Family (TV channel)

For the American channel, see Television networks preceding ABC Family or its current form ABC Family.

For the French version of Disney Junior in Canada, see Disney Junior (Canadian French TV channel).

Family
Blue version of the Family logo
Launched	September 1, 1988
Owned by	Astral Media
Picture format	1080i (HDTV) (2011-present) 480i (SDTV) (1988-present)
Country	Canada
Broadcast area	National
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario
Formerly called	Family Channel (1988-1999)
Sister channel(s)	Disney XD The Movie Network
Website	Family
Availability
Satellite
Bell TV	556, 557 (SD) 1642 (HD)
Shaw Direct	Classic lineup: 540, 541 (SD) Advanced lineup: 170, 171 (SD)
Cable
Available on most Canadian cable systems	Check local listings, channels may vary
IPTV
Bell Aliant TV	258 (SD)
Bell Fibe TV	556, 557 (SD) 1556 (HD)
MTS	153, 154 (SD)
Optik TV	76, 86 (SD) 681 (HD)
SaskTel	130 (SD)

Family (often referred to as Family Channel) is a Canadian English language Category A premium television service marketed to children and teenagers. It is owned by Astral Media.

History

The Family logo from 1988 until 1999. The "Channel" font was slightly different from 1997 to 1999.

Family was licensed as a pay TV service by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on December 1, 1987 as a joint venture between Allarcom Pay Television Limited (later acquired by Western International Communications) and First Choice Canadian Communications Corporation (by then a division of Astral Communications), with both companies owning a 50% stake in the service.^[1] It launched as Family Channel on September 1, 1988. On October 1, 1999, the channel was rebranded Family. In 2000, Corus Entertainment acquired Western International Communications' stake in the service and subsequently sold it to Astral in 2001.

Family was originally offered by cable companies as a stand-alone channel; however, beginning in October 1997, most cable and satellite providers started offering the channel as part of a package with that year's wave of new specialty channels. While Family initially continued its "pay" format, including broadcasts of older Disney movies which would be repeated several times a month, it soon changed its programming practices such that it now operates as a de facto specialty channel, much like similarly themed channels such as YTV. However, in line with CRTC regulations for premium channels, no commercials are shown, aside from promotions for other Family programs and Family-sponsored contests aired between shows. Some advertisers work around this rule by co-sponsoring contests which are then promoted on the channel.^[2] Family also offers promotions of video games and theatrical/DVD movies via interstitial programs using the name "Blast".^[3] Dance Fever, which aired on Family in 2003, was the only program to have ever taken breaks during the show.^{[citation needed]} Family was the last English-language children's network in Canada to switch to a 24/7 broadcast schedule, finally eliminating its off-air hours on July 1, 2007.

In February 2007, Family began airing short programs from Disney Channel, such as Disney's Really Short Report, Meet the Family, and the returning feature Movie Surfers, alongside their own interstitials, such as music videos ("FamJam"), contest promotions, and movie interviews from corporate sister The Movie Network.

Former logo used from 1999 to 2011

On January 11, 2011, Family debuted a new logo and on-air identity to coincide with the launch of its new high-definition feed.^[4]

Relationship with The Family Channel (U.S.) / ABC Family

The existence of a United States cable channel, itself long known as The Family Channel, and now known as ABC Family, has occasionally led to the presumption that the two channels are affiliated. The two channels have co-commissioned some programming in the past and both currently have a significant connection to The Walt Disney Company (Family primarily acquires its foreign programming from Disney Channel and Disney XD, while The Walt Disney Company purchased ABC Family from News Corporation in 2000). However, the two channels developed separately in each country, and as such, neither channel can be considered an international version of the other, especially given that unlike Family, ABC Family is an advertiser-supported cable channel. Allarcom and First Choice had first proposed using the "Family Channel" name in 1987.^[1] The American channel, initially controlled by televangelist Pat Robertson, was originally known as the CBN Satellite Service and later CBN Cable Network, before adopting the "CBN Family Channel" name in August 1988, one month before Canada's Family Channel signed on, only dropping the reference to CBN two years later in September 1990.

Despite the current dual relationships with Disney, most of ABC Family's recent original series have aired in Canada on channels other than Family (such as MuchMusic), as Family's schedule is already filled with Disney Channel programming and other Canadian shows focused on children and preteens. Most recently, Disney has announced a separate partnership with Corus Entertainment to launch a ABC Family-style channel in Canada in 2012 (to be named ABC Spark to avoid any confusion with Astral's service).^[5] Nevertheless, some American cable providers have used the Canadian channel's "Paint and Sun" logo to represent the U.S. channel on program guides, and occasionally the reverse has occurred with the Robertson-era U.S. logo (whose "Family" script is similar to the former logo of the Canadian channel) appearing in some Canadian listings.

Family's development was in fact more similar to that of Disney Channel; besides common programming and past co-commissioning of original programming, both launched as premium channels prior to pay television providers offering them as basic channels, and both channels do not offer traditional advertising (Disney Channel does not accept traditional advertising outside of PBS-style underwriter sponsorships, and breaks within programs consist largely of promotions of its own programming, and Disney Channel-produced featurettes advertising Disney films and consumer products). Due to Disney Channel's longtime programming agreement with Family, Family is often thought of as a de facto Canadian version of Disney Channel.

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Family (TV channel)

Family produces its own original programming, in addition to airing many series and original movies from the U.S. cable network Disney Channel, along with two current original series from Disney XD (Pair of Kings and Kickin' It) and reruns of two now-defunct series from the U.S. flagship of Nickelodeon (Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide and Zoey 101). Though the majority of Family's international programming comes from Disney Channel, some Nickelodeon live-action series ran on the channel in the past, this was even as YTV strengthened its programming ties with Nickelodeon during the 2000s, with Nickelodeon's programming having largely migrated to YTV (and also its sister channel Nickelodeon Canada) at present.

The channel also airs theatrically released feature films, which are run uninterrupted and typically air on weekends (with two films each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, and an additional movie on early Saturday and Sunday afternoons).

Family broadcasts episodes of its programming in order by the program's production code number, instead of the order of their original broadcast run on American and other foreign channels; many times this places episodes out of order storyline-wise, as many shows film episodes out of order. The network also utilizes an "off-the-clock" schedule for programming airing between 1 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. ET, with series airing during that period running in timeslots of 23-27 minutes, usually concurrent with the program's original runtime without commercials or promos included, as such promo breaks on Family between programs are generally of limited length during the overnight and morning hours.

The channel operates two time shifted feeds: East (Eastern Time) and West (Pacific Time).

Original programming

The majority of foreign programming is sourced from Disney Channel however, Family also commissions its own original programming. Some of their most popular shows include Life With Derek, The Latest Buzz, Overruled!, Wingin' It and Naturally, Sadie. Originally though, Majority Rules aired on Teletoon. The original programs are:

• Mentors (1998–2002)
• Henry's World (2002-2003)
• Radio Free Roscoe (2003–2005)
• King (2003–2005)
• Franny's Feet (2004–present)
• Darcy's Wild Life (2004–2006)
• Naturally, Sadie (2004–2007)
• Life with Derek (2005–2009)
• The Latest Buzz (2007–2010)
• Overruled! (2009–present)
• Wingin' It (2010–present)
• Baxter (2010–2011)
• Connor Undercover (2010–present)
• What's Up Warthogs! (2011–present)
• Really Me! (2011–present)
• Debra! (2011-present)

Original movies

While Family broadcasts original movies produced by Disney Channel, up until 2010, Family had not produced or distributed their own original made-for-TV movies. However, due to the popularity of their original series Life with Derek, Family commissioned its first original movie Vacation with Derek, a movie based on the series which began production in the summer of 2009; the movie aired in June 2010 on Family. In addition, Family has also been involved in one other made-for-TV film co-production, the 2010 film 16 Wishes, which was co-produced in association with Disney Channel and Marvista Entertainment. Some of the network's movies also air in a Pop Up Video-style version (similar to the special versions of select original movies produced by and broadcast on Disney Channel in the United States), with behind-the-scenes trivia overlayed onto the image, such as Vacation with Derek: What's Up Edition.^[6]

Programming blocks

Current

Disney Junior on Family

On May 6, 2011, Playhouse Disney rebranded and became Disney Junior on Family. It airs shows specially designed for preschoolers every weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. ET, and 8:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET, and weekend mornings from 4:30 to 8 a.m. ET. With the exception of a new show, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, the block's program schedule remain the same. As of April 2011, shows that currently aired on the block are Franny's Feet, Handy Manny, Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Henry's World, Imagination Movers, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Jungle Junction, Katie and Orbie, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, The Secret World of Benjamin Bear and Strawberry Shortcake.

Surprise Stack Attack!

Starting October 13, 2011, Family began airing 'stacks' of surprise programming. In TV programming guides, it is displayed as "To Be Announced". Surprise Stack Attack! occurs every Thursday from 5pm to 7pm ET/PT.

Former

Jetix

Main article: Jetix (Canada)

Family began their own Jetix block on September 10, 2006, replaced the "Power Box" block. The original Canadian Jetix block included Get Ed, Oban Star Racers, Yin Yang Yo!, Pucca, Power Rangers: Mystic Force, Power Rangers: Jungle Fury, and Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive. Jetix aired from 6:03 a.m. EST through 7:45 a.m. EST on weekend mornings. Jetix ended on August 1, 2009. The Canadian version of Disney XD launched on June 1, 2011.

Power Box

Until 2006, Family showed an early morning programming block of Japanese-themed fighting shows including W.I.T.C.H., Power Rangers: Dino Thunder, Oban Star Racers, and S.R.M.T.H.F.G. that started at 6 a.m. EST. In 2006, Power Box programming was dropped and replaced with Jetix.

Mad Dash

Mad Dash aired mainly Disney animated shows for kids and pre-teens every weekday afternoon from 11:49 a.m. EST until 5:03 p.m. EST. Notable shows that aired are: Pucca, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, Cory in the House, Fish Hooks, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, Phineas and Ferb, Recess, and The Replacements. Mad Dash was canceled in early March 2010.

Non Stop

It aired mostly live-action sitcoms every weekday evening & all weekend long. Notable shows that aired are: The Suite Life on Deck, Hannah Montana, Sonny With a Chance, Wizards of Waverly Place, Zeke and Luther, Aaron Stone, Jonas, and Overruled!, as well as reruns of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Cory in the House, Life with Derek, and The Latest Buzz. Non Stop left Family on January 11, 2011 with no replacement.

Non Stop Weekends

Every Saturday and Sunday, Family ran a series of "Non Stop" programming until 9:00 p.m. EST. The block was ended on January 9, 2011, not being replaced.

Family Nights

Every Monday to Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EST it featured The Suite Life on Deck, Hannah Montana, and others. Family Nights stopped airing on June 25, 2010.

Related services

Family HD

On January 11, 2011, Family launched a high definition feed called Family HD that simulcasts the East Coast standard definition feed.^[4] The channel broadcasts in the 1080i picture format. It is currently available via Bell TV, Bell Fibe TV, Rogers Cable, EastLink, MTS and Optik TV and Shaw Cable.

Family OnDemand

Family OnDemand is a video on demand service featuring programming from Family, available to subscribers of the network. The service features original series produced by Family, as well as original programming supplied by Disney Channel, which provides the vast majority of the American program content on the linear Family channel.

Disney Junior

Main article: Disney Junior (Canadian English TV channel)

Disney Junior logo, 2011-present

Logo used as Playhouse Disney Channel, 2007-2011

A local version of Disney Junior was launched as a multiplex of Family originally known as Playhouse Disney Channel on November 30, 2007, a 24/7 commercial-free channel carrying programs aimed at preschool-aged children.^[7] Unlike Family, Disney Junior has only one national feed operating from the Eastern Time Zone. For satellite, it is exclusively carried on Bell TV.

The channel was re-launched under the new Disney Junior brand on May 6, 2011.^[8]

Because Family is licensed as a premium service which allows for the addition of multiplex channels that are consistent with the network's licence, no additional licence was required to launch the service. Existing subscribers of Family are automatically eligible to receive Disney Junior free of charge, subject to carriage by their television service provider; however, it is not available on a standalone basis. The use of Family's existing licence also allows the service to compete with the preschooler-aimed specialty channel, Treehouse, despite the format protection guidelines for specialty channels. This is so, because Family's nature of service is to broadcast programming targeted toward "youth to age 17", in which case, a preschool audience would qualify.^[9]

A French language version of Disney Junior (then known as Playhouse Disney Télé) launched on July 5, 2010. It was rebranded as Disney Junior on May 6, 2011 to coincide with the rebranding of the English channel. However, unlike the English version of Disney Junior, the French version is a category 2 service using its own licence.

Disney Junior On Demand

Disney Junior On Demand is a video on demand (VOD) service featuring programming from Disney Junior, available to subscribers of Family and Disney Junior. Disney Junior launched its own VOD channel on May 6, 2011. ^[10]

International distribution

Outside of Canada, Family is seen on some cable systems in the Caribbean:

• Jamaica - distributed on Flow Cable systems.^[11]
• Bahamas - distributed on Cable Bahamas systems.^[12]

See also

• Disney Junior (English)
• Disney Junior (French)
• Disney XD (Canada)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Decision CRTC 87-905". CRTC. http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1987/DB87-905.htm. 
2. ^ "Astral Kids Media Sales Site: Family Channel - Client Solutions - Promotional Opportunities". http://www.astral-kids.com/family/solutions/opportunities.php. Retrieved 2011-08-17. 
3. ^ "Astral Kids Media Sales Site: Family Channel - Client Solutions - Entertainment Interstitials - Blast". http://www.astral-kids.com/family/solutions/entinterstitials.php. Retrieved 2011-08-17. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Family Channel turns on new look". Playbackonline.ca. 2011-01-11. http://www.marketingmag.ca/news/media-news/family-channel-turns-on-new-look-21104. 
5. ^ New Millennial Focused Channel, ABC Spark, to Launch in Canada, The Futon Critic. Accessed 2011-10-26.
6. ^ "Ashley Legatt's blog - 6 Aug 2010". http://www.myspace.com/ashleyleggat/blog/537955835. Retrieved 2011-07-02. "'Vacation With Derek' will be ... in a pop-up version, that means you will get to see all of the behind the scenes facts and trivia from filming." 
7. ^ Playhouse Disney splashes out for Canuck launch, KidScreen, 2007-11-01
8. ^ DISNEY JUNIOR LAUNCHES MAY 6 WITH NEW PROGRAMS AND A NOD TO CLASSIC DISNEY CHARACTERS AND MAGIC, CNW, 2011-03-03
9. ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-386, CRTC, 2002-11-28
10. ^ Disney Junior On Demand
11. ^ Flow Cable channel lineup
12. ^ Cable Bahamas channel lineup

External links

• Family
• Disney Junior Canada