Family Channel (Canadian TV channel): Difference between revisions
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| headquarters = {{flagicon|Ontario}} [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] |
| headquarters = {{flagicon|Ontario}} [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] |
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| former names = |
| former names = Family Channel |
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Revision as of 20:37, 14 October 2007
| Country |  Canada |
|---|---|
| Headquarters |  Toronto, Ontario |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | The Family Channel Inc. (Astral Media) |
Family, sometimes referred to as The Family Channel, is a Canadian premium television service for people of all ages. It is owned by Astral Media.
History
Family was licensed as a pay TV service by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1987 as a joint venture between Allarcom Pay Television and First Choice, with both companies owning a 50% stake in the service. It launched as Family Channel on September 1, 1988. In 2000, Corus Entertainment acquired WIC's stake in the service and subsequently sold it to Astral in 2001.
In most respects it now acts as a specialty service as are similar services such as YTV. However, in line with CRTC regulations for premium channels, no commercials are shown on this channel, aside from promos for other programs aired between shows. Dance Fever, which aired on Family in 2003, is the only program to have ever taken breaks during the show. Family was the only English-language children's network in Canada to have off-air hours, since Treehouse TV expanded their schedule to be run 24/7. However, it now appears that, as of July 1, 2007, Family has switched to a 24/7 broadcast schedule.
In February 2007, Family began airing short shows and commercial-style breaks from Disney Channel such as Disney's Really Short Report, Meet the Family, and the returning feature Movie Surfers. It also became closer to a Disney Channel identity when they air music videos. Every two weeks, there are a group of music videos that can be aired at three different lengths. As an extra, they started to air a program called "Win It", which gives out prizes to every winner who competed in their contest. Some of the contests include sponsors such as LaSenza Girl, movies, and prize packs from TV shows usually broadcasted on the channel.
Aside from some common programming, Family has never been affiliated with the U.S. channel previously known as The Family Channel, however, for some strange reason, American cable providers, past and present, have used Family Channel's "Paint and Sun" logo, for its logo on the channel guide.
Logos
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Family Channel logo (1988-1999)
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Family logo (1999-present)
Programming
Family airs its own original programming, as well as many series and original movies from U.S. service Disney Channel, along with some series from Nickelodeon, PBS And ABC Family. It also airs theatrical films.
The channel operates two timeshifted feeds, East (Eastern Time) and West (Pacific Time).
Family Channel run episodes episodes of their programming by production code order, instead of the order of their original broadcast run on American and other foreign channels. Many times this does place episodes out of order storyline wise, as many shows film episodes out of order.
Original programing
Family gets its shows from Disney Channel and Nickelodeon mostly, but it also airs its own original programing. The original programs are:
- Mentors (TV Series) (1999-2004)
- Radio Free Roscoe (2002-2005)
- Darcy's Wild Life (2004-2006)
- Life with Derek (2005-present)
- Naturally, Sadie (2005-2007)
Featured movies
Family airs movies on Fridays and weekends. It airs three movies on Friday nights, with the first one sometimes being a featured movie, such as Kim Possible: So the Drama or High School Musical, Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years and Walt Disney: One Man's Dream. The second movie a PG, PG-13, or 14A rated movie. An example of this would be Double Teamed. The third movie of the Friday night would be in the rating ranges of General to Restricted. An example of the third movie would be RocketMan. Family shows four movies for Saturdays and Sundays each, with two during the afternoon and two at night, with one of the Sunday afternoon airings sometimes a repeat of Friday's featured movie. Prior to September 2005 Family also aired a movie on Mondays-Thursdays nights.
Programming blocks
Jetix
Family began their own Jetix block on September 10, 2006, replacing the "Power Box" block. The Canadian Jetix block includes Get Ed, Oban Star Racers, W.I.T.C.H. and Power Rangers Mystic Force. Jetix airs from 6:03AM ET through 7:45AM ET on weekend mornings.
Two shows that was part of the Power Box block, retro Spiderman and Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go!, have been dropped with the conversion to Jetix.
Playhouse
It airs mainly shows especially for preschoolers every weekday mornings from 5:45AM ET until 11:45AM ET. Notable shows currently airing are: Little Einsteins, Franny's Feet, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Higglytown Heroes, King.
Mad Dash
It airs mainly Disney animated shows for pre-teens and teens every weekday afternoons from 11:49AM ET until 5:03PM ET. Notable shows currently airing are: Kim Possible, The Proud Family, Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, American Dragon: Jake Long, The Emperor's New School, and The Replacements.
Non Stop
Its airs mostly live-action sitcoms every weekday evenings & all weekend long. Notable shows currently airing are: That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana, Cory in the House, Zoey 101, Phil of the Future, Flight 29 Down, Naturally, Sadie , Life with Derek,