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Magnolia Network (Canadian TV channel)

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Magnolia Network
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNationwide
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Programming
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerCorus Entertainment (80.24% & managing partner)
(HGTV Canada Inc.)
Warner Bros. Discovery (19.76%)
Sister channelsCooking Channel
DTour
Food Network
HGTV
History
LaunchedOctober 19, 2009; 15 years ago (October 19, 2009)
ReplacedFine Living (most providers)
ClosedDecember 31, 2024; 51 days' time (2024-12-31)
Former namesDIY Network (2009–2022)
Links
Websitemagnolianetwork.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%).

The channel first launched on October 19, 2009 as DIY Network, a Canadian version of the U.S. network of the same name, by Canwest and Goldman Sachs, and Scripps Networks Interactive. The channel adopted its current name following its American counterpart in 2022.

The current Corus-operated version of the channel is expected to cease operations on December 31, 2024. A new version operated by Rogers Sports & Media will launch immediately thereafter.

History

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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.

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. Corus acquired Shaw Media on April 1 of that year.[8]

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.[9] As in the U.S. prior to its own linear launch in January 2022,[9] Magnolia Network content was available via Discovery+ upon its Canadian launch in October 2021 (which was backed by Corus).[10]

In June 2024, Rogers announced it had acquired the rights to all Warner Bros. Discovery factual and lifestyle television brands beginning January 1, 2025, including Magnolia Network.[11] Rogers stated that it will relaunch Magnolia Network as a new discretionary service on that date.[12] While Corus announced plans to relaunch parent network HGTV as Home Network on December 30, 2024, it did not announce any similar plans for the channel licence used by Magnolia.[13][14]

In November 2024, Saskatchewan telecom provider SaskTel indicated the existing Corus-operated channel would be "discontinued by the channel provider" on December 31.[15] As of November 6, Corus had yet to directly confirm this plan.

Programming

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The network carries a similar array of programming to Magnolia Network in the United States, with a focus on personality-based series relating to home renovation, restoration, and construction. Reruns of original library programming from HGTV is aired to comply with Canadian content quotas; the channel does not originate any Canadian first-run programming.

References

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  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. ^ "Corus Entertainment Completes Acquisition of Shaw Media". Corus Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Corus to launch Magnolia Network Canada". Realscreen. March 1, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  10. ^ Spangler, Todd (October 12, 2021). "Discovery Plus Set to Launch in Canada". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  11. ^ Thiessen, Connie (June 10, 2024). "Rogers scoops Warner Bros. Discovery rights from Corus and Bell". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  12. ^ "Rogers deal to shift Discovery Science, OWN, Animal Planet channels to streaming, on demand". Cochrane Eagle. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  13. ^ Nino Gheciu, Alex (September 18, 2024). "Corus announces two new lifestyle networks after Rogers scoops up Food Network and HGTV". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  14. ^ Thiessen, Connie (September 18, 2024). "Corus unveils Flavour Network and Home Network". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  15. ^ SaskTel. "maxTV Channel Changes". Retrieved November 6, 2024.
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