Current Station Group: Corus Entertainment Inc.
Previous Station Group(s): Shaw Media
Corus Entertainment (51%) and Shaw Media (49%) launched a new specialty channel, ABC Spark, on Monday, March 26, 2012. ABC Spark, based on the successful U.S. brand ABC Family, launched with series including The Secret Life of the America Teenager (starring Golden Globe nominee Shailene Woodley and Molly Ringwald), Switched at Birth (ensemble cast including Katie LeClerc, Vanessa Marano, Lea Thompson, D.W. Moffett and Constance Marie), Melissa & Joey (starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence) and Make It or Break It (starring Candace Cameron Bure) as well as brand new series Jane By Design (starring Andie MacDowell and newcomer Erica Dasher). On March 4th 2013, Corus announce that it had entered into an agreement with Shaw Media that would result in Corus acquiring the remaining 49% interest in ABC Spark from Shaw Media. As part of the agreement, Corus would sell its 20% interest in Food Network Canada to Shaw Media. ABC Spark’s first original series entitled Cheer Squad, premiered on July 5, 2016.
Ownership: Corus
Start Year: 2012