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Corus to launch Disney Channel in Canada

86K views 416 replies 53 participants last post by  bigoranget 
#1 ·
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B), one of Canada's leading media and entertainment companies, today announced a groundbreaking, long-term licensing agreement with the Disney/ABC Television Group that marks a new chapter for kids and family entertainment in Canada. Under the terms of this expansive agreement, Corus secures English- and French-language rights to Disney Channel's world-class content and becomes steward of the brand with the launch of Disney Channel in Canada.

Scheduled to debut on September 1, 2015, Disney Channel will give Canadian kids and families full access to Disney Channel's slate of high profile and popular shows such as K.C. Undercover, Girl Meets World, Austin & Ally, Liv and Maddie and many others. The agreement also includes authenticated simultaneous streaming and ad-supported video-on-demand rights for select programs airing on the channel, allowing fans to catch-up on episodes of their favourite series. Following the launch of Disney Channel in the fall, select Disney branded kids linear television offerings will also be rolled out in the future as those brands and programming are transitioned to Corus.

This multi-year agreement expands on the relationship between Corus and the Disney/ABC Television Group that began in 2011, when Corus announced the launch of its millennial-targeted service ABC Spark, based on Disney/ABC's hugely successful ABC Family channel in the United States.

"We are very excited to take our partnership with the Disney/ABC Television Group to the next level, and proud to be forging a new course for the iconic Disney Channel brand in Canada," said Doug Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corus Entertainment. "With an extensive roster of exceptional content to tap into, we look forward to delivering the full Disney Channel experience to families across the country. This deal underscores our commitment to provide Canadians with the highest quality content from around the world and reinforces our position as Canada's market leader in kids and family-focused offerings."

"With this licensing agreement, we couldn't be more pleased to expand upon our highly valued and significant relationship with Corus Entertainment by bringing the Disney Channel brand -- along with its hit programs and franchises -- under their purview in the Canadian marketplace," added Janice Marinelli, President, Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution.

In the United States, Disney Channel is a top-performing destination for kids, geared towards ages 6-14. The 24-hour kid-driven, family-inclusive television network is available in over 96 million U.S. homes and watched by millions of viewers on Disney Channels around the world.
Press Release

Here is the thread that announces that DHX will rebrand Disney XD, Disney Junior and Disney Junior French to "Family" brands:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=236545
 
#8 ·
So this likely means the end of commercial free Disney shows in Canada. I highly doubt the new Disney Channel will be commercial free.

This is definitely a big blow to DXH Media for sure. They paid huge amounts of money for these channels because they had access to the Disney Library.

The two biggest kids brands are Disney and Nickelodeon both of which are tied up with Corus Entertainment. I don't think their own programming and Mattel is enough to justify 3x channels. Maybe I'm wrong.
 
#14 ·
Corus won't have to work hard. It's only a matter of time before they bring them back and they've already hinted they are bringing them back. Hell they can easily turn Treehouse into Disney Junior if they want, but knowing Corus they will just launch another version. As far as Disney XD, perhaps they still have that one YTV Pow channel approval sitting in their files that they could use for that.

I do agree that there may be a few too many kids channels, but the US has several others.
 
#24 ·
If companies want to start using American brands... like they have been for decades, why not just scrap the Canadian channels then, Just get rid of YTV, Family, Teletoon, Treehouse etc. Migrate all the shows to their proper places and enjoy!

Sure, I understand the value of these brands... but they're so far away from what they originally were suppose to be, its not funny anymore. The same regurgitated bull crap that has been going on in Canada for too long.

And they wonder why people used to pirate American TV back in the day... To get away from TV Show #1 showing on Canadian Stations A,B,C,D,E.... etc etc.
 
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