DTour
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2024) |
 DTour logo | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Canwest (1997–2010) Shaw Media (2010–2016) Corus Entertainment (2016–present) |
| Parent | TVTropolis G.P. |
| Sister channels | Home Network Flavour Network W Network Slice National Geographic Nat Geo Wild History Showcase |
| History | |
| Launched | October 17, 1997 |
| Former names | Prime (1997–2006) TVTropolis (2006–2013) |
| Links | |
| Website | DTour |
DTour (styled as DTOUR) is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment.
The channel was originally established by Canwest in 1997 as Prime, a cable companion to Global with a general entertainment format focusing on classic series and programming acquired from Global and CH. In 2006, the channel was re-branded as TVTropolis, carrying a similar format but with a focus on contemporary sitcoms and dramas from the 1980s and 1990s, as well as pop culture-themed programs.
Adopting its current branding in 2013, DTour largely drew its acquired programming from the U.S.-based Travel Channel, while also airing limited general-interest programing. In March 2025, the channel dropped Travel Channel programming and quietly retreated to a focus on contemporary dramas and sitcoms.
History
[edit]As Prime and TVTropolis
[edit]The channel was launched as Prime on October 17, 1997, under the ownership of Canwest. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) licensed Prime in 1996[1] as a specialty television service directed towards men and women 50 years of age and older. However, the channel did not explicitly market itself as a channel for the "baby boomer" generation, preferring instead to position itself as a general entertainment channel. Prime's slogan, on-air and in advertising, was "Canada's Entertainment Network".[citation needed] Prime's schedule featured a mix of general interest television programs, including home improvement and design series, along with classic television series.[citation needed]
With the launch of sibling channel DejaView in 2001, (showing similar programming to Prime, that being classic television programs from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s), the channel's focus shifted to shows from the late 1980s and beyond.[citation needed]
On June 1, 2006, Prime was rebranded as TVTropolis,[2] which initially focused on sitcoms and dramas from the 1980s and 1990s (such as Seinfeld and Beverly Hills 90210, branded under the slogan Hit TV Lives Here). Additional series focused on television pop culture (such as Inside the Box and FANatical).[2] Over time, the channel lessened its emphasis on scripted shows and reverted to a general entertainment format; focusing on reality series, game shows (including original series Wipeout Canada), and lifestyle series with little emphasis on pop culture.[citation needed]
On October 27, 2010, Shaw Communications purchased Canwest after it had entered into creditor bankruptcy protection in late 2009. As a result, Shaw acquired control of Canwest's stake in TVtropolis and rebranded Canwest as Shaw Media.[3] On January 14, 2013, Shaw announced that it would purchase the remaining interest in TVtropolis from Rogers Communications for $59 million, bringing its total to 100%.[4]
As DTour
[edit]On June 5, 2013, at its annual upfront, Shaw conspicuously removed any reference to TVtropolis in announcing its fall programming plans, while announcing a "new" lifestyle channel named DTour (stylized as DTOUR).[5] It was later confirmed through a Telus update to subscribers that DTour would be launched as a rebranded TVtropolis on August 26, 2013.[6]
The channel initially focused on travel, leisure, and paranormal programming,[7] much of which imported from the American cable network Travel Channel (then-owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, which at the time jointly owned the Canadian versions of Food Network, HGTV and DIY Network with Shaw).
On April 1, 2016, Shaw Media was sold to Corus Entertainment.[8]
In March 2025, DTour quietly dropped Warner Bros. Discovery-owned factual programming and reverted back to a general entertainment format, focusing on contemporary dramas and sitcoms such as All American (whose first-run episodes moved from sister network Showcase to DTour), Supernatural, and Two and a Half Men.[7]
Programming
[edit]DTour currently airs a mix of dramas and sitcoms from the 2010s and late-2000s, including library programs previously aired by Global and Showcase. As Prime and TVTropolis, the channel has aired vintage and classic television shows, animated series, reality series, game shows, and other general entertainment programming.
Logos
[edit]-
Logo as Prime (1997–2006) -
First logo as TVtropolis (2006–2013) -
Second logo as TVtropolis (2011–2013, only used on commercials) -
Logo as DTour (2013–present)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Decision CRTC 96-604 CRTC 1996-09-04
- ^ a b "Prime to restyle as TVtropolis". MediaInCanada.com. 2006-05-04. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02.
- ^ Shaw Communications closes purchase of Canwest TV assets, rebrands as Shaw Media [dead link]
- ^ Shaw Announces Agreement With Rogers for Purchase and Sale of Assets Marketwire.com press release 2013-01-14
- ^ DTOUR - Overview, Shaw Media. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
- ^ "Channel changes". Telus. 2013-08-01. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
On Aug. 26, TVtropolis will be changing to DTOUR.
- ^ a b Hathout, Ahmad (2025-03-03). "Corus's DTOUR relaunches with a focus on drama and weekend comedies". Cartt.ca. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ "Corus Entertainment Completes Acquisition of Shaw Media". Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.