New Ownership for BBC Kids in Canada

TORONTO: Knowledge Network Corporation is to become BBC Worldwide’s new joint-venture partner in BBC Kids, with plans to maintain the Canadian channel as a home for educational and entertaining programming for children and youth aged 2 to 17.

The channel is currently operated as a JV between BBC Worldwide and Shaw Media. Once the CRTC approves the deal between BBC Worldwide and Knowledge Network, operation and management of BBC Kids will transfer from Toronto to Burnaby, British Columbia. 

Announcing the new joint venture, Hilary Read, COO of BBC Worldwide Canada, said: “Since 2001, BBC Kids has offered quality children’s entertainment to Canada’s youngest viewers and youth alike.  I’d like to thank Shaw Media for their dedication to the BBC Kids brand through the years, and steadfast support during this transition.  I look forward to working with Knowledge Network, a company that shares our commitment to superior children’s content, on this excellent joint-venture that will provide BBC Kids key opportunities in the marketplace and the perfect environment to truly spread its wings.”

Rudy Buttignol, president and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation, said: “Knowledge Network is honored to be working with the BBC, a respected brand the world over and a leader in the creation of quality programming for children. Our goal is to extend the success we’ve had with Knowledge Network in British Columbia to the BBC Kids channel across Canada. This joint-venture with the BBC is a great opportunity to revitalize BBC Kids. We will strengthen the channel by making significant investments in programming, and re-launch it as a commercial free service for young Canadians.”