Walrus TV, a new partnership between magazine publisher The Walrus Foundation and specialty TV channel operator High Fidelity HDTV, launched its service today.
Building on the success of the award-winning magazine, The Walrus, Walrustv.ca streaming video content will appear online, and be aired on HighFidelity's eqhd channel.
The digital TV channel specializes in documentaries and 'idea-centric' content; it will air short pieces based on articles from the magazine as part of its programming mix.
Shelley Ambrose, co-publisher of the magazine and executive director of The Walrus Foundation, announced the partnership on Tuesday with digital TV channel eqhd.
No other magazine in our category has their stories brought to the screen as documentaries," said executive director of The Walrus Foundation, Shelley Ambrose. "The Walrus/eqhd partnership is a first."
"We're a channel that provides viewers with programming that respects, inspires, and engages," Ken Murphy, president of eqhd, added. "Working with The Walrus magazine is a natural fit for us
In addition to the documentary content, special live event coverage will be part of the programming mix. As well, Web exclusives and special online content is featured on the site.
High Fidelity HDTV signed a deal last spring to produce original high-definition documentaries "inspired" by articles in the magazine - several short form documentaries have already been produced and aired as a result.
HighFidelity manages the production, working closely with Walrus editorial staff. Walrus writers also conduct interviews and appear on screen.
Plans now call for eq to spin off at least one documentary from an article in each issue of the magazine, published 10 times a year.
The programs will air on eqhd during a first window of about six weeks; at that point, the titles are moved online.
For more Mediacaster Magazine coverage related to this topic, please see:
High Fidelity HDTV Finds New Home
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/high-fidelity-hdtv-finds-new-home/1000585357/
High Fidelity Rebrands HD TV Channels
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/high-fidelity-rebrands-hd-tv-channels/1000383482/
Media Industry Visionary Feeds The Walrus with Allan Slaight Writers' Fund
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/media-industry-visionary-feeds-the-walrus-with-allan-slaight-writers-fund/1000341589/