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Family Channel (Canada)

Canadian cable channel From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Family Channel (Canada)
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Family Channel (commonly or simply known as Family) is a Canadian English-language specialty channel owned by WildBrain Television Inc., a subsidiary of WildBrain. The network primarily airs children's television series, teen dramas, as well as other programming targeting a family audience. Despite having its own headquarters in the Brookfield Place office in Financial District, the channel is transmitted from Corus Quay.[1]

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Launched on September 1, 1988, it was originally a joint venture between the owners of the premium television services First Choice (now Crave) and Superchannel (which was later renamed Movie Central); due to the split of Western International Communications, the network became a joint venture between Astral Media and Corus Entertainment. By 2001, Astral had acquired full ownership of the network; after the 2013 acquisition of Astral by Bell Media, the network and its sister channels were divested to WildBrain (at the time known as DHX Media) in 2014.

From its launch in 1988 until 2015, Family's programming heavily mirrored that of the U.S. cable network Disney Channel, with which Family held a licensing agreement. Family Channel's lineup consisted mainly of domestic and foreign-imported, live-action and animated series from Disney Channel, feature films from the Disney film library, vintage films from other Canadian and U.S. film studios, and specials. Astral also used this relationship to launch Canadian versions of Disney Junior and Disney XD. After the DHX acquisition, the license agreement ended in 2015; Disney then entered into a new licensing agreement with Corus and launched new Canadian versions of Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior. Since then, Family Channel has acquired programming from other sources.

Family was originally licensed as a premium specialty service, which necessitated that it operate under a commercial-free format, but allowed it to operate multiplex feeds (particularly the aforementioned Disney Junior, now Family Jr.). Nevertheless, television providers typically distributed Family as a conventional specialty channel. In 2016, Family was relieved of this mandate after the CRTC transitioned premium specialty services to the standardized discretionary service license.

As of March 2013, Family Channel is available to approximately six million pay-TV households in Canada.[2] It broadcasts Eastern Time Zone feeds in both standard definition and high definition, and a Pacific Time Zone feed solely in standard definition.

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History

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Early history

Family Channel was licensed as a premium television service by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on December 1, 1987; it was originally operated as a joint venture between Allarcom Pay Television Limited and First Choice Canadian Communications Corporation (owners of both Superchannel and First Choice), with both companies owning a 50% stake in the service.[3]

Thumb
Original version of the current logo, used from October 1, 1999 to January 11, 2011.

In October 1999, as part of the split of Western International Communications (which had bought Allarcom), its stake in Family Channel was sold to Corus Entertainment.[4] In March 2001, in response to concerns from the CRTC over Corus' near-monopoly position in children's specialty channels (accounting for its stakes in YTV, Treehouse, and Teletoon (now as Cartoon Network)), Corus traded its stake in Family Channel to Astral Media in exchange for its stake in The Comedy Network for $126.9 million, giving them full ownership.[5]

On July 1, 2007, Family became the last English-language children's network in Canada to switch to a 24-hour broadcast schedule. On January 11, 2011, Family launched a high-definition feed, and concurrently introduced an updated logo and on-air presentation.[6]

Sale to DHX Media

In March 2013, following the Competition Bureau's approval of Bell Media's acquisition of Astral Media, Bell announced that it would divest Family and its sister networks, among other assets, in order to reduce the market share it would hold in the English-language television market following the completion of the sale.[7] The CRTC approved the sale on June 27, 2013,[8] with Family Channel and its related networks concurrently placed in a blind trust held by businessman and former Montreal Canadiens president Pierre Boivin, pending their sale to a third-party.[9]

On November 28, 2013, DHX Media announced that it would acquire Family and its sister networks for $170 million. While the company already distributed and produced a large library of children's television series (particularly through its 2012 purchase of the Cookie Jar Entertainment, which gave it ownership of the program libraries of Cinar and DIC Entertainment), the purchase marked DHX's first foray into broadcasting. DHX has indicated that it would leverage its resources and library to add more original, Canadian-produced programming to Family under its ownership.[10][11][12][13][14]

The acquisition of Family Channel and its sister networks by DHX was approved by the CRTC on July 24, 2014.[15][16] As a condition of the sale, the CRTC imposed licensing conditions requiring that at least 60% of the Canadian programming broadcast by the network on an annual basis be produced by companies other than DHX.[17] The acquisition was finalized on July 31, 2014, with Family and its sister networks becoming part of a newly formed division of the company known as DHX Television.[18]

Loss of Disney Channel programming rights and other changes

On April 16, 2015, it was announced that Corus Entertainment had acquired Canadian rights to Disney Channel's programming library, and that it would launch a Canadian version of Disney Channel on September 1, 2015. DHX's programming agreement with Disney would end in January 2016.[19] As a result of these changes, Disney programming was phased out of Family Channel's lineup throughout the remainder of 2015, and its sister Disney Junior and Disney XD-branded networks were rebranded as Family Jr., Télémagino, and Family Chrgd.[20][21] Corus would also launch new Disney Junior and Disney XD channels on December 1, 2015, and they will close on September 1, 2025.[22]

Along with new and original productions, DHX reached new output deals with AwesomenessTV, DreamWorks Animation and Mattel in 2015 for programming based on their properties across its networks.[19][23][24][25]

On June 9, 2015, it was announced that a new incarnation of the Degrassi franchise, Degrassi: Next Class, would premiere on Family in 2016. The show is produced by Epitome Pictures, a studio where DHX acquired in 2014.[26][27] Next Class premiered on January 4, 2016 as part of a new primetime block known as "F2N". The F2N block was positioned towards an older teenage audience than the "tween" audience that Family has typically targeted; DHX Television senior vice-president Joe Tedesco explained that the company had original series in development for Family in case it ever did lose its output deal with Disney, and that these decisions were based on a goal to build a "strong lineup" of programs, and was not financially motivated. Tedesco went on to explain that the F2N block was meant to create a "meaningful destination" for teens and, in the case of Degrassi—a series that has historically dealt with teen issues, encourage family viewing.[28][29]

As part of the CRTC's "Let's Talk TV" initiative, DHX Media expressed concern that the elimination of genre protection for Category A specialty channels would put services licensed as premium services at an unfair disadvantage, especially due to their inability to air advertising. On November 2, 2016, the CRTC approved the implementation of new categories for licensed television services, replacing the separate specialty and pay television categories with a single Discretionary service category using standardized conditions of license, and ruled that current premium services may operate under these deregulated policies effective immediately. This decision allowed Family Channel to begin operating under an advertising-supported format.[30][31] Tedesco commended the CRTC for the decision, stating that it "represents the next logical step in the implementation of the Let's Talk TV decision, when genre protection was eliminated, and it ensures that pay and specialty channels will now be on a level field."[32]

On December 18, 2024, WildBrain announced that it would sell a two-thirds majority stake of its television operations—including Family—to IoM Media Ventures, a Halifax-based company founded by former WildBrain CEO Dana Landry.[33]

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Programming

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Main article: List of programs broadcast by Family Channel

Family's current programming is aimed towards children, teenagers and young adults aged 6–25 and encompasses original and acquired children's television series, teen dramas, sitcoms, and both theatrically released and made-for-television movies. Its daytime lineup is aimed at children, youth, and teenagers, while its primetime programs are aimed at an older teenage and family audience.[28] The channel airs films on Friday and Saturday evenings and on weekend afternoons.

Historically, Family and its spin-offs had been the main Canadian outlets for programming from the American Disney Channel and its sibling brands; Disney Junior and Disney XD. The channel also co-produced the 2010 film 16 Wishes, in association with Disney Channel and MarVista Entertainment. Family would begin to phase out Disney programming in late 2015, after Corus Entertainment acquired exclusive rights to Disney Channel and its associated brands in Canada. Since then, Family acquired the bulk of its programming from AwesomenessTV and DreamWorks Animation,[28] as well as other syndicated and off-network programming targeting a family audience. In the past, the channel had also aired selected live-action Nickelodeon programs not picked up by YTV (which has typically been the main Canadian carrier of Nickelodeon programming).

Family has also co-commissioned programming with the now-defunct U.S. network Universal Kids, owned by DreamWorks' parent company NBCUniversal, which had recently acquired the rights to the Family original series The Next Step and provided additional funding for its sixth season due to reduced financial commitments by DHX. Family also co-commissioned the children's horror anthology Creeped Out with British children's channel CBBC.[34][35][36]

As previously mandated for premium services (and consistently with Disney Channel itself), Family did not initially air traditional commercial advertising, besides promotions in between (or sometimes during) programs for its own programming and sponsored contests. It also carried interstitial segments, such as teen pop music videos under the banner "Fam Jam", features on upcoming family films that were produced by The Movie Network, and interstitial series from Disney Channel. After changes in CRTC policies and the network's licensing in November 2016, Family switched to a conventional, commercial-supported format for its non-preschool programs.[30]

Programming blocks

Current

  • Popcorn Pix – This block airs movies every Friday night; also airs on Saturdays and Sundays. The block returned in 2025.

Seasonal

  • Big Ticket Summer – The network runs summer programming blocks every year with differing themes. Since 2011, Family Channel has branded its summer programming lineup as "Big Ticket Summer". This block airs during the months of July and August to take advantage of the largest possible children's audience, and features new episodes of Family Channel series that premiere on Friday evenings. The channel also runs "stacks" or mini-marathons of a certain show throughout the day that leads into a new episode of that program. Interstitial segments aired between shows include the "Big Ticket Summer Playlist," featuring music video playlists of popular songs from major artists. At the end of each summer, Family holds the "Big Ticket Summer Concert," a tour featuring popular artists and music groups from the United States and Canada (in 2014, the concerts were held in Toronto, Halifax, and Edmonton). In 2015, the concerts were held in Abbotsford, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto and St. John's.
  • Halloween 13 – This block airs Halloween specials every October.
  • Happy Holiyays – Formerly "Twistmas", this block airs holiday specials every December all month long.

Former

  • Family Jr. on Family – "Family Jr. on Family" was a programming block which started as Family Channel's version of the U.S. programming block and cable channel of the same name featuring shows targeted at children aged 2–7, that aired Monday through Fridays from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and weekend mornings from 4:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. EST. The block, which started on November 4, 2002 as "Playhouse",[37] then on July 15, 2008 as "Family Jr.", "Playhouse Disney" on September 12, 2009, and later "Disney Junior" on May 6, 2011 as part of a rebranding of Playhouse Disney's program blocks and standalone channels around the world to the Disney Junior brand before being renamed to "Family Jr." once again on September 18, 2015, when Family lost Disney programming rights to Corus Entertainment, primarily targeted preschoolers ages 2 to 6 as Family's usual target audience of older children and teenagers are in school at that time. The block was discontinued when Family became ad-supported.
  • Playground – "Playground" was a spinoff of the younger-skewing "Playhouse", targeting an older, male demographic ages 4-6. Notable shows in the block included was Franklin, Hoze Houndz and Ripley's Believe It or Not!, as well as DuckTales.
  • Mad Mad Mornings – Mad Mad Mornings was a programming block which served as a weekday morning version of "Non Stop".
  • Disney XD on Family – "Disney XD on Family" was Family Channel's hour-long block, airing on evenings from 9:00–10:00 p.m. on Fridays, and from 10:00–11:00 p.m. on Saturdays, showcasing episodes of American-produced original series from Disney XD that are carried by its Canadian sister network of the same name (such as Lab Rats, Phineas and Ferb, Mighty Med, Kickin' It, Gravity Falls, Wander Over Yonder, Kirby Buckets, 7D and Star Wars Rebels).
  • Jetix – A Canadian version of the U.S programming block seen on ABC Family and Toon Disney. Jetix launched on September 10, 2006, replacing "Power Box".[38]
  • Out to Lunch – Another offshoot of "Non Stop", "Out to Lunch" was a programming block that contained only 2 shows, Recess and The Amanda Show (one of the few non-Disney series featured in the block).
  • Power Box – Until 2006, Family carried an early morning program block of action shows sourced from Jetix, including W.I.T.C.H., Power Rangers: Dino Thunder, Oban Star Racers and Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go! that started at 6:00 a.m. Eastern and Pacific Time. "Power Box" was discontinued in 2006, and was replaced with Jetix.
  • Mad Dash – "Mad Dash" was a block that mainly featured Disney-produced live-action and animated series; it aired weekday afternoons from 11:49 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time. Notable shows that aired within the block included Pucca, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, Cory in the House, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (one of the few non-Disney series featured in the block), Phineas and Ferb, Recess, The Weekenders and The Replacements. "Mad Dash" was discontinued in early March 2010, and later replaced by Wingin' It.
  • Non Stop – "Non Stop" was a weekday evening and weekend block that primarily featured live-action sitcoms. Notable shows that aired as part of this block included The Suite Life on Deck, Hannah Montana, Sonny With a Chance, Wizards of Waverly Place, Zeke and Luther, Aaron Stone, Jonas, and Overruled!, as well as reruns of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Cory in the House, Life with Derek, and The Latest Buzz. "Non Stop" ended on January 11, 2011. An offshoot of this block called Non Stop Weekends ran on Saturday and Sunday evenings until 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time; it was discontinued on January 9, 2011, two days before the main "Non Stop" block ended.
  • Family Nights – Airing every Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time, the block featured The Suite Life on Deck, Hannah Montana and other series. "Family Nights" was discontinued on June 25, 2010.
  • Nightly Pix – This late night block aired movies every night. The block was discontinued on January 11, 2011, when Family modified its look. This was also to make room for an extension of the "Popcorn Pix" block.
  • Surprise Stack Attack! – From October 13, 2011 to May 31, 2012, Family aired 'stacks' of random original and acquired programs on Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time, as part of a block called "Surprise Stack Attack!". The block was referenced in program listings under the placeholder title "To Be Announced," as Family Channel did not release episode information for the block's schedules in advance.
  • Project Pet – Airing February 2014, this block includes interstitials featuring viewer-submitted videos of pets doing clever or funny things. The block also features the short series The Adventures of Super Pup and His Sidekick.
  • Mega March – Airing March 2015, the block also included an on TV award show and premiered the third season of Family's dance series The Next Step.
  • The 630 – Airing April–June 2015, The block included new episodes of hit Disney shows at 6:30 EST/PST.
  • Family's Cool Cool Summer – The block aired marathons and new episodes of hit Disney shows. It also showed the premieres of Teen Beach Movie 2 and Descendants. It aired during the summer of 2015. It was the last Family programming block to have Disney content until it lost rights of Disney programming to Corus in 2015.
  • F2N – Launched on January 4, 2016, the short-lived primetime block was aimed at an older teenage audience, anchored by Degrassi: Next Class and eight series' acquisitions from AwesomenessTV.[28][29] The teenage-aimed block aired every night starting at 9:00 p.m. EST. It was discontinued in September 2017.
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Related services

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Vrak.TV

Main article: Vrak

Along with Family, Vrak launched on September 1, 1988 as Le Canal Famillie, which started as a French-language version of Family Channel and its competitor network, YTV. In 2001, the channel was renamed to Vrak.TV. On July 5, 2013, due to the acquisition of Astral by Bell Media, Vrak.TV was separated from Family. In 2014, it rebranded as Vrak, while launching a new program block called Vrak2. In 2016, the channel changed its demographic to the 13-35 age group due to the success of its Vrak2 block.

On August 16, 2023, Vrak and Z were removed from Vidéotron, the company that made the original channel it was based on over 40 years earlier, whilst Bell removed Yoopa from all of their TV services a day later. Yoopa shut down on January 11, 2024, and was replaced with a telecast version of its parent company's QUB Radio channel.

Two days later on August 18, 2023, Bell Media announced that the channel would be closing on October 1, 2023, owing to "challenges" in the broadcasting sector, lack of viewers and regulatory affairs deemed "outdated" by Bell Media.[39] On September 25, the CRTC confirmed it had revoked Vrak's licence at the request of Bell Media,[40] with the channel shut down on October 1, 2023.

Family Jr. and Télémagino

Main articles: Family Jr. and Télémagino

On November 30, 2007, Family launched Playhouse Disney Channel, a separate channel featuring programming aimed at a preschool audience, based on Disney's Playhouse Disney brand. Subject to carriage, the multiplex channel was made available at no additional charge to television providers and subscribers who receive its parent network.[41] It was rebranded as Disney Junior on May 6, 2011, following the launch of the brand in the U.S. earlier that year.[42] On September 18, 2015, due to Corus Entertainment's acquisition of rights to Disney's children's programming and brands, the channel was re-branded as Family Jr.[43][44]

As Family was licensed as a premium service, it is allowed to operate multiplex channels that carry additional programming consistent with its licensing and nature of service.[45]

A French-language version of the channel, now known as Télémagino, was launched on July 5, 2010 as Playhouse Disney Télé. Unlike Family Jr., Télémagino operates under a separate Category B license.

WildBrainTV

Main article: WildBrainTV

On June 1, 2011, Family launched a Canadian version of Disney XD under a separate license. It rebranded as "Family Chrgd" on October 9, 2015.[46][47] It was renamed once more to WildBrainTV on March 1, 2022.

Other services

  • Radio Disney – From October 2011 to May 2015, Family Channel offered a live audio stream of U.S. children's music network Radio Disney through Family.ca.[48]
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References

External links

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