Three more specialties and a new $77.9 million in the Canadian programming kitty as the cable companies stack Space: The Imagination Station, Outdoor Life and Home and Garden Television Canada in the tier three lineup of new fall specialties.

The long-awaited decision from the cablecos nets Canadian programming commitments ranging from $30.4 million over seven years from hgtv to $26.1 million from Space and $21.4 million from Outdoor Life.

hgtv is owned 80.2% by Life Network and 19.8% by Scripps Howard Broadcasting Company, Space by chum, and Outdoor Life majority controlled by Baton Broadcasting and Ralph C. Ellis, with Rogers Programming Services and Outdoor Life in the u.s. onside for minority shares.

While the who is finally coming together and Sept. 26 the established launch date, who else and how are still wild cards.

Word is that Family Channel may migrate from the pay package to tier three. With only days to digest the Eligible Services Lists decision, it’s not yet clear how the announcement giving the cablecos free rein to add 18 new foreign services gels with last September’s specialty licence directive that all blessed Canadian services be up and running before new imports.

Little has been established on the record in terms of a marketing plan or price of the tier. The baseline subscriber cost seems to hover at $2 and up. Speculation has it the analog services are committing $1 million apiece to the marketing campaign, the digital group $2 million each, with the cable group matching the amount and leaving a projected national launch budget of $18 million.

In the interim, the three new additions are in process with new productions. hgtv has already spent the $2.1 million allocated for original programming in the first eight months of telecast through 11 new series. Six have been picked up by hgtv in the u.s.

Of hgtv’s 50% Canadian content, 69% will be originally produced or commissioned. On the schedule, 29% will be composed of original Canadian productions and 40% will be produced by hgtv in the u.s. Of the remaining 31%, 21% will be comprised of Canadian acquisitions and 10% by foreign acquisitions.

hgtv’s original programming budget is projected to rise to $3.9 million in the first full year and $5.8 million by year seven. Acquisition of Canadian product will total $3.1 million over seven years.

On the development side, $200,000 in seed money will be allocated per year to independent producers, writers and on-air presenters for the development of home and garden programming.

Space, running on a six-hour wheel, is committing to 25% Cancon in years one and two.

Through Space, chum is expected to spend $50,000 annually on program development including script and concept from Canadian writers and producers in the science fiction, fact, and speculation areas.

Outdoor will run eight key themes: exploration and adventure, marine recreation, winter recreation, conservation, nature enthusiasts, anglers, outdoor chefs, and hunting.

In its first full year of operation, almost $2.9 million is projected for Canadian programming, of which acquisitions account for $1.6 million and production for $1.2 million.

Outdoor will commission or acquire individual programs or may enter into volume deals with suppliers with the quid pro quo that the service will not enter into volume deals with production or distribution companies affiliated with those holding a controlling interest in the service.

Staff-up is projected at 31 full-time positions including 13 in programming.