Wow! Unlimited pushes back channel launch, Teletoon teases night-time programming
Wow! Unlimited Media has announced that it’s delaying the launch of its Comedy Gold re-brand. The company has extended its exclusive option to acquire the broadcasting license from Bell Media to May 31, 2019. The last date upon which the transfer of the broadcasting license will occur has been extended to August 30, 2019. Prior to June 30, 2019, Bell Media may set the date of transfer upon 60 days’ written notice. The Comedy Gold broadcast license had previously been set to transfer to Wow! on April 1, 2019.
Wow intends to use the additional time to “pursue sponsorships and partnerships” to help support the channel’s launch.
The Canadian animation company, which reflects the 2016 acquisition of Frederator and Ezrin Hirsh Entertainment by Rainmaker Entertainment, first announced its intent to enter Canada’s youth broadcasting business in June 2017. Through this partnership with Bell Media, it was later revealed that Wow! Unlimited would be acquiring the Comedy Gold TV channel. The CRTC approved the deal last July.
In preparation for the channel’s relaunch, Wow! has been adding content to Bell Media’s Crave streaming service under the “Wow! World” banner. This includes shows like ReBoot, the Canada-Japan co-production Spider Riders and the Japanese-animated Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island direct-to-video film. The bulk of the current lineup (including the last two mentioned) consists of content from the DHX Media catalog. Peppa Pig and a host of programming originally created for YouTube (including the entirety of the recently launched “Wow! High School Hall Pass” collection) make up the independent offerings so far.
With its days numbered for nearly two years, Bell Media has let Comedy Gold lapse into a sorry state. The channel currently has just nine shows across its 24/7 lineup – none of which adhere to its original format of retro sitcoms.
Teletoon promotes 24/7 schedule
Thanks to the launch of the Adult Swim channel, Teletoon’s schedule will consist of “best-in-class, family-friendly content appropriate for all ages 24/7” starting April 1st. Corus has uploaded a promo for the new lineup, which showcases more of the same, rather than any attempt to expand its roster of shows.
Of note is the inclusion of footage from Young Justice: Outsiders. That suggests the series (and potentially all older youth oriented DC Animation) will stay on the channel. Teletoon ran the first thirteen episodes of the season January 13th between and February 24th. For March Break, they’re currently airing back-to-back reruns at 8PM every day this week.
I am a bit surprised they don’t appear to be using Teletoon At Night’s hours to bring retro-programming back to the lineup. Over the last year, Teletoon had been running shows like Pinky and the Brain, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries and even the obscure Hanna-Barbera Richie Rich animated series as overnight filler. Though, right now those time slots are filled with more modern shows, which could imply Corus no longer has the rights to Teletoon Retro-tier content.
I Miss Bionix 
So I’m guessing Teletoon At Night is going to be replaced with more kids programming. Do I get that correctly?
Yes, the promo says it’ll be kids programming 24/7. I don’t think they can be clearer about that.
Friend of the site Onfy has found the schedule for April 1st:
8:00 PM Total Dramarama
8:30 PM Total Drama All Stars
9:00 PM Teen Titans Go (6 episodes)
10:30 PM Young Justice: Outsiders
11:00 PM Bravest Warriors
11:30 PM Total Drama All Stars
12:00 AM We Bare Bears (4 episodes)
1:00 AM Steven Universe (4 episodes)
2:00 AM Young Justice: Outsiders
2:30 AM Lego Nexo Knights
3:00 AM The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo
3:30 AM Tom & Jerry Kids
4:00 AM The Looney Tunes Show (2 episodes)
5:00 AM Wacky Races (2 episodes)
5:30 AM Right Now Kapow
So this means no more adult cartoons on Teletoon ever?
I don’t know. Maybe if this doesn’t work out, they’ll revert back. That’s just a guess, though.
So this nighttime schedule for Teletoon will be from April 1st to what date?
I have no idea.
Probably forever?
When will comedy gold be rebranded?
Will there be no more adult cartoons airing on Teletoon ever?
Ryan, I don’t work for these companies. I have no answer for you. The companies themselves don’t know what the future has in store.
You keep asking the same things over and over again …
I guess it’ll be up to these companies to find out.
And one last question to ask, when will the rebrand to Comedy Gold occur?
Anywhere between June and September.
But what if it doesn’t happen between these dates?
Just saw the promo about Teletoon at Night leaving Teletoon and its mentions (displays) some of the shows moving to [adult swim] including Archer and those already listed in the press release (Bob’s Burger, America Dad and Family Guy).
But what about TAN’s original programming like Fugget About It?
Will Teletoon still be airing kid shows at night when their schedule changes in the fall?