OUTtv has again found new owners, this time at Shavick Entertainment.

The Vancouver-based production company purchased controlling interest in the troubled gay and lesbian digichannel, and its sibling Hard On PrideVision, for an undisclosed sum on July 7.

The channel is a ‘fixer-upper’ but ‘it was the kind of opportunity we were looking for,’ says president James Shavick, adding that he plans to air gay-themed film and TV content – such as Third Man Out and Too Cool for Christmas – made by his production company, among others.

‘In order for a channel of this sort to be successful, it has to be a destination where people will want to stop,’ he says. ‘We realize it will be a labor of love. We realize this is a fixer-upper. But our company has good cash flow and we’re very intrigued by the challenges ahead.’

The deal requires approval from the CRTC, and comes just three years after the channel, originally called PrideVision, was sold for $2.6 million by the Headline Media Group to broadcaster Bill Craig. In 2004, the channel was rebranded as OUTtv.

Craig has not commented on the sale to the press. ‘This is a hard time for him,’ says Shavick. ‘This was his dream.’

OUTtv also had conflicts with Shaw Communications, and in January sought bankruptcy protection following a dispute with the western cable company over satellite feeds.

If approved, the deal will leave Shavick with 52% of the company shares. Toronto-based Pink Triangle Press – which publishes gay and lesbian newspapers in Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa – will increase its ownership to 38% from 21%. The remaining 10% is owned by John Levy, the channel’s founder.