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]
WildBrainTV logo
| |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | WildBrain |
| Sister channels |
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| History | |
| Launched | June 1, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-06-01) |
| Former names | Disney XD (2011–2015) Family CHRGD (2015–2022) |
| Links | |
| Website | wildbraintv |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| RiverTV | Over-the-top TV |
| Amazon Prime Channels | Over-the-top TV |
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.
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]
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 versionofDisney 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]
As of July 2024:[18]
Programs in bold indicate that the programmings moved to new Disney XD (Canadian TV channel)