CRTC approves BBC Kids move

The CRTC has stamped its approval on Knowledge West Communications Corporation’s acquisition of the BBC Kids specialty channel.
 
Knowledge West is a collaborative venture between Knowledge Network Corporation – a publicly funded broadcast organization based in B.C. – and BBC Worldwide. The latter company previously owned BBC Kids in a joint venture with Shaw Media.
 
The terms of the station’s licence are identical to those in effect under the BBC Worldwide and Shaw Media partnership. BBC Kids will continue to provide content aimed at children aged 2-17 and run commercial-free every day.
 
In a press release issued today, Hilary Read, COO of BBC Worldwide Canada, indicated that the channel’s new ownership group intended to refresh the BBC Kids brand. “I look forward to joining forces with the Knowledge Network team in the upcoming weeks as we take our first steps together towards relaunching a revitalized BBC Kids channel,” Read said in the release.
 
The release also announced that the BBC’s CBeebies programming block would soon make its Canadian debut on BBC Kids. Further content-related announcements are expected next week.