Magnolia Network (Canadian TV channel)

Last updated

Magnolia Network
Magnolia Network.svg
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNationwide
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Programming
Picture format 1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
Owner Corus Entertainment (80.24% & managing partner)
(HGTV Canada Inc.)
Warner Bros. Discovery (19.76%)
Sister channels Cooking Channel
DTour
Food Network
HGTV
History
LaunchedOctober 19, 2009;14 years ago (October 19, 2009)
Replaced Fine Living (most providers)
Former namesDIY Network (2009–2022)
Links
Website magnolianetwork.ca

Magnolia Network is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel that broadcasts lifestyle programming related to home design, renovations, and food. The channel's brand and much of its foreign programming is licensed from its American namesake, Magnolia Network. The channel is a joint venture between HGTV Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment (80.24% and managing partner) and Warner Bros. Discovery (who owns the remaining 19.76%).

Contents

The channel first launched on October 19, 2009 as the localized version DIY Network, under the ownership of CW Media, a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs, and Scripps Networks Interactive. Between ownership changes, the channel adopted its current name following its American counterpart in 2022.

History

Alliance Atlantis was granted approval for the channel under the name D.I.Y. Television by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on November 24, 2000. Under the CRTC's approval, the channel was described as a "service designed for the do-it-yourselfer of all levels... entirely devoted to programs that offer Canadians an interactive television experience that provides immediate access to detailed step by step instructions, in-depth demonstrations, and tips for do-it-yourself projects." [1] The channel, however, was never launched and its licence expired. Alliance Atlantis re-applied for the channel and was approved on October 21, 2005 with an almost identical nature of service description as the original licence granted in 2000. [2]

On January 18, 2008, a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners known as CW Media bought Alliance Atlantis's specialty networks, including the licence for the yet unlaunched D.I.Y. Television.

DIY Network logo from 2009 to 2022. DIY Canada.svg
DIY Network logo from 2009 to 2022.

In late 2009, Canwest announced that it would launch the channel on October 19, 2009 in standard definition, as DIY Network, [3] a Canadian version of the U.S. channel of the same name. On many television service providers, DIY Network replaced Fine Living, which ceased operations the same day. [4] Corus Entertainment initially owned a 12% stake at the channel's launch, but then it later sold its stake to CW Media in February 2010. [5] Programming on the channel was primarily devoted to do it yourself home improvement projects, with the majority of programming consisting of reruns from its sister network, HGTV Canada and licensed programs from the American DIY Network.

On October 27, 2010, Shaw Communications gained control of DIY Network as a result of its acquisition of Canwest and Goldman Sachs' interest in CW Media. [6] [7]

A high definition simulcast launched in February 2016.

The channel came under Corus Entertainment ownership on April 1, 2016, when Corus Entertainment decided to acquire all of Shaw's broadcasting assets.

On March 1, 2022, it was announced that DIY Network would relaunch as a Canadian version of Magnolia Network—the current incarnation of the channel's American counterpart, on March 28, 2022. [8] As in the U.S. prior to its own linear launch in January 2022, [8] Magnolia Network content was available via Discovery+ upon its Canadian launch in October 2021 (which was backed by Corus). [9]

On June 7, 2024, Corus announced it had been informed by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) that the latter would be ending its trademark licensing and program output agreements for some WBD-branded channels at the end of 2024. Three days later, Rogers Sports & Media announced it had reached an agreement with WBD for the Canadian rights to its lifestyle brands including Magnolia Network beginning in January 2025. [10] Corus said in its announcement that it intends to continue operating the affected channels with their existing Canadian programming along with "alternate foreign content supply", though it later clarified that some channels might be "retired" instead of rebranded. [11] [12] Rogers subsequently announced plans to launch its own Canadian version of Magnolia Network on January 1, 2025. [13]

Programming

As with the U.S. counterpart, in the past, DIY Network's programming focused on:

Earlier shows included a variety of topics, including auto repair, jewelry design, plumbing, boating, knitting and quilting, and woodworking. DIY's renovation shows included programs that had a specific historical restoration focus, like Restored, and some shows had specific geographic focuses, like shows outlining historical restorations in Virginia [14] and South Carolina, [15] for example.

The network also carried This Old House repeats until the mid-2010s, when the property moved to other outlets. As recently as late-2009, it aired some older HGTV archive programming, including the Carol Duvall Show.

As Magnolia Network, the channel carries a similar mixture of personality-based series relating to home design, construction, renovation, and landscaping, with new original programming, and programs carried over from DIY Network (including Barnwood Builders, Building Off the Grid, and returning reruns of This Old House, among others). The network's scope was also expanded to include food-oriented series, such as Family Dinner and Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines, and other series such as Extraordinary Stories Behind Everyday Things. [16]

The channel currently fulfils its Canadian content remit with the scheduling of library content from the domestic HGTV, as there are no plans for Canadian-based content for Magnolia Network itself.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alliance Atlantis</span> Canadian-American media company

Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. was a Canadian media company that operated primarily as a specialty service operator in Canada. Alliance Atlantis also had offices in Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Madrid, Barcelona, Shannon, and Sydney.

BBC Canada was a Canadian English language specialty channel that mostly broadcast television series originally produced by the BBC, the public-service broadcaster of the United Kingdom. The channel was owned by Corus Entertainment and BBC Studios (20%).

Lifetime is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel based on the eponymous American basic cable channel owned by Showcase Television Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment. It broadcasts films, television shows and reality series aimed at women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Investigation Discovery (Canadian TV channel)</span> Television channel

Investigation Discovery is a Canadian Discretionary service owned by Bell Media. Based of the U.S. cable network of the same name, the channel focuses on true crime programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corus Entertainment</span> Canadian media/broadcasting company

Corus Entertainment, Inc. is a Canadian mass media company. The company was founded in 1987 as Shaw Radio, Ltd. as a subsidiary of Shaw Communications and was spun-off from Shaw in 1999. It has prominent holdings in the radio, publishing, and television industries. Corus is headquartered at Corus Quay in Toronto, Ontario.

DTour is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by TVTropolis G.P., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FYI (Canadian TV channel)</span> Defunct Canadian television channel

FYI was a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Discovery Health Canada, ULC, a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment. Based on the American cable network of the same name, the channel featured lifestyle programming, with a mix of reality, culinary, home renovation and makeover series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oprah Winfrey Network (Canadian TV channel)</span> Canadian TV channel

Oprah Winfrey Network, more commonly shortened to OWN, was a Canadian English language discretionary service channel owned by Corus Entertainment. The network's owner, Corus Entertainment, licensed the OWN brand and its American programming from Warner Bros. Discovery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Food Network (Canada)</span> Canadian TV channel

Food Network, formerly called Food Network Canada, is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel based on the U.S. cable network of the same name. It airs programming related to food, cooking, cuisine, and the food industry. The Canadian version of Food Network is a joint venture between Corus Entertainment and the U.S. network's parent company Television Food Network, G.P..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History (Canadian TV channel)</span> Canadian English-language specialty TV channel

The History Channel is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel that primarily broadcasts programming related to history and historical fiction. It is owned by History Television, Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slice (TV channel)</span> Canadian TV channel

Slice is a Canadian English language discretionary service channel owned by Corus Entertainment. The channel primarily broadcasts reality shows targeting young adult women, typically dealing in subjects such as fashion and lifestyles. In addition to original programming, Slice is better-known for airing shows acquired from the U.S. cable network, Bravo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SériesPlus</span> Canadian French television channel

SériesPlus is a Canadian French language specialty channel devoted to French-language scripted comedy and dramatic programming. The channel is owned by Corus Entertainment.

Rogers Media Inc., operating as Rogers Sports & Media, is a Canadian subsidiary of Rogers Communications that owns the company's mass media and sports properties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HGTV (Canadian TV channel)</span> Canadian pay TV channel

HGTV is a Canadian English-language discretionary cable and satellite specialty channel owned as a joint venture between Corus Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery. HGTV broadcasts programs relating to real estate, home and garden design, and renovations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IFC (Canadian TV channel)</span> Canadian TV channel (2001–2019)

IFC was a Canadian English language specialty channel. The channel was owned by Corus Entertainment. The channel broadcast independent films, documentaries, and television series. Its name was licensed from the American company AMC Networks, the owner of IFC. The channel ceased operations on September 30, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fine Living (Canadian TV channel)</span> Television channel

Fine Living was a Canadian pay television channel owned by CW Media, Corus Entertainment, and Scripps Networks Interactive.

National Geographic is a Canadian English language television channel owned by Corus Entertainment and U.S. channel of the same name It features documentary and human interest programming that explores the natural world. The service, like its international counterparts, is based on National Geographic Magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Historia (TV channel)</span> French-Canadian cable channel

Historia is a Canadian discretionary service owned by Corus Entertainment. The network broadcasts French-language programming related to history and historical fiction, and is a sister network to the English-language History; both channels operate as Canadian licensees of the U.S. network History.

Dusk was a Canadian English language specialty channel. Dusk broadcast programming consisting of films, television dramas, and reality TV, and documentary-style television series from the thriller, suspense and supernatural genres.

Adult Swim is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by Showcase Television, Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment. The channel primarily airs animated and live-action comedies targeting a teenage and young adult audience. Its branding is licensed from the Adult Swim programming block broadcast by Warner Bros. Discovery's Cartoon Network; it is the first full-time television channel to use the "Adult Swim" brand.

References

  1. Decision CRTC 2000-495; CRTC; December 14, 2000
  2. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-513; CRTC; October 21, 2005
  3. Canwest bows DIY Canada; Media in Canada; October 19, 2009
  4. Fine Living to Shut down - Channel Canada Archived February 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 6, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Shaw Communications closes purchase of Canwest TV assets, rebrands as Shaw Media [ dead link ]
  7. CRTC approves Shaw’s purchase of the Canwest Global television properties Archived December 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  8. 1 2 "Corus to launch Magnolia Network Canada". RealScreen , March 1, 2022.
  9. Spangler, Todd (October 12, 2021). "Discovery Plus Set to Launch in Canada". Variety . Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  10. Thiessen, Connie (June 10, 2024). "Rogers scoops Warner Bros. Discovery rights from Corus and Bell". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  11. Corus Entertainment (June 7, 2024). "CORUS PROVIDES UPDATE ON PROGRAMMING AND TRADEMARK OUTPUT ARRANGEMENTS" (Press release). Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  12. Corus Entertainment Inc. (July 15, 2024). "CORUS ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES FISCAL 2024 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS" (Press release). Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  13. "Rogers deal to shift Discovery Science, OWN, Animal Planet channels to streaming, on demand". Cochrane Eagle. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  14. "Mount Airy Historic Rehab - The Local Scoop". September 2, 2015.
  15. "discovery+".
  16. Eakin, Marah (April 4, 2022). "The 12 Best (Non-Gaines-Related) Shows on the Magnolia Network". Vulture. Retrieved April 14, 2022.