or


[10/26/11 - 08:31 AM]
New Millennial Focused Channel, ABC Spark, to Launch in Canada
The network, due to kick off this spring, will feature the likes of ABC Family's "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" and "Switched at Birth."

[via press release from ABC]

DISNEY/ABC TELEVISION GROUP ENTERS INTO EXPANSIVE LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH CORUS ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING ITS SUCCESSFUL MILLENNIAL-TARGETED BRAND TO CANADA WITH A DEDICATED 24-HOUR CHANNEL NAMED ABC SPARK

Burbank, CA and Toronto, Canada -- October 26, 2011 - Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) and Corus Entertainment today announced that they have entered into an expansive licensing agreement to launch ABC Spark, a dedicated millennial-focused channel and multi-platform offering, in Canada in Spring 2012. The channel will build on the foundation that DATG has created with ABC Family, its incredibly successful millennial brand in the U.S. This deal marks the first time in history that these two companies have entered into this type of licensing agreement for a 24-hour channel.

ABC Spark will be a destination for Canada's young adult millennial viewers, telling stories that matter most to this audience while utilizing the technology millennials rely on to connect to their world in a corresponding multi-platform offering. The agreement was brokered by Disney-ABC Domestic Television with Corus Entertainment.

"We are very pleased to work with Corus in bringing ABC Family's well-known, popular programming into the Canadian marketplace," commented Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

"We are thrilled to partner with Disney/ABC Television Group and to announce the launch of ABC Spark in Canada, a network with values and attributes that align with our own," said Doug Murphy, president, Corus Television. "Bridging the gap between our kids and women's networks, ABC Spark will be a national service with compelling programming directed at the fast-expanding millennial generation."

ABC Family is a top performing destination for millennials in the U.S., delivering seven consecutive years of stellar growth. ABC Family has also become an emerging global brand though the successful sale of many of its key programs to more than 200 territories around the world. Its newest series, "Switched at Birth," launched as the network's No. 1 series debut of all time in key demos this past summer, and ranked as the top rated new series across all basic cable in those demos as well. Other groundbreaking original programming included in the deal are "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," "Make It or Break It," "Melissa & Joey" and upcoming series "Jane By Design."

Michael Riley, president, ABC Family, added: "As the leader in millennial programming, we're thrilled to join Corus in bringing our successful series and resonant millennial brand to Canada. We're confident that Canadian viewers will respond passionately to shows like 'Switched at Birth,' 'The Lying Game' and 'Secret Life of the American Teenager' in this new branded environment, just as viewers have in the U.S. and around the world."

Comprising more than 1.7 billion consumers worldwide, millennials are an optimistic and goal-oriented generation. They represent the largest demographic bubble in both U.S. and Canadian history. Millennials constitute over 85 million 15 to 34 year-olds in the U.S. In Canada there are nearly 10 million millennials, constituting more than 30% of the current population.

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 98 million U.S. homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today's relationships - told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

Disney-ABC Domestic Television (DADT) is the content distribution arm for The Walt Disney Company within the United States and Canada. DADT distributes premier motion picture and television content across a wide array of media platforms and businesses including e sell-through, video-on-demand/pay-per-view, subscription video-on-demand, pay television, basic cable, broadcast television, mobile, broadband and other digital technologies. An industry leader, DADT distributes properties from Disney, Disney·Pixar, Marvel, DreamWorks Studios, ABC Studios, ABC Entertainment, ABC Family and Disney Channel. Disney-ABC Domestic Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The Company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), CosmoTV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.





  [october 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· JANE BY DESIGN (ABC FAMILY)
· LYING GAME, THE (ABC FAMILY)
· MAKE IT OR BREAK IT (ABC FAMILY)
· MELISSA & JOEY (ABC FAMILY)
· SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER, THE (ABC FAMILY)
· SWITCHED AT BIRTH (FREEFORM)





[11/13/25 - 09:32 AM]
Wonder Project's Inspiring Docuseries, "Redemption," Premieres on the Wonder Project Subscription on Prime Video in the U.S. on Sunday, November 16
The limited docuseries chronicles the Ohio State football team's unforgettable 2024 season, culminating in a national championship, but this story goes much deeper than touchdowns and trophies.

[11/13/25 - 09:06 AM]
Golf Channel Announces New Morning Programming Beginning January 2026
New morning programming on Golf Channel is highlighted by on-course reporter Smylie Kaufman bringing his popular show and podcast, "The Smylie Show," to Golf Channel on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. ET.

[11/13/25 - 09:02 AM]
Prime Video Announces November 17 Release Date for "Hazbin Hotel: Live on Broadway" Season 2 Premiere Concert Event
Hosted by series lead Erika Henningsen, at New York's historic Majestic Theater, the concert event features performances of the show's hit songs from Seasons One and Two.

[11/13/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Kathleen Madigan: The Family Thread" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
The one-hour special will premiere November 21, 2025 on Prime Video.

[11/13/25 - 09:00 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "The Shuffle" Debuts November 25
The documentary is the first in a new series of short football films, made in partnership with NFL Films, and will debut in advance of the new season of "Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East."

[11/13/25 - 08:30 AM]
"Mad Men" Comes to HBO Max December 1
This marks the first time the series is available to stream in 4K, giving audiences and longtime fans the opportunity to enjoy the series' authentically-crafted elements with crisp detail and enhanced visual clarity.

[11/13/25 - 08:03 AM]
Star Designer Bobby Berk Turns Chaotic Collections Into Dream Digs in New HGTV Series "Junk or Jackpot?" Premiering Friday, Dec. 26, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT
Executive produced by actor, wrestler and entrepreneur John Cena, the six-episode season will follow Bobby as he meets passionate people who are in desperate need of a life-changing renovation and will soon discover the hidden monetary value of their massive and unusual collections.

[11/13/25 - 08:00 AM]
Apple TV Unveils First Look and Premiere Date for All-New Wildlife Series "Born to be Wild"
Filmed over several years across three continents, the six-part documentary series follows six endangered young animals as they grow up in our world but are destined to return to theirs.

[11/13/25 - 07:44 AM]
Unrivaled & TNT Sports Announce Schedule for 2026 Season & Fourth Night Expansion on TNT Sports Networks
This season will feature an exciting fourth night of basketball, providing Unrivaled with four consecutive nights of game action, Friday through Monday.

[11/13/25 - 07:00 AM]
Video: Let the End Times Roll. Watch "Fallout" Season Two Trailer
The highly anticipated eight-episode season will premiere on December 17, 2025, with one episode rolling out weekly until the season finale on February 4, 2026.

[11/13/25 - 07:00 AM]
Celebrated Animators Patrick McHale, Ian Jones-Quartey, Rebecca Sugar and Pendleton Ward Unite for a Bold Narrative Experiment in Three-Acts, "Adult Swim's The Elephant," to Premiere December 19
"Adult Swim's The Elephant" is a rare creative experiment in which each of the three-acts are made in isolation.

[11/13/25 - 06:16 AM]
Video: "Goodbye June" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The film takes place just before Christmas, when an unexpected turn in their mother's health thrusts four adult siblings and their exasperating father into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss.

[11/13/25 - 06:05 AM]
CMA Announces More Performers for "The 59th Annual CMA Awards"
Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, and Chris Stapleton join the growing list of performers for this year's star-studded CMA Awards.

[11/13/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Koati" New Series Trailer - Netflix Jr
Four adorable rainforest animals and their fearless friends go on adventures, learn about nature and discover the power of friendship together.

[11/13/25 - 06:01 AM]
Apple TV's "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" Sets Season Two Return for February 27
The 10-episode second season of "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" will premiere globally on Friday, February 27, 2026 with the first episode, followed by one episode every Friday until May 1, 2026.