History Creator / ShowcaseTelevision

Originally founded in 1995 by a consortium led by Alliance Communications (55%), Creator/{{CBC}} (20%), and Rock Demers' Productions La Fête (17%), Showcase Television is a Canadian [[UsefulNotes/CanadianMultichannelNetworks specialty channel]] dedicated to scripted television. Its main purpose was to [[{{Pun}} showcase]] premium-quality dramas and comedies, raging from classic CBC programs and shows owned by Alliance, to Canadian independent films. In 1998, the channel aired the Creator/{{HBO}} series ''Series/{{Oz}}'', which was later followed by shows like ''Series/{{Cracker}}'', and ''Series/PrimeSuspect''. The bold, [[DarkerAndEdgier gritty]], and [[HotterAndSexier edgy]] nature of these shows would inspire the framework for the next decade of the channel's history.

In 2001, Showcase would launch two spin-off channels: Showcase Action and Showcase Diva. Showcase Diva was aimed at female viewers and mostly focused on dramas. Overtime, the channel became home to programming from Creator/{{Lifetime}} and would eventually relaunch as a Canadian version of Lifetime in 2012.

* ''Series/{{Haven}}'' -- Co-production between Shaw Media and Creator/{{Syfy}})

* ''Series/{{Travelers}}'' -- Co-produced with Creator/{{Netflix}}) for its first two seasons. Netflix would take over as the sole broadcaster and distributor of the series starting with the third season in 2018.

In 2001, Showcase would launch two spin-off channels: Showcase Action and Showcase Diva.

Showcase Action was aimed at male viewers and, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin true to its name]], primarily aired action movies and shows. In 2009, the channel changed its name to simply "Action", but the new name would become an something of an ArtifactTitle as, overtime, [[NetworkDecay actual action programming was downplayed]] and the channel would shift towards male-aimed reality shows. Today, Action is better known as a dumping ground for [=TruTV=] shows and has broaden their scope to become a more general male entertainment network. Think Creator/SpikeTV, but with more movies and no sporting events. Showcase Diva was aimed at female viewers and mostly focused on dramas. Overtime, the channel became home to programming from Creator/{{Lifetime}}. Diva would eventually relaunch as a Canadian version of Lifetime in 2012.

The success of that show would, yet again, inspire Showcase's makeup, ushering in more original sci-fi programming such as ''Series/{{Continuum}}'', and ''Series/{{Haven}}'' - a co-production with Creator/{{Syfy}}. In addition to rating success for Showcase, the impact of these three shows would also be felt on Syfy, who also aired ''Lost Girl'' and ''Continuum'' in the United States. At the time, many of that channel's critics were quick to point to out how [[NetworkDecay these shows were the only actual sci-fi programming on Syfy]]. Perhaps out of coincidence, Showcase has been airing Syfy original programming more frequently than Syfy's own Canadian analog: [[Creator/SpaceChannel Space]].

Showcase Action was aimed at male viewers and, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin true to its name]], primarily aired action movies and shows. In 2009, the channel changed its name to simply "Action", but the new name would become an something of an ArtifactTitle as, overtime, [[NetworkDecay actual action programming was downplayed]] and the channel would shift towards male-aimed reality shows. Today, Action is better known as a dumping ground for [=TruTV=] shows and has broaden their scope to become a more general male entertainment network. Think Creator/SpikeTV, but with more movies and no sporting events. Showcase Diva was aimed at female viewers, and mostly focused on dramas and, overtime, programming from Creator/{{Lifetime}}. Eventually, in 2012, the channel relaunched as a Canadian version of that channel.

* ''Series/{{Bliss}}'' (also known as ''Cuentos Prohibidos'' in reruns on TLN)

* ''Series/{{Haven}}'' (Co-production between Shaw Media and Creator/{{Syfy}})
* ''Series/KennyVsSpenny'' (Originally aired on Creator/{{CBC}})

* ''Series/{{Travelers}}'' (Co-production with Creator/{{Netflix}}).

In the 2000s, when the merged Alliance Atlantis gained total ownership of the channel, Showcase's programming would become known for playing fast-and-loose with Canadian broadcast regulations; this was the channel where movies and shows with high amounts of nudity and swearing would be aired ''before'' the watershed hours. To drive this point home, on Fridays, Showcase would air a block of erotic-themed programming called "Fridays Without Borders". This "devil-may-care" attitude would carry over to its own commissioned programming: ''Series/TrailerParkBoys'' is Showcase's best known original series and practically embodied the channel's attitude at the time.

In 2007, Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, under the joint name CW Media, acquired the channel (as part of the breakup of Alliance Atlantis). Looking to capture a more mainstream audience and attract advertisers, Showcase would rebrand in 2009 as a network for Hollywood blockbusters and cable dramas. As a result, [[NetworkDecay the more edgier shows, including the "Fridays Without Borders" block, were all removed from the schedule]]. Showcase would also catch some flack for being reduced to a dumping ground for Creator/USANetwork and TNT imports as well as ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' [[AdoredByTheNetwork reruns]], at the expense of the high-quality Canadian programming and edgy fare it used to air before Canwest took over. The next year, however, Showcase would launch its next big Canadian original series, ''Series/LostGirl''.

* ''Travelers'' (Co-production with Creator/{{Netflix}}).

In the 2000s, when Alliance gained total ownership of the channel, Showcase's programming would become known for playing fast-and-loose with Canadian broadcast regulations; this was the channel where movies and shows with high amounts of nudity and swearing would be aired ''before'' the watershed hours. To drive this point home, on Fridays, Showcase would air a block of erotic-themed programming called "Fridays Without Borders". This "devil-may-care" attitude would carry over to its own commissioned programming: ''Series/TrailerParkBoys'' is Showcase's best known original series and practically embodied the channel's attitude at the time.

In 2007, Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, under the joint name CW Media, would acquire the channel. Looking to capture a more mainstream audience and attract advertisers, Showcase would rebrand in 2009 as a network for Hollywood blockbusters and cable dramas. As a result, [[NetworkDecay the more edgier shows, including the "Fridays Without Borders" block, were all removed from the schedule]]. Showcase would also catch some flack for being reduced to a dumping ground for Creator/USANetwork and TNT imports as well as ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' [[AdoredByTheNetwork reruns]], at the expense of the high-quality Canadian programming and edgy fare it used to air before Canwest took over. The next year, however, Showcase would launch its next big Canadian original series, ''Series/LostGirl''.

Not to be confused with the Creator/{{Showtime}} multiplex, nor the Australian channel and defunct British channel of the same name.

Canwest's assets, including Showcase and its siblings, were later bought by Shaw Media in 2010, owned by the same family that owned Creator/CorusEntertainment. Since 2016, after Corus acquired these assets from Shaw Media, Showcase has become a sibling to [[Creator/GlobalTelevisionNetwork Global TV]] and Telelatino Network among others.

The success of that show would, yet again, inspire the Showcase's makeup, ushering in more original sci-fi programming such as ''Series/{{Continuum}}'', and ''Series/{{Haven}}'' - a co-production with Creator/{{Syfy}}. In addition to rating success for Showcase, the impact of these three shows would also be felt on Syfy, who also aired ''Lost Girl'' and ''Continuum'' in the United States. At the time, many of that channel's critics were quick to point to out how [[NetworkDecay these shows were the only actual sci-fi programming on Syfy]]. Perhaps out of coincidence, Showcase has been airing Syfy original programming more frequently than Syfy's own Canadian analog: [[Creator/SpaceChannel Space]].

[[caption-width-right:298:''Television Without Borders'' [[note]]Logo used from 2000-2009; the current logo, used to commemorate the channel's 20th anniversary, was inspired by this logo.[[/note]]]]

[[caption-width-right:298:''Television Without Borders'']]

Canwest's assets, including Showcase and its siblings, were later bought by Shaw Media, owned by the same family that owned Creator/CorusEntertainment. Since 2016, after Corus acquired these assets from Shaw Media, Showcase has become a sibling to [[Creator/GlobalTelevisionNetwork Global TV]] and Telelatino Network among others.

The success of that show would, yet again, inspire the Showcase's makeup, ushering in more original sci-fi programming such as ''Series/{{Continuum}}'', and ''Series/{{Haven}}'' - a co-production with Creator/{{Syfy}}. In addition to rating success for Showcase, the impact of these three shows would also be felt on Syfy, who also aired ''Lost Girl'' and ''Continuum'' in the United States. At the time, many of that channel's critics were quick to point to out how [[NetworkDecay these shows were the only actual sci-fi programming on Syfy]]. Perhaps out of coincidence, Showcase has been airing Syfy original programming more frequently than Syfy's own Canadian analog: Creator/SpaceChannel.

The success of that show would, yet again, inspire the Showcase's makeup, ushering in more original sci-fi programming such as ''Series/{{Continuum}}'', and ''Series/{{Haven}}'' - a co-production with Creator/{{Syfy}}. In addition to rating success for Showcase, the impact of these three shows would also be felt on Syfy, who also aired ''Lost Girl'' and ''Continuum'' in the United States. At the time, many of that channel's critics were quick to point to out how [[NetworkDecay these shows were the only actual sci-fi programming on Syfy]]. Perhaps out of coincidence, Showcase has been airing Syfy original programming more frequently than Syfy's own Canadian analog: the Canadian sci-fi channel, Space.