WildBrain Shutting Down Family Channel, Family Jr., WildBrainTV & Télémagino
WildBrain has announced it will exit the Canadian broadcast business and close its suite of channels — Family Channel, Family Jr., WildBrainTV, and Télémagino — after determining they are no longer commercially viable.
Why the Shutdown Is Happening
According to Media in Canada, the company was unable to reach new carriage agreements with Rogers and Bell, meaning the channels would lose distribution.
- A planned deal with IoM Media Ventures for a majority stake in the channels collapsed once Bell confirmed it would drop them.
- In late July, the CRTC dismissed WildBrain’s complaint against Rogers over its Disney+ promotions, leaving no regulatory remedy in place.
What It Means for Wildbrain
With no broadcast channels, WildBrain will no longer be bound by Broadcasting Act obligations and plans to remove its variable voting structure for non-Canadian shareholders.
- CEO Josh Scherba said the closures have a “minimal impact” on the company’s broader strategy, as WildBrain has already shifted toward content creation, audience engagement, and global licensing.
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What Employees Should Know
If you work at Wildbrain and are impacted by the August 2025 layoffs, you are entitled to severance pay. Non-unionized employees in Ontario, Alberta, and BC can often claim more than the minimum amounts under provincial legislation.
Next Steps:
- Review your termination letter carefully
- Don’t sign off on a severance offer right away
- Speak with an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to confirm what you’re owed
Lost Your Job? Contact Us
If you’ve been affected by Wildbrain restructuring, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help.
Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and BC have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals get fair compensation.
📞 Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.
You must go through your union. By law, employment lawyers can’t represent unionized employees — only your union can.
Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.
About the Author
Lior Samfiru
Lior Samfiru is a Founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and the Practice Leader of the firm’s Labour & Employment Law Group. Known for his advocacy and success representing both employees and employers, Lior exclusively serves clients in Ontario, where his extensive experience has made him one of Canada’s most sought-after employment lawyers.
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