View source for WTSN (TV channel)

{{short description|Defunct Canadian TV channel}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = WTSN
| logo = WTSN LOGO.png
| logo_caption = 
| logo_size = 225px
| launch_date = September 7, 2001, 23 years ago
| closed_date = September 30, 2003, 21 years ago
| picture_format = 
| network = 
| owner = [[List of assets owned by CTVglobemedia#CTV Specialty Television|CTV Speciality Television Inc.]] ([[CTVglobemedia|Bell Globemedia]] 80%<br>[[ESPN Inc.]] 20%)
| country = [[Canada]]
| area = Nationwide
| headquarters = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| former_names = 
| replaced = 
| sister_channels = 
}}
'''WTSN''' was a [[Television in Canada|Canadian]] [[English language]] [[Category 1 specialty channel|category 1]] [[specialty channel|television channel]] owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc. (CTV Specialty), a joint venture between [[CTVglobemedia|Bell Globemedia]] (80%) and [[ESPN]] (20%). The channel broadcast sports programming featuring female athletes.

Marketed as ''"the world's first 24-hour sports network dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in sports,"'' the channel was a spin-off of its [[sister station|sister channel]], [[The Sports Network|TSN]], Canada's first and at the time, largest national sports channel.

==Programming==
Programming on the network included a variety of programs ranging from live and tape-delayed sports events, documentaries, talk shows, news, and more.

Sports events coverage on the network included [[LPGA]] golf, [[WNBA]] basketball, women's tennis, [[Women's United Soccer Association|WUSA]] soccer, women's curling, [[Canadian Women's Hockey League|CWHL]] and [[Western Women's Hockey League|WWHL]] ice hockey and coverage of various women's teams in [[Canadian Interuniversity Sport]], among others.<ref>[http://ctvmedia.ca/espn/releases/release.asp?id=7202&yyyy=2002 August 2002 Programming Highlights - TSN, OLN, WTSN, ESPN Classic Canada, NHL Network and sports on CTV], July 5, 2002.</ref>

The network also aired special coverage of [[Hayley Wickenheiser]]'s debut in the Finnish men's hockey league.<ref name="closure">[http://www.bce.ca/en/news/releases/bg/2003/08/29/70534.html "CTV Specialty to Close WTSN on September 30, 2003"], August 29, 2003.</ref>

==History==
In November 2000, NetStar Communications Inc. (later renamed CTV Specialty Television Inc.) was granted approval for a television broadcasting licence by the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) for a national English-language Category 1 specialty television service called ''Women's Sports Network'', described as a service to be ''"dedicated entirely to sports that feature female athletes and participants, including coverage of professional and amateur sporting events, magazine shows, documentaries and instructional programs."''<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2000/DB2000-457.htm Decision CRTC 2000-457] CRTC 2000-12-15</ref>

Prior to the channel's launch, NetStar announced that prominent sports broadcaster [[Sue Prestedge]] was named the senior vice-president of the channel.<ref name=SPRESTEDGE>{{cite web| title = Bell Canada Enterprises: "Sue Prestedge Named WSN's Senior Vice President"| url=http://www.bce.ca/news-and-media/releases/show/sue-prestedge-named-wsns-senior-vice-president| access-date = 2008-03-15}}</ref>

The channel launched on September 7, 2001, as '''WTSN'''.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130131191722/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/426007481.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+15,+2001&author=Chris+Zelkovich&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Global+ready+to+launch+two+sports+specialty+channels+;+International+soccer,+rugby+and+cricket+part+of+Fox+lineup&pqatl=google Global ready to launch two sports specialty channels; International soccer, rugby and cricket part of Fox lineup] Toronto Star 2001-08-15</ref>

On August 29, 2003, CTV Specialty announced that they would be ceasing the network's operations on September 30, 2003, due to lack of expected growth, limited ad revenue, and the high cost of running a sports service.<ref name="closure" />

TSN did not immediately surrender the channel's licence, and filed an intervention in January 2005 with the CRTC against a proposed licence amendment for [[Fox Sports World Canada]] that may have impacted on WTSN's mandate.<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2005/db2005-4.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-4] CRTC 2005-01-15</ref> Media analysts speculated that it may be possible that the channel might have relaunched at a later date if economic conditions were found to be more favourable. The licence was eventually revoked at the company's request on December 19, 2006.<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2006/db2006-680.htm CRTC Decision 2006-680]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{CTVglobemedia}}
{{ESPN}}
{{Sports television in Canada}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wtsn (Tv Channel)}}
[[Category:Sports television networks in Canada]]
[[Category:Defunct specialty television channels in Canada]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2001]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2003]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:2003 disestablishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Women's sports in Canada]]
[[Category:The Sports Network]]