Corus Entertainment
Canadian media company operating television networks, radio stations, digital services, and entertainment-production businesses.
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Overview
Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian mass-media and television-production company headquartered at Corus Quay in Toronto. Established in 1999 through the separation of Shaw Communications' media assets, Corus developed into one of Canada's largest broadcasting groups, with interests spanning conventional television, specialty and premium channels, radio, children's entertainment, animation, publishing, content distribution, digital products, and advertising sales. The company's television portfolio has historically included the Global Television Network, a national group of conventional stations carrying news, sports, entertainment, and acquired programming. Corus also operates or has operated numerous specialty services aimed at children's, lifestyle, general-entertainment, factual, women-oriented, and French-language audiences. Domestic brands associated with the company include YTV, Treehouse, TELETOON, Cartoon Network Canada, Adult Swim, W Network, Showcase, Slice, Flavour Network, Home Network, and other services. Some channel identities and rights have changed over time as Corus has closed, rebranded, sold, or transferred services in response to regulation, audience behaviour, and the economics of Canadian specialty television. Corus supplements its owned brands with licensed services and programming relationships involving international media companies. These arrangements have included brands and content connected with A&E Networks, Paramount, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Corus previously distributed Canadian versions of brands such as HGTV, Food Network, and Nickelodeon, although certain rights and services moved to other Canadian platforms in 2025. The company's digital strategy has included the Global TV App, authenticated streaming for television subscribers, advertising-supported streaming content, and StackTV, a subscription bundle offered through Amazon Prime Video Channels. Beyond broadcasting, Corus owns Nelvana, a major Canadian animation producer known for children's and family programming, and Kids Can Press, a Canadian children's publishing company. These businesses support Corus's strategy of combining intellectual property creation with television distribution and branded children's services. Corus has also maintained content-sales, licensing, production, and advertising operations connected to its television properties. Major turning points include the 2000 acquisition of Nelvana, the consolidation of former Canwest broadcasting assets through the 2016 acquisition of Shaw Media, the 2015 transition to Disney-branded Canadian services, and the 2016 closure of Movie Central and Encore Avenue. The Shaw Media transaction brought Global and a large group of specialty channels into Corus and substantially changed the scale of the company. In 2019, Shaw Communications sold its Corus shares, ending the most direct ownership relationship between the two publicly traded companies, although the businesses had originated from the same Shaw family-controlled media structure. Corus operates in a challenging Canadian media market characterized by cord-cutting, competition from global streaming platforms, changing advertising patterns, regulatory requirements, and the high cost of producing and acquiring programming. Its positioning combines national broadcast reach, recognizable specialty brands, local news and radio operations, children's intellectual property, and multi-platform distribution. The company remains a Canadian public media enterprise, but its asset portfolio and commercial emphasis have changed repeatedly as linear television economics have weakened and streaming distribution has expanded.
History
Corus Entertainment was created in 1999 when Shaw Communications spun off its broadcasting and media interests. Shaw had entered radio in the late 1980s and expanded through acquisitions of stations and television interests, including a substantial position in YTV. The separation was intended to create a focused telecommunications company at Shaw while placing media assets in a separately traded corporation. Corus subsequently expanded through the acquisition of Power Corporation broadcasting assets and selected holdings from Western International Communications. The company's early growth concentrated on radio and specialty television. In 2000, Corus acquired Nelvana, integrating a major animation studio with its children's channels and related businesses. Regulatory concerns about concentration in Canadian children's specialty television led Corus to sell its interest in Family Channel in 2001. During the same period, it adjusted its radio and publishing holdings, including the sale of Klutz to Scholastic and the purchase of a stake in the Spanish-language animation channel Locomotion. Corus continued to reshape its radio portfolio through station purchases, exchanges, and disposals. It acquired Quebec radio assets in arrangements with Astral Media, later sold most of its Quebec stations to Cogeco and other buyers, and disposed of additional stations in Alberta and elsewhere. In television, the company pursued partnerships and licensing arrangements, including the launch of Cosmopolitan TV with Hearst and the purchase of Canadian Learning Television. In 2009, Corus launched a Canadian Nickelodeon service. In 2010, Shaw Communications re-entered the media sector by acquiring the assets of bankrupt Canwest and establishing Shaw Media. Corus and Shaw also launched ABC Spark, while Corus and Astral developed Canadian Cartoon Network and Adult Swim services through the Teletoon venture. Corus expanded its French-language presence in 2014 after acquiring Astral interests in Historia, Séries+, Teletoon Canada, and Ottawa radio stations as part of transactions associated with Bell Media's acquisition of Astral. A major portfolio transition occurred in 2015. Corus obtained Canadian multi-platform rights associated with Disney Channel programming and launched English- and French-language Disney services. It also discontinued Teletoon Retro and reorganized related programming under other brands. Later that year, Corus announced the closure of Movie Central and Encore Avenue. The closures were completed in 2016, with subscribers transitioned toward Bell Media's movie services and with Bell making a payment connected to the migration and related rights arrangements. In January 2016, Corus announced the acquisition of Shaw Media for approximately C$2.65 billion. The transaction, completed on April 1, 2016, brought the Global network and a large collection of former Canwest specialty services into Corus. Because both companies were controlled by the Shaw family structure, the transaction was treated by Canadian regulators as an internal reorganization rather than a conventional third-party concentration transaction. Shaw Media executives joined Corus, and the company adopted a new visual identity. Corus later attempted to sell Historia and Séries+ to Bell Media, but Canada's Competition Bureau rejected the transaction in 2018 because it would have conflicted with conditions attached to Bell's earlier Astral acquisition. Corus faced deteriorating television economics during this period, including a substantial broadcasting-asset impairment and a dividend reduction in 2018. Management emphasized more targeted and automated advertising approaches as audiences moved toward digital platforms. The company continued to close or rebrand selected channels, including the conversion of Action into a 24-hour Adult Swim service in 2019 and the closure of IFC Canada, CosmoTV, and FYI Canada. Corus also pursued digital distribution through StackTV, the Nick+ subscription service, and the Global TV App. Its later strategy has combined linear television, streaming, advertising-supported digital programming, licensing partnerships, and ownership of production and publishing assets. The company remains active in Canadian media while adapting to cord-cutting, platform competition, rights renegotiation, and regulatory change.
- 2020
Global TV App expanded Corus digital distribution
[1]Corus consolidated several network applications and added authenticated and advertising-supported streaming functions.
- 2019
Adult Swim replaced Action
[1]Action was relaunched as a 24-hour Canadian Adult Swim channel.
- 2016
Shaw Media acquisition completed
[1]Corus absorbed Shaw Media, adding Global and numerous specialty television properties.
- 2015
Disney Channel services launched in Canada
[1]Corus introduced English- and French-language Disney Channel services under a new Canadian rights agreement.
- 2003
Doug Murphy became chief executive officer
[1]Doug Murphy succeeded John Cassaday as chief executive.
- 2000
Nelvana acquired
[1]Corus bought animation studio Nelvana, strengthening its children's content and intellectual-property operations.
- 1999
Corus Entertainment launched as a public company
[1]Shaw Communications spun off its broadcasting and media interests into Corus, which listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Products and positioning
A major Canadian multi-platform media group combining national television broadcasting, specialty networks, radio, children's entertainment, production, publishing, and digital distribution.
Conventional television network
Global Television Network
Corus's national conventional television network, consisting of local stations across Canada. Global combines national and local news with entertainment programming, acquired series, specials, and advertising-supported broadcast distribution.
Children's television · 1988
YTV
A long-running Canadian children's and family television brand within Corus's portfolio. YTV has served as a platform for animated series, live-action youth programming, original productions, and acquired international content.
Preschool television
Treehouse
A preschool-focused Canadian television service associated with Corus's children's-media operations. Its programming has included animated series, educational entertainment, and family-oriented content.
Animation television · 1997
TELETOON
An animation-focused Canadian television brand offering cartoons, animated films, original productions, and acquired programming. It has operated in both English- and French-language forms and has been connected to Corus's broader children's-content strategy.
Specialty television · 1995
W Network
A Canadian specialty network oriented toward women-focused entertainment, drama, lifestyle, and factual programming. It is part of Corus's portfolio of targeted specialty brands.
General entertainment television · 1995
Showcase
A Canadian specialty entertainment channel carrying scripted series, films, and other general-interest programming. It became part of Corus through the integration of Shaw Media assets.
Animation and production · 1971
Nelvana
Corus's animation and children's-content studio. Nelvana develops, produces, distributes, and licenses animated and family programming, supporting the company's television brands and international content relationships.
Children's publishing · 1973
Kids Can Press
A Canadian children's publishing business owned by Corus. It publishes illustrated books and other youth-oriented titles and complements Corus's interests in children's entertainment and intellectual property.
Streaming subscription bundle · 2019
StackTV
A subscription-based streaming bundle introduced through Amazon Prime Video Channels in Canada. It provides live and on-demand access to selected Global and Corus specialty-channel programming.
Digital streaming service · 2020
Global TV App
Corus's digital video application combining Global programming and selected specialty-network content. It supports authenticated viewing for eligible television subscribers and selected free, advertising-supported programming.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Global TV App consolidation
Canada
Corus replaced several individual network applications with a consolidated Global TV App combining live, authenticated, and selected advertising-supported viewing.
Outcome. Created a unified digital destination for a broader selection of Corus brands.
- 2019StackTV launch
Canada
Corus partnered with Amazon Prime Video Channels to package Global and specialty-network programming into a direct-to-consumer subscription offering.
Outcome. Expanded Corus's digital distribution beyond traditional television providers.
Brand decisions
2019
Action relaunched as Adult SwimGeneration changeBackground
Corus sought to strengthen its portfolio with an established international youth and animation brand.
Action taken
Action was converted into a 24-hour Canadian Adult Swim service.
Aftermath
The change expanded Adult Swim from a programming block into a full-time channel in Canada.
2018
Greater emphasis on targeted digital advertisingStrategyBackground
Corus reported difficult television-market conditions and recorded a substantial impairment of its broadcasting assets.
Action taken
Management stated that the company would emphasize automated and microtargeted advertising capabilities.
Aftermath
The strategic shift reflected pressure from changing viewing habits, digital competition, and weakening conventional television economics.
2016
Acquisition of Shaw MediaM&ABackground
Shaw Communications sought to reorganize its media assets and help fund its wireless-business expansion.
Action taken
Corus acquired Shaw Media, including Global and 19 specialty television services.
Aftermath
The acquisition transformed Corus into one of Canada's largest broadcasting groups and brought former Canwest assets under its control.
Acquisition value. C$2.65 billion (Announced January 2016; completed April 1, 2016)
2015
Disney Channel rights transitionProduct launchBackground
Corus reached a long-term Canadian agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group for multi-platform distribution of Disney programming.
Action taken
Corus launched English- and French-language Disney Channel services and reorganized related children's programming.
Aftermath
The agreement changed the Canadian distribution structure for Disney-branded programming and ended the previous Family Channel arrangement.
2015
Closure of Movie Central and Encore AvenueStrategyBackground
Corus decided to focus on mainstream specialty services rather than continue operating its regional premium movie channels.
Action taken
It closed Movie Central and Encore Avenue and coordinated the migration of subscribers to Bell Media movie services.
Aftermath
The closures ended the historical regional division between Movie Central in western Canada and Bell's movie services in eastern Canada.
Payment associated with subscriber migration and rights arrangements. C$211 million (2016)
2001
Sale of Family Channel interestStrategyBackground
Canadian regulators raised concerns about Corus's concentration in children's specialty television.
Action taken
Corus sold its interest in Family Channel to Astral Media and made related portfolio adjustments.
Aftermath
The transaction reduced Corus's concentration in children's pay television while the company retained other youth-oriented brands.
Transaction value. C$126.9 million (2001)
Recent events
Corus Entertainment announces new board of directors[3]
Reported:
Corus Entertainment said on Oct. 8, 2026 that it has appointed a new board of directors in connection with the completion of its recapitalization transaction.
Corus Entertainment completes recapitalization transaction[3]
Reported:
Corus Entertainment said on Oct. 8, 2026 that it has completed the recapitalization transaction first announced in November of the prior year, under which some of Corus's lenders forgive approximately $500 million in debt in exchange for 99 per cent ownership of a newly created parent corporation that will wholly own Corus and its services. The company says its class B non-voting shares are expected to be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange at the end of the Oct. 9 trading day, with new shares to begin trading on Oct. 13. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission had granted regulatory approval for the plan in September.
STACKTV and Nick+ offer 50% off for three months[4]
Reported:
Corus announced a limited-time offer for eligible customers who sign up through Amazon Prime Video Channels from November 23 to 30, 2020: 50% off the monthly subscription price for STACKTV and Nick+ for three months.
Corus to carry Peacock original programming in Canada[5]
Reported:
Corus Entertainment announced that it would be the Canadian home of NBC Peacock's original programming. The article says details about the platforms and deal would follow.
Corus wins Media Innovation Award for John Frieda campaign[6]
Reported:
Corus Entertainment was recognized as Best Media Company at the 2019 Media Innovation Awards for its work with Kao Canada’s John Frieda hair care brand.
Sources6 sources
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