Shuffling of Discovery & Bravo content in Canada

[Daikun]

Corus was recently informed that their trademarks to Discovery's nonfiction networks will not be renewed by December 31, 2024.

CORUS PROVIDES UPDATE ON PROGRAMMING AND TRADEMARK OUTPUT ARRANGEMENTS - Corus Entertainment

For Immediate Release TORONTO, June 7, 2024 – Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) (“Corus” or “the Company”) is providing an update today that it has been informed by Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. that some of its programming and trademark output arrangements will not be renewed upon their...

www.corusent.com

EDIT: This thread originally concerned WBD as a whole (since that was the text of the original press release), but it turns out Corus is only losing the rights to the Discovery side of their networks. The Warner Bros. programming will remain unchanged.

 

[Jeff Harris]

To be fair, the press release says this:

"[...]some of its programming and trademark output arrangements will not be renewed upon their expiry on December 31, 2024. This affects content on certain Corus-operated specialty channels."

Now, granted, the general assumption around Toon Zone/Anime Superhero is that this explicitly means they're dropping Cartoon Network, Boomerang, and Adult Swim.

That may not be the case.

See, here's the rub... Corus operates the following networks that uses WBD trademarks:

• Cooking Channel
• Food Network
• HGTV
• Magnolia Network
• OWN
• Adult Swim
• Cartoon Network (formerly Teletoon)
• Boomerang (formerly Cartoon Network [long story])

Now, they said "some" of the brands, not all of the brands. I feel that Cartoon Network and Adult Swim are safe in the long term since they're still heavily focused in recent upfront announcements as were HGTV and Food Network. The others may be expendable and/or rebranded. Plus, like their southern counterparts, Corus is focusing on its streaming outlet, STACK TV.

BTW, here's the highlights of the brands they mentioned at the upfronts:

CORUS ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES ITS 2024/25 LINEUP OF OUTSTANDING SERIES ACROSS ITS SPECIALTY NETWORKS AND STREAMING PLATFORMS - Corus Entertainment

CORUS ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES ITS 2024/25 LINEUP OF OUTSTANDING SERIES ACROSS ITS SPECIALTY NETWORKS AND STREAMING PLATFORMS Premium Peacock Scripted Originals Featuring All-Star Talent Debut Across Showcase and W Network Including Untitled Steph Curry/Adam Pally Project (WT) Featuring Adam...

www.corusent.com

The WBD-licensed branded networks missing will likely be the trademarks that won't be renewed.

 

[The Overlord]

Corcus might be useless if it loses the WB content. They just rebranded Teletoon to Cartoon Network and almost all their programming is based on WBD content.

 

[Jeff Harris]

Corcus might be useless if it loses the WB content. They just rebranded Teletoon to Cartoon Network and almost all their programming is based on WBD content.

I wouldn't say they're useless.

They still have the license to Disney units (ABC Spark, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, various A&E brands, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD) and a pair of Paramount Global units (CMT and Nickelodeon).

For those joining in, yes, Corus operates the Canadian versions of Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Adult Swim, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Freeform (ABC Spark), and Nickelodeon. And their own kids brand YTV.

They'll be fine.

 

[Jeff Harris]

A follow-up.

Effective January 2025, Rogers Communications will be the new Canadian license holder of Warner Bros Discovery's lifestyle and factual brands, including HGTV, Food Network, and others. NBC Universal's Bravo brand launches with Rogers starting in September 2024.

Rogers inks blockbuster deals with NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery  - About Rogers

Will make content available to all Canadians through streaming and distribution partners Will increase investment in Canadian content and independent productions over the next decade Solidifies Rogers as the home of sports and entertainment in Canada TORONTO, ON, June 10, 2024 — Rogers...

about.rogers.com

This means that Corus will still be running Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and Boomerang, so you guys can relax.

 

[Daikun]

Since these new developments have come about, I've changed the opening post and title of this thread to better reflect the clarified information. I've also moved this to Entertainment since it doesn't really affect the WBC at all.

 

[Takao]

This is really bad for Corus. It sent their stock plummeting 30% yesterday and 17% today. Their stock price is now at a record low.

It also needs to be said that they're not alone in feeling the pain of this deal. This agreement with WBD also gives Rogers a host of content and brands currently managed by Bell Media in Canada. That includes the flagship Discovery Channel brand, something they've been operating and producing original content for since it launched in 1995. Bell is a far larger company that Corus, with most of their money coming from telecommunication services, but it seems they're still going to try to fight this Rogers agreement somehow.

 

[The Overlord]

Does this mean Crave will lose all the HBO stuff? That's the only reason I have that service.

 

[themidnightlore]

This is really bad for Corus. It sent their stock plummeting 30% yesterday and 17% today. Their stock price is now at a record low.

It also needs to be said that they're not alone in feeling the pain of this deal. This agreement with WBD also gives Rogers a host of content and brands currently managed by Bell Media in Canada. That includes the flagship Discovery Channel brand, something they've been operating and producing original content for since it launched in 1995. Bell is a far larger company that Corus, with most of their money coming from telecommunication services, but it seems they're still going to try to fight this Rogers agreement somehow.

I see that someone that commented in the article that you linked that Corus could revive FYI as idea for fill that niche of lifestyle channels. An idea I would not oppose, but not sure if the brand could sustain the momentum?

 

[LinusFan303]

I am surprised that Canada didn't somehow block non Canadian based streaming services from being the country. there's a reason why American companies don't own networks in Canada including cable networks. Now the ad market is hurting, which is kind of sad.

As said before, HGTV, Food, Cooking, Magnolia Network and Own will be going to Rogers Media and Sports. Corus will get to keep Cartoon network, Adult Swim.

Bell (oh no, this is going to make them hurt CTV more show how huh?) loses Discovery Channel, Motor Trend, Animal Planet (lol), ID to Rogers as well. I guess Discovery wants to work with mostly one partner now. Remember the HGTV networks were once owned by someone else at last time so this was probably their time to realign. (Sorry for the rhyme) Some of this probably restates what the thread said already.

Canadian Media Giants Play Musical Chairs With Popular U.S. Brands Amid Streaming Competition

Warner Bros. Discovery has moved Canadian rights to popular lifestyle brands like HGTV, Food Network and OWN to Rogers Sports and Media and away from Corus Entertainment and Bell Media as they all chase Netflix.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Takao]

Does this mean Crave will lose all the HBO stuff? That's the only reason I have that service.

Bell said that Crave's contract for WBD material is long-term and was just renewed last year.

Of course, I'm not sure that means much when it seems like they were under the impression their Discovery content was safe, too.

I am surprised that Canada didn't somehow block non Canadian based streaming services from being the country. there's a reason why American companies don't own networks in Canada including cable networks. Now the ad market is hurting, which is kind of sad.

Governments are slow to react to technological changes. Something like that would've needed to be thought of 15+ years ago. Streaming services utilize existing network infrastructure. It wasn't like cable or broadcast TV where you were digging up the ground to lay wiring or build towers.

 

[Daikun]

Corus' CEO is stepping down after losing these channels.

Corus CEO Doug Murphy Exits After Losing Warner Bros. Discovery Channels

Troy Reeb and John Gossling are named co-CEOs after the embattled Canadian network lost HGTV, Food Network, Discovery and other channels to rival Rogers Sports and Media.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[TheBorkBork]

Canada’s Rogers to launch six TV channels after sweeping up WBD, NBCU rights

Rogers Sports & Media has revealed plans to launch six new speciality television channels in Canada after it struck major trademark and licensing agreements with Warner Bros Discovery and NBCUniversal earlier this year.

www.c21media.net

• Discovery, ID, Food Network, HGTV, & Magnolia launch on January 1st.
• Other Discovery brands [Cooking Channel, OWN, Motor Trend, Animal Planet, & Discovery Science] close down on linear and move to steaming service CityTV+
• Speaking of OWN, OWN Canada closes on linear September 1st, exactly 25 years after it first launched as Canadian Learning Television. owntv – owntv
• On the same day, OLN becomes Bravo, bringing the brand back to Canada after 5 years of absence, albeit the US version of the brand instead of the former Canadian version [currently CTV Drama Channel] or the British version.
• This also continues the trend of international versions of NBCU networks that got replaced by other networks outliving the original version and replacements of said network as well. [G4 Canada & Style Channel Australia, closed at the end of August 2017 and December 2019 respectively]
• OLN itself ceases programming at 5:15am EDT on August 31st [this Saturday] after 1 final airing of Storage Wars, then has "Bravo Begins Tomorrow" on loop for almost 24 hours before Bravo actually starts at 5am EDT with The Real Housewives of NYC. Schedule

 

[themidnightlore]

So... After this, what's even left at Corus? The A+E stuff and Disney (not counting homebrewed channels)?
Wait, right, they also still have the Warner stuff.

 

[TheBorkBork]

So... After this, what's even left at Corus?

They are likely keeping what is currently Food Network Canada and HGTV Canada with generic branding and their original shows, as Corus retains domestic rights to shows originally produced for them. It wouldn't surprise me if Magnolia Network Canada, Cooking Channel Canada, and maybe DTour or even Slice, which lost a lot of their shows to the new Bravo channel, merged with other channels and/or close down entirely like OWN is about to do on Sunday.

 

[Mc123]

They are likely keeping what is currently Food Network Canada and HGTV Canada with generic branding and their original shows, as Corus retains domestic rights to shows originally produced for them. It wouldn't surprise me if Magnolia Network Canada, Cooking Channel Canada, and maybe DTour or even Slice, which lost a lot of their shows to the new Bravo channel, merged with other channels and/or close down entirely like OWN is about to do on Sunday.

Corus is keeping Slice as-is. There also articles that say that they'll be showing The Daily Show this September.

 

[Mc123]

They could probably move Freeform reality shows to Slice.

 

[TheBorkBork]

Corus is keeping Slice as-is. There also articles that say that they'll be showing The Daily Show this September.

True, but Slice does appear to be going through channel drift / airing mostly reruns of syndicated shows like King of Queens & The Goldbergs with some reruns of HGTV shows and a couple other sitcoms to pad out the schedule.

The only shows currently on the website are The Daily Show, two new true crime shows that start in September as well, and two shows from Bravo that are about to leave imminently.

Chorus is trying to do SOMETHING with Slice, but I don't know what they are doing yet. It all just seems confusing with what they are airing.

They could probably move Freeform reality shows to Slice.

Wouldn't that take stuff away from ABC Spark [which I'm surprised hasn't dropped the ABC bit and become just Spark, or even just becoming Freeform Canada]?

 

[Perla Magica]

They could probably move Freeform reality shows to Slice.

Yeah, "Grand Cayman" and "Royal Rules of Ohio" would fit perfectly here.

Wouldn't that take stuff away from ABC Spark [which I'm surprised hasn't dropped the ABC bit and become just Spark, or even just becoming Freeform Canada]?

I honestly don't know. The only thing I know about ABC Spark is that it still uses Freeform's 2016 graphics.

 

[harry580]

I be surprised if Corus gives the license of the network to disney so disney can rebrand it freeform while abc spark will keep the 2016 freeform bumpers