Family Channel to Shutter “in the Coming Months”

It’s with great sadness that the beloved Family Channel has been announced to be closed “in the coming months.” Toronto-based entertainment company WildBrain announced that the channel is “no longer commercially viable.”

Recently, WildBrain made the announcement of the closure, stating that Family Channel would be a part of its multi-channel closure. Alongside the long-runnning channel, Family Jr., WildBrainTV and Télémagino are all being closed.

For nearly 40 years, the channel has been the home to shows like Life with Derek and Yo Gabba Gabba!

“For nearly four decades, Family Channel has been a trusted destination for Canadian kids and families,” Josh Scherba, WildBrain’s President and CEO, said. “We’re incredibly proud of the legacy we’ve built—thanks to our loyal viewers, dedicated television employees and the many talented Canadian producers we’ve partnered with.”

WildBrain confirms that Rogers has notified the company that it will stop distributing the channels after a new broadcasting agreement is not established. WildBrain has agreed to surrender the channel licenses to the CRTC.

The Family Channel was a major destination for millennials and Gen Z alike. Family Channel is the Canadian equivalent of the Disney Channel, offering shows like The Next Step, Hannah Montana, and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

“While it is unfortunate that the channels will be discontinued, the impact on our broader business is minimal and does not affect our go-forward strategy,” Scherba says.

As of the time of writing, there’s no word on when the Family Channel will be taken off the air.