What is quite possibly the largest simultaneous launch of channels in the world - approximately 50 of them - is about to get even bigger.

Despite protests from Canadian broadcasters, 19 new international digital channels will be squeezing into the small screen in September.

"A number of broadcasters or their associates suggested in their comments that no new non-Canadian services should be authorized for distribution until the new Canadian Category 1 and Category 2 programming services have had an opportunity to launch. They argued that the new Canadian digital services should first be given every chance to succeed," the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission stated in a July press release.

But all is fair in love, war, and the digital channel world, the CRTC decided.

It authorized international digital channels (sponsored by some Canadian broadcasters) if "the proposed service is not competitive, either in whole or in part, with a Canadian programming service."

And so, voila! Nineteen new channels to surf through - provided they make the necessary arrangements with carriers of this satellite service.

These include:

• BVN-TV: The Netherland's public broadcaster, which runs news and magazine documentary shows about Europe.
• Discovery Wings: Everything there is to know about flight. Programs include: Aircraft Stories, Weapons of War, A Plane is Born and First Flights .
• Eternal Word Television Network: A U.S.-based Roman Catholic faith channel, featuring live talk shows, teaching series, documentaries and dramas. "Throughout the programming day, EWTN presents - the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Holy Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, meditations, and Litanies."
• EuroNews: As the name suggests, European News from independent sources in six different languages.
• Eurosportnews: European sports fans look out! You don't have to wait days to find out about the latest 'footie' score. This channel is a non-stop, digital breaking sports news service combining video, text and graphics.
• KTO: Broadcast out of Paris, KTO is the first Catholic digital channel in the French-speaking world. In France, the channel is received by approximately 1.3-million households.
• Muslim Television Ahmadiyya: Owned by the Ahmadiyya community, it is the first Muslim broadcasting channel and is run entirely by volunteer staff. MTA is funded entirely by Ahmadi members around the world. Programs "are focused on highlighting the teachings of all the prophets of the world; thus all programs have an obvious religious and educational stance. The purpose behind such programs is not to create divisions but to harmonize mankind."
• Muzzik: A French music channel featuring classical, jazz and dance.
• Network Ten: The popular Australian channel comes to Canada with its news, sports and entertainment programs, which include: The Secret Life of Us, In the Box, Meet the Press and Beauty and the Beast.
• Oxygen Network: "TV that's designed to serve women better than they'

  ve ever been served before."

• Paris-Première: This French channel details the week's entertainment news and events in Paris.
• Planète: A national French channel broadcast across France.
• RTV Palma: This Yugoslavian channel broadcasts news, as well as information on sports, film and fashion.
• The Scandinavian Channel: This channel will broadcast Nordic TV programs, including television magazines, nature programs, documents, dramas and soap operas. It will also broadcast daily news programs from Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Sweden.
• Tropic: Very little information available, looks to be broadcast out of Hawaii.
• TV3 (Republic of Ireland): TV3, Ireland's first national, commercial, independent television network, delivers an entertainment mix that "reflects the interests and tastes of modern Ireland." The channel states it has an innovative approach to programming, news and current affairs.
• TV3 Television Network (New Zealand): From its headquarters in Auckland, CanWest-owned TV3 reaches 98 per cent of New Zealand's population and it is New Zealand's first private commercial broadcaster. The channel targets the 18-to-49 demographic and "offers a solid and diverse range of domestic productions and top international programs."
• TV4 Television Network (New Zealand): CanWest launched TV4 in 1997. Also based in Auckland and reaching approximately 75 per cent of New Zealand's population, TV4 targets a younger urban audience - the 15-to-39 demographic - with upbeat programming focused on comedy, lifestyle and entertainment themes.