“NOOOOOO, My Childhood Is Officially Dead”: Fans Mourn Family Channel Shutdown After 37 Years
Toronto, September 1, 2025 – The exclamation echoing across social media – “My childhood is officially dead because Family Channel” – has become a rallying cry for a generation of Canadians reeling from the news that the beloved kids’ network is shutting down. After nearly four decades of delivering Disney magic, homegrown hits, and family-friendly fun, WildBrain Ltd. announced last week that Family Channel, along with sister channels Family Jr., WildBrainTV, and Télémagino, will cease broadcasting in the coming months. The decision, driven by failed carriage deals with major providers Rogers and Bell, marks the end of an era for millennials and Gen Z viewers who grew up glued to its screen.
Launched on September 1, 1988, Family Channel quickly became a staple in Canadian households, serving as the go-to destination for imported Disney programming like Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and Phineas and Ferb, alongside original Canadian series such as Life with Derek, The Next Step, and Naturally, Sadie. For many, it was more than just TV – it was a cultural touchstone that shaped childhoods, sparked first crushes on teen idols, and provided a safe space for family viewing. “Family Channel was my after-school ritual,” tweeted one fan, @RetroKid90s, capturing the sentiment shared by thousands. “From Derek Venturi’s smirks to Yo Gabba Gabba! dance parties – it’s all gone. My inner child is sobbing.”
The shutdown stems from commercial pressures in a rapidly evolving media landscape. WildBrain, the Toronto-based owner, stated that the channels are “no longer commercially viable” after Rogers notified the company it would drop distribution following unsuccessful negotiations for a new agreement. Bell had already removed the channels earlier this year amid a dispute, leaving WildBrain with no major carriers. The company appealed to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), arguing it faced an “undue disadvantage,” but the regulator sided with the telecom giants. As a result, WildBrain will surrender its broadcast licenses to the CRTC once Rogers pulls the plug, expected sometime in the next few months, though no exact date has been set.
WildBrain President and CEO Josh Scherba expressed bittersweet pride in a statement: “For nearly four decades, Family Channel has been a trusted destination for Canadian kids and families. We’re incredibly proud of the legacy we’ve built – thanks to our loyal viewers, dedicated television employees, and the many talented Canadian producers we’ve partnered with.” The closure also scuttles a previously announced deal to sell a majority stake in the channels to IoM Media Ventures for about CAD$40 million, as their value plummeted without distribution deals. Scherba emphasized that the move aligns with shifting consumer habits, with WildBrain pivoting to streaming, YouTube, and global licensing of IPs like Peanuts, Strawberry Shortcake, and Teletubbies. The company’s Q3 2025 revenue rose 42% year-over-year to US$128.4 million, underscoring that the broadcast arm was a shrinking part of its portfolio.
The news has unleashed a torrent of nostalgia and grief online, with phrases like “childhood is officially dead” trending on platforms like Reddit, Twitter (now X), and TikTok. On Reddit’s r/canada, users shared heartfelt stories: “Family Channel raised me,” one post read, garnering over 200 upvotes. “It was the Canadian home for Disney shows… Absolute blasphemy.” Another lamented the loss of Canadian content promotion: “I hope kids will still find that new and unique content, especially Canadian [content].” BuzzFeed compiled reactions, including viral tweets like “They’re shutting down Family Channel, this is the worst timeline,” highlighting the channel’s role in millennial suffering amid broader cable TV declines.
Former stars and producers echoed the sentiment. Michael Seater, who played Derek in Life with Derek, recalled the channel’s massive fan events: “I realized just how big Family Channel was… looking out over a sea of thousands of screaming fans.” Producer Adrienne McDonnell praised its community engagement, from mall tours to anti-bullying rallies, noting it was “much bigger than just sitting down in front of the TV.” Ryan Tuchow, a senior reporter at Kidscreen Magazine, pointed to broader industry woes: cord-cutting has slashed pay-TV subscribers by 23% since 2014, while YouTube and streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+ dominate kids’ entertainment. WildBrain couldn’t comment on whether all content will remain available to Canadians post-shutdown, but some shows may vanish from linear TV without migrating to other platforms.
This isn’t an isolated incident; Canada’s kids’ TV sector is in flux. Corus Entertainment is winding down five channels – Nickelodeon, ABC Spark, Disney French, Disney XD, and Disney Jr. – starting September 1, 2025, further eroding traditional broadcast options. Globally, similar trends are evident, with Warner Bros. Discovery shuttering HBO Family and Cinemax multiplexes in August. Experts like Tuchow warn of impacts on Canadian talent development: “Family Channel trained numerous young actors,” one Reddit user noted, fearing a hit to the industry.
As the final broadcasts air, fans are left to preserve memories through streaming archives, fan edits, and online communities. Petitions on Change.org have emerged, urging WildBrain or the CRTC to reconsider, though success seems unlikely. For now, the outpouring of emotion underscores Family Channel’s indelible mark: a portal to simpler times that’s flickering out, leaving a generation to bid farewell to their “sweet prince” of childhood TV. As one Exclaim! article poignantly put it, “Haven’t millennials suffered enough?”