YTV is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel and the flagship property of YTV Canada, Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment. The channel launched as a joint venture between Rogers Media and CUC Broadcasting on September 1, 1988. Shaw Communications acquired CUC's 34% stake in 1995, followed by Rogers' remaining interest in 1996, before Shaw's media division was separated as Corus Entertainment in 1999. YTV's name was initially thought to be an abbreviation for "Youth Television", though the channel itself has denied this claim as confirmed on their website.
Programming on YTV is targeted at children and young teenagers, and has included live-action and animated series, films, and third-party content from international markets. From the mid-1990s until August/September 2025, YTV acquired programs from the American cable network Nickelodeon.
In 2009, Corus launched a Canadian version of Nickelodeon under licence from Viacom (later ViacomCBS/Paramount Global, now Paramount Skydance), which served as a sister network to YTV until its shutdown on September 1, 2025.
YTV operates two time-shifted feeds, running on both Eastern and Pacific Time Zone schedules. As of 2013, the channel is available in over 11.0 million households in Canada.
History Background Development of the channel began in October 1986 as part of a round of applications for new specialty channels on cable.Cleroux, R. (1986, Oct 28). Applicants line up for specialty TV licences. The Globe and Mail The application would broadcast an 18-hour schedule, with children's programming during the daytime and family programming at night.Jamie Portman, S. N. (1987, Apr 02). [ The national film board is emerging as... ]. CanWest News During the bidding process, it was set to compete with another applicant, Young Canada Television, which withdrew from the competition in June 1987. YTV would use the evening daypart for "alternative programming", including repeats of classic CBC shows.Atherton, T. (1987, Jun 02). Children's channel out of the running. The Ottawa Citizen To cater to a law stipulating 60% of Canadian content, the channel would air reruns of Polka Dot Door, Mr. Dress Up, Cucumber, The Friendly Giant, You Can't Do That on Television, The Littlest Hobo and Lorne Greene's New Wilderness, as well as reruns of American series such as The Munsters, Dennis the Menace, My Three Sons, Lassie, Flipper and The Monkees.New networks vie to serve children's market. (1987, Jun 27). The Windsor Star The licence was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on December 1, 1987, by Rogers Cable and CUC Broadcasting.Decision CRTC 87-903 CRTC December 1, 1987 The channel's intended target audience was children whose parents did not allow them to watch television.Advertisers happy about TV changes. (1987, Dec 04). The Vancouver Sun
Early years The channel launched on September 1, 1988, at 7:00 p.m. with the first program being a special celebrating the launch of YTV, hosted by John Candy. At launch, Rogers held 75% of the channel while CUC owned 25%. Its launch was marked by programming issues, as some of the purchased shows did not arrive on time. The schedule was expected to go "on order" on September 18, until then, the network added a scrawl informing viewers of the schedule changes, which were made after they were printed on the press.Riches, H. (1988, Sep 07). New YTV cable listings went haywire. The Vancouver Sun Kevin Shea was its founding president.JOHN, H. C. (1988, Sep 24). TV for kids: Too yucky for words? The Globe and Mail At launch, the Canadian offer included shows such as Rainbow Country, Stars On Ice, The Forest Rangers, Smith & Smith and You Can't Do That on Television, reruns of American series, mostly westerns, such as The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers and Bonanza, as well as European (mostly British) imports such as Robin of Sherwood and Hayley Mills.Jim Bawden, T. S. (1988, Sep 24). There's a Bonanza of new TV channels but no real turn-on. Toronto Star Filmation animated series, such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and Ghostbusters, were also part of the schedule as they were shows whose popularity persisted over constant reruns particularly with the core demographic. One month into its inception, the channel introduced original productions: music shows YTV Rocks (a one-hour music show featuring studio commentary) and YTV Hits (a weekend music show) and two co-productions: game shows Trivial Pursuit and Wild Guess, and the acquired British series S.W.A.L.K., about a teenage girl's fantasies while trying to struggle with her family life.Greer, S. (1988, Oct 01). Family Fare. Toronto Star This was followed in late October by Team Tamers, a wildlife-themed game show, presented by Neil Crone.Christopher Hume, T. S. (1988, Oct 27). Kids game for wildlife challenge. Toronto Star Most of the original programming was seen during 4pm and 8pm; there were also plans to produce shows for teens.Greer, S. (1988, Nov 05). YTV offers programming for young kids and teens with a strong emphasis on popular entertainment. Toronto Star
The channel was originally located at 545 Lake Shore Boulevard West, but by November 28, 1990, YTV moved to the renovated 64 Jefferson Avenue.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine:
In December, CRTC refused YTV to change its licence and increase advertising sales. The licence also suggested that the evening drama programming would feature "a major protagonist that is a child, youth under the age of 18 years, puppet, animated character or creature of the animal kingdom", as well as rejecting shows whose main characters were comic book superheroes or mythological heroes. YTV criticized the latter and aimed at obtaining an advertising limit of twelve minutes per hour.CRTC limits YTV's programming. (1988, Dec 03). The Globe and Mail YTV started airing Santa Calls, a live, half-hour Christmas call-in special, on December 19, airing nightly at 7pm until December 23.Atherton, T. (1988, Dec 19). It's Holly at Christmas in holiday variety special. The Ottawa Citizen
In January 1989, YTV announced it would boost its production budget, with the primary goal of developing new shows. One of the ideas was a teen drama series akin to Degrassi to cater to the 12–15 demographic.Atherton, T. (1989, Jan 19). Wanted: $2 million worth of kids' TV. The Ottawa Citizen YCDTOTV had become one of its most popular shows within weeks of launch. Beginning February that year, in line with its tenth anniversary, the show had aired two times a day.Atherton, T. (1989, Feb 04). YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON TELEVISION; Ten years later, it's still the kids' show parents hate. The Ottawa Citizen Bonanza moved to midnights in mid-February, due to the CRTC's recommendations per the age of actor Michael Landon, who grew throughout the course of the series. YTV aired the series because he played Little Joe, who in early seasons was an adolescent.Atherton, T. (1989, Feb 14). Local TV acting course offering no guarantees. The Ottawa Citizen In June, it planned the creation of the Youth Achievement Awards; its first edition was scheduled for November.BRIEFLY YTV plans youth awards. (1989, Jun 29). The Globe and Mail On July 3, it started airing Picture Pages, a series created by Bill Cosby.BRIEFLY Cosby's kid show set for YTV. (1989, Jul 03). The Globe and Mail
A full year after launching, it had become the most watched specialty channel in Canada, available in 5.3 million households, almost the entirety of the amount of cable-connected households in the country. New for the 1989–1990 season was a variety show, Rec Room, as well as a co-production agreement with Thames Television to produce Spats!, set in a fictional Canadian fast-food chain. Other new shows included a five-year output agreement with the BBC, chief among the shows was Doctor Who, starting with available reruns of early episodes, as well as The New Leave It to Beaver. The Youth Achievement Awards were scheduled for November 3.Atherton, T. (1989, Sep 06). Year later, YTV and Vision TV mature. The Ottawa Citizen On January 29, 1990, the channel was carrying Rocky and Bullwinkle in its schedule.Henry Mietkiewicz, T. S. (1990, Jan 27). '60s subversive squirrel comes flying into '90s. Toronto Star
By March 1990, its staff had risen to 140 (up from the original 30) and its revenue base had risen to CA$20 million. Officials said that they could initially reach the figure in 1995. What started as a channel that was unable with American prime time, Family Channel, the video market and CRTC demands had become one of the most profitable on Canadian cable. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had become its most popular show, with its merchandise including in Canada.Bacchus, L. (1990, Mar 11). YTV - THE KING OF 'CAN'T': The youth network proves what you CAN do on TV. The Province It had also produced a topical program for adults, Positive Parenting, with Debbie Van Kiekebelt.Kennedy, J. (1990, Mar 10). Positive Parenting: YTV produces a series for its audience's parents. The Gazette There were also plans to become the new carrier of the CBC series Switchback, which YTV would finance and would also air on four CBC stations too.Tony Atherton, O. C. (1990, Mar 17). [ YTV wants to bail out CBC's cancelled... ]. CanWest News The network carried Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue on April 21, alongside over-the-air networks, as part of a simultaneous showing with the United States and Mexico.Cartoon All-Stars use TV to warn kids about drugs: [FINAL edition]. (1990, Apr 13). The Gazette
For its 1990–1991 season, the channel would begin using its signature program jockeys on September 3; there was also the Canadian-French co-production The Adventures of the Black Stallion and Maniac Mansion; as well as three original productions for teens: Rock 'n' Talk (beginning September 3), R.O.S. (Ross Oliver Show, from September 9) and StreetNOISE (September 21).Kennedy, J. (1990, Aug 25). YTV's fall schedule has lots of goodies for kids of all ages. The Gazette The network had surpassed Cancon limits by December 1991, in terms of hours produced and revenue. Revenues for that year were expected to fall in the CA$28–29 million region, up from CA$27 million in 1990.Harris, C. (1991, Dec 12). Fine-tuning: the YTV success story. The Globe and Mail Negotiations were underway with CTV to produce a newscast for the channel in January 1992.Siklos, R. (1992, Jan 27). BROADCASTING BLITZ: Rush on for new TV specialty channels. Financial Post