OLN (Outdoor Life Network) is a Canadian English language cable television specialty channel. Its programming is focused on outdoor lifestyle, adventure, exploration and outdoor sports. The channel is now wholly owned by Rogers Media.

Programming

OLN was based on an American channel of the same name which had launched earlier in the 1990s. Unlike its U.S. counterpart, which has no restrictions on the types of sports it can carry, OLN in Canada is not permitted to air major sporting events, such as National Hockey League, per its Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) licence, though it has aired events such as the 2000 European Football Championship and the annual Tour de France, which both take place outside. As a result it did not follow the U.S. channel's lead in adopting the "Versus" name in 2006.

The channel is also listed as a participant in CTVglobemedia / Rogers's successful bid for the Canadian Olympic broadcast rights, beginning with the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

Noted programs

The Amazing Race Angry Planet Backpackers Bushcraft Caribbean Workout Creepy Canada Cool Fuel Departures Don't Forget Your Passport Ed's Up

Half Mile of Hell Man's Work Mantracker The Outhouse The Summit Pilot Guides Road Hockey Rumble Rock The Boat Survivorman Top Dogs

Noted events

• Dakar Rally
• Iditarod
• Pro Bull Riding
• Tour de France

History

Licensed in September 1996 as Outdoor Life by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the channel launched on October 17, 1997 as Outdoor Life Network. Its initial owners were Baton Broadcasting (now CTVglobemedia), Rogers Media, and the Outdoor Life Network in the U.S., which was later acquired by Comcast.

It was announced on November 16, 2007, that Rogers will acquire the remaining interests in OLN from both CTVgm and Comcast, leaving Rogers as the sole owner of OLN. The deal was approved by the CRTC on July 7, 2008. It closed on August 1, with Rogers taking operational control on August 31.

Logos

1997 - 2003	2003 - 2005	2005 - present

External links

• OLN
• Original CRTC Broadcast Decision