Disney XD was a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel, which was originally licensed to Astral Media by the CRTC in 2009 as an extension of its existing Family Channel.
However, Astral Media Inc. subsequently acquired the rights to a Canadian version of the U.S. Disney XD channel, and launched the new venture in place of the planned Family Extreme channel, on June 1st 2011. Disney XD consisted of live-action and animated programming aimed primarily towards males aged 6-14.
On June 27, 2013, after a previous such application had been denied in 2012, the CRTC approved an application by Astral Media Inc. to sell its pay and specialty television channels, conventional television stations and radio stations to BCE Inc., including Disney XD.
It was a condition of the approval that BCE must divest itself of ownership of several television and radio programming undertakings, including Disney XD Pending eventual sale, the Commission directed BCE Inc. to transfer the interim management and control of Disney XD to a trustee pursuant to the terms of the voting trust addressed in a letter of approval issued 27 June 2013, by no later than 29 July 2013.
On November 28, the divestitures demanded by the CRTC moved forward with the announcement by DHX Media that it would acquire Disney XD, along with Disney Junior and Disney Junior (French), and The Family Channel, and subject to CRTC approval. This acquisition would signal DHX’s first move into television broadcasting.
Written by Pip Wedge – July, 2013
Ownership: Astral, Bell Media, and DHX Media
Start Year: 2009