YTV (Canadian TV channel)

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Template:Short description Template:About Template:Distinguish Template:Use Canadian English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox television channel YTV is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel and the flagship property of YTV Canada, Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The channel launched as a joint venture between Rogers Media and CUC Broadcasting on September 1, 1988. Shaw Communications acquired CUC's 34% stake in 1995, followed by Rogers' remaining interest in 1998, before Shaw's media division was separated as Corus Entertainment in 1999. YTV's name was initially thought to be an abbreviation for "Youth Television", though the channel itself has denied this claim as confirmed on their website.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Programming on YTV is targeted at children and young teenagers, and has included live-action and animated series, films, and third-party content from international markets. From the mid-1990s until 2025, YTV acquired the majority of its programs from the American cable network Nickelodeon, while also carrying select series from Warner Bros. Television and Cartoon Network. In 2009, Corus launched a Canadian version of Nickelodeon under license from Viacom (later ViacomCBS/Paramount Global, now Paramount Skydance), which served as a sister network to YTV until its shutdown on September 1, 2025 for over 15 years.

YTV operates two time-shifted feeds, running on both Eastern and Pacific Time Zone schedules. As of 2013, the channel is available in over 11.0 million households in Canada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Background

Development of the channel began in October 1986 as part of a round of applications for new specialty channels on cable.<ref>Cleroux, R. (1986, Oct 28). Applicants line up for specialty TV licences. The Globe and Mail</ref> The application would broadcast an 18-hour schedule, with children's programming during the daytime and family programming at night.<ref>Jamie Portman, S. N. (1987, Apr 02). [ The national film board is emerging as... ]. CanWest News</ref> During the bidding process, it was set to compete with another applicant, Young Canada Television, which withdrew from the competition in June 1987. YTV would use the evening daypart for "alternative programming", including repeats of classic CBC shows.<ref>Atherton, T. (1987, Jun 02). Children's channel out of the running. The Ottawa Citizen</ref> To cater to a law stipulating 60% of Canadian content, the channel would air reruns of Polka Dot Door, Mr. Dress Up, Cucumber, The Friendly Giant, You Can't Do That on Television, The Littlest Hobo and Lorne Greene's New Wilderness, as well as reruns of American series such as The Munsters, Dennis the Menace, My Three Sons, Lassie, Flipper and The Monkees.<ref>New networks vie to serve children's market. (1987, Jun 27). The Windsor Star</ref> The license was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on December 1, 1987, by Rogers Cable and CUC Broadcasting.<ref>Decision CRTC 87-903 CRTC December 1, 1987</ref><ref name=RCUC>Template:Cite web</ref> The channel's intended target audience was children whose parents did not allow them to watch television.<ref>Advertisers happy about TV changes. (1987, Dec 04). The Vancouver Sun</ref>

Early years

The channel launched on September 1, 1988, at 7:00 p.m. with the first program being a special celebrating the launch of YTV, hosted by John Candy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At launch, Rogers held 75% of the channel while CUC owned 25%.<ref name=RCUC /> Its launch was marked by programming issues, as some of the purchased shows did not arrive on time. The schedule was expected to go "on order" on September 18, until then, the network added a scrawl informing viewers of the schedule changes, which were made after they were printed on the press.<ref>Riches, H. (1988, Sep 07). New YTV cable listings went haywire. The Vancouver Sun</ref> Kevin Shea was its founding president.<ref>JOHN, H. C. (1988, Sep 24). TV for kids: Too yucky for words? The Globe and Mail</ref> At launch, the Canadian offer included shows such as Rainbow Country, Stars On Ice, The Forest Rangers, Smith & Smith and You Can't Do That on Television, reruns of American series, mostly westerns, such as The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers and Bonanza, as well as European (mostly British) imports such as Robin of Sherwood and Hayley Mills.<ref>Jim Bawden, T. S. (1988, Sep 24). There's a Bonanza of new TV channels but no real turn-on. Toronto Star</ref> Filmation animated series, such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and Ghostbusters, were also part of the schedule based on the fact that these were "evergreen" shows whose popularity persisted over constant reruns, as well as the popularity of the franchises among the core demographic. One month into its inception, the channel introduced original productions: music shows YTV Rocks (a one-hour music show featuring studio commentary) and YTV Hits (a weekend music show) and two co-productions: game shows Trivial Pursuit and Wild Guess, and the acquired British series S.W.A.L.K., about a teenage girl's fantasies while trying to struggle with her family life.<ref>Greer, S. (1988, Oct 01). Family Fare. Toronto Star</ref> This was followed in late October by Team Tamers, a wildlife-themed game show, presented by Neil Crone.<ref>Christopher Hume, T. S. (1988, Oct 27). Kids game for wildlife challenge. Toronto Star</ref> Most of the original programming was seen during 4pm and 8pm; there were also plans to produce shows for teens.<ref>Greer, S. (1988, Nov 05). YTV offers programming for young kids and teens with a strong emphasis on popular entertainment. Toronto Star</ref>

In December, CRTC refused YTV to change its license and increase advertising sales. The license also suggested that the evening drama programming would feature "a major protagonist that is a child, youth under the age of 18 years, puppet, animated character or creature of the animal kingdom", as well as rejecting shows whose main characters were comic book superheroes or mythological heroes. YTV criticized the latter and aimed at obtaining an advertising limit of twelve minutes per hour.<ref>CRTC limits YTV's programming. (1988, Dec 03). The Globe and Mail</ref> YTV started airing Santa Calls, a live, half-hour Christmas call-in special, on December 19, airing nightly at 7pm until December 23.<ref>Atherton, T. (1988, Dec 19). It's Holly at Christmas in holiday variety special. The Ottawa Citizen</ref>

In January 1989, YTV announced it would boost its production budget, with the primary goal of developing new shows. One of the ideas was a teen drama series akin to Degrassi to cater to the 12–15 demographic.<ref>Atherton, T. (1989, Jan 19). Wanted: $2 million worth of kids' TV. The Ottawa Citizen</ref> YCDTOTV had become one of its most popular shows within weeks of launch. Beginning February that year, in line with its tenth anniversary, the show had aired two times a day.<ref>Atherton, T. (1989, Feb 04). YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON TELEVISION; Ten years later, it's still the kids' show parents hate. The Ottawa Citizen</ref> Bonanza moved to midnights in mid-February, due to the CRTC's recommendations per the age of actor Michael Landon, who grew throughout the course of the series. YTV aired the series because he played Little Joe, who in early seasons was an adolescent.<ref>Atherton, T. (1989, Feb 14). Local TV acting course offering no guarantees. The Ottawa Citizen</ref> In June, it planned the creation of the Youth Achievement Awards; its first edition was scheduled for November.<ref>BRIEFLY YTV plans youth awards. (1989, Jun 29). The Globe and Mail</ref> On July 3, it started airing Picture Pages, a series created by Bill Cosby.<ref>BRIEFLY Cosby's kid show set for YTV. (1989, Jul 03). The Globe and Mail</ref>

A full year after launching, it had become the most watched specialty channel in Canada, available in 5.3 million households, almost the entirety of the amount of cable-connected households in the country. New for the 1989–1990 season was a variety show, Rec Room, as well as a co-production agreement with Thames Television to produce Spats!, set in a fictional Canadian fast-food chain. Other new shows included a five-year output agreement with the BBC, chief among the shows was Doctor Who, starting with available reruns of early episodes, as well as The New Leave It to Beaver. The Youth Achievement Awards were scheduled for November 3.<ref>Atherton, T. (1989, Sep 06). Year later, YTV and Vision TV mature. The Ottawa Citizen</ref> On January 29, 1990, the channel was carrying Rocky and Bullwinkle in its schedule.<ref>Henry Mietkiewicz, T. S. (1990, Jan 27). '60s subversive squirrel comes flying into '90s. Toronto Star</ref>

By March 1990, its staff had risen to 140 (up from the original 30) and its revenue base had risen to CA$20 million. Officials said that they could initially reach the figure in 1995. What started as a channel that was unable with American prime time, Family Channel, the video market and CRTC demands had become one of the most profitable on Canadian cable. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had become its most popular show, with its merchandise including in Canada.<ref>Bacchus, L. (1990, Mar 11). YTV - THE KING OF 'CAN'T': The youth network proves what you CAN do on TV. The Province</ref> It had also produced a topical program for adults, Positive Parenting, with Debbie Van Kiekebelt.<ref>Kennedy, J. (1990, Mar 10). Positive Parenting: YTV produces a series for its audience's parents. The Gazette</ref> There were also plans to become the new carrier of the CBC series Switchback, which YTV would finance and would also air on four CBC stations too.<ref>Tony Atherton, O. C. (1990, Mar 17). [ YTV wants to bail out CBC's cancelled... ]. CanWest News</ref> The network carried Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue on April 21, alongside over-the-air networks, as part of a simultaneous showing with the United States and Mexico.<ref>Cartoon All-Stars use TV to warn kids about drugs: [FINAL edition]. (1990, Apr 13). The Gazette</ref>

For its 1990–1991 season, the channel would begin using its signature program jockeys on September 3; there was also the Canadian-French co-production The Adventures of the Black Stallion and Maniac Mansion; as well as three original productions for teens: Rock 'n' Talk (beginning September 3), R.O.S. (Ross Oliver Show, from September 9) and StreetNOISE (September 21).<ref>Kennedy, J. (1990, Aug 25). YTV's fall schedule has lots of goodies for kids of all ages. The Gazette</ref> The network had surpassed Cancon limits by December 1991, in terms of hours produced and revenue. Revenues for that year were expected to fall in the CA$28–29 million region, up from CA$27 million in 1990.<ref>Harris, C. (1991, Dec 12). Fine-tuning: the YTV success story. The Globe and Mail</ref> Negotiations were underway with CTV to produce a newscast for the channel in January 1992.<ref>Siklos, R. (1992, Jan 27). BROADCASTING BLITZ: Rush on for new TV specialty channels. Financial Post</ref>

Unusual for such a channel, it announced a pre-emption of its regular programming on March 10, 1992, to carry the CRTC hearings live, with opening remarks from PJ Jazzy Jan, who would explain some of the topics before starting the telecast (9am to 7pm).<ref>CRTC hearings to be broadcast live on YTV. (1992, Mar 05). The Globe and Mail</ref> The press criticized its reliance on American "junk shows", which became more popular than the original productions and special events.<ref>YTV criticized for using cheap U.S. shows. (1992, Mar 07). Kitchener - Waterloo Record</ref> In the hearings, YTV executives wanted the channel to start airing productions featuring superheroes, which were excluded per the original license contract. This concerned Wayne Gretzky, who thought that the network could end up airing violent programming (along the lines of Terminator). It also planned to increase the age limit for primetime protagonists from 18 to 21.<ref>Anderson, B. (1992, Mar 11). YTV wants more superheroes. The Ottawa Citizen</ref> In August, YTV obtained a rate increase from 32 to 35 cents a month in Anglophone markets and from 8 to 9 cents a month in Francophone markets. At the same time, its license was renewed for another seven years.<ref>Siklos, R. (1992, Aug 18). YTV gets rate hike. Financial Post</ref> A pilot edition of YTV News aired on October 20, ahead of the launch of the full service early next year. This consisted of a one-hour special, Referendum 102692, concerning the then-upcoming referendum of the Charlottetown Accord.<ref>YTV and CTV to join up for news. (1992, Oct 03). The Globe and Mail</ref> Negotiations with Turner Broadcasting System's Cartoon Network started in early November, it began Canadian distribution for the American channel by late 1993. YTV's president said that, with the arrival of American cable networks to Canada, Canadian producers could benefit from the move. The move implied the creation of a second channel, keeping YTV as it was for its existing output.<ref>Sid Adilman, T. S. (1992, Nov 04). YTV seeking to bring in Turner Cartoon Channel. Toronto Star</ref> The first edition of YTV News aired on February 28, 1993 at 12pm.<ref>YTV News to put a youth spin on current events; half-hour program of strictly teenage fare premieres Sunday at noon. (1993, Feb 26). The Gazette</ref> In September 1993, it carried MTV's The Real World.<ref>Atherton, T. (1993, Sep 05). Show-offs engaging in The Real World. The Ottawa Citizen</ref> Kevin Shea resigned as president on November 17;<ref>YTV president Kevin Shea quits suddenly. (1993, Nov 18). Toronto Star</ref> he was appointed president and CEO of Atlantis Films next January.<ref>Ex-YTV chief to join Atlantis Films. (1993, Nov 19). The Globe and Mail</ref> By December, the channel had added Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to its schedule.<ref>David Bianculli Special to The Star (New York Daily News). (1993, Dec 21). TV's worst series one long toy commercial. Toronto Star</ref> The plan to launch a Canadian version of Cartoon Network was later replaced by Fun TV, of which YTV was one of its shareholders (the channel would eventually become Teletoon later on and would launch in 1997).<ref>Atherton, T. (1994, Feb 12). CRTC eyes comedy, animation among specialty channels. The Ottawa Citizen</ref>

Atlantis joins YTV

In 1994, the stakes of YTV's ownership was changed, with CUC now owning 34% and Rogers now owning 66%. However, in 1994, Rogers announced its plans to sell YTV and the Canadian Home Shopping Channel to another group.<ref>Waldie, P. (1994, Mar 10). ROGERS DEAL MAY HIT CRTC HURDLES: Ottawa could force sale of some assets. Financial Post</ref> In May, Atlantis Communications emerged with a sale proposal, which would result in an acquisition of a 30% stake if the sale was approved.<ref>Film company buys stake in YTV. (1994, May 20). Edmonton Journal</ref> It acquired 40% of the shares in June at the price of CA$18 million, up from the previous month's proposal worth CA$11 million.<ref>ENCHIN, H. (1994, Jun 14). Atlantis raises YTV share Specialty-TV channel left with three major shareholders. The Globe and Mail</ref> The acquisition was approved in July.<ref>Atlantis gets YTV nod. (1994, Jul 13). Financial Post</ref>

During the brief period with Atlantis, the channel started its relation with Nickelodeon, beginning to air animated series from the American network, such as Rocko's Modern Life and Rugrats.<ref>Brown, L. (1994, Sep 10). Kids stuff. Toronto Star</ref> In addition to the Nickelodeon cartoons, the channel premiered ReBoot.<ref>Cole, T. (1994, Sep 17). The New Fall Season SPECIALTY CHANNELS Canadian Cable YTV. The Globe and Mail</ref> On November 1, 1994, YTV voluntarily removed Power Rangers from its schedule while reviewing its content. The show also aired on Global, where there were talks of its removal.<ref>Popular program too violent for kids (1994). Prime Time News, CBC Television. Toronto: Southam Inc.</ref> The removal from the cable network was revealed to be "temporary".<ref>Harris, C. (1994, Nov 03). Rangers defended as 'fantasy'. The Globe and Mail</ref>

Shaw's acquisition

Calgary-based Shaw Communications was in talks of acquiring CUC's stake of 34% ownership of YTV. The sale was approved in February 1995.<ref>CRTC approves Shaw purchase. (1995, Feb 18). Edmonton Journal</ref> That winter, the network started airing Short Circuits, a series of CGI-animated fillers to use during its regulated commercial breaks.<ref>Brown, L. (1995, Mar 21). Techno toons YTV's Short Circuits showcases the best of computer animation. Toronto Star</ref> Patricia McDonald became YTV's new president on July 17, replacing Terry Coles.<ref>BRIEFLY. (1995, Jun 09). The Ottawa Citizen</ref> On September 20, Rogers announced a CA$113 million acquisition of Shaw's cable head-ends in British Columbia. In exchange, Shaw got YTV and New Country Network, as well as CTV affiliate CFCN.<ref>Big media shuffle around CTV (1995). Canada AM. Toronto: CTV Television, Inc.</ref>

By June 1996, Shaw had taken full control of YTV.<ref>Decision 96-250</ref> In order to stand out from an increased number of competitors, YTV began to reposition itself as a tween channel.<ref>Aird, Elizabeth. (1998, July 18). Tweens, like, rule. Vancouver Sun, B8.</ref> For its 1998 revamp, the network launched 57 new programs as well as "a number of new products such as board games, software, and toys based on the YTV characters", coinciding with its tenth anniversary.<ref>Prittie, Jennifer. (1998, September 5). YTV’s image evolves to keep its fickle viewers. The Standard, E2.</ref>

YTV under Corus

In 1999, the media assets of Shaw were separated to form Corus Entertainment.<ref name=RCUC /><ref>Shaw Communications’ broadcast properties take on new corporate identity. (1999, June 10). Business Wire, p. 1.</ref>

YTV had new challenges with its licence revision in 2006. Its target audience had started fleeing to other platforms, especially on-demand services, and the channel was also planning to change some of its requirements, such as the removal of pre-school programming, the removal of the protagonist rule it had since its founding, the maximum hours of Canadian dramas per week and the minimum percentage of non-Canadian programming from outside North America.<ref>ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-381</ref> This led to plans to de-regulate the licence in 2007.<ref>Robertson, Grant. (2007, May 10). Major changes coming for radio, TV rules. Globe and Mail, B1.</ref>

Two Corus specialty channel applications for YTV extensions, YTV POW!, an internationally sourced children's action, adventure and superhero genre, and YTV OneWorld, targeting viewers from age 9 to 17 with travel, humour, games and S.T.E.M. were approved on September 18, 2008.<ref name=hcb>Template:Cite news</ref> The YTV Oneworld license was used to launch Nickelodeon Canada.<ref name="Nickelodeon Canada set to launch">Nickelodeon Canada set to launch; Media in Canada; September 29, 2009</ref>

On January 11, 2011, a high-definition feed was launched.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On September 1, 2025, following the closure of the Canadian Nickelodeon network, Corus Entertainment's broadcasting rights to Nickelodeon programming on YTV and preschool-aimed Treehouse expired as a result of Corus' continued financial issues. Nickelodeon programming remains available in Canada through YTV On Demand and the Paramount+ streaming service.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Programming

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Current YTV original programming include formerly hosted programming blocks, such as The Zone. In addition to original programming, YTV had historically acquired and co-produced programming with the American cable network Nickelodeon until 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The channel had also aired selected Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network programs that were not carried nor would eventually air on the now-defunct, sister channel Teletoon (which has typically been the main Canadian carrier of Cartoon Network programming).

Programming blocks

Current

Seasonal

  • Mucho Marcho – This block airs films every March.
  • Fang-Tastic – This block airs Halloween specials and films every October.
  • Merry Everything – This block airs holiday specials and films all December long. It was previously known as "Big Fun Holidays" from 2009 until 2011, and "Merry 6mas" from 2012 until 2016.

Former

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Branding history

Former logo for the channel, used from 1993 to 2000. Although this logo was discontinued in 2000, it would still be used as the channel's "de facto" logo until 2007, the "in stereo" bug until 2005, and the YTV Jr. logo until 2002, as well as the sign of the channel's transmitter building until 2010.
One of the many creature logos used from 2000 to 2006. This logotype would altered in 2003, along with addition of five new creatures.

Initially, YTV utilized computer-generated graphics in their network IDs, which were normally set against different sky backgrounds that changed depending on the time of day. The channel also started using various slogans ("The Spirit of Youth", "Young as You Are!", "The Youth Channel" and "Canada's Youth Channel") to promote and reflect their youth demographic at the time.

Over the years, the channel continued to revise their branding and promotional material. In 1993, a number of different on-air logos were taken effect, which features the logo's text placed atop of random objects. One logo variant used on production credits (and presumably the "official" logo) features an arrangement of the logo's text placed on a red screen of a stylized purple TV set. In 1994, the YTV text was changed, arranged the same way as before, though with an altered design of the TV background and logotype.

In 1998, YTV started to use a Nickelodeon-style "gross-out" factor in its branding and adopted a new slogan, "Keep It Weird". The logo was changed again in September 2000, with the TV background removed and the YTV text modified. The channel continued utilizing various on-air logos featuring the same arrangement of the logo's text, this time on various bizarre and imaginative creatures. Many of the channel's promos from this period often focused on promoting the brand through crude humour, often at the expense of the programs being advertised. As this advertising style permeated the station at all hours of the day, it was heavily criticized, especially by older fans of the station.

As a response, a new "after 6:00 p.m." advertising style was developed for older audiences, which used a much simpler logo (similar to the current logo used today) and sleeker packaging with reduced "gross-out" tactics. Introduced on September 5, 2005, the simple logo (designed by Troika Design Group) first appeared on YTV's promos and even appeared on credits of newer original programming before being later adopted for the entire channel in September 2006, replacing the creatures that had been used in rotation during the channel's daytime hours.

On August 31, 2009, the logo was changed slightly to have featured new colours, and the background was simplified. The bumpers were reduced and were later replaced by opaque digital on-screen graphics telling viewers which programs are coming next, and promotions of the programs. As part of a slightly updated look in September 2012, the colour variants were removed, leaving only the blue variation.

On October 6, 2014, the channel underwent a rebrand, with new graphics and bumpers created by the Toronto-based Eloisa Iturbe Studio. In addition, the channel updated its logo by having it face upwards to the left instead of directly to the audience.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Program jockeys

Beginning in September 1990, YTV referred their program jockeys as "PJs" in the same vein as disc jockey (DJ) or video jockey (VJ).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> These were created in May of that year to circumvent advertising limitations during preschool programming; at the time, it went from 9am to 4pm and were seen as a more viable alternative to filler material.<ref>Atherton, T. (1990, May 30). Iced TV: U.S. networks unveil summer schedules. The Ottawa Citizen</ref> Eventually, hosts of these segments would not refer themselves by the moniker by the mid-1990s. A first in North American television, they became a hit within a few months.<ref>Kennedy, J. (1991, Feb 22). MORE KIDS ON THE BLOCK: YTV stumbles on a time-filler that is a hit with young viewers. The Vancouver Sun</ref> On April 29, 2023, Corus fired all of the remaining program jockeys due to cuts from Corus CEO Doug Murphy. However, the last three hosts (Spencer, Kelsey, and Melony) still make appearances on social media.

Former program jockeys/hosts

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Treehouse TV

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Treehouse TV (or simply Treehouse) is a Category A cable and satellite specialty channel which airs programming mainly aimed to preschoolers ages six and younger. It launched on November 1, 1997.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The channel's name is taken from YTV's now-defunct children's programming block, The Treehouse. Treehouse is carried nationwide throughout Canada and it broadcasts its programming without commercial interruption.

Former

Vortex on Demand

In July 2005, Corus Entertainment entered a partnership with Comcast Corporation to launch a cable video-on-demand service called "Vortex on Demand" in the U.S. The deal consisted of 393 30-minute animated series from the Nelvana library; it aired programs such as Cadillacs & Dinosaurs and Medabots.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The service was discontinued in mid-2007.

Bionix On Demand

In 2008, Corus Entertainment started offering a video-on-demand service called "Bionix On Demand" to Canadian cable providers. Rogers Cable and Shaw Cable were the only providers to offer the service. The service offered older and newer anime programs that did not air on YTV itself. The video-on-demand service was previously titled "YTV Anime On Demand". Bionix On Demand was discontinued on December 17, 2009, and was replaced by YTV On Demand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

YTV GO

YTV GO was a TV Everywhere mobile app available on the App Store and Google Play Store. It was available at no extra charge to all subscribed customers of Access Communications, Bell Satellite TV, Cogeco, Shaw Cable, Shaw Direct, Telus, and VMedia. It offered episodes of various programming from YTV. The app operated between September 2015 and May 1, 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Vrak.TV

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Along with YTV, Vrak launched on September 1, 1988 as Le Canal Famillie, which began as a French-language version of its now-defunct sister network, Family. 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 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 in 1982, whilst Bell removed Yoopa from all of their television services a day later. Yoopa was shut down on January 11, 2024, and was replaced with a broadcast 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, declining viewership and regulatory affairs deemed "outdated" by Bell Media.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On September 25, the CRTC confirmed it had revoked Vrak's licence at the request of Bell Media,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with the channel shut down on October 1, 2023.

Nickelodeon

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Nickelodeon was a Category B cable and satellite specialty channel that was launched on November 2, 2009, and was based on the American cable channel Nickelodeon. Like its counterparts in America and elsewhere, Nickelodeon aired programs, including both live action series and animation, aimed at children to younger teenagers, specifically targeted to ages 7–11.

The channel closed on September 1, 2025, following continued financial pressure occurring at Corus Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • Whoa! Magazine, YTV's official magazine, began publication in 1999<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> by Creative House, a joint venture between the channel, Today's Parent Group and Paton Publishing.<ref name="Whoa Playback">Template:Cite web</ref> It was distributed through Pizza Hut, YTV events, Chapters and Indigo bookstores, Canadian newsstands, and subscriptions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Three issues were released in its first year, followed by three in 2000 before the magazine officially became a quarterly (spring, summer, fall, and winter) in 2001.<ref name="Whoa Playback" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The magazine celebrated its 5th anniversary with a spring collector's issue in 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2007, the magazine became available as an e-zine on YTV.com.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Building on that, in 2008, two additional issues (six for the year) were published as online exclusives.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2009, YTV ended its association with the magazine, and started publication of a spin-off magazine called YTV Spills.<ref name="Not associated with YTV">Template:Cite web</ref> Patton relaunched Whoa! as a independent magazine/blogging platform that same year, until being discontinued in 2011, and shutting the site down in 2012.<ref name="Not associated with YTV" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Big Fun Party Mix was a series of compilation cassettes/CDs containing songs from various youth-approved artists both Canadian and foreign, as well as tracks featured in YTV's Hit List and The Next Star, and performances by the station's band "Nuclear Donkey". Universal Music Canada published 11 entries from 2000 until 2009.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
  • Yabber.net was a moderated online chat room operated from 2001 to 2004. The site hosted live chats between viewers and celebrities, voice actors, YTV hosts, and staff. Upon its closure, YTV.com absorbed some of its functionality.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • The Big Rip was an online portal for browser-based massively multiplayer online games aimed at preteens. Developed by Corus Entertainment and Frima Studio, it launched February 15, 2007.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> Frima later assumed complete control of the portal before updates were discontinued in 2010, and later shutting down the site.
  • YTV Spills was a spin-off quarterly magazine to Whoa! produced in association with The Magazine between 2010 and 2012.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Keep It Weird logo
  • Keep It Weird is a YouTube channel featuring various productions by Nelvana, another division of Corus Entertainment, along with former Nickelodeon series, channel promos, and YTV originals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It launched in 2015 under the name Nelvana Retro and was later rebranded to YTV Direct in 2016 before assuming its current name in 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

International distribution

References

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Template:YTV original series Template:Former YTV original series Template:Corus Entertainment Template:Children's television in Canada

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