The News Forum
The News Forum is a Canadian English language news channel owned by The News Forum Inc., a group founded by Tore Stautland. The channel primarily broadcasts opinion-based talk shows, and has a conservative editorial position. History. The News Forum was founded by Tore Stautland, who previously worked for ZoomerMedia's Faith TV and Joytv. The network has officially described itself as being a centre-right outlet designed to provide "politically balanced domestic and international perspectives, inclusive of a conservative counterbalance for the current media landscape." Ethnic Channels Group was contracted to provide advertising and distribution services  for the network. As Stautland is not currently a Canadian citizen, his 22.25% equity stake in the network (shared with his wife Jule) is represented as a voting trust to comply with CRTC rules, as only Canadian citizens may hold broadcast licenses. The trust will be dissolved if Stautland becomes a Canadian citizen. The remainder of the network is owned by a group of other unnamed shareholders. The News Forum launched with a three-month free preview on Bell Fibe TV and Bell Satellite TV on August 27, 2020. However, its presence went unnoticed by most Canadian media outlets until  a trailer and press release announcing its launch was released on September 29. The News Forum currently operates as an exempted discretionary service. In October 2021, The News Forum filed an application with the CRTC for licensing as a national news channel, which would require it to be offered by all Canadian television providers. Programming. The channel's programming consists primarily of opinion-based talk shows, with its launch programs including personalities such as Conservative Party minister Tony Clement ("Boom and Bust"), and former 2018 Ontario Progressive Conservative candidate Tanya Granic Allen ("Counterpoint"). Former Alberta Wildrose Party leader and CHQR  host Danielle Smith, and Conservative MP Dean Allison, later joined the network. Former CHFD anchor Nima Rajan hosts "Forum Daily", a national newscast drawn primarily from Canadian Press wire stories.