On September 1, 2025, a significant void was imposed on Canadian television when Disney Jr., Disney XD, ABC Spark, La Chaîne Disney, and Nickelodeon ceased broadcasting. The cherished programming available on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr., once accessible through YTV and Treehouse TV, is no longer available to entertain Canadian children and families alike. This abrupt cessation has left a notable gap in children's entertainment and educational programming, impacting countless households across Canada.

Corus Entertainment, as a leader in Canadian broadcasting, has the opportunity and responsibility to restore these beloved channels by negotiating with The Walt Disney Company (which owns Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney XD, and Freeform) and Paramount Skydance Corporation (which owns Nickelodeon). It's crucial to recognize the valuable role these networks have played in the development and joy of children nationwide. Through characters and stories, they have not only provided entertainment but also invaluable life lessons and educational content.

Our Beloved Lost Networks:

Nickelodeon & the Nick Jr. Block

• Target Audience: Kids aged 6–14 (Nickelodeon) and preschoolers aged 2–5 (Nick Jr.).
• Core Impact: The premier destination for iconic, boundary-pushing animation and live-action comedies. It fostered childhood creativity, humor, and connection through flagship shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and The Loud House.
• The Loss: The removal of Nick Jr. stripped toddlers of educational, foundational programming like Dora the Explorer. Moving these shows behind streaming paywalls or replacing them on YTV excludes low-income Canadian families who rely on basic cable.

Disney Jr.

• Target Audience: Toddlers and preschoolers aged 2–8.
• Core Impact: Provided a safe, ad-free environment focusing on emotional intelligence, social skills, and early childhood development. Hit shows like SuperKitties and Spidey and His Amazing Friends taught invaluable lessons about teamwork and empathy.
• The Loss: Its absence leaves Canadian parents without a trusted, linear broadcast alternative that regulates screen time safely without algorithmic distractions.

Disney XD

• Target Audience: Kids and tweens aged 6–14, primarily focusing on action, adventure, and comedy.
• Core Impact: Delivered high-energy storytelling, marvel animation, and sci-fi series that filled a crucial programming gap for older children seeking narrative-driven adventures.
• The Loss: Pre-teens have lost a unique creative outlet on television, pushing them further toward unregulated social media platforms for entertainment.

La Chaîne Disney

• Target Audience: French-speaking and bilingual children and families across Canada.
• Core Impact: Provided vital French-language premium children's content, supporting Francophone culture and language acquisition outside of Quebec.
• The Loss: Stripping Francophone and immersion students of localized Disney magic severely diminishes the availability of diverse, high-quality French media in Canada.

ABC Spark

• Target Audience: Teenagers, young adults, and families.
• Core Impact: The Canadian home of Freeform, offering coming-of-age dramas, family comedies, and relatable teenage perspectives. It tackled complex real-world issues, helping young Canadians navigate adolescence.
• The Loss: Its closure leaves a massive void in linear television specifically tailored to the transitional teenage years, disconnecting youth from shared cultural programming.

The removal of these channels doesn't merely affect entertainment options; it limits the diverse cultural and educational benefits these networks offer. The unique programs available on Disney Jr., Disney XD, and the iconic shows on Nickelodeon all contribute significantly to the cultural landscape, offering children content that is both enriching and integral to their early development.

Fans of other networks, like ABC Spark and La Chaîne Disney (the french version of Disney Channel in Canada), are also affected. These channels have historically brought families together through engaging content that spans a wide spectrum— from cartoons to inspiring family dramas. Canada, a multicultural nation that thrives on diversity, deserves access to the content that mirrors and celebrates its diversity.

1. Secure Rights Packages with Brand Owners

• The Paramount Skydance Agreement: Corus must initiate talks with the newly formed Paramount Skydance entity to secure a revised 24-hour linear licensing agreement for Nickelodeon. This contract should pool popular library content alongside a pipeline of new releases to anchor a dedicated broadcast channel.
• The Walt Disney Company Portfolio: Corus must re-engage The Walt Disney Company to re-license the Canadian broadcast rights for its suite of specialty brands (Disney XD, Disney Jr., La Chaîne Disney, and ABC Spark). Corus can offer a co-branding revenue-share model that complements—rather than competes with—the regional growth of streaming platforms.

2. Regulatory Compliance & Re-Licensing

• CRTC Applications: Corus must formally apply to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to reinstate and renew the broadcasting licences for these specific discretionary services.
• Canadian Content (CanCon) Integration: To fast-track regulatory approval, Corus should commit to utilizing its award-winning domestic production wing, Nelvana, to produce original animated content that fills mandatory Canadian content quotas on these revived channels.

3. Modernized Linear and Digital Hybrid Distribution

• Broadcaster Carriage: Partner with key Canadian telecommunications providers to offer these 5 channels as part of affordable, family-oriented add-on channel tiers.
• STACKTV & Digital Extension: Bundle the live 24-hour linear feeds of Disney XD and Disney Jr. into Corus's existing streaming platforms like STACKTV. This satisfies traditional cable audiences while catering to on-demand viewers.

Given the rise of streaming services, accessible diverse content is more crucial than ever. These platforms provide essential exposure to a variety of cultural perspectives, and it is vital for traditional broadcasting to maintain this standard.

Let's stand together to urge Corus Entertainment to take immediate action in reinstating these networks on Canadian airwaves. Sign this petition to ensure our children have access to this essential entertainment and educational programming. Together, we can bring back the TV shows we all know and love.