Canadians now have access to widest variety of Christian TV and radio channels through Sky Angel
NAPLES, FL — Sky Angel, the leading U.S. direct broadcast satellite (DBS) provider of Christian TV and radio channels plus family programming, and ShifTV Inc. of Toronto, Canada, a pioneer in providing Broadband TV (or IPTV, Internet Protocol Television) which can be watched on any television via a set-top box, have launched the Sky Angel multi-channel television service throughout Canada.
Sky Angel has agreed to provide more than 30 TV and radio channels of Christian and family programming to ShifTV for delivery via a high-speed Internet connection to Canadian consumers’ televisions using a set-top box provided by ShifTV. The advantage for audiences is access to a broader range of programming within the parameters of their interests, as well as the ability to watch programming through their TV set and surf the Internet on their computer simultaneously using the same high-speed connection. In addition, audiences can view Sky Angel on computers using most Internet browsers.
Among the TV channels that are currently available in Canada via Sky Angel IPTV are Sky Angel’s exclusive kids and teens channel KTV ; the 24-hour Christian music video channel TVU ; Trinity Broadcasting Network’s full suite of channels that includes TBN, JCTV youth network, Smile of a Child children’s network, The Church Channel and TBN Enlace Spanish network ; plus Safe TV, Familyland, Faith TV, Angel One and more. Additional TV and radio channels are expected to be announced next month.
“After years of receiving thousands of requests from Canadian Christians for access to the Sky Angel television service, we are pleased to now be able to say, ’Yes, you can receive Sky Angel TV in Canada !’” said Rob Johnson, CEO of Dominion Video Satellite Inc., owner-operator of Sky Angel.
“As the clear leader in providing viewer access to Christian programming, we will continue to provide the widest variety of Christian-inspirational channels through direct-to-home satellite in the U.S.,” added Johnson, “but we are excited about this opportunity to partner with ShifTV in utilizing this emerging IPTV technology to deliver quality Christian and family programming geared to all ages and interests onto the television screens of homes, churches and businesses across Canada.”
“We are pleased in becoming Sky Angel’s exclusive IPTV partner in Canada as it provides thousands of Canadians an opportunity to view Christian programming that is currently not offered through other broadcasters. Sky Angel is a perfect partner in our ongoing strategy to provide programming to niche audiences on a reliable platform,” said Morey Chaplick, CEO of ShifTV. “Subscribers with high-speed Internet access can simply plug their television into a set-top box, connect the box to their high-speed cable/DSL, and enjoy the programs that they are truly interested in.”
The service costs $24.99 CAD per month. Consumers who subscribe before March 16, 2007, will not have to pay a $20 activation fee, will receive their first month of service free (two months free when subscribing for 12 months), and will have immediate access to Sky Angel through their computer. In most instances, Sky Angel set-top boxes for TV reception are shipped within 24 hours of ordering.
About ShifTV Inc.
ShifTV is a Toronto-based broadband provider of targeted television programming over the Internet. The company packages and brands content that targets niche markets, including lifestyle and ethnic television. ShifTV currently broadcasts over 100 channels giving audiences in North America and around the world access to content on demand through their television sets with a ShifTV set-top box or on-line.
About Sky Angel
Celebrating 25 years since its founding and 10 years on the air, Sky Angel is among the United States’ three multi-channel, high-power direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators and the only one with a Christian mission and purpose, carrying the widest variety of Christian-inspirational channels available through cable or satellite. Owned and operated by Naples, Fla.-based Dominion Video Satellite Inc., a DBS pioneer, Sky Angel delivers into U.S. homes, churches and businesses that become equipped with a small satellite dish over 30 TV and radio channels of quality Christian programming, popular family entertainment and 24-hour news for $14.99/month.
A special package of Christian and family channels branded under the Sky Angel name is also available at a low cost throughout Canada via ShifTV Inc., a pioneer in providing Broadband TV (or IPTV, Internet Protocol Television). The programming is delivered over the Internet without the need for an outside antenna, and is viewed on any television via an inexpensive, simple-to-set-up set-top box.
Hi, Sky Angel IPTV is no longer available in Canada. It is almost impossible to find this out by searching the internet. I had a paid up
subscription when in mid October the set top box could no longer get the TV channels (only radio) then eventually it said the box was not
authorized. Phone calls and emails were not returned. They eventually followed through when I asked to stop the monthly autodebits but
without any explanation or refund for half a month of no service. This left me with a useless $120 set top box. After lots of searching I figured out what was going on and left an inquiry on the American website
www.skyangel.com. The Canadian website became unavailable and on the American website www.skyangel.com they had removed all
references to Sky Angel in Canada. Also, I found out from satellite newsgroups (http://www.satelliteguys.us/skyangel-forum/) that Sky Angel has already transfered their ownership of Echostar transponders back to Dish Network. In a few months, Sky Angel will no longer be available by satellite anywhere. So, it is past the point of no return to get IPTV working for the USA. Following is the response I received from www.skyangel.com on 03Dec2007:
Thank you for contacting Sky Angel. Sky Angel had granted a Canadian company, ShifTV, the right to carry our service over their IPTV system in Canada. That company is now operating under a new name and new management and their business plan, which includes adult entertainment, is no longer compatible with ours. The parties have decided to terminate our technical agreement. We are currently seeking additional ways to provide Sky Angel programming again in Canada. Please feel free to check back to our Web site at www.skyangel.com for any further developments
regarding this.
If you are a ShifTV subscriber to Sky Angel programming and have any questions about your service, you will need to contact them directly at 1-866-640-7938.
I found that ShifTV and BroadShift are two companies both owned by Morey Chaplick of Canada. ShifTV operated OverSeaTV
and BroadShift has purchased a Nevada porn company ITVN (XBIZ). It appears that BroadShift is the new name being used now for international programming (OverSeaTV), Christian programming (SkyAngel IPTV), and pornography (ITVN). Since the last two are content-wise incompatible, SkyAngel IPTV has ceased to be a service provided by either of ShifTV or BroadShift.
On Dec 15 I received this positive reply from Sky Angel:
Thank you for contacting Sky Angel. We do apologize for what has happened. We did try our best, but it doesn’t always work out as planned. We will send you a refund for the amount of $120.00. Please email your address so we can mail the check to you. A refund will be processed in 4 to 6 weeks once we receive your information.
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