Former CHUM president Jay Switzer plans to launch four new high-definition channels in Canada devoted to love and adventure.

The Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission has approved his application for four new English-language Category 2 specialty channels to be aired across the country.

Switzer told the broadcast regular he plans to set up a new company as parent to the four channels. He also must find a carrier (satellite or cable) and be operational within 36 months to hold onto the licences.

The four new channels:

  • KISS: with programming devoted to love and relationships, including series, feature films, mini-series, made-for-television movies and occasional magazine-style shows.
  • The Love Channel: to feature talk shows, series, feature films, mini-series and made-for-television movies about romance and "the darker side of love."
  • Velocity: to show crime fiction, and epic and heroic drama featuring car chases, explosions, special effects, or martial arts.
  • Adventure: with programming to include contemporary action and adventure films and series, mini-series, made-for-television movies, classic films, and occasional magazine-style shows.

Specialty networks tend to be the most profitable part of the television business, because they draw revenues from subscriptions and advertising.

Switzer left CHUM in 2007 after its sale to CTVglobemedia.

With files from Canadian Press