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{{Short description|Canadian women's entertainment specialty channel}}
{{For|the [[Australia]]n television network|W. Channel}}
{{Redirect|W (TV channel)|the Australian television channel formerly known as W. Channel|SoHo (Australian TV channel)|the British television channel|U&W}}
{{Infobox TV channel
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}}
| name = W Network
{{Infobox television channel
| logofile = W Network Logo.svg
| logocaption = '''W Network logo'''
| name = W Network
| logosize = 120px
| logo = W Network Logo.svg
| launch = January 1, 1995
| logo_size = 100px
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1995|01|01}}
| closed date =
| closed_date =
| picture format = [[480i]] ([[SDTV]])<br /><small>(1995-present)</small><br>[[1080i]] ([[HDTV]])<br /><small>(2011-present)</small>
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[letterboxed]] [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| network =
| owner = [[Corus Entertainment]]
| network =
| owner = [[Corus Entertainment]]
| slogan =
| slogan =
| country = [[Canada]]
| country = Canada
| broadcast area = National
| area = Nationwide
| headquarters = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]
| headquarters = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]
| former names = WTN (1995 - 2002)
| former_names = Women's Television Network (1995–2002)
| replaced names =
| 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 names = [[Cosmopolitan TV (Canada)|Cosmopolitan TV]]<br />[[OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada)|OWN]]<br />[[W Movies]]
| timeshift_service = W Network East <br /> W Network West
| timeshift names =
| web = [http://www.wnetwork.com/ W Network]
| website = {{URL|wnetwork.com}}
| sat serv 1 = [[Bell TV]]
| online_serv_1 = [[Amazon Prime Video]] Channels
| online_chan_1 = [[StackTV]]
| sat chan 1 = 602 ([[standard-definition television|SD]])
| sat chan 2 = 1705 ([[High-definition television|HD]])
| online_serv_2 = [[RiverTV]]
| online_chan_2 = Channel 11 (HD)
| sat serv 3 = [[Shaw Direct]]
| sat chan 3 = 567, 568 ([[standard-definition television|SD]])
| cable serv 1 = Available on most Canadian cable systems
| cable chan 1 = Check local listings, channels may vary
| iptv serv 1 = [[Bell Aliant TV]]
| iptv chan 1 = 274 ([[standard-definition television|SD]])
| iptv serv 2 = [[Bell Fibe TV]]
| iptv chan 2 = 602 ([[standard-definition television|SD]])<br>1602 ([[high-definition television|HD]])
| iptv serv 3 = [[Manitoba Telecom Services|MTS]]
| iptv chan 3 = 132, 133 ([[standard-definition television|SD]])
| iptv serv 4 = [[Telus TV|Optik TV]]
| iptv chan 4 = 146 ([[standard-definition television|SD]])
| iptv serv 5 = [[SaskTel]]
| iptv chan 5 = 100 ([[standard-definition television|SD]])
}}
}}
'''W Network''' (often referred to only as '''W''') is a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[English language]] [[Category A services|Category A]] [[specialty channel]] owned by [[Corus Entertainment]]. W Network broadcasts lifestyle and entertainment programming aimed at women.
'''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 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, shifting to a general entertainment format targeting women. In 2018, the channel became part of output deals with [[Hallmark Media]], and later [[Comcast]]'s [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] and [[Sky Studios]] in 2020 (an agreement shared with sister network [[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]]).


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


==History==
==History==
===As Women's Television Network===
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 from 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]]
[[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>
The channel subsequently launched on January 1, 1995 as '''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.
Programming on the network was originally largely focused on lifestyle programming that many had suggested was "feminist" in nature.<ref name="book"/> Such programming included female takes on traditionally male-dominated activities such as fishing and mechanics, with Natural Angler and Car Care, respectfully. While other programs, such as Go Girl!, took a comedic approach at parodying typical female-targeted talk shows that discussed subjects such as beauty, fashion, etc.<ref name="book">Taddeo, Julie Anne, and Ken Dvorak. ''The Tube Has Spoken: Reality TV & History''. University Press of Kentucky. Print</ref> Other programs included films, [[current affairs (news format)|current affairs]], and occasionally even [[sports]].


Programming on the network was originally largely focused on lifestyle programming that many had suggested was "feminist" in nature.<ref name="book"/> 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.<ref name="book">Taddeo, Julie Anne, and Ken Dvorak. ''The Tube Has Spoken: Reality TV & History''. University Press of Kentucky. Print</ref> Other programs included films, current affairs, and occasionally athletic-themed.
The channel suffered from low ratings in the beginning. Of the slew of new channels launched on January 1, 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>[http://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>
In December 2000, [[Shaw Communications]] announced it intended to purchase Moffat.<ref>[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117790253 Cabler Shaw nabs Moffat] Variety 2000-12-10</ref> The deal was later closed in early 2001. Shaw would later announce in March 2001 that it would sell WTN to [[Corus Entertainment]] for $205 million [[Canadian dollar|CAD]]<ref>[http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/20010308/ctvnews85183/ Corus buying WTN, selling Family Channel] 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> Subsequently, Corus 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>


The channel suffered from low ratings in the start. 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>
In 2009, Corus Entertainment acquired SexTV: The Channel from CTVglobemedia, and relaunched the channel as ''[[W Movies]]'' on March 1, 2010, a 24-hour film-focused spinoff channel of W Network.<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>


==W Network HD==
=== As W Network ===
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>
On August 3, 2011, W Network HD launched as a [[high-definition television|high definition]] simulcast of W Network's [[standard-definition television|standard definition]] feed. The HD feed was added to both [[Bell TV]] satellite and [[Bell Fibe TV]] channel lineups on March 23, 2012.

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 closed and replaced by a relaunched, 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-timed channel was launched on [[Shaw Communications|Shaw Cable]], then on [[Shaw Direct]] on September 18, 2019.

====2017–present====
Since the 2017–18 season, W Network has re-oriented its programming towards scripted television series and films. The majority of its lifestyle programming, including the ''[[Property Brothers (franchise)|Property Brothers]]'' franchise, was moved to HGTV (now [[Home Network]]), as well as Corus' other women and lifestyle networks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Maloney |first=Val |date=2017-07-04 |title=Fall TV 2017: Specialty targeting shifts |url=https://mediaincanada.com/2017/07/04/fall-tv-2017-specialty-targeting-shifts/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Media in Canada}}</ref>


==Programming==
==Programming==
W Network primarily broadcasts a mix of television dramas and films.<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> <ref name=":0" />
W Network airs a mix of lifestyle and entertainment television series including films, comedies, dramas, reality TV, cooking, and makeover series.

On October 25, 2018, Corus announced an output deal with [[Crown Media Holdings]], giving W Network exclusive Canadian rights to [[List of Hallmark Channel Original Movies|original movies]] and series produced for [[Hallmark Channel]] and [[Hallmark Movies & Mysteries]]. W Network carries branded [[programming block|blocks]] of Hallmark Channel content, including seasonal programming events such as [[Countdown to Christmas]]; many of Hallmark's productions are filmed in Canada.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-10-26 |title=Hallmark Channel to Make Canadian Debut with W Network |url=http://worldscreen.com/tvcanada/hallmark-channel-to-make-canadian-debut-with-w-network/ |access-date=2018-11-14 |work=TVCanada |publisher=Worldscreen |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hallmark Channel heads to Canada |url=https://www.c21media.net/hallmark-channel-heads-to-canada/ |access-date=November 13, 2018 |website=C21 Media}}</ref>

In June 2020, Corus reached output agreements with [[NBCUniversal Global Distribution]] for Canadian rights to [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] original series, shared primarily between W and sister network Showcase.<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> The following month, Corus also reached an agreement with sister company [[Sky Studios]].<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/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720120709/https://deadline.com/2020/07/sky-originals-intelligence-devils-bulletproof-corus-1202989503/ |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 Sky agreement.<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> As part of the Peacock agreement, the long-running soap opera ''[[Days of Our Lives|Days of our Lives]]'' (which had long-been carried by sister broadcast network [[Global Television Network|Global]] in simulcast with [[NBC]]) moved to W Network in September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EMMY® AWARD-WINNING DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, FINDS ITS NEW CANADIAN HOME EXCLUSIVELY ON W NETWORK & STACKTV |url=https://www.corusent.com/news/emmy-award-winning-daytime-drama-series-days-of-our-lives-finds-its-new-canadian-home-exclusively-on-w-network-stacktv/ |access-date=September 10, 2022 |website=Corus Entertainment |language=en}}</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 U.S. These programs moved to Corus' other lifestyle networks (particularly [[Home Network|HGTV Canada]] and [[Slice (TV channel)|Slice]]) following W's shift to scripted programming.<ref name=":0" />


===Noted series===
===List of programming===
====Original series====
* ''9 By Design''
{{Columns-list|
* ''[[All for Nothing?]]''
* ''[[Anna & Kristina's Grocery Bag]]''
* ''[[Anna & Kristina's Grocery Bag]]''
* ''[[The Atwood Stories]]''
* ''[[The Bachelorette Canada]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers (franchise)#Brother vs. Brother|Brother vs. Brother]]''
* ''[[Cameron's House Rules]]''
* ''[[Candice Tells All]]''
* ''[[Cash and Cari]]''
* ''[[Cash and Cari]]''
* ''Candice Tells All''
* ''[[Colour Confidential]]''
* ''Colour Confidential''
* ''Cupcake Girls''
* ''[[Come Dine with Me]]''
* ''[[Come Dine with Me Canada]]''
* ''[[Come Dine with Me Canada]]''
* ''[[The Cupcake Girls]]''
* ''[[Deal with It (Canadian TV series)|Deal with It]]''
* ''[[Divine Design]]''
* ''[[Divine Design]]''
* ''[[Friends]]''
* ''[[Game of Homes]]''
* ''Grin and Build it''
* ''[[Grin and Build It]]''
* ''[[Hockey Wives]]''
* ''Inside the Box with Ty Pennington''
* ''[[Judging Amy]]''
* ''[[Inside the Box with Ty Pennington]]''
* ''[[Maxed Out]]''
* ''[[Love It or List It]]''
* ''My House Your Money''
* ''[[Love It or List It Vancouver]]''
* ''[[Masters of Flip]]''
* ''[[Necessary Roughness (TV series)|Necessary Roughness]]''
* ''[[Maxed Out (TV series)|Maxed Out]]''
* ''[[Me, My House & I]]''
* ''[[My House Your Money]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers]]''
* ''[[Sex and the City]]''
* ''[[Property Brothers: Buying + Selling]]''
* ''[[The Real Estate Adventures of Sandy & Maryse]]''
* ''[[Supernanny]]''
* ''[[The Restaurant Adventures of Caroline & Dave]]''
* ''[[Supersize vs Superskinny]]''
* ''[[Roseanne's Nuts]]''
* ''[[The Shields Stories]]''
* ''[[Rocco's Dinner Party]]''
* ''[[Save Us from Our House]]''
* ''[[The New Adventures of Old Christine]]''
* ''[[Say Yes to the Dress|Say Yes to the Dress Canada]]''
* ''[[The Closer]]''
* ''[[Shannon and Sophie]]''
* ''[[Take this House and Sell it]]''
* ''[[The Smart Woman Survival Guide]]''
* ''[[Undercover Boss]]''
* ''[[Take This House and Sell It]]''
* ''Undercover Boss Canada''
* ''[[Tessa and Scott]]''
* ''[[Undercover Boss Canada]]''
* ''[[Who Lives Here?]]''
}}

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


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* {{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==
* [http://www.wnetwork.com/ W Network]
* {{Official website|http://www.wnetwork.com}}
* [http://corusmedia.com/w W Network media]
* [http://corusmedia.com/w W Network media]


{{Corus Entertainment}}
{{Corus Entertainment}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Canadian analog cable television networks]]
[[Category:Cable television channels in Canada]]
[[Category:Corus Entertainment]]
[[Category:Corus Entertainment networks]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1995]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1995]]
[[Category:Women's interest channels]]
[[Category:Women's interest channels]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in Canada]]

[[fr:W Network]]

Latest revision as of 18:43, 9 January 2025

"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; 30 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, shifting to a general entertainment format targeting women. In 2018, the channel became part of output deals with Hallmark Media, and later Comcast's Peacock and Sky Studios in 2020 (an agreement shared with sister network Showcase).

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 athletic-themed.

The channel suffered from low ratings in the start. 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 closed and replaced by a relaunched, 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-timed channel was launched on Shaw Cable, then on Shaw Direct on September 18, 2019.

2017–present

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

Programming

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W Network primarily broadcasts a mix of television dramas and films.[15] [14]

On October 25, 2018, Corus announced an output 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 carries branded blocks of Hallmark Channel content, including seasonal programming events such as Countdown to Christmas; many of Hallmark's productions are filmed in Canada.[16][17]

In June 2020, Corus reached output agreements with NBCUniversal Global Distribution for Canadian rights to Peacock original series, shared primarily between W and sister network Showcase.[18] The following month, Corus also reached an agreement with sister company Sky Studios.[19] Devils served as one of the first to air on W as part of the Sky agreement.[20] As part of the Peacock agreement, the long-running soap opera Days of our Lives (which had long-been carried by sister broadcast network Global in simulcast with NBC) moved to W Network in September 2022.[21]

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 U.S. These programs moved to Corus' other lifestyle networks (particularly HGTV Canada and Slice) following W's shift to scripted programming.[14]

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. ^ a b c Maloney, Val (July 4, 2017). "Fall TV 2017: Specialty targeting shifts". Media in Canada. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  15. ^ "The Hallmark Channel gets derided for its family-friendly fare, but its ratings are growing". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  16. ^ "Hallmark Channel to Make Canadian Debut with W Network". TVCanada. Worldscreen. October 26, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  17. ^ "Hallmark Channel heads to Canada". C21 Media. Retrieved November 13, 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.
  21. ^ "EMMY® AWARD-WINNING DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, FINDS ITS NEW CANADIAN HOME EXCLUSIVELY ON W NETWORK & STACKTV". Corus Entertainment. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
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