcaster “where all voices matter,” The News Forum launched with a press release late Tuesday evening saying its mandate is “to encourage critical thinking and to celebrate diversity of opinion.”
The channel, which features a show called Boom and Bust hosted by former Conservative cabinet minister Tony Clement but will also offer domestic and international news, launched on all Bell television platforms (as well as Telus satellite TV and Regina’s Access Communications) and is partnered with two Canadian companies, Nextologies, for master control and distribution, and Ethnic Channels Group for sales and advertising, says the press release.
The channel is in free preview until November 20, according to the Bell TV website. The site doesn’t say what it’s retail price will be after that and it’s tagline on the Bell site says it is “the only conservative-friendly, centre-right news network in Canada.”
“The News Forum believes that Canada’s diverse society is enriched when we engage together on the tough issues facing our nation. Free and democratic countries like Canada are bolstered by a healthy menu of news outlet selections. This issues-based small ‘c’ conservative channel enhances those consumer choices.”
The channel’s sizzle reel says it will be a centre-right voice which shows Canadians aren’t as polarized as we might believe.
Other shows include Our Nation This Week with Faytene Grassechi and Counterpoint with Tania Granic Allen, a one-time Ontario Conservative candidate who was removed as a candidate before the 2018 provincial election after previous statements deemed to be anti-muslim and homophobic came to light, according to the CBC report linked above.
“The mission of The News Forum is to foster a renewed commitment celebrating true diversity in how we engage in public discourse. We encourage viewers to take the time to deliberate between different viewpoints and stances, in the hope that reason, healthy compromise, and a true meeting of the minds will prevail,” continues the release.
It’s not clear from the official announcement who owns the new channel, but its CEO, Tore Stautland, has a background in Christian broadcasting, working in the past for ZoomerMedia – including a stint as general manager of its Winnipeg-based Christian broadcast channel HopeTV (which is now called FaithTV, and technically is CIIT-TV Winnipeg).
The News Forum website also links to Trillennium Media Group, a St. Catharines based production company whose CEO is also Stautland. TMG makes paid faith programming inventory for VisionTV, JoyTV, FaithTV and IBN, as well as documentaries and talk shows, says the web site.
Nextologies, headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is providing The News Forum’s signal and delivery to television providers across Canada through its global video delivery network which specialized in high quality, broadcast grade video connectivity.
“We are so excited to partner with a news channel with a fresh perspective, providing Canadians with diverse viewpoints. Our experience in sales and distribution at ECG combined with the innovators in tech at Nextologies will enable The News Forum to concentrate on their primary purpose, delivering news and creating compelling programming,” said Ethnic Channels Group CEO Slava Levin.
The release also noted the channel is a subscriber to the Canadian Press/AP to provide “a significant source of breaking news from across Canada and around the world.”
“The News Forum believes people whose worldviews are progressive, conservative, or anything in between, should feel welcome to present, challenge, and be challenged in a manner consistent with respect for the human right of freedom of expression,” continues the release.
“Etched in the centre of Canada’s coat of arms is: ‘Desiderantes Melioram Patriam’, meaning, Canadians are a people desiring a better homeland. This perfectly sums up what The News Forum aspires towards; being mindful of our past, while forging forward.”
