Family Channel’s Shutdown Marks the End of a Generation of Childhood TV
For nearly four decades, the Family Channel was a staple in Canadian households, shaping the childhoods of millions with sitcoms, dramas, and family-friendly entertainment. Now, the station that once brought families together is preparing to go off the air.
WildBrain, the Toronto-based entertainment company that owns the channel, announced last week that it will permanently shut down four networks — Family Channel, Family Jr., WildBrainTV, and the French-language Télémagino. The decision follows major Canadian carriers, including Rogers and Bell, pulling the stations from their services.
“In light of these changes, the channels are no longer commercially viable,” WildBrain said in a statement, adding that licenses will be surrendered to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
Launched in 1988, Family Channel quickly became a cultural cornerstone, airing a blend of Canadian and international hits. Generations of fans grew up watching shows like Life with Derek, That’s So Raven, Zack and Cody, and Hannah Montana. For many, the channel was more than just TV — it was part of their family routine.
“I feel like it’s a bit devastating,” said 18-year-old Korie Heartz, who had hoped her own children would one day watch the same shows she and her mother enjoyed. “There’s a whole lot of shows on there that I really, really liked.”
The nostalgia runs deep among older viewers too. Erin Gilbert recalls spending nearly a decade of her childhood tuned into Family Channel. “To know that my child’s not going to grow up with that station is a little sad,” she said.
Others, like 27-year-old Jonniemay Goody, never stopped watching reruns of classics such as Cory in the House and That’s So Raven. “I’m getting to the age now where I’m going to have my own kids, and they won’t get the same experience,” she said.
Despite the outpouring of emotion, data reveals a steep decline in viewership. According to Numeris, ratings for WildBrain’s channels dropped 85 percent between 2018 and 2024. Rogers said the move reflects shifting consumer habits, with most families now preferring on-demand platforms over traditional cable.
WildBrain’s president and CEO Josh Scherba acknowledged the emotional weight of the closure, calling Family Channel a “trusted destination for Canadian kids and families” for almost 40 years. But he emphasized the company’s pivot to digital-first entertainment. “We have deliberately positioned our business to align with changing consumer habits, including a strategic exit from the declining broadcast space in Canada,” Scherba said.
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The shutdown marks the end of an era — one that shaped Canadian childhood memories for generations, but could not withstand the digital shift redefining how families watch TV today.
