CRTC Approves BBC Kids Channel Acquisition

TORONTO: The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has given its approval for Knowledge West Communications’ acquisition of the BBC Kids specialty channel.

The license was previously owned through a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Shaw Media. The new ownership is with Knowledge West Communications Corporation, a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Knowledge Network. The new BBC Kids channel will air commercial-free, featuring the best of children’s programming from the U.K. and around the world. A CBeebies preschool programming block will be featured for BBC Kids’ youngest viewers. Further channel content and programming details will be announced next week.

Rudy Buttignol, the president and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation, said: "We are thankful for the CRTC’s expeditious approval of the BBC Kids transaction as it opens the door for Knowledge Network and BBC Worldwide Canada to build on the BBC Kids brand in Canada. Our collective experience in offering high quality children’s content, combined with significant investments in new programming, will strengthen and improve the BBC Kids service for young viewers."

Hilary Read, the COO of BBC Worldwide Canada, said, “The CRTC approval is exciting news, and I thank them on behalf of BBC Worldwide Canada for their consideration and swift response.  I look forward to joining forces with the Knowledge Network team in the upcoming weeks as we take our first steps together towards relaunching a revitalized BBC Kids channel.”