Launched in 1995, the network primarily airs general entertainment programming, particularly action and drama series and films.

Licensed in 1994, Showcase was a venture between Alliance Communications (prior to its merger with Atlantis), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and a number of smaller independent Canadian producers, and was intended to be a showcase for "the best of independently-produced movies, drama, comedy and mini-series from Canada and around the world", with limited content from the United States.

[1] Showcase was formerly subject to a condition of licence obligating it to air 100% Canadian content between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. in the time zone of the originating feed.

On December 19, 2006, Alliance Atlantis launched a high definition simulcast of Showcase, available through all major television providers in Canada.

On January 18, 2008, a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners known as CW Media bought Alliance Atlantis and gained AAC's interest in Showcase.

On August 31, 2009, Showcase underwent a major rebranding, introducing a new three-dimensional logo, and a new programming lineup with a greater focus on hit dramas and feature films to make the channel more attractive to viewers and advertisers.

[11][12][13] On March 30, 2015, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the network's launch, Showcase introduced a new logo inspired by its pre-2009 branding, and the new slogan "Beyond Ordinary".