WildBrainTV

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
WildBrainTV
WildBrainTV logo
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNationwide
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Programming
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerWildBrain
Sister channels
History
LaunchedJune 1, 2011; 12 years ago (2011-06-01)
Former namesDisney XD (2011–2015)
Family CHRGD (2015–2022)
Links
Websitewildbraintv.com

WildBrainTV (formerly Family CHRGD) is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by WildBrain. WildBrainTV broadcasts live-action and animated children's programming aimed towards audiences ages 6–15.[1]

The channel first launched on June 1, 2011, under the ownership of Astral Media. It initially operated as a localized version of Disney XD, under license from Disney Channels Worldwide, as a sister network to Family Channel. Following the acquisition of Astral Media by Bell Media, Disney XD was divested to DHX Media (now WildBrain) in 2014.

In 2015, Corus Entertainment acquired the rights to programming from Disney Channel and its siblings (later launching a new Canadian Disney XD channel), resulting in DHX's existing Disney XD channel being rebranded as Family Chrgd (stylized as Family CHRGD)—a brand extension of Family Channel with a similar positioning—in October 2015. The channel adopted its current branding in March 2022.

History

As Disney XD

Disney XD logo used from 2011 to 2015

In April 2009, Astral Media, via its subsidiary The Family Channel Inc., was granted CRTC approval for a new category 2 service under the working name "Family Extreme". The new service would feature "programming from around the world devoted to entertainment, humour, travel, games, science and technology and targeted toward children aged 6 to 17 years and their families".[2] Astral later announced that it would launch a Canadian version of Disney XD on June 1, 2011. Operating under the Family Extreme license, the service expanded upon Family's relationship as a licensee of Disney Channel programming.[3]

In 2012, the channel premiered its first original series, Slugterra. After the Competition Bureau approved Bell Media's takeover of Astral, Bell announced on March 4, 2013, that Disney XD, as well as its sister networks and Astral's French-language MusiquePlus and MusiMax would be divested.[4] On October 27, 2013, the channel premiered its first original movie, Bunks, produced by Fresh TV.[5]

On November 28, 2013, DHX Media announced that it would acquire Disney XD and its sister networks for $170 million.[6][7] The acquisition was approved by the CRTC on July 24, 2014,[8][9] and closed on July 31, 2014.[10]

In that same year, Disney XD premiered the pilot for Fangbone!, in May, and a new original series, Gaming Show (In My Parents' Garage), in November.[11][12]

As Family Chrgd/WildBrainTV

Family Chrgd logo, which was used from October 9, 2015, to March 1, 2022

On April 16, 2015, it was announced that Corus Entertainment had acquired Canadian rights to Disney Channel's program library; alongside the launch of a Canadian version of Disney Channel, Corus stated that it would launch other "Disney branded kids linear television offerings" in the future, which eventually included a new Disney XD. In anticipation for this transition, DHX concurrently announced that its Disney-branded networks would be rebranded as spin-offs of Family Channel by November 2015, with Disney XD tentatively being rebranded as Family XTRM.[13][14]

On August 20, 2015, DHX announced the fall lineups for its networks, revealing the final branding for Disney XD as Family Chrgd (stylized as Family CHRGD).[15] Its lineup was to feature new seasons of the network's existing original series, in addition to new shows produced by DHX subsidiaries and other studios (such as the aforementioned Fangbone!), as well as new program supply agreements with Mattel,[15] and later in the year, DreamWorks Animation.[16] The re-branding took place on October 9, 2015.[1][13]

On March 1, 2022, Family Chrgd rebranded as WildBrainTV, with no change in programming.[17]

Programming

Current programming

As of March 2023:[18]

Canadian productions

Acquired programming

Former programming

As Disney XD (2011–2015)

Programs in bold indicate that the programmings moved to new Disney XD (Canadian TV channel)

As Family Chrgd (2015–2022)

As WildBrainTV (2022-present)

References

  1. ^ a b c d "DHX Television's Family CHRGD to Go to Air". October 7, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  2. ^ "Family Extreme - Category 2 specialty service". CRTC. 2009-04-24. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  3. ^ Wedge, Pip. "Disney XD". programming. Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  4. ^ Biblic, Mirko (27 June 2013). "Re: Voting Trust Agreement between BCE Inc. and Pierre Boivin, the trustee Application No. 2013-0243-9–Approved". CRTC. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  5. ^ "Disney XD and Disney Junior Commission Original Canadian Series". Daily News. Broadcaster Magazine. June 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  6. ^ "DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels". Toronto Star. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  7. ^ "DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  8. ^ "DHX Media receives CRTC approval on $170M acquisition of Family Channel and three other children's channels". DHX Media. July 24, 2014. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  9. ^ Vessing, Etan (July 24, 2014). "DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  10. ^ "DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes". Canada Newswire. July 31, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  11. ^ "DHX Television Commissions Radical Sheep's Animated Comedy Action Series Fangbone!". Newswire. March 5, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  12. ^ "Disney XD gets its game on with the premiere of Gaming Show (In My Parents' Garage) November 16". Newswire. November 5, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  13. ^ a b "Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  14. ^ "DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done". Cartt.ca. 16 April 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g Dickson, Jeremy (August 21, 2015). "DHX TV reveals fall skeds for rebranded channels". Kid Screen. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  16. ^ "DreamWorks Animation Inks Strategic Content Pact With DHX Media". Deadline.com. 8 December 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  17. ^ "Breaking News…CHRGD is CHNGNG to WildBrainTV!". WildBrain Television. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  18. ^ "TV Schedule for WildBrainTV HD". TV Passport.
  19. ^ "Carmen Sandiego | WildBrainTV". YouTube.
  20. ^ a b c d "WildBrainTV - YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  21. ^ "WILDBRAIN TELEVISION CELEBRATES CANADIAN CREATIVITY WITH NEW GREENLIGHTS ACROSS ANIMATION AND LIVE-ACTION, OFFERING PROGRAMMING FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO ENJOY". WildBrain. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  22. ^ "Watch".
  23. ^ "ESCAPE TO THE WILDERNESS WITH NEW ACTION-PACKED REALITY SERIES SURVIVALISTS ON FAMILY CHANNEL". WildBrain. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  24. ^ a b c "Watch".
  25. ^ "Troll Hunters: Tales of Arcadia". DHX Media. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  26. ^ "Watch".
  27. ^ a b "Family CHRGD East TV Listings, TV Shows and Schedule–Zap2it". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  28. ^ "Just Like Mom & Dad - CHRGD.ca". www.chrgd.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04.
  29. ^ "My Side of the Sky". DHX Media. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  30. ^ "9 Story licenses Nature Cat to DHX TV".
  31. ^ "Dawn of the Croods". DHX Media. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  32. ^ "Watch".

External links