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{{Short description|Canadian specialty TV channel}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name              = Game+
| logo              = Game Plus Neetwork.png
| logo_alt          = Logo of Game+
| logo_size         = 200px
| launch_date       = March 4, 2014, 10 years ago
| closed_date       =
| picture_format    =
| owner             =[[Anthem Sports & Entertainment]]
| country           = Canada
| area              = National
| headquarters      = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]
| former_names      = [[FNTSY Sports Network]] (2014-2019)
| replaced          =
| sister_channels   = [[GameTV]]<br>[[Fight Network]]
| timeshift_service =
| website           = {{url|https://www.gameplusnetwork.com|Game+}}
| online_serv_1     = [[Amazon Fire TV]] <small>(Worldwide)</small>
| online_chan_1     = Application
| online_serv_2     = [[Apple TV]] <small>(Worldwide)</small>
| online_chan_2     = Application
}}
'''Game+''' is a [[Television in Canada|Canadian]] [[English language]] [[specialty channel]] owned by [[Anthem Sports & Entertainment]]. Originally launched on March 4, 2014 as [[FNTSY Sports Network]], the channel was relaunched in 2018 as an off-shoot of [[GameTV]].
Game+ primarily airs programming relating to [[fantasy sports]], [[sports betting]], [[Esports]], and [[poker]], as well as [[outdoor recreation]], [[sports]], and [[sports entertainment]].
==History==
===As FNTSY Sports Network===
{{Main|FNTSY Sports Network}}
The channel's origins begin in January 2013, when Anthem Media's subsidiary, Fight Media, was granted approval from the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) to launch a television channel called "The League – Fantasy Sports TV," described as "a national, English-language specialty Category B service devoted to fantasy sports, allowing viewers to act as owners and assume all the responsibilities associated with operating real sports franchises, and allowing viewers to create, monitor, trade and discuss players on their teams with others also playing fantasy sports."<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2013/2013-7.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-7] CRTC 2013-01-09</ref>
In February 2013, Anthem acquired two fantasy sports analysis websites—RotoExperts and [[SportsGrid]]—to bolster content for the network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediaite.com/online/sportsgrid-com-to-be-acquired-by-rotoexperts-new-site-to-become-the-ultimate-sports-fantasy-destination/|title=SportsGrid.com To Be Acquired By RotoExperts, New Site To Become 'The Ultimate Sports & Fantasy Destination'|website=Mediaite.com|language=en|access-date=2017-11-08}}</ref> In March 2013, Anthem CEO [[Leonard Asper]] told the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' that the channel was expected to launch that September. He defended the network's concept by noting that "people thought 'How can there be an entire channel devoted to golf?' But now the [[Golf Channel]] is in 82 million homes", and that advertisers "leapt out of their chairs" when they learned that the network could appeal to both the traditional "[[baby boomer]]" demographic associated with fantasy sports, and the young male demographic that had also increasingly shown interest in fantasy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2013/03/11/fantasy_sports_can_new_tv_network_find_an_audience_among_poolies.html|title=Fantasy Sports: Can new TV network find an audience among poolies?|last=Campbell|first=Morgan|date=2013-03-11|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=2017-11-08|language=en-CA|issn=0319-0781}}</ref>
[[File:FNTSY Sports Network.png|left|thumb|Logo as FNTSY Sports Network]]
In December 2013, it was reported that the channel, now named '''[[FNTSY Sports Network]]''', was expected to launch in Canada and the United States in March 2014.<ref name="Anthem Media CEO Asper Eyeing Launches in U.S. and Canada">[https://www.nexttv.com/news/fantasy-sports-network-looks-become-reality-march-356822 Fantasy Sports Network Looks To Become a Reality In March] NextTV 2013-12-03</ref> On January 14, 2014, Anthem Media announced the launch date for the channel as March 4, 2014.<ref name="Official launch press release">[http://rotoexperts.com/61381/press-release-worlds-first-fantasy-sports-tv-network-set-to-launch/ World’s First Fantasy Sports TV Network Set to Launch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407191931/https://rotoexperts.com/61381/press-release-worlds-first-fantasy-sports-tv-network-set-to-launch/ |date=2019-04-07 }} RotoExperts.com 2014-01-14</ref> However, it was initially expected to launch only in the U.S. on that date with the Canadian launch limited to only an [[mobile app|app]] and streaming online channel;<ref>[https://cartt.ca/article/fantasy-sports-network-targets-march-launch Fantasy Sports Network targets March launch] Cartt.ca 2014-01-14</ref> that's until January 29, 2014 when Anthem Media announced it will launch in Canada the same day as the U.S. through a carriage agreement with [[Manitoba Telecom Services|MTS]].<ref>[http://rotoexperts.com/62139/fantasy-sports-network-to-launch-on-mts-ultimate-tv-on-march-4-2014/ Fantasy Sports Network to Launch on MTS Ultimate TV on March 4, 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407191924/https://rotoexperts.com/62139/fantasy-sports-network-to-launch-on-mts-ultimate-tv-on-march-4-2014/ |date=April 7, 2019 }} RotoExperts.com 2014-01-29</ref> The Canadian channel launched as intended on March 14; however, the channel's American counterpart subsequently launched 3 months later in the U.S. on [[Cablevision]]'s Optimum TV service.<ref>[https://www.nexttv.com/news/fight-network-fntsy-gain-first-us-berths-cablevision-132078 Fight Network, FNTSY Gain First US Berths With Cablevision] NextTV 06-26-2014</ref>
In 2016, a 20% interest in the channel was sold to a group of various unnamed investors,<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2016/2016-40.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2016-40] CRTC 02 05 16</ref> which would subsequently be resold back to the Anthem at a later date.
===As Game+ (2018–present)===
In 2018, Anthem sold the FNTSY Sports Network brand and associated fantasy sports properties to a newly created company called SportsGrid Inc. Anthem would retain the cable television channel and its distribution on Canadian and American television service providers, and maintained the FNTSY Sports Network brand through a transitional licensing agreement until April 1, 2019. On that date, the channel was rebranded as '''Game+'''. Plans for a rebrand were initially revealed through Anthem's licence renewal application for the channel with the CRTC. Anthem had noted in the application that it had difficulties gaining distribution for the channel as a newly-created service and decided to rebrand the channel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://services.crtc.gc.ca/pub/instances-proceedings/Default-Defaut.aspx?S=O&PA=B&PT=PT1R&PST=A&lang=en|title=Open Part 1 Licence Renewal Applications|last=Government of Canada|first=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)|date=2016-05-24|website=services.crtc.gc.ca|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref>
In May 2019, Anthem partnered with the [[Vegas Stats & Information Network]] to syndicate ''A Numbers Game'' and a weekly highlights program on Game+.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/vsin-goes-international-with-canadian-content-distribution-deal/article_fc963f40-72f3-11e9-8931-dfbf887aab02.html|title=VSiN Goes International With Canadian Content Distribution Deal.|website=Insideradio.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-08}}</ref> In 2020, Game+ added the weekly television series of [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]] (OVW)—a [[Farm team|developmental territory]] of Anthem's [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA Wrestling]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2020/10/27/ovw-adds-game-as-7th-network-to-growing-platform-owner-al-snow-comments/|title=OVW Adds Game+ As 7th Network To Growing Platform; Owner Al Snow Comments|website=[[Forbes]]|language=en|access-date=2021-12-27}}</ref> and ''The Rod Peterson Show'', hosted by former [[CKRM]] [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]] broadcaster Rod Peterson.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regina broadcasters Pedersen and Maragos go digital with new online shows |url=https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/regina-broadcasters-pedersen-and-maragos-go-digital-with-new-online-shows |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=leaderpost |language=en-CA}}</ref>
In October 2022, Game+ added a television version of ''Room 4-4-2'', hosted by Canadian soccer reporter [[James Sharman]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bucholtz |first=Andrew |date=2022-10-25 |title=James Sharman to host daily soccer series 'Room 4-4-2' on Game+ |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/james-sharman-parleh-room-442-anthem-game-plus.html |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, Game+ and GameTV began to air [[LIV Golf]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=S. V. G. |date=2023-02-24 |title=LIV Golf To Air Nationally in Canada on GameTV and Game+ |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/02/24/liv-golf-to-air-nationally-in-canada-on-gametv-and-game/ |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=Sports Video Group |language=en}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.gameplusnetwork.com}}
{{Anthem Sports & Entertainment}}
[[Category:Anthem Sports & Entertainment]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2014]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in Canada]]
[[Category:2014 establishments in Canada]]