WildBrain Layoffs 2025 | Broadcast Shutdown & Employee Impact

What’s Happening at WildBrain?

WildBrain, the Canadian media and entertainment company behind Family Channel and kids’ programming, has announced that it will exit the Canadian broadcast business. This move means the closure of its suite of channels — Family Channel, Family Jr., WildBrainTV, and Télémagino — after determining that they are no longer commercially viable.

Why the Shutdown Is Happening

The closures stem from a combination of business and regulatory challenges:

• Carriage Agreements Failed – WildBrain was unable to reach new deals with Rogers and Bell, leaving its channels without distribution.
• Collapsed Sale – A planned deal with IoM Media Ventures for a majority stake in the channels fell apart once Bell confirmed it would drop them.
• Regulatory Setback – In July 2025, the CRTC dismissed WildBrain’s complaint against Rogers over its Disney+ promotions. With no regulatory remedy in place, the company lost one of its final avenues to keep the channels viable.

What It Means for WildBrain

While the closures mark the end of an era for Canadian broadcast TV, WildBrain has emphasized that this will not derail its broader business strategy:

• No More Broadcasting Act Obligations – The company will no longer be bound by Canadian broadcasting rules.
• Corporate Structure Changes – WildBrain intends to remove its variable voting structure for non-Canadian shareholders, giving it greater strategic flexibility.
• Shift in Focus – According to CEO Josh Scherba, the closures have only a “minimal impact” on the company’s direction. WildBrain has already shifted heavily toward global content creation.

Severance Pay for WildBrain Layoffs in Canada

If you’re a non-unionized WildBrain employee in Canada, you may be entitled to up to 24 months’ pay as severance in Canada when you are let go.

How Severance is Calculated

Several factors determine what you’re owed, including:

• Age
• Length of service
• Position or seniority
• Ability to find similar work (job market conditions)

What a Fair Package Should Include

A proper and fair severance package at WildBrain must cover:

• Salary
• Bonuses & commissions
• Benefits & pension contributions
• RSUs, stock options, incentive pay
• Vacation pay & allowances

Not Always Called a Layoff

Sometimes WildBrain (and other large employers) avoid calling it a layoff by cutting pay, reducing responsibilities, or reassigning employees. In Canada, these changes may qualify as constructive dismissal — which is legally treated the same as a termination and may entitle you to full severance pay.

Severance Success Stories – Our Track Record

We’ve negotiated significant results for employees at major corporations, including:

• ✅ 24 months’ severance for a long-term professional after refusing unfair new terms post-acquisition. See our win →
• ✅ 6 months’ severance for a short-term executive pressured to sign an unfair release after termination. See our win →
• ✅ 4 months’ severance for an employee terminated after just eight months in a senior role. See our win →

Our clients are often surprised by how much they’re legally owed after being wrongfully dismissed — and legal fees are often covered by the employer.

FAQs on WildBrain Layoffs

Speak to an Employment Lawyer About WildBrain Layoffs

If you’ve been impacted by WildBrain layoffs or closures in Canada, don’t sign anything before seeking legal advice.

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we:

• 👥 Represented 50,000+ Canadians
• 💰 Secured millions in severance payouts
• ⚖️ Settle over 99% of cases out of court
• ⭐ Earned 3,000+ 5-star Google reviews
• 🏆 Named one of Canada’s Best Law Firms

📞 Call us at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

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.