The CRTC announced Friday licence approval of Glassbox Système, a national French-language specialty channel operated by Glassbox Television Inc.

According to the application, filed June 30, the channel will feature entertainment news, entertainment industry and humour programming.

Glassbox, in which Blue Ant Media owns a controlling stake, stated in its application that the proposed nature for Glassbox Système is “essentially the same” as for French-language service Star système, which the Commission approved for TVA Group Inc. in October 2010.

At that time, Teletoon expressed concern that Star système would compete with its French network, Télétoon, whereby TVA accepted to draw a limit of 10% of its monthly programming from the animated television programs and films category.

While Glassbox did not receive any external opposition to its application, it stated that it was fine with the standard 10% broadcast limit for animated TV and film and other genres in the drama and comedy category as a licence condition.

The CRTC also approved a licence Friday for an undisclosed company to operate Academy Television.

The national, English-language service will target middle and high school students with educational programming to supplement at-home studying, and will additionally look to target adults with informal learning opportunities, according to the application, filed Sept. 19.

According to conditions set out in the application, at least 50% of daytime programming will be connected to formal courses of study across Canada, but will not include any pre-school programming; 40% will be categorized as “informal education/recreation and leisure” and 10% will be analysis and interpretation.

The licences, which expire Aug. 31, 2018, will be issued once Glassbox and 7215088 Canada Inc. enter into distribution agreement with at least once licensed distributor, respectively, and inform the CRTC of launch dates for the channels, no later than 48 months from the decisions.