Launched November 2, 2009 Language English | Country Canada Broadcast area National | |
Owned by Corus Entertainment
(branding licensed from Viacom) Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
(2013–present)
480i (SDTV)
(2009–present) | ||
Nickelodeon, commonly known as Nick, is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel based on the U.S. cable network of the same name. It is wholly owned by Corus Entertainment, with its name licensed from Viacom International Media Networks, which is still a division of Viacom.
Contents
As with its counterparts in the U.S. and elsewhere, Nickelodeon airs programs aimed at children and young teenagers. YTV and Treehouse TV, have also carried Nickelodeon programs for many years, under output agreements with Viacom. They continue to do so, since they have near-universal coverage across Canada on both basic analogue cable and digital satellite TV, whereas Nickelodeon is limited to digital distribution. Like Treehouse TV, and unlike YTV, Nickelodeon has only one national feed from the Eastern Time Zone.
This is the second Viacom-branded channel to be owned by Corus; the companies also partner on CMT Canada.
History
In September 2008, Corus Entertainment was given approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a specialty channel named "YTV OneWorld", described as " a national, English-language Category 2 specialty service that would offer programming from around the world targeting children aged 6 to 17 and their families. The schedule would include programs devoted to entertainment, humour, travel, games and science and technology."
In September 2009, Corus announced it had reached an agreement with MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, to launch Nickelodeon in Canada as a domestic channel. The channel was launched as Nickelodeon on November 2, 2009 at 6 a.m. using the "YTV OneWorld" licence. Jacob Two-Two was the first show broadcast. On the day of the channel's launch, Discovery Kids (which Corus also owned) was shut down and replaced by Nickelodeon on most cable and satellite providers after the final episode of Aquateam ended. Because it is legally a distinct service, cable and satellite companies had to reach new agreements with Corus in order to carry Nickelodeon, as Discovery Kids operated under a different license.
On April 9, 2013, Telus Optik TV launched Nickelodeon HD, a high definition simulcast of the standard definition feed. It was later launched on June 25, 2013 for Rogers Cable and added to Bell Fibe TV's service on October 25, 2013.
On September 22, 2015, Corus Entertainment announced the launch of Nickelodeon GO, an app that allows viewers to watch the channel live, as well as stream shows from its American counterpart. The app is currently available for iOS and Android platforms, but requires a subscription to Nickelodeon from a cable or satellite provider.
Programming
In addition to shows currently airing on its U.S counterpart, Nickelodeon also airs several classic series (such as The Ren & Stimpy Show, Kenan & Kel, and Little Bill) in weekend marathons and graveyard slots. In addition, during the daytime hours, Nick carries a Nick Jr.-branded block of preschool programming broadcast commercial-free and in the morning. To fulfill Canadian content requirements, the channel also airs series sourced from Corus' other kids channels.