{{Short description|Defunct Canadian pay television channel (2011–2025)}} {{About|a Canadian television channel formerly known as Disney XD that is operated by WildBrain and launched on June 1, 2011|the defunct Canadian television channel that used the Disney XD name|Disney XD (Canada)}} {{Infobox television channel | name = WildBrainTV | logo = WildBrain TV logo.png | logo_caption = Final logo used from March 1, 2022 to October 23, 2025. | launch_date = {{start date and age|2011|06|01}} | closed_date = {{end date and age|2025|10|23}} | picture_format = 1080i HDTV<br /><small>(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)</small> | owner = Astral Media (2011–2013)<br>Bell Media (2013–2014){{efn|Bell's ownership was short-lived, as with its sister channels.}}<br>WildBrain (2014–2025) | country = Canada | area = Nationwide | headquarters = Toronto, Ontario | former_names = Disney XD (2011–2015)<br />Family CHRGD (2015–2022) | sister_channels = {{unbulleted list|Family Channel|Family Jr.|Télémagino}} }} '''WildBrainTV''' was a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by WildBrain. WildBrainTV broadcast live-action and animated children's programming aimed towards audiences ages 6–15.<ref name=Broadcaster/> Its name came from its owner, WildBrain.
The channel first launched on June 1, 2011, under the ownership of Astral Media. It initially operated as a localized version of Disney XD, under license from Disney Channels Worldwide, as a sister network to Family Channel. Following the acquisition of Astral Media by Bell Media, Disney XD was divested to DHX Media (now WildBrain) in 2014.
In 2015, Corus Entertainment acquired the rights to programming from Disney Channel and its siblings (later launching a new Canadian Disney XD channel), resulting in DHX's existing Disney XD channel being rebranded as '''Family''' '''CHRGD''' (a brand extension of Family Channel with a similar positioning) in October 2015. The channel adopted its final branding on March 1, 2022, and it shut down on October 23, 2025.
==History==
===As Disney XD (2011–2015)=== thumb|left|200px|Disney XD logo used from June 1, 2011 to October 9, 2015 In April 2009, Astral Media, through its subsidiary The Family Channel Inc., was granted CRTC approval for a new category 2 service under the working name "Family Extreme". The new service would feature "programming from around the world devoted to entertainment, humour, travel, games, science and technology and targeted toward children aged 6 to 17 years and their families".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-04-24 |title=Family Extreme - Category 2 specialty service |url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-215.htm |access-date=2022-03-05 |website= |publisher=CRTC}}</ref> Astral later announced that it would launch a Canadian version of Disney XD on June 1, 2011. Operating under the Family Extreme license, the service expanded upon Family's relationship as a licensee of Disney Channel programming.<ref name=bhc>{{cite web|last=Wedge|first=Pip|title=Disney XD|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/programming/television/programming_popup.php?id=2365|work=programming|publisher=Canadian Communications Foundation|access-date=February 24, 2014}}</ref>
In 2012, the channel premiered its first original series, ''Slugterra''. After the Competition Bureau approved Bell Media's acquisition of Astral, Bell announced on March 4, 2013, that Disney XD, as well as its sister networks and Astral's French-language MusiquePlus and MusiMax would be divested.<ref name="crtc-bellastraltrust">{{cite web|last=Biblic|first=Mirko|title=Re: Voting Trust Agreement between BCE Inc. and Pierre Boivin, the trustee Application No. 2013-0243-9–Approved|date=27 June 2013|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2013/lb130627.htm|publisher=CRTC|access-date=July 5, 2013}}</ref> On October 27, 2013, the channel premiered its first original movie, ''Bunks'', produced by Fresh TV.<ref>{{cite web|title=Disney XD and Disney Junior Commission Original Canadian Series|url=http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/disney-xd-and-disney-junior-commission-original-canadian-series/1001451986/|work=Daily News|publisher=Broadcaster Magazine|access-date=July 9, 2012|date=June 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402132404/http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/disney-xd-and-disney-junior-commission-original-canadian-series/1001451986/|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On November 28, 2013, DHX Media announced that it would acquire Disney XD and its sister networks for $170 million.<ref name=torstar-dhxfamily>{{cite news|title=DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2013/11/28/dhx_media_to_buy_family_other_childrens_channels.html|work=Toronto Star|access-date=November 29, 2013|date=November 28, 2013}}</ref><ref name=gandm-dhxfamily>{{cite news|title=DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/dhx-to-acquire-family-channel-others-from-bell-media/article15648767/|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=November 29, 2013|location=Toronto|date=November 28, 2013}}</ref> The acquisition was approved by the CRTC on July 24, 2014,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dhxmedia.com/press-room/542-dhx-media-receives-crtc-approval-on-170m-acquisition-of-family-channel-and-three-other-childrens-channels.html |title=DHX Media receives CRTC approval on $170M acquisition of Family Channel and three other children's channels |publisher=DHX Media |date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402170232/http://www.dhxmedia.com/press-room/542-dhx-media-receives-crtc-approval-on-170m-acquisition-of-family-channel-and-three-other-childrens-channels.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2014/07/25/crtc-approves-dhx-media-takeover-of-family-channel/ |title=DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover|last1=Vessing|first1=Etan|website=Kidscreen|publisher=Brunico Communications|date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2014}}</ref> and closed on July 31, 2014.<ref name="dhx-closed">{{cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1393330/dhx-media-closes-family-channel-acquisition-and-announces-management-changes|title=DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes|work=Canada Newswire|date=July 31, 2014|access-date=July 31, 2014|archive-date=August 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803030351/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1393330/dhx-media-closes-family-channel-acquisition-and-announces-management-changes|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In that same year, Disney XD premiered the pilot for ''Fangbone!'', in May, and a new original series, ''Gaming Show (In My Parents' Garage)'', in November.<ref>{{cite web|title=DHX Television Commissions Radical Sheep's Animated Comedy Action Series Fangbone!|url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/dhx-television-commissions-radical-sheeps-animated-comedy-action-series-fangbone-517338281.html|work=Newswire|access-date=September 14, 2015|date=March 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Disney XD gets its game on with the premiere of Gaming Show (In My Parents' Garage) November 16|url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/disney-xd-gets-its-game-on-with-the-premiere-of-gaming-show-in-my-parents-garage-november-16-516306281.html|work=Newswire|access-date=September 14, 2015|date=November 5, 2014}}</ref>
===As Family CHRGD/WildBrainTV (2015–2025)=== thumb|right|Family CHRGD logo, which was used from October 9, 2015, to March 1, 2022 On April 16, 2015, it was announced that Corus Entertainment had acquired Canadian rights to Disney Channel's program library; alongside the launch of a Canadian version of Disney Channel, Corus stated that it would launch other Disney branded channels in the future, which eventually included a new Disney XD. In anticipation for this transition, DHX concurrently announced that its Disney-branded networks would be rebranded as spin-offs of Family Channel by November 2015, with Disney XD tentatively being rebranded as '''Family XTRM'''.<ref name=gandm-corusdisney>{{cite news|title=Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/corus-gains-canadian-rights-to-disney-channel-content/article23983642/|access-date=April 16, 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|agency=Canadian Press}}</ref><ref name=cartt-dhxdisney>{{cite web|title=DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done|url=https://cartt.ca/article/dhx-disney-divorce-almost-done|website=Cartt.ca|date=16 April 2015|access-date=April 16, 2015}}</ref>
On August 20, 2015, DHX announced the fall lineups for its networks, revealing the official rebranding for Disney XD as '''Family CHRGD'''.<ref name="ksn">{{cite news|last1=Dickson|first1=Jeremy|title=DHX TV reveals fall skeds for rebranded channels|url=http://kidscreen.com/2015/08/21/dhx-tv-reveals-fall-skeds-for-rebranded-channels/|access-date=August 21, 2015|work=Kid Screen|date=August 21, 2015}}</ref> Its lineup was to feature new seasons of the network's existing original series, in addition to new shows produced by DHX subsidiaries and other studios (such as the aforementioned ''Fangbone!''), as well as new program supply agreements with Mattel,<ref name="ksn" /> and later in the year, DreamWorks Animation.<ref name=deadline-dwdhx>{{cite web|title=DreamWorks Animation Inks Strategic Content Pact With DHX Media|url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/dreamworks-animation-inks-strategic-content-pact-with-dhx-media-1201658847/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=8 December 2015|access-date=December 19, 2015}}</ref> The rebranding occurred on October 9, 2015.<ref name=Broadcaster>{{cite news|title=DHX Television's Family CHRGD to Go to Air|url=http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/dhx-televisions-family-chrgd-to-go-to-air/1003836236/|date=October 7, 2015|access-date=October 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208151059/http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/dhx-televisions-family-chrgd-to-go-to-air/1003836236/|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=gandm-corusdisney/>
On March 1, 2022, Family CHRGD rebranded as WildBrainTV, with no change in programming.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breaking News…CHRGD is CHNGNG to WildBrainTV! |url=https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?u=1537187228e40fcecac1011c0&id=293ec56c10 |access-date=2022-03-05 |website= |publisher=WildBrain Television}}</ref>
===Closure (2025)=== On December 18, 2024, WildBrain announced that it would sell a two-thirds majority stake of its television operations (including Family Channel) to IoM Media Ventures, a Halifax-based company founded by former WildBrain CEO Dana Landry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-12-18 |title=WildBrain selling majority stake in TV channels |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/wildbrain-selling-majority-stake-in-tv-channels/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US |archive-date=December 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218200632/https://broadcastdialogue.com/wildbrain-selling-majority-stake-in-tv-channels/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In April 2025, WildBrain stated that it would be renegotiating aspects of the agreement, citing factors such as a decision by Bell Canada not to renew its carriage agreements for WildBrain's channels.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=WildBrain and IoM are adjusting their deal terms |url=https://kidscreen.com/2025/04/15/wildbrain-is-back-at-the-negotiating-table-with-iom-over-tv-channels-sale/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Kidscreen}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WildBrain's $28m deal to offload TV assets hit by channel carriage dispute with Bell |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/wildbrains-28m-deal-to-offload-tv-assets-hit-by-channel-carriage-dispute-with-bell/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=C21media |language=en-us}}</ref>
On August 25, 2025, WildBrain announced that it was unable to renew its carriage agreements with Rogers Cable. It therefore announced plans to close all of its specialty channels in the near future, as the decline in these carriage agreements meant the channels had lost most of their value and were "no longer commercially viable".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tuchow |first=Ryan |title=WildBrain to shutter its channels business |url=https://kidscreen.com/2025/08/25/wildbrain-to-shutter-its-channels-business/ |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=Kidscreen}}</ref> All four networks shut down at 5:59 a.m. Eastern on October 23, though some providers stopped their carriage of the channels at midnight several hours earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Channel lineup changes October 22 |url=https://www.sasktel.com/wps/wcm/connect/content/home/tv/channel-news-previews/channel-lineup-changes-oct22 |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=SaskTel}}</ref> On October 31, 2025, the CRTC confirmed it had revoked WildBrainTV's licence at the request of WildBrain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2025/2025-286.htm|title=Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2025-287|author=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|date=October 31, 2025|access-date=April 4, 2026|archive-date=April 4, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260404052457/https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2025/2025-287.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Programming== <!-- All content in this section MUST be attributable to a reliable, secondary source. TV guides are not reliable sources, as they may be unstable. -->
===Final programming=== ====Canadian productions==== {{Div col}} * ''Are You Afraid of the Dark?'' * ''Carmen Sandiego'' (November 5, 2022 – October 22, 2025)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u01xr9mhBCw | title=Carmen Sandiego | WildBrainTV | website=YouTube | date=24 October 2022 }}</ref> * ''Denis and Me'' (November 16, 2021 – October 22, 2025) * ''The Deep'' (January 1, 2016 – October 22, 2025)<ref name="ksn"/> * ''Goosebumps'' * ''Inspector Gadget'' (2018 – October 22, 2025) * ''Johnny Test'' (February 5, 2018 – October 22, 2025)<ref name="youtube">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgEWoPjW8WdVrLo05TtPqB53Tu55m67rE|title=WildBrainTV - YouTube|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> * ''The Latest Buzz'' * ''Naturally, Sadie'' * ''Slugterra'' (September 3, 2012 – October 22, 2025)<ref name="ksn"/> * ''Summer Memories'' (2022 – October 22, 2025)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wildbrain Television Celebrates Canadian Creativity With New Greenlights Across Animation and Live-Action, Offering Programming for the Entire Family to Enjoy |url=http://www.wildbrain.com/newsreleases/wildbrain-television-celebrates-canadian-creativity-with-new-greenlights-across-animation-and-live-action-offering-programming-for-the-entire-family-to-enjoy/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=WildBrain |language=en-US}}</ref> * ''Supernoobs'' (November 30, 2020 – October 22, 2025)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chrgd.ca/watch/?d=2020-11-30|title = Watch}}</ref> * ''Survivalists'' (2021 – October 22, 2025)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Escape to the Wilderness With New Action-Packed Reality Series Survivalists on Family Channel |url=https://www.wildbrain.com/newsreleases/escape-to-the-wilderness-with-new-action-packed-reality-series-survivalists-on-family-channel/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=WildBrain |language=en-US}}</ref>{{div col end}}
====Acquired programming==== {{Div col}} * ''Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks'' (2018–2025) * ''American Ninja Warrior Junior'' (2023-2024) * ''Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese'' (September 22, 2021–October 22, 2025) * ''Cleopatra in Space'' (January 9, 2021 – October 22, 2025)<ref name="youtube"/> * ''Dwight in Shining Armor'' * ''Grizzy & the Lemmings'' * ''The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants'' (June 20, 2020 – October 22, 2025)<ref name="youtube"/> * ''Harvey Girls Forever!'' (March 7, 2020 – 2022; 2024-2025)<ref name="youtube"/> * ''Saving Me'' * ''The Smurfs'' (February 19, 2022 – October 22, 2025) * ''Supergirl'' (August 4, 2020 – October 22, 2025)<ref name="chrgd.ca"/> {{div col end}}
===Former programming===
====As Disney XD (2011–2015)==== Programs in bold indicate that programming were moved to the new incarnation of Disney XD.
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * ''Aaron Stone'' * ''American Dragon: Jake Long'' * ''Baxter'' * ''Crash & Bernstein'' * ''Doraemon'' * ''The Emperor's New School'' * ''Even Stevens'' * ''Fantastic Four'' * ''Fish Hooks'' * ''Gargoyles'' * ''I'm in the Band'' * ''Iron Man'' * ''Jessie'' * ''Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil'' (2011–2014) * ''The Legend of Tarzan'' (2011–2013) * ''Motorcity'' * ''Pair of Kings'' (2011–2015) * ''Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja'' (2012–2015) * ''The Replacements'' * ''Spider-Man'' * ''The Suite Life of Zack & Cody'' * ''Tron: Uprising'' * ''What's Up Warthogs!'' * ''Wingin' It'' * ''Wizards of Waverly Place'' * ''X-Men'' * ''Yo Gabba Gabba!'' * ''Yin Yang Yo!'' (2011–2012) * ''Zeke and Luther'' {{div col end}}
====As Family CHRGD (2015–2022)==== {{Div col}} * '''''The 7D''''' (2014–2015) * ''Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?'' * ''Bajillionaires'' (March 29, 2021 – 2022?) * ''Be the Creature'' * ''Creeped Out'' (September 9, 2019 – 2021) * ''Degrassi: Next Class'' * ''Dinotrux'' * ''Dr. Ken''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chrgd.ca/schedule/?d=2019-04-17|title = Watch}}</ref> * ''DreamWorks Dragons'' * ''DreamWorksTV'' * ''Fangbone!'' * ''Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge'' (2011–2015) * ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''<ref name="tvlistings.zap2it.com"/> * ''Gaming Show (In My Parents' Garage)'' * '''''Gravity Falls''''' (2013–2015) * ''Hank Zipzer'' (January 2, 2016 – 2021) * ''Heads Up!''<ref name="chrgd.ca">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chrgd.ca/schedule/?d=2019-01-27|title = Watch}}</ref> * ''The Haunting Hour: The Series'' * ''Iron Man'' * ''Just Like Mom and Dad''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chrgd.ca/shows/just-like-mom-dad/ |title=Just Like Mom & Dad - CHRGD.ca |website=www.chrgd.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604162258/https://www.chrgd.ca/shows/just-like-mom-dad/ |archive-date=2020-06-04}}</ref> * '''''Kirby Buckets''''' (2014–2015) * '''''Kickin' It''''' (2011-2015)<ref name=Broadcaster/> * '''''Lab Rats''''' * ''Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales'' * ''Life with Derek'' (2011–2015) * ''Mega Man: Fully Charged'' (September 8, 2018 – 2021?) * '''''Mighty Med''''' (2013–2015)<ref name=ksn/> * ''My Knight and Me'' * ''My Side of the Sky''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chrgd.ca/shows/my-side-of-the-sky/|title=My Side of the Sky |publisher=DHX Media|access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref> * ''Nature Cat''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kidscreen.com/2016/02/22/9-story-licenses-nature-cat-to-dhx-tv/|title=9 Story licenses Nature Cat to DHX TV}}</ref> * ''Overruled!'' * '''''Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero''''' (2015)<ref name=ksn/> * '''''Phineas and Ferb''''' (2011–2015)<ref name=ksn/> * '''''Star Wars Rebels''''' (2014–2015) * '''''Star vs. the Forces of Evil''''' (2015) * ''Sonic Boom'' * ''Speechless''<ref name="chrgd.ca"/> * ''The Suite Life on Deck'' (2011–2015) * ''Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia'' (January 12, 2019 – 2021)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chrgd.ca/shows/troll-hunters-tales-of-arcadia/|title=Troll Hunters: Tales of Arcadia |publisher=DHX Media|access-date=5 December 2018}}</ref> * ''Storm Hawks'' * ''Voltron: Legendary Defender'' (July 22, 2018 – 202?) * ''Wingin' It'' (2011–2016) * ''What's Up Warthogs!'' * '''''Wander Over Yonder''''' (2013–2015) * ''Xiaolin Chronicles''<ref name=Broadcaster/> * ''Zak Storm'' * ''The Zoo'' {{div col end}}
====As WildBrainTV (2022–2025)==== {{Div col}} * ''The Adventures of Puss in Boots'' (June 18, 2017 – 2022) * ''All Hail King Julien'' (April 24, 2017 – 2022) * ''The Bureau of Magical Things'' (2022) * ''Dawn of the Croods'' (January 7, 2019 – 2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chrgd.ca/shows/dawn-of-the-croods|title=Dawn of the Croods |publisher=DHX Media|access-date=5 December 2018}}</ref> * ''Dorg Van Dango'' (2022) * '' Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh'' * ''The InBESTigators'' (March 10, 2022 – 2023) * ''Itch'' * ''Lego Jurassic World: Legend of Isla Nublar'' (2020–2022)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chrgd.ca/watch/?d=2020-09-05|title = Watch}}</ref> * ''Massive Monster Mayhem'' (January 14, 2018 – 2022) * ''Mighty Mike'' (December 2, 2019 – 2022) * ''The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show'' (November 3, 2018 – 2022) * ''Nowhere Boys'' (January 24, 2016 – 2022)<ref name="tvlistings.zap2it.com">{{cite web|url=http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCSGrid.do?stnNum=72093|title=Family CHRGD East TV Listings, TV Shows and Schedule–Zap2it|access-date=2015-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222125830/http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCSGrid.do?stnNum=72093|archive-date=2015-12-22|url-status=dead}}</ref> * ''Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures'' (March 17, 2014 – 2022) * ''Radio Free Roscoe'' (April 2017 – 2022) * ''Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty'' (May 1, 2021 – 2022) * ''She-Ra and the Princesses of Power'' (July 18, 2020 – 2022) * ''Turbo Fast'' (June 14, 2016 – 2022) * ''Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions'' (2022) * ''Where's Waldo?'' (January 23, 2021 – 2023) (Moved to Family Jr.) {{div col end}}
==See also== *List of Canadian television channels
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Children's television in Canada}} {{DHX Media}}
Category:WildBrain Category:Children's television networks in Canada Category:Television channels and stations established in 2011 Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2025 Category:Defunct specialty television channels in Canada Category:English-language television stations in Canada Category:2011 establishments in Canada Category:2025 disestablishments in Canada