Corus, MTVNI Align for Canadian Nick

TORONTO: Nickelodeon is set to launch in Canada as a full 24-hour network on November 2, via a deal between Corus Entertainment and MTV Networks International.

In Canada, YTV has long been the home of Nickelodeon titles. With the new deal, Nickelodeon will now be its own 24-hour channel, launching at 6 a.m. on November 2. It will feature a lineup of Nick’s award-winning properties, from current live-action comedies and animated favorites to classic hits.

“We are thrilled to build on our long-standing relationship with Nickelodeon with the launch of this new service, which gives Canadian audiences full access to one of the best entertainment experiences for kids in the world,” said Paul Robertson, the president of television at Corus Entertainment. “Nickelodeon joins Corus Entertainment’s unmatched portfolio of kid-focused brands that offer Canadian children and their families a full range of entertaining options, with something for everyone, on a variety of platforms.”

“For more than a decade we have worked in total synergy with Corus Entertainment, leveraging Corus’ market leadership and Nickelodeon’s hit content pipeline to deliver Canadian audiences an unrivalled entertainment experience,” added Bob Bakish, the president of MTV Networks International. “The launch of a fully localized, 24-hour Nickelodeon service is a direct reflection of how successful this holistic approach has been with viewers and partners.”

It is not yet clear how YTV’s programming slate will change with the launch of Nickelodeon in Canada.