Remove ads
Magnolia Network is a soon-to-be-defunct Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel that broadcasts lifestyle programming related to home design, renovations, and food. The channel's brand and much of its foreign programming is licensed from its American namesake, Magnolia Network. The channel is a joint venture between HGTV Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment (80.24% and managing partner) and Warner Bros. Discovery (who owns the remaining 19.76%).
 | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Corus Entertainment (80.24% & managing partner) (HGTV Canada Inc.) Warner Bros. Discovery (19.76%) |
| Sister channels | Cooking Channel DTour Food Network HGTV |
| History | |
| Launched | October 19, 2009 (original incarnation) January 1, 2025 (Rogers relaunch) |
| Replaced | Fine Living (most providers) |
| Closed | December 31, 2024 (original incarnation) |
| Former names | DIY Network (2009–2022) |
| Links | |
| Website | magnolianetwork |
The channel first launched on October 19, 2009 as DIY Network, a Canadian version of the U.S. network of the same name, by Canwest and Goldman Sachs, and Scripps Networks Interactive. The channel adopted its final name following its American counterpart in 2022.
In June 2024, Rogers Sports & Media announced it had acquired the rights to all Warner Bros. Discovery lifestyle and factual networks beginning in January 2025. With these changes, Corus will lose the rights to the Magnolia Network brand and its U.S. programming at midnight Eastern time on December 31, 2024, at which point the original Corus operated channel will be discontinued on all TV providers nationwide. A new version operated by Rogers will launch immediately thereafter, on January 1, 2025.
Remove ads
As DIY Network
Alliance Atlantis was granted approval for the channel under the name D.I.Y. Television by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on November 24, 2000. Under the CRTC's approval, the channel was described as a "service designed for the do-it-yourselfer of all levels... entirely devoted to programs that offer Canadians an interactive television experience that provides immediate access to detailed step by step instructions, in-depth demonstrations, and tips for do-it-yourself projects."[1] The channel, however, was never launched and its licence expired. Alliance Atlantis re-applied for the channel and was approved on October 21, 2005 with an almost identical nature of service description as the original licence granted in 2000.[2]
On January 18, 2008, a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners known as CW Media bought Alliance Atlantis's specialty networks, including the licence for the yet unlaunched D.I.Y. Television.
In late 2009, Canwest announced that it would launch the channel on October 19, 2009 in standard definition, as DIY Network,[3] a Canadian version of the U.S. channel of the same name. On many television service providers, DIY Network replaced Fine Living, which ceased operations the same day.[4] Corus Entertainment initially owned a 12% stake at the channel's launch, but then it later sold its stake to CW Media in February 2010.[5] Programming on the channel was primarily devoted to do it yourself home improvement projects, with the majority of programming consisting of reruns from its sister network, HGTV Canada and licensed programs from the American DIY Network.
On October 27, 2010, Shaw Communications gained control of DIY Network as a result of its acquisition of Canwest and Goldman Sachs' interest in CW Media.[6][7]
A high definition simulcast launched in February 2016. On April 1 of that same year, Corus Entertainment acquired Shaw Media.[8]
As Magnolia Network
On March 1, 2022, it was announced that DIY Network would relaunch as a Canadian version of Magnolia Network—the current incarnation of the channel's American counterpart, on March 28, 2022.[9] As in the U.S. prior to its own linear launch in January 2022,[9] Magnolia Network content was available via Discovery+ upon its Canadian launch in October 2021 (which was backed by Corus).[10]
On February 22, 2023, Magnolia Network was added to the Global TV app.
Wind-down of operations, relaunch by Rogers
In June 2024, Rogers announced it had acquired the rights to all Warner Bros. Discovery factual and lifestyle television brands beginning January 1, 2025, including HGTV and Magnolia Network.[11] Rogers stated that it will relaunch Magnolia Network as a new discretionary service on that date.[12] While Corus announced plans to relaunch parent network HGTV as Home Network on December 30, 2024, it did not announce any similar plans for the channel licence used by Magnolia.[13][14]
In November and December 2024, multiple telecommunications providers indicated on their websites that the original Corus-operated channel will be "discontinued by the channel provider" at midnight Eastern time on December 31.[15] This change was directly confirmed by Corus via the channel's website on December 8, stating that Corus will no longer offer the channel and would focus more on Flavour Network and Home Network. The channel was also removed from the Global TV app. The last show that will air on Magnolia Network will be an episode of "Beachfront Bargain Hunt: Renovation". The channel's license will be surrendered to the CRTC for revocation sometime after.
Remove ads
The network carries a similar array of programming to Magnolia Network in the United States, with a focus on personality-based series relating to home renovation, restoration, and construction. Reruns of original library programming from HGTV is aired to comply with Canadian content quotas; the channel does not originate any Canadian first-run programming.
Remove ads
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
Remove ads