Super Channel gets restructuring approval

Upstart Canadian pay TV network Super Channel is looking to emerge from court-directed creditor protection within 30 days.

The privately owned Edmonton-based channel, with Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc. as its holding company, on Tuesday said it received approval from creditors for a restructuring plan under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.

Allarco on Friday will next seek court approval to emerge from creditor protection.

Pending court approval, Allarco expects to complete its restructuring by the end of September.

Launched in October 2007, Super Channel has been under court protection from its creditors since June 2009 as it negotiated with program suppliers and other creditors to restructure the company.

The court filing followed Super Channel finding it tough-sledding to compete against a long-standing hold on the Canadian pay TV market by Movie Network in eastern Canada and Movie Central in western Canada.

Super Channel went into creditor protection with 220,000 subscribers, and liabilities totaling $139 million, according to the original court filing.