BBC First (Canadian TV channel)

BBC First (formerly HiFi) is a Canadian English language high definition Category B television channel owned by Blue Ant Media. It is a localized version of the international BBC First service, which broadcasts a variety of drama, comedy and reality programming originating primarily from the BBC.
History.
In August 2005, John S. Panikkar (co-founder of the channel's original owner, High Fidelity HDTV), was granted a licence by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch "ArtefactHD", described as "a national English-language Category 2 high definition (HD) specialty programming undertaking... devoted to collectors and their collections, and would showcase creations, celebrate beauty, intricacy, aesthetics and the merits of an object for its own sake. The programming would also include tours of museums and galleries open to the public and behind-the-scenes, celebrate unique architecture and design, and highlight the dedication and knowledge of the committed collector."
The channel launched on March 12, 2006 as Treasure HD. Much of its programming was purchased and its name licensed from Rainbow Media, original owners of the now defunct Voom HD Networks, who owned the originating Treasure HD in the United States. Like its American counterpart, the channel originally broadcast factual programming on primarily collectibles, artifacts, and other art-based programming. Programming included such programs as Secrets of the Exhibit, Art in Progress, Treasure Divers, and Romance in Stone. When the American channel, Treasure HD, ceased broadcasting in 2009, the Canadian channel broadened its programming to include music (primarily focusing on the classic rock, jazz, classical music genres) and films.
The channel was rebranded as HIFI in August 2011. The rebranded channel would put an emphasis on music and art-based programming, including films, exemplified by its slogan, "music+art". On December 21, 2011, HIFI's parent company, High Fidelity HDTV, announced that it had entered into an agreement to be purchased outright by Blue Ant Media, majority owners of Glassbox Television and minority owners of Quarto Communications. While initially purchasing 29.9% of the company, the remaining 70.1% was purchased after CRTC approval.
Blue Ant announced in March 2021 that the channel would be rebranded as a Canadian version of BBC First on March 16. The relaunch is an expansion the company's partnership with BBC Studios, which saw sibling channel radX relaunch as a Canadian version of BBC Earth in 2017. BBC First effectively fills the niche abandoned by the now-defunct BBC Canada when it was closed by Corus Entertainment at the end of 2020; Blue Ant's owner, Michael MacMillan, had been executive chairman of Alliance Atlantis when BBC Canada launched in 2001.
Programming.
With the rebranding to BBC First, the channel picked up several programs previously seen on BBC Canada, such as "Top Gear" and "Antiques Roadshow". The channel also continues to air "The Graham Norton Show", which had already moved to HiFi in 2018 prior to the rebranding.
As was the case with BBC Canada, BBC First does not normally carry news programming; during major UK news events such as the death of Prince Philip, a banner may appear directing viewers to BBC World News and bbc.com for coverage.