Family (TV channel)
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- For the American cable TV broadcaster, see ABC Family; for the former British channel see Challenge.
| Family | |
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| Type | Cable premium television channel |
|---|---|
| Country |  Canada |
| Availability | National |
| Slogan | Never a dull moment. |
| Owner | The Family Channel Inc. (Astral Media) |
| Launch date | September 1, 1988 |
| Website | family.ca |
Family, sometimes referred to as Family Channel, is a Canadian premium television service geared mainly towards kids and younger teenagers. It is owned by Astral Media.
Contents |
[edit] History
Family was licensed as a pay TV service by the 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. Today, Family is 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. Family broadcasts from 4:30am to 1:00am EST. Starting February 2007, Family will be airing commercials and short shows from Disney Channel such as Disney's Really Short Report, Meet the Family, and the returning feature Disney's 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.
Aside from some common programming, Family has never been affiliated with the U.S. channel previously known The Family Channel.
[edit] Logos
[edit] 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 and ABC Family. It also airs theatrical films.
The channel operates two timeshifted feeds, East (Eastern Time) and West (Pacific Time).
It has been noted that Family tends to run shows out of order, regardless of whether they are in reruns.
[edit] Original Programing
Family gets its shows from Disney Channel and Nickelodeon mostly, but it also airs its own original programing. The original programs are:
[edit] 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. 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.
[edit] Programming blocks
[edit] Jetix
Started on September 10 at 6:03 am, viewers of Family can now watch Jetix in Canada. This new block will replace the current "Power Box" block on Family, and will introduce "Get Ed" and "Oban Star Racers" to Canada. "W.I.T.C.H." and "Power Rangers Mystic Force" remain unchanged, however, retro "Spiderman" and "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go!", will no longer be shown at this time. Jetix will air from 6:03 am until 7:45, commercial free.
[edit] Playhouse
It airs Disney shows especially for preschoolers every weekday mornings from 8:45 am until 11:45 am. Notable shows currently airing are: Little Einsteins, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, JoJo's Circus, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
[edit] Mad Dash
It airs Disney animated shows for pre-teens and teens every weekday afternoons from 11:49 am until 5:30 pm. 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.
[edit] 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 and Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.
[edit] Programs on Family
This is a list of programs currently airing on Family, as of March 2007.
[edit] Past programs on Family
This is a list of programs that previously aired on Family, as of July 2006.
[edit] New Series to Air in 2007
[edit] Returning Series Confirmed to Air in 2007
- Naturally, Sadie (Season 2 Part 2) - Spring 2007
[edit] New Movies Confirmed to Air in 2007
[edit] External link
| Astral Media Inc. |
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Corporate Directors: Normand Beauchamp | Austin Beutel | Paul Bronfman | André Bureau | Jack Cockwell | George Cohon | Paul Godfrey | Edith Greenberg | Ian Greenberg | Sidney Greenberg | Sidney Horn | Timothy Price |
|
Television Assets: Canal D | Canal Indigo | Canal Vie | cinépop | Family | Historia | The Movie Network | Mpix | MusiquePlus | MusiMax | Séries+ | Super Écran | TATV | Teletoon (English) | Télétoon (French) | Viewers Choice | VRAK.TV | Ztélé |
