Specialty service

A specialty service or specialty channel is a television service, generally not available through conventional broadcast television, which consists of programming focused on a single type or targeted at a specific demographic. Types of specialty services may include:

Related Topics:
Television - Broadcast television - Programming - Demographic

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• news channels
• sports channels
• movie channels
• men's interest channels
• women's interest channels
• children's interest channels

In Canada, where the term is most frequently used, the term "specialty service" (or more explicitly "specialty television programming undertaking") refers to virtually any non-premium television service which is not carried over the airwaves or otherwise deemed exempt by the CRTC. They are primarily carried, therefore, on cable television and satellite television.

Related Topics:
Canada - Premium - CRTC - Cable television - Satellite television

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All such services are specifically limited in regards to the types, and often the amount of said types, of programming that can be carried. For instance, TSN can only air sports or sports-related programming, while Bravo! cannot air any sports. This differs from the U.S., where several cable/satellite services such as USA Network or Turner Network Television regularly air programs from nearly all categories, and where there are no restrictions on "specialty" services such as MSNBC from airing sports, as that particular service has on occasion.

Related Topics:
TSN - Sports - Bravo! - U.S. - USA Network - Turner Network Television - MSNBC

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See also: List of Canadian specialty services

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