IQALUIT, NUNAVUT (January 17, 2025) – NITV is excited to announce that our Inuit-language broadcast service, Uvagut TV, started streaming on basic cable packages across Canada on January 20, 2025. One of the first solely-Indigenous language networks in the world, this is a truly historic moment for Inuit and Indigenous communities, and all Canadians.
To celebrate our launch on January 20, Uvagut TV will share a full programming line-up of some of our most popular and beloved programs from our archives. Since our initial launch in 2021, we have been proud to share an incredible line-up of award-winning feature films, documentaries, children’s programming, community interviews, and more.
CRTC Approval
After the landmark CRTC decision approving NITV’s application under Section 9(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act in October, NITV began to work to ensure that our broadcast service will be available for basic cable packages across Canada to over 10 million subscribers. We anticipate that our service should be fully operational nationwide in the coming few weeks.
We are so grateful to the many people and organizations across Canada who made this happen with your support, hard work, and advocacy. We are also so grateful to our hard-working staff, partners, and community media teams across Canada who have been working so hard keeping Uvagut TV operational over the four-year application process.
New Productions
With the CRTC approval for mandatory distribution in 2024 Uvagut TV is looking for new, original productions to finance. We can provide producers with broadcast license fees and performance envelope allocations for Inuit language productions including feature films, documentaries, children’s programming, and series. Send us your ideas, or stay tuned for more information coming on our website.
Producer Training Workshops
In November, 2024, NITV hosted the first Producer Training Workshops series for Inuit and northern participants with great success.
“25 students joined us from across Canada,” said Lucy Tulugarjuk, NITV Executive Director. “In the workshops, we covered the basic skills needed to develop creative projects, from development through production, post-production and management.”
The online workshops, held in English and Inuktitut, were designed to be accessible for participants of all backgrounds, with information about how to apply for funding, work with actors, and work on location in northern productions.
“[It] was very useful for me…The workshops gave me a broad overview of the filming process from start to finish,” said participant Robby Qammaniq, from Gjoa Haven (Nunavut).
“Thank you so much for this opportunity…[the workshops] balanced the aspects of producing with practical, hands-on advice,” said participant Joshua Baker, from Vancouver, BC.
Enhanced Programming
In addition to children’s programming, award-winning feature films, and documentary television series, Uvagut TV consistently shares special events and live broadcasts from communities across Inuit Nunangat. This year, Uvagut TV shared 121 programs (over 100 hours) of original programs created by community media teams in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, and Québec.
These programs included current affairs coverage, demonstrations of traditional crafts, and interviews with artists, elders and community leaders. Featured performances included musicians Louise Nigiyok, Lucien Taleriktok, Mark Sr. Arualak, Alaina Joe Beaudin, and Jason Nasogaluak; traditional singing and drumming with Nina Kautuq and Jutanie Kautuq; and special events coverage of the Return of the Sun celebration, Nunavut Days, Jon Lindell Memorial Hockey Tournament, National Indigenous Day, Great Northern Arts Festival, Traditional Drum Dance and Ajaaja gathering in Rankin Inlet, and the Terence Tootoo Memorial Hockey Tournament.
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ABOUT UVAGUT TV
Media Contact:
Cynthia Amsden
Roundstone Communications
416-910-7740 (Use WhatsApp please)
cynthia@roundstonepr.com
