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| closed_date =
| closed_date =
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[letterboxed]] [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[letterboxed]] [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| network =
| network =
| owner = [[Corus Entertainment]]
| owner = [[Corus Entertainment]]
| slogan =
| slogan =
| country = Canada
| country = Canada
| area = Nationwide
| area = Nationwide
| headquarters = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]
| headquarters = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]
| former_names = Women's Television Network (1995–2002)
| former_names = Women's Television Network (1995–2002)
| replaced =
| replaced =
| sister_channels = [[ABC Spark]]<br>[[Slice (TV channel)|Slice]]<br>[[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]]<br>[[Adult Swim (Canadian TV channel)|Adult Swim]]
| sister_channels = [[ABC Spark]]<br>[[Slice (TV channel)|Slice]]<br>[[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]]<br>[[Adult Swim (Canadian TV channel)|Adult Swim]]
| timeshift_service = W Network East <br /> W Network West
| timeshift_service = W Network East <br /> W Network West
Line 23: Line 23:
| online_chan_1 = [[StackTV]]
| online_chan_1 = [[StackTV]]
| online_serv_2 = [[RiverTV]]
| online_serv_2 = [[RiverTV]]
| online_chan_2 = Channel 11 (HD)
| online_chan_2 = Channel 11 (HD)
}}
}}
'''W Network''' (often shortened to '''W''') is a [[Television in Canada|Canadian]] [[English language]] [[Discretionary service|discretionary]] [[specialty channel]] owned by [[Corus Entertainment]]. The channel primarily broadcasts general entertainment programming oriented towards a female audience.
'''W Network''' (often shortened to '''W''') is a [[Television in Canada|Canadian]] [[English language]] [[Discretionary service|discretionary]] [[specialty channel]] owned by [[Corus Entertainment]]. The channel primarily broadcasts general entertainment programming oriented towards a female audience.
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==History==
==History==
===As Women's Television Network===
===As Women's Television Network===
⚫
[[Image:Women's Television Network logo.svg|150px|thumb|Women's Television Network logo; 1995-2002]]
In June 1994, Linda Rankin, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, (later incorporated as Lifestyle Television (1994) Limited, principally owned by [[Moffat Communications]]) was granted a television broadcasting licence by the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) to operate a channel called ''Lifestyle Television'', described as offering "information and entertainment programming of particular interest to women."<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1994/DB94-282.htm Decision CRTC 94-282] CRTC 1994-06-04</ref>
In June 1994, Linda Rankin, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, (later incorporated as Lifestyle Television (1994) Limited, principally owned by [[Moffat Communications]]) was granted a television broadcasting licence by the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) to operate a channel called ''Lifestyle Television'', described as offering "information and entertainment programming of particular interest to women."<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1994/DB94-282.htm Decision CRTC 94-282] CRTC 1994-06-04</ref>

⚫
[[Image:Women's Television Network logo.svg|150px|thumb|left|Women's Television Network logo; 1995-2002]]
The channel subsequently launched on January 1, 1995 as the '''Women's Television Network''' (WTN).<ref name="launch">[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-299773_ITM Has WTN gone too soft? (Does anyone really mind?)] ''[[Herizons]]'' 1997-03-22</ref> Like Moffat's other cable television operations, WTN was headquartered in [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]. Linda Rankin served as the president of the network from its launch.
The channel subsequently launched on January 1, 1995 as the '''Women's Television Network''' (WTN).<ref name="launch">[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-299773_ITM Has WTN gone too soft? (Does anyone really mind?)] ''[[Herizons]]'' 1997-03-22</ref> Like Moffat's other cable television operations, WTN was headquartered in [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]. Linda Rankin served as the president of the network from its launch.


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The channel suffered from low ratings in the beginning. Of the slew of new channels launched on January 1, 1995, WTN was initially the lowest rated channel on average.<ref>[http://ads.strategyonline.ca/articles/magazine/19951002/11244.html Special Report: TV Specialty Services: New nets get qualified thumbs up] Strategy Magazine 1995-10-02</ref><ref>[https://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc/cn6/1996/media/gallagh.htm Lipstick imperialism and the new world order: women and media at the close of the twentieth century] United Nations' Division for the Advancement of Women & Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development December 1995</ref> Linda Rankin later resigned in August 1995 citing "differences in management philosophy".<ref>[http://playbackonline.ca/1995/08/28/4618-19950828/ Rankin departs WTN] Playback Magazine 1995-08-28</ref>
The channel suffered from low ratings in the beginning. Of the slew of new channels launched on January 1, 1995, WTN was initially the lowest rated channel on average.<ref>[http://ads.strategyonline.ca/articles/magazine/19951002/11244.html Special Report: TV Specialty Services: New nets get qualified thumbs up] Strategy Magazine 1995-10-02</ref><ref>[https://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc/cn6/1996/media/gallagh.htm Lipstick imperialism and the new world order: women and media at the close of the twentieth century] United Nations' Division for the Advancement of Women & Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development December 1995</ref> Linda Rankin later resigned in August 1995 citing "differences in management philosophy".<ref>[http://playbackonline.ca/1995/08/28/4618-19950828/ Rankin departs WTN] Playback Magazine 1995-08-28</ref>


=== As W Network ===
=== As W Network ===
In December 2000, [[Shaw Communications]] announced it intended to purchase Moffat.<ref>[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117790253 Cabler Shaw nabs Moffat] Variety 2000-12-10</ref> The deal was later closed in early 2001. Shaw announced in March 2001 that it would sell WTN to [[Corus Entertainment]], a company that it spun off in 1999, for {{CAD|205 million|link=yes}} (Shaw had primarily acquired Moffat for its cable television systems).<ref>[http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/20010308/ctvnews85183/ Corus buying WTN, selling Family Channel]{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} CTV 2001-03-06</ref> Once Corus took ownership of the channel, it moved operations from Winnipeg to Toronto in mid-January 2002, laying off 50 employees in the process.<ref>[http://playbackonline.ca/2001/11/26/wtn-20011126/ Corus uproots WTN to Toronto, lays off 50] Playback Magazine 2001-11-26</ref> Corus subsequently relaunched the network as '''W''' on April 15, 2002, with a more entertainment-oriented mix of recent dramas and movies. On the same date, Corus launched the west coast feed.<ref>[http://www.channelcanada.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=31&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&theme=AutoPrint Corus Entertainment to launch W, a revitalized women’s television network] Channel Canada 2002-06-30</ref>
In December 2000, [[Shaw Communications]] announced it intended to purchase Moffat.<ref>[https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/cabler-shaw-nabs-moffat-1117790253/ Cabler Shaw nabs Moffat] Variety 2000-12-10</ref> The deal was later closed in early 2001. Shaw announced in March 2001 that it would sell WTN to [[Corus Entertainment]], a company that it spun off in 1999, for {{CAD|205 million|link=yes}} (Shaw had primarily acquired Moffat for its cable television systems).<ref>[http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/20010308/ctvnews85183/ Corus buying WTN, selling Family Channel]{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} CTV 2001-03-06</ref> Once Corus took ownership of the channel, it moved operations from Winnipeg to Toronto in mid-January 2002, laying off 50 employees in the process.<ref>[http://playbackonline.ca/2001/11/26/wtn-20011126/ Corus uproots WTN to Toronto, lays off 50] Playback Magazine 2001-11-26</ref> Corus subsequently relaunched the network as '''W''' on April 15, 2002, with a more entertainment-oriented mix of recent dramas and movies. On the same date, Corus launched the west coast feed.<ref>[http://www.channelcanada.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=31&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&theme=AutoPrint Corus Entertainment to launch W, a revitalized women's television network] Channel Canada 2002-06-30</ref>


In 2009, Corus Entertainment acquired [[Cooking Channel (Canadian TV channel)|SexTV: The Channel]] from CTVglobemedia, and relaunched the channel as W Movies — a spin-off of W Network focusing on films aimed towards women, on March 1, 2010.<ref>"[http://www.cartt.ca/news/FullStory.cfm?NewsNo=8693 Corus shuttering Discovery Kids, will re-brand Sex TV and Drive-In Classics channels]", ''CARTT.ca'', September 29, 2009</ref> On December 12, 2016, W Movies was relaunched as a Canadian version of the [[Cooking Channel]].<ref name="realscreen-cooking">{{cite web|title=Corus feeds the food genre with new channel|url=http://realscreen.com/2016/10/19/corus-feeds-the-food-genre-with-new-channel/|website=Realscreen|access-date=19 October 2016}}</ref>
In 2009, Corus Entertainment acquired [[Cooking Channel (Canadian TV channel)|SexTV: The Channel]] from CTVglobemedia, and relaunched the channel as W Movies — a spin-off of W Network focusing on films aimed towards women, on March 1, 2010.<ref>"[http://www.cartt.ca/news/FullStory.cfm?NewsNo=8693 Corus shuttering Discovery Kids, will re-brand Sex TV and Drive-In Classics channels]", ''CARTT.ca'', September 29, 2009</ref> On December 12, 2016, W Movies was relaunched as a Canadian version of the [[Cooking Channel]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Corus feeds the food genre with new channel|url=http://realscreen.com/2016/10/19/corus-feeds-the-food-genre-with-new-channel/|website=Realscreen|access-date=19 October 2016}}</ref>


On August 2, 2011, the channel launched its HD feed, a simulcast of W Network's [[standard-definition television|standard-definition]] Eastern-time feed. The HD feed was added to [[Bell Satellite TV]] satellite and [[Bell Fibe TV]] channel lineups on March 23, 2012. It was also available on [[Eastlink (company)|Eastlink]], [[Telus TV|Optik TV]], [[Shaw Direct]], [[SaskTel]], [[Rogers Cable]], [[Cogeco]], and [[Access Communications]].<ref>[http://www.telus.com/content/tv/optik/programming/tv-highlights.jsp TV Highlights]</ref> On October 1, 2013, an HD feed for the Western-time channel was launched on [[Shaw Communications|Shaw Cable]], then on [[Shaw Direct]] on September 18, 2019.
On August 2, 2011, the channel launched its HD feed, a simulcast of W Network's [[standard-definition television|standard-definition]] Eastern-time feed. The HD feed was added to [[Bell Satellite TV]] satellite and [[Bell Fibe TV]] channel lineups on March 23, 2012. It was also available on [[Eastlink (company)|Eastlink]], [[Telus TV|Optik TV]], [[Shaw Direct]], [[SaskTel]], [[Rogers Cable]], [[Cogeco]], and [[Access Communications]].<ref>[http://www.telus.com/content/tv/optik/programming/tv-highlights.jsp TV Highlights]</ref> On October 1, 2013, an HD feed for the Western-time channel was launched on [[Shaw Communications|Shaw Cable]], then on [[Shaw Direct]] on September 18, 2019.
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==Programming==
==Programming==
W Network primarily broadcasts a mix of television dramas and films, including programming acquired from [[Hallmark Channel]]; most of which is filmed in Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/opinion/2018/04/04/the-hallmark-channel-gets-derided-for-its-family-friendly-fare-but-its-ratings-are-growing.html|title=The Hallmark Channel gets derided for its family-friendly fare, but its ratings are growing|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2018-11-14|language=en}}</ref>
W Network primarily broadcasts a mix of television dramas and films, including programming acquired from [[Hallmark Channel]]; most of which is filmed in Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/opinion/2018/04/04/the-hallmark-channel-gets-derided-for-its-family-friendly-fare-but-its-ratings-are-growing.html|title=The Hallmark Channel gets derided for its family-friendly fare, but its ratings are growing|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2018-11-14|language=en}}</ref>


In 2020, Corus reached output agreements with [[NBCUniversal Media Group]] for rights to [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] and [[Sky Studios]] original series across its networks, including Showcase and W Network.<ref>{{cite web |last=Yeo |first=Debra |date=June 23, 2020 |title=Corus Entertainment makes exclusive deal for NBC's Peacock programming |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2020/06/23/corus-entertainment-makes-exclusive-deal-for-nbcs-peacock-programming.html |access-date=June 23, 2020 |work=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=2020-07-20 |title=Sky Originals 'Intelligence', 'Devils' & 'Bulletproof' Head To Canada's Corus Under Content Deal |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/sky-originals-intelligence-devils-bulletproof-corus-1202989503/ |access-date=2020-07-20 |website=Deadline |language=en}}</ref> [[Devils (TV series)|''Devils'']] served as one of the first to air on W as part of the agreements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rody |first=Bree |date=30 July 2020 |title=Corus firms up specialty with new fall premiere dates |url=https://mediaincanada.com/2020/07/30/corus-firms-up-specialty-with-new-fall-premiere-dates/ |access-date=2020-08-15 |work=Media in Canada}}</ref>
In 2020, Corus reached output agreements with [[NBCUniversal Media Group]] for rights to [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] and [[Sky Studios]] original series across its networks, including Showcase and W Network.<ref>{{cite web |last=Yeo |first=Debra |date=June 23, 2020 |title=Corus Entertainment makes exclusive deal for NBC's Peacock programming |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2020/06/23/corus-entertainment-makes-exclusive-deal-for-nbcs-peacock-programming.html |access-date=June 23, 2020 |work=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=2020-07-20 |title=Sky Originals 'Intelligence', 'Devils' & 'Bulletproof' Head To Canada's Corus Under Content Deal |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/sky-originals-intelligence-devils-bulletproof-corus-1202989503/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720120709/https://deadline.com/2020/07/sky-originals-intelligence-devils-bulletproof-corus-1202989503/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2020 |access-date=2020-07-20 |website=Deadline |language=en}}</ref> [[Devils (TV series)|''Devils'']] served as one of the first to air on W as part of the agreements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rody |first=Bree |date=30 July 2020 |title=Corus firms up specialty with new fall premiere dates |url=https://mediaincanada.com/2020/07/30/corus-firms-up-specialty-with-new-fall-premiere-dates/ |access-date=2020-08-15 |work=Media in Canada}}</ref>


W previously produced and aired unscripted reality shows and lifestyle programming; it was well known for originating the ''[[Love It or List It]]'' and ''[[Property Brothers]]'' franchises seen on [[HGTV]] in the United States. These programs ultimately moved to [[HGTV (Canadian TV channel)|HGTV Canada]] and Corus' other lifestyle networks following W's shift to scripted programming.
W previously produced and aired unscripted reality shows and lifestyle programming; it was well known for originating the ''[[Love It or List It]]'' and ''[[Property Brothers]]'' franchises seen on [[HGTV]] in the United States. These programs ultimately moved to [[HGTV (Canadian TV channel)|HGTV Canada]] and Corus' other lifestyle networks following W's shift to scripted programming.
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====Original series====
====Original series====
{{Columns-list|
{{Columns-list|
* ''[[All for Nothing?]]''
* ''[[All for Nothing?]]''
* ''[[Anna & Kristina's Grocery Bag]]''
* ''[[Anna & Kristina's Grocery Bag]]''
* ''[[The Atwood Stories]]''
* ''[[The Atwood Stories]]''
* ''[[The Bachelorette Canada]]''
* ''[[The Bachelorette Canada]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers (franchise)#Brother vs. Brother|Brother vs. Brother]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers (franchise)#Brother vs. Brother|Brother vs. Brother]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers: Buying + Selling]]''
* ''[[Cameron's House Rules]]''
* ''[[Cameron's House Rules]]''
⚫
* ''[[Cash and Cari]]''
* ''[[Candice Tells All]]''
* ''[[Candice Tells All]]''
⚫
* ''[[Cash and Cari]]''
* ''[[Colour Confidential]]''
* ''[[Colour Confidential]]''
* ''[[Come Dine with Me Canada]]''
* ''[[Come Dine with Me Canada]]''
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* ''[[Divine Design]]''
* ''[[Divine Design]]''
* ''[[Game of Homes]]''
* ''[[Game of Homes]]''
* ''[[Grin and Build It]]''
* ''[[Grin and Build It]]''
* ''[[Hockey Wives]]''
* ''[[Hockey Wives]]''
* ''[[Inside the Box with Ty Pennington]]''
* ''[[Inside the Box with Ty Pennington]]''
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* ''[[Maxed Out (TV series)|Maxed Out]]''
* ''[[Maxed Out (TV series)|Maxed Out]]''
* ''[[Me, My House & I]]''
* ''[[Me, My House & I]]''
* ''[[My House Your Money]]''
* ''[[My House Your Money]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers]]''
* ''[[The Real Estate Adventures of Sandy & Maryse]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers: Buying + Selling]]''
* ''[[The Restaurant Adventures of Caroline & Dave]]''
* ''[[The Real Estate Adventures of Sandy & Maryse]]''
* ''[[The Restaurant Adventures of Caroline & Dave]]''
* ''[[The Shields Stories]]''
* ''[[The Shields Stories]]''
⚫
* ''[[The Smart Woman Survival Guide]]''
* ''[[Save Us from Our House]]''
* ''[[Save Us from Our House]]''
* ''[[Say Yes to the Dress|Say Yes to the Dress Canada]]''
* ''[[Say Yes to the Dress|Say Yes to the Dress Canada]]''
* ''[[Shannon and Sophie]]''
* ''[[Shannon and Sophie]]''
⚫
* ''[[The Smart Woman Survival Guide]]''
* ''[[Take This House and Sell It]]''
* ''[[Take This House and Sell It]]''
* ''[[Tessa and Scott]]''
* ''[[Tessa and Scott]]''
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}}
}}


====Acquired Programming====
====Acquired programming====
{{unreferenced|section|date=March 2024}}
{{unreferenced|section|date=March 2024}}
⚫
* ''[[Based on a True Story (TV series)|Based on a True Story]]''
*''[[A Million Little Things]]''
* ''[[The Best Man: The Final Chapters]]''
⚫
*''[[Based on a True Story (TV series)|Based on a True Story]]''
*''[[Chesapeake Shores]]''
* ''[[Chesapeake Shores]]''
*''[[Days of Our Lives]]''
* ''[[Days of Our Lives]]''
*''[[Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas]]''
* ''[[Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem]]''
*''[[Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem]]''
* ''[[Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas]]''
*''[[Utopia (Australian TV series)|Dreamland]]''
* ''[[Utopia (Australian TV series)|Dreamland]]''
*''[[The Equalizer (2021 TV series)|The Equalizer]]''
* ''[[The Equalizer (2021 TV series)|The Equalizer]]''
*''[[Frasier]]''
* ''[[Five Bedrooms]]''
*''[[Five Bedrooms]]''
* ''[[Frasier]]''
*''[[The Girl from Plainville]]''
* ''[[Ghosts (American TV series)|Ghosts]]''
*''[[Ghosts (American TV series)|Ghosts]]''
* ''[[The Girl from Plainville]]''
*''[[Girls5eva]]''
* ''[[Girls5eva]]''
*''[[The Good Doctor (American TV series)|The Good Doctor]]''
* ''[[The Good Doctor (American TV series)|The Good Doctor]]''
*''[[The Good Fight]]''
* ''[[The Good Fight]]''
*''[[Good Witch (TV series)|Good Witch]]''
* ''[[Good Witch (TV series)|Good Witch]]''
*''[[I Am... (TV series)|I Am...]]''
* ''[[I Am... (TV series)|I Am...]]''
*''[[Katy Keene (TV series)|Katy Keene]]''
* ''[[Katy Keene (TV series)|Katy Keene]]''
*''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''
* ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''
*''[[Mom (TV series)|Mom]]''
* ''[[A Million Little Things]]''
*''[[Mystery 101]]''
* ''[[Mom (TV series)|Mom]]''
*''[[Nancy Drew (2019 TV series)|Nancy Drew]]''
* ''[[Mystery 101]]''
* ''[[Nancy Drew (2019 TV series)|Nancy Drew]]''
*''[[The Neighborhood (TV series)|The Neighborhood]]''
* ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]''
* ''[[The Neighborhood (TV series)|The Neighborhood]]''
* ''[[One of Us Is Lying (TV series)|One of Us Is Lying]]''
*''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]''
*''[[One of Us Is Lying (TV series)|One of Us Is Lying]]''
* ''[[Outlander (TV series)|Outlander]]''
*''[[Outlander (TV series)|Outlander]]''
* ''[[Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin]]''
*''[[Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin]]''
* ''[[Sex with Sue]]''
*''[[Sex with Sue]]''
* ''[[So Help Me Todd]]''
*''[[So Help Me Todd]]''
* ''[[Superstore (TV series)|Superstore]]''
*''[[Superstore (TV series)|Superstore]]''
* ''[[This Way Up (TV series)|This Way Up]]''
*''[[The Way Home (TV series)|The Way Home]]''
* ''[[Vampire Academy (TV series)|Vampire Academy]]''
*''[[The Best Man: The Final Chapters]]''
* ''[[Walker: Independence]]''
*''[[This Way Up (TV series)|This Way Up]]''
* ''[[The Way Home (TV series)|The Way Home]]''
*''[[Vampire Academy (TV series)|Vampire Academy]]''
* ''[[We Are Lady Parts]]''
*''[[Walker: Independence]]''
* ''[[When Calls the Heart]]''
*''[[When Calls the Heart]]''
* ''[[Why Women Kill]]''
*''[[We Are Lady Parts]]''
* ''[[Will & Grace]]''
*''[[Why Women Kill]]''
*''[[Will & Grace]]''


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
<ref name="Corus buys WTN, sells Family Channel">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/adjust-your-set-corus-buys-wtn-sells-family-channel-1.290621 |title=Adjust your set: Corus buys WTN, sells Family Channel |publisher=CBC}}</ref>
* {{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/adjust-your-set-corus-buys-wtn-sells-family-channel-1.290621 |title=Adjust your set: Corus buys WTN, sells Family Channel |publisher=CBC}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 03:06, 21 November 2024

"W (TV channel)" redirects here. For the Australian television channel formerly known as W. Channel, see SoHo (Australian TV channel). For the British television channel, see U&W.

W Network
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNationwide
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Programming
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Timeshift serviceW Network East
W Network West
Ownership
OwnerCorus Entertainment
Sister channelsABC Spark
Slice
Showcase
Adult Swim
History
LaunchedJanuary 1, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-01-01)
Former namesWomen's Television Network (1995–2002)
Links
Websitewnetwork.com
Availability
Streaming media
Amazon Prime Video ChannelsStackTV
RiverTVChannel 11 (HD)

W Network (often shortened to W) is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment. The channel primarily broadcasts general entertainment programming oriented towards a female audience.

W Network was established in 1995 as the Women's Television Network (WTN), which had a focus on women's lifestyle programming. The channel was eventually acquired by Corus in 2001 and relaunched under its current branding in 2002. As part of the relaunch, W's programming shifted to a mix of both entertainment and lifestyle programming. By 2017, W had moved its lifestyle programming to its sister networks to focus exclusively on entertainment programming, and later became part of output deals with Hallmark Media, and NBCUniversal for Peacock and Sky Studios original programming.

The channel is available in two time shifted feeds, East (operating from the Eastern Time Zone) and West (operating from the Pacific Time Zone).

History

[edit]

As Women's Television Network

[edit]
Women's Television Network logo; 1995-2002

In June 1994, Linda Rankin, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, (later incorporated as Lifestyle Television (1994) Limited, principally owned by Moffat Communications) was granted a television broadcasting licence by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to operate a channel called Lifestyle Television, described as offering "information and entertainment programming of particular interest to women."[1]

The channel subsequently launched on January 1, 1995 as the Women's Television Network (WTN).[2] Like Moffat's other cable television operations, WTN was headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Linda Rankin served as the president of the network from its launch.

Programming on the network was originally largely focused on lifestyle programming that many had suggested was "feminist" in nature.[3] Such programming included female takes on traditionally male-dominated activities such as fishing and mechanics, with Natural Angler and Car Care, respectively, while other programs, such as Go Girl!, took a comedic approach at parodying typical female-targeted talk shows that discussed subjects such as beauty and fashion.[3] Other programs included films, current affairs, and occasionally sports.

The channel suffered from low ratings in the beginning. Of the slew of new channels launched on January 1, 1995, WTN was initially the lowest rated channel on average.[4][5] Linda Rankin later resigned in August 1995 citing "differences in management philosophy".[6]

As W Network

[edit]

In December 2000, Shaw Communications announced it intended to purchase Moffat.[7] The deal was later closed in early 2001. Shaw announced in March 2001 that it would sell WTN to Corus Entertainment, a company that it spun off in 1999, for CA$205 million (Shaw had primarily acquired Moffat for its cable television systems).[8] Once Corus took ownership of the channel, it moved operations from Winnipeg to Toronto in mid-January 2002, laying off 50 employees in the process.[9] Corus subsequently relaunched the network as W on April 15, 2002, with a more entertainment-oriented mix of recent dramas and movies. On the same date, Corus launched the west coast feed.[10]

In 2009, Corus Entertainment acquired SexTV: The Channel from CTVglobemedia, and relaunched the channel as W Movies — a spin-off of W Network focusing on films aimed towards women, on March 1, 2010.[11] On December 12, 2016, W Movies was relaunched as a Canadian version of the Cooking Channel.[12]

On August 2, 2011, the channel launched its HD feed, a simulcast of W Network's standard-definition Eastern-time feed. The HD feed was added to Bell Satellite TV satellite and Bell Fibe TV channel lineups on March 23, 2012. It was also available on Eastlink, Optik TV, Shaw Direct, SaskTel, Rogers Cable, Cogeco, and Access Communications.[13] On October 1, 2013, an HD feed for the Western-time channel was launched on Shaw Cable, then on Shaw Direct on September 18, 2019.

2017–present

[edit]

Since the 2017–18 season, W Network has re-oriented its programming towards scripted television series and movies. The majority of its lifestyle programming, including the Property Brothers franchise, was moved to HGTV Canada, as well as Corus' other women and lifestyle networks.[14]

On October 25, 2018, Corus announced a content deal with Crown Media Holdings, giving W Network exclusive Canadian rights to original movies and series produced for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. W Network will broadcast branded blocks of Hallmark Channel content, including local versions of Hallmark Channel's seasonal programming events. The partnership officially launched on November 1, 2018 with the Countdown to Christmas event.[15][16]

Programming

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W Network primarily broadcasts a mix of television dramas and films, including programming acquired from Hallmark Channel; most of which is filmed in Canada.[17]

In 2020, Corus reached output agreements with NBCUniversal Media Group for rights to Peacock and Sky Studios original series across its networks, including Showcase and W Network.[18][19] Devils served as one of the first to air on W as part of the agreements.[20]

W previously produced and aired unscripted reality shows and lifestyle programming; it was well known for originating the Love It or List It and Property Brothers franchises seen on HGTV in the United States. These programs ultimately moved to HGTV Canada and Corus' other lifestyle networks following W's shift to scripted programming.

List of programming

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Original series

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Acquired programming

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References

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  1. ^ Decision CRTC 94-282 CRTC 1994-06-04
  2. ^ Has WTN gone too soft? (Does anyone really mind?) Herizons 1997-03-22
  3. ^ a b Taddeo, Julie Anne, and Ken Dvorak. The Tube Has Spoken: Reality TV & History. University Press of Kentucky. Print
  4. ^ Special Report: TV Specialty Services: New nets get qualified thumbs up Strategy Magazine 1995-10-02
  5. ^ Lipstick imperialism and the new world order: women and media at the close of the twentieth century United Nations' Division for the Advancement of Women & Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development December 1995
  6. ^ Rankin departs WTN Playback Magazine 1995-08-28
  7. ^ Cabler Shaw nabs Moffat Variety 2000-12-10
  8. ^ Corus buying WTN, selling Family Channel[dead link‍] CTV 2001-03-06
  9. ^ Corus uproots WTN to Toronto, lays off 50 Playback Magazine 2001-11-26
  10. ^ Corus Entertainment to launch W, a revitalized women's television network Channel Canada 2002-06-30
  11. ^ "Corus shuttering Discovery Kids, will re-brand Sex TV and Drive-In Classics channels", CARTT.ca, September 29, 2009
  12. ^ "Corus feeds the food genre with new channel". Realscreen. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
  13. ^ TV Highlights
  14. ^ Fall TV 2017: Specialty targeting shifts Media in Canada, 2018-07-04
  15. ^ "Hallmark Channel to Make Canadian Debut with W Network". TVCanada. Worldscreen. October 26, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  16. ^ "Hallmark Channel heads to Canada". C21 Media. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  17. ^ "The Hallmark Channel gets derided for its family-friendly fare, but its ratings are growing". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  18. ^ Yeo, Debra (June 23, 2020). "Corus Entertainment makes exclusive deal for NBC's Peacock programming". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  19. ^ Kanter, Jake (July 20, 2020). "Sky Originals 'Intelligence', 'Devils' & 'Bulletproof' Head To Canada's Corus Under Content Deal". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  20. ^ Rody, Bree (July 30, 2020). "Corus firms up specialty with new fall premiere dates". Media in Canada. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
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