A.Side TV


A.Side TV is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Blue Ant Media, as the television version of the website music brand, A.Side, which launched in May 2017. The channel originally launched in 2009 and adopted its current name in 2017.

History

As Aux (2009-2016)

Aux was originally owned by Glassbox Television and launched as both a website, built on an Internet television model, and a programming block on sister channel BiteTV. Both the website and the programming block launched on November 24, 2008 and focused on music related programming featuring independent, and new and emerging artists in alternative, hip hop, indie rock, indie pop and other similar genres.
In February 2009, Aux participated with CBC Radio 3 and Exclaim! to launch "X3", a new collaborative cross-promotional platform which saw all three outlets air or publish content spotlighting a particular "Artist of the Month". X3 artists of the month have included K'naan, Malajube, Thunderheist, Japandroids, Apostle of Hustle and The Rural Alberta Advantage. The project ceased in 2012.
Glassbox Television received approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to launch Aux as a national English-language category 2 specialty channel on March 6, 2009. The channel was launched on October 1, 2009 exclusively on Rogers Cable. Later, other providers such as Shaw Cable, Shaw Direct, EastLink, and Source Cable launched the channel on their systems.
In April 2010, the CRTC denied an application by Glassbox to launch a French-language version of Aux, as Astral Media had filed an intervention against the Glassbox application suggesting that the channel would be in competition with the established music video networks MusiquePlus and MusiMax. In May 2010, Astral Media acquired control of Aux.
On April 11, 2011, it was announced that Blue Ant Media would acquire a controlling interest in Glassbox Television. Blue Ant Media initially acquired a 29.9% stake in the company, with the option to expand their stake up to 75% which would give the company controlling interest. The company would later be purchased outright by Blue Ant Media in the summer of 2012.
On June 4, 2013, Aux launched a high definition simulcast feed of its originating standard definition channel.

2017-present

On April 6, 2017, Blue Ant Media, along with Shed Creative Agency, announced that the channel would be rebranded A.Side TV, later confirmed to launch on May 30, 2017,. The purpose of the rebrand was to align the channel with the newly formed multi-platform music brand, A.Side, which launched on May 18, 2017 and focuses on music and pop culture content aimed at millennials. Blue Ant Media will continue to operate the channel, while Shed will manage content for the A.Side website and social media platforms.

Programming

The majority of A.Side TV's programming consists of entertainment and lifestyle programming unrelated to music, many of which have aired on other Blue Ant Media channels. Music programming is carried in the form of music video blocks seen on weekdays in the morning hours.
As Aux, the channel aired a mix of music-related programming in the form of music videos, docuseries, and live performances. Reruns of several Aux programs, such as Master Tracks and Camera Music, were carried over to A.Side TV.
Original programming produced under the Aux brand has included: