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Vrak (stylized as VRΔK) was a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by BCE Inc. subsidiary Bell Media. The channel primarily broadcast live-action programming aimed at 13-to-35 age group audiences.

Key Information

Launched in 1988 as Le Canal Famille,[1] it was originally conceived as French counterpart of the Family Channel under the ownership of Astral Media as well as rival broadcaster YTV, which was also then jointly owned by Rogers Media and CUC Broadcasting at the time. The channel was later renamed to Vrak.TV in 2001 and then was acquired by Bell Media in 2013 upon the acquisition of Astral Media, while the English counterpart and its sister channels were divested to DHX Media (now WildBrain) in 2014.

As with the English counterpart, Vrak.TV's programming heavily mirrored that of the American cable network Disney Channel, with which Family held a licensing agreement. Vrak's programming lineup consisted mainly of domestic and foreign-imported live-action and animated series from Disney Channel, feature films from the Disney film library, classic films from other Canadian and American film studios, and specials while it outsourced many of its programs from the U.S., mostly from Nickelodeon. After Vrak was separated from Family, the license agreement ended in 2015; Disney then entered into a new licensing agreement with Corus Entertainment and launched new Canadian versions of La Chaîne Disney, along with Disney XD and Disney Junior while Vrak.TV, renamed to Vrak in 2014, changed its audience focus in 2016 to the ages 13–35 group due to the success of its Vrak2 block.

Vrak was originally licensed as a premium specialty service, which necessitated that it operate under a commercial-free format, but allowed it to operate multiplex feeds but changed to air commercials from 2006 onwards.

After being removed from Vidéotron, the channel ceased operations on October 1, 2023, due to declining viewership and having been deemed "outdated" by Bell Media.[2]

History

[edit]

Background

[edit]

TVJQ

[edit]

The origins of the channel date back to 1975, when Télécâble Vidéotron, then established in Longueuil and serving the South Shore of Montreal, already distributed around thirty channels, accessible via a converter.[3] Subscribers had to call to request the broadcast of a video document which would be broadcast on one of the eight channels according to the theme (sports, socio-cultural leisure, senior citizens, students, children, etc.). In January 1980, Videotron acquired Cablevision Nationale, which served the east of Montreal, Quebec City and Sherbrooke, among others. A few months later, the Cablevision Nationale network was upgraded to allow the distribution of thirty channels, while the Inter-vision consortium made up of different cable distributors from the south of the province, set up at the corner of Pie-IX boulevards. and Rosemont in Montreal under the name Cablespec, takes care of the production and broadcasting of eight specialized channels under the responsibility of Jacques Lasnier.[4] The eight channels would have been launched on Saturday, October 18, 1980.[5]

The channel, initially called Enfants et Jeunesse before adopting TVJQ [fr] ("Télévision des Jeunes du Québec") in May 1982, presented children's programs produced in Quebec for the most part as well as European, American and Japanese animation series, as much as possible without violence, seeking to eliminate gender discrimination. It was established and distributed by a subsidiary of Videotron.[6]

TVJQ was on the air daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Since 1979, Videotron subscribers could take turns enjoying a variety of interactive games starting at midnight (via a touchtone telephone), which occupied “channel 26” until the channel returned to the air. The games continued on Canal Famille until shortly after the launch of Vidéoway [fr] in January 1990. In the evenings from January 1983, educational and cultural programs aimed at adults were programmed.

From January 1982 to September 1985, the channel broadcast the show Radio-Vidéo, a block of video clips produced by Pierre Marchand, who in 1986 would become the creator of the MusiquePlus channel. Meanwhile, in October 1984, another block of music videos produced by MuchMusic was broadcast, a month after the channel's launch in Toronto. In March 1986, Videotron obtained a “broadcasting license for the operation, on an experimental basis and for a temporary period, of a cable television network in order to distribute by satellite to affiliated cable television companies in the province of Quebec the service of special French-language programming “Télé des Jeunes”.[7] This license allows Videotron to have its TVJQ channel carried over by other cable companies elsewhere.[8] Videotron thus becomes the first cable company in Canadian history to simultaneously be a producer of television content.[8] CF Cable TV offered Videotron's TVJQ channel from 1987.[9] When MusiquePlus was launched in September 1986, the version received via satellite of TVJQ became MusiquePlus after 8 p.m. with a four-hour live programming block followed overnight 'a rebroadcast or a block recorded during the afternoon.[10] On the Videotron side, MusiquePlus evening programming took the position of MuchMusic while cultural programs aimed at adults were still broadcast on TVJQ until midnight. Blocks of 30 minutes produced by MusiquePlus were added to TVJQ's programming, replacing those of MuchMusic.

In 1986, the channel's spokesperson was Gargouille, a cartoon character created by Tristan Demers,[11] who would get his own show.

In 1987, Videotron submitted a request to the CRTC to convert its channel TVJQ to a full-service channel while continuing to target young people.[12] On December 1, 1987, the CRTC approved the license application for Premier Choix: TVEC for Canal Famille, and consequently refused the license renewal application for TVJQ.[13][14] The same day, the license application from CHUM Limited and Radiomutuel for a dedicated MusiquePlus channel was approved.[15] TVJQ remained on the air until the arrival of Canal Famille.[16] TVJQ ceased operations on August 31, 1988.[17]

Le Canal Famille

[edit]
The 1988–1995 logo of the channel as Le Canal Famille. A newer logo was used from 1995 to 2001 without the article in the name.
The 2001–2007 Vrak.TV logo, featuring the channel's mascot, Bibite.[18] The mascot was dropped in 2007, but a simplified variant of this logo was used until 2014.
The 2014 Vrak logo was used until 2016.

Licensed by the CRTC in 1987, Le Canal Famille was launched on September 1, 1988, as a replacement to TVJQ.[19] Le Canal Famille was created by Premier Choix TVEC which was already partially owned by Astral Media through its subsidiary Astral Bellevue Communications.[20][21]

Le Canal Famille, name translated as The Family Channel, was also the name of another Canadian youth channel that also began airing in September 1988 and itself owned at 50% by Astral Bellevue Communications.[22][21]

At launch, the channel carried a few original shows from Quebec including La Garderie des amis, Hibou Chou Genou, Labo Labo, as well as Bibi et Geneviève when the channel signed off at 7:00 p.m. (8:00 p.m Fridays and week-ends) and signed on at 7 a.m. Another original program, Mémoire Vive, joined the lineup in December 1988. There were also some shows previously broadcast on Super Écran such as Inspector Gadget and Bibifoc, dubbed Canadian shows, popular former TVJQ series, some Japanese animated series and co-productions. The channel increased the number of its original productions in the following years.

The popularity of Videoway's interactive menus in the early 1990s prompted Super Écran to offer a second choice of films in the evening using Canal Famille after its closing at 7 p.m. After about twenty minutes of trailers and self-promotion of Super Écran, the channel becomes scrambled for the presentation of a film.

The heyday of Canal Famille was between 1990 and 1996. The channel benefited from a fashion effect and produced several low-budget classics such as Fripe et Pouille, Les Zigotos, Sur la rue Tabaga and the most popular, Télé-Pirate which benefits from a weekly reach of 400,000 viewers.[23]

In 1994, Bibi et Geneviève moved to TQS. Canal Famille kept the reruns, but the contest block became exclusive to TQS.[24]

During the 1995-1996 season, Canal Famille changed its logo, attracted more young people on the air and suddenly targeted teenagers aged 12 to 17.[25] The channel aired Radio Enfer, the first Québecois sitcom for young people, and Le Studio, a comedy sketch series directed by Bruno Blanchet. This momentum continued the following year with the addition of Goosebumps and Generation W.[23]

Shortly after the launch of Canal D (also owned by Premier Choix) in 1995, which offered some classic television series, Canal Famille similarly saw the addition of series to its programming such as Bewitched in the fall of 1995, Gilligan's Island in 1996, The Flying Nun in 1997 and Family Affair in 1998.

In September 1997, the Télétoon channel (of which Premier Choix is 50% owner) was launched, offering 24-hour programming focused on cartoons for several age groups. Canal Famille lost around half of its market share, reduced its number of original productions and filled its programming with series produced by Nickelodeon.

To counterattack Télétoon, Canal Famille broke from its "childcare" image and took a slightly more delinquent tangent. It aired more audacious concepts like Turbulence Zone and Dans une galaxie près de chez vous.[26]

In the fall of 2000, Canal Famille aired Watership Down as its only new feature. The rest of its programming was no longer renewed and consisted of reruns. Canal Famille's market shares among children aged 2 to 11 fell to 8.6% while they were around 25% before 1997.

To deal with the situation, Canal Famille decided to renew its image and 75% of its programming. On December 5, 2000, Astral announced that Canal Famille would become Vrak.tv as of January 2, 2001, would offer 75% renewed programming overnight (50% new features, 25% new episodes) and would henceforth be in operation from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.[27] (instead of 7 p.m.), allowing the channel to offer more mature series for teenagers.[28]

VRAK

[edit]

Canal Famille was replaced by VRAK.TV on January 2, 2001, keeping the same channel frequency and still owned by Astral Media.[29] The desire to create Vrak.TV from the remains of Canal Famille would be a success. Audience ratings tripled in six months.[30] The channel switched to an ad-supported format in 2006 to coincide with the renewal of license the launch of its high definition feed on October 30, 2006.

Vrak.TV was separated from its sister channels in 2013 due to the acquisition of Astral Media by Bell Media; Bell sold off Family Channel, the French version of Disney Junior, the English version of Disney Junior and Disney XD to DHX Media, and MusiMax and MusiquePlus to V Media Group.

Vrak.TV was simply renamed to just Vrak on August 25, 2014 and launched a new block, Vrak2, aimed at a teen audience.[31]

On September 12, 2016, Vrak changed its audience focus to the ages 13–35 group due to the success of its Vrak2 block.[32] Some series targeting its former audience focus moved to other stations.

Removal from Videotron, closure

[edit]

On August 16, 2023, Vrak and Z were removed from Vidéotron, the company that created the original channel it was based on 41 years earlier, while Bell removed Yoopa from all of their TV services a day later. Yoopa shut down on January 11, 2024 and was replaced by a video simulcast of Groupe TVA's Qub Radio.

Two days later on August 18, 2023, Bell Media announced that the channel would be closing on October 1, 2023, owing to "challenges" in the broadcasting sector, lack of viewers and regulatory affairs deemed "outdated" by Bell Media.[2] On September 25, the CRTC confirmed it had revoked Vrak's licence at the request of Bell Media.[33] On October 1, 2023 at midnight ET, the channel quietly shutdown without ceremony after an episode of Entre deux draps.

Programming

[edit]

Since its creation, the channel had aired animated series, teen sitcoms and light-hearted dramas. Many of them are French dubs of English-language programs such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, What I Like About You, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, The O.C., Life with Derek, Smallville, SpongeBob SquarePants, That '70s Show, 90210, Gossip Girl, and many others. It also aired programs from Disney Channel; due to the launch of La Chaîne Disney by Corus Entertainment, the last remaining Disney Channel show on the channel, Bonne chance Charlie was removed from the schedule in September 2016. The channel also featured local Quebec French language productions, such as Il était une fois dans le trouble, Pin-Pon and Une grenade avec ça?. Other series that the channel popularized were Dans une galaxie près de chez vous and Radio Enfer. As of 2010, the channel had aired films weekly.

Initially, as required by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the channel carried no commercials until 2006.[34] However, it aired promotional messages, interstitial programs (such as help segments known as R-Force (pronounced like "Air Force")), and public service announcements instead. The channel aired commercials from 2006-2023 with the launch of its HD feed and license renewal. Its former English-language counterpart (Family Channel) continued to be commercial-free until November 2016.

Unlike the other specialty channels, Vrak was the only channel on the air daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. When the station was Le Canal Famille, the station would close down at 7pm (8pm on weekends), sharing time with the flagship Super Écran channel (then also owned by Astral and now sharing Bell Media ownership with Vrak). In 2001, when the channel was revamped as VRAK.TV, its hours were increased to 10 p.m. (Super Écran followed on most systems). Vrak's closedown time at midnight went into effect in mid-2005.

On September 12, 2016, due to the channel's changes in audience focus, its animation programming completely disappeared from the channel, eventually, they reappeared on the channel in January 2017, starting with Bob l'éponge. By May 2019, all animated and children's programming had left the network's schedule, with comedy following in May 2022; the network's final schedule exclusively consisted of dramas.

International distribution

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Vrak

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Vrak (stylized as VRAK) was a Canadian French-language channel owned by , a of . It broadcast youth-oriented programming, including live-action series, animated shows, sitcoms, and original productions, targeted primarily at viewers aged 2 to 17, though it shifted focus to the 13-to-35 demographic in 2016. Launched on September 1, 1988, as Le Canal Famille, the channel was conceived as a French-language counterpart to the Family Channel and initially emphasized family programming. It rebranded as Vrak. on , 2001, to appeal more to younger audiences, and dropped the ".TV" in 2014. Ownership transitioned from a consortium including to in 2000, before acquired Astral in 2013. Facing declining viewership, shifts in media consumption, and distribution challenges—such as being dropped by major provider Vidéotron—Bell Media announced the channel's closure on August 18, 2023, with operations ceasing on October 1, 2023. Vrak was available across Canada via cable, satellite, and IPTV providers, and had limited international distribution.

History

Background and predecessors

The precursor to Vrak was TVJQ (Télévision des Jeunes du Québec), a youth-oriented premium cable service launched by Vidéotron in October 1980 as part of its Inter-Vision network and officially renamed TVJQ in May 1982. The channel targeted viewers aged 12 to 24, offering programming such as music videos, cartoons, imported series, and interactive content like telephone-based games accessible via Touch-Tone phones after midnight. TVJQ was established by through its subsidiary Cablespec, with the cable operator serving as the primary founder and investor to expand its premium offerings amid growing demand for specialized youth content in . The channel faced significant operational challenges, including limited distribution confined primarily to 's cable subscribers and financial difficulties stemming from 's 1980 Consumer Protection Act, which prohibited advertising directed at children under 13 and forced reliance on subscription fees alone. These issues culminated in TVJQ's shutdown on August 31, 1988. In the 1980s regulatory landscape, the CRTC actively encouraged the creation of French-language specialty channels to address deficiencies in and programming available on basic cable tiers, noting a particular shortage of such content in French despite some provision by educational broadcasters like Radio-Québec. This framework, outlined in public notices such as CRTC -81, called for applications to develop dedicated youth services and supported expansions like TVJQ's temporary satellite distribution permit in 1986 to broaden access. TVJQ was directly succeeded by Le Canal Famille as a replacement service.

Launch as Le Canal Famille

Le Canal Famille was launched on September 1, 1988, by Premier Choix: TVEC Inc., a of Astral Bellevue Communications, as a French-language specialty television service focused on family entertainment. Licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on December 1, 1987, the channel was authorized to operate as an ad-free specialty network distributed on basic cable, replacing the youth-oriented TVJQ and broadening its appeal to audiences of all ages with content suitable for families. Unlike TVJQ's narrow emphasis on teen programming, Le Canal Famille aimed to provide wholesome viewing options reflecting francophone cultural values, with a required 60% annual quota to support local production. The channel's early programming emphasized children's , educational programs, and family-oriented , targeting viewers up to age 14 while engaging parents and siblings through shared viewing experiences. Initially for 12 hours daily—7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and until 8 p.m. on weekends—it expanded to 24-hour service in the early to meet growing demand. Distribution was limited to cable operators such as and , serving eastern Canada's francophone households via satellite-to-cable delivery, with wholesale subscriber rates starting at $0.50 per month. In the 1990s, Le Canal Famille invested in original Quebecois productions, committing $2.5 million in its first year and increasing to $3.5 million by year three to foster local content creation and cultural relevance.

Rebranding to VRAK.TV

In 2001, Astral Media, which had held full ownership of Le Canal Famille since 1997, relaunched the channel as Vrak.TV to better align with evolving youth media trends. The rebranding marked a strategic pivot away from the channel's original all-ages family programming, which had emphasized broad appeal for children and parents since its 1988 launch. The new Vrak.TV targeted children and preteens aged 3 to 14, narrowing the focus from general family entertainment to youth-specific content while retaining some family-friendly elements to ease the transition. This shift introduced more age-appropriate programming, including live-action series aimed at teens and blocks to attract younger viewers interested in contemporary pop culture. Broadcast hours were extended to 10 p.m. ET upon launch, allowing for additional evening slots dedicated to this teen-oriented fare. By , the channel further expanded its schedule to midnight ET, broadening its reach within the demographic, which was later adjusted to include up to age 17 by . In 2006, the CRTC authorized commercial advertising on Vrak.TV, allowing up to 12 minutes per clock hour. These changes positioned Vrak.TV as a dedicated network during the Astral era, emphasizing original and acquired content tailored to Quebec's young audience.

Ownership changes

By 2001, Astral Media had consolidated its ownership of Vrak.TV following the acquisition of Corus Entertainment's remaining stake in the channel's English-language sister network, Family Channel, for approximately $126.9 million, achieving full control over its youth-oriented portfolio. To support expansions in its core broadcasting assets, including Vrak.TV's rebranding and programming investments, Astral sold non-core operations such as its and technical services divisions, as well as its stake in film processing company Covitec. In March 2012, BCE Inc., through its subsidiary, announced plans to acquire for $3.38 billion in a deal aimed at strengthening its position in French-language media, including Vrak.TV. However, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) rejected the merger in October 2012, citing excessive and potential harm to in pay and specialty television. A revised agreement followed, with BCE agreeing to significant divestitures of Astral's English-language assets to address regulatory concerns. On June 27, 2013, the CRTC approved the acquisition for $3.1 billion, allowing to retain key French-language services like Vrak.TV while requiring a $200.4 million tangible benefits package for development. The deal closed on July 5, 2013, integrating Vrak.TV into 's broader portfolio. Under Bell Media ownership, Vrak underwent strategic shifts to adapt to evolving media landscapes. In August 2014, the channel rebranded as Vrak, dropping the ".TV" suffix to align with digital branding trends and reflect its integration within Bell's ecosystem. Vrak's content was further integrated with Bell's streaming service Crave, enabling on-demand access to its programming and enhancing cross-platform distribution. In 2016, facing trends and intensifying competition from streaming platforms, expanded Vrak's target audience from preteens to the 13–35 demographic, broadening its content to include more young adult-oriented shows while maintaining youth appeal. This pivot aimed to sustain viewership and advertiser interest in a fragmented market, influencing programming decisions through 2023.

Closure

On August 16, 2023, Videotron announced its decision to drop Vrak from its cable lineup, citing the channel's low viewership ratings and redundancy with on-demand streaming services, thereby affecting approximately 1.4 million Videotron subscribers. Two days later, on August 18, 2023, , Vrak's owner, confirmed it would cease all operations of the channel effective October 1, 2023, attributing the shutdown to broader "significant media challenges" in the industry, including declining linear television audiences and an outdated programming format that no longer aligned with viewer habits. In the lead-up to closure, Vrak aired an interim schedule focused on completing seasons of ongoing series, with broadcasts continuing until midnight on October 1, 2023. The Canadian Radio-television and Commission (CRTC) approved Bell Media's request to revoke Vrak's broadcasting licence on September 25, 2023, effective immediately following the September 8 submission. The shutdown resulted in immediate impacts, including layoffs of staff at and the redirection of select Vrak content—such as acquired series like Riverdale and —to the company's digital platforms, including and Crave.

Programming

Target audience evolution

Launched in 1988 as Le Canal Famille, the channel initially targeted an all-ages family demographic, emphasizing educational and wholesome programming suitable for children and parents viewing together. This focus aligned with its origins as a French-language counterpart to family-oriented networks, prioritizing content that promoted family bonding without commercial interruptions until 2006. In 2001, the rebranding to VRAK.TV narrowed the target audience to youth aged 2 to 17, reflecting a shift toward ad-supported programming tailored to children's and adolescent interests, with an initial emphasis on the 3-14 age group. By 2006, CRTC approval expanded this to include equitable service for all ages up to 17, allowing more mature teen content while maintaining regulatory quotas for youth programming, such as minimum Canadian content expenditures and original French-language hours. These adjustments responded to evolving viewer data, enabling the inclusion of drama and entertainment categories beyond preschool levels. Under Bell Media's ownership since 2013, VRAK.TV accelerated its demographic pivot in 2016 to focus on teens and young adults aged 13 to 35, driven by retention analytics and advertising revenue optimization amid competitive pressures. This evolution was influenced by CRTC policies, including 2016 updates to audience markers that facilitated monitoring and adaptation of youth content quotas to encompass older teens. The channel's predecessor, Le Canal Famille, achieved strong youth ratings in the , with children's channels in capturing approximately 25% audience share among kids aged 2-11 before 1997. However, by 2022, viewership had declined sharply to under 5% share in key youth demographics, attributed to the rise of streaming platforms fragmenting linear TV audiences and reducing traditional retention. Subscriber numbers halved from prior years, exemplifying broader industry challenges in sustaining youth engagement, leading to the channel's closure on October 1, 2023.

Content types and scheduling

From its launch in 1988 as Le Canal Famille, the channel emphasized programming tailored for children up to age 14, including , family-oriented dramas, and educational content divided into blocks for preschoolers (up to age 5), children (ages 6-11), and secondary students (ages 12-14). Imported shows, such as select programs (limited to 25% of airtime), were dubbed into French to suit the Francophone audience. The initial broadcast schedule operated from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, totaling approximately 12-13 hours per day, with no commercial advertising permitted. Following the to VRAK.TV, the channel shifted toward a broader demographic up to age 17, incorporating a mix of live-action teen sitcoms, reality programming, music videos, variety shows, and game shows alongside retained elements of and educational content. This evolution reflected adjustments to preferences, prioritizing engaging formats for older while maintaining accessibility. Prime-time slots from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. were dedicated to series and dramas, with late-night hours (after 10:00 p.m.) featuring content suitable for teenagers, such as improvisations and sketches. By 2012, the schedule had expanded to a full 24-hour broadcast day beginning at 6:00 a.m., enabling continuous programming with comprising at least 60% of the overall day and 50% of the evening period. All programming ceased on October 1, 2023, following the channel's closure. Commercial advertising was introduced in 2006, limited to 12 minutes per hour, marking a transition to an ad-supported model that aligned with regulatory approvals for youth-oriented specialty services. Dubbing practices for imported content emphasized Canadian production to support local industry, as required for all Canadian programs and series. Over time, animation was capped at no more than 10% of the monthly schedule to diversify toward dramas, formats, and general entertainment, reflecting a strategic reduction in animated content by the late . Seasonal events, such as back-to-school marathons in September and holiday specials during December, structured the grid around youth milestones, with episodes typically averaging 22 minutes for sitcoms and 44 minutes for dramas.

Notable programs

Vrak showcased a range of original Quebecois productions that became cornerstones of its youth-oriented programming, emphasizing relatable teen experiences and dynamics. Radio Enfer (1995–2001), a high school comedy about students managing a radio station amid academic and social challenges, aired during Vrak's early years as the successor to Canal Famille and helped define the channel's comedic voice for adolescents. Similarly, Watatatow (1991–2005), a long-running teen spanning over 1,300 episodes, featured reruns on Vrak starting in 2014 and explored themes of adolescence, including relationships and personal growth, marking a generation of viewers. The series notably launched careers, such as that of Marc-André Grondin, who portrayed Karl Godin from 2003 to 2005. Les Parent (2008–2016), a depicting the everyday trials of parents Louis-Paul and Natalie Rivard raising three sons, contributed to Vrak's blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling, resonating with young families. The channel also gained prominence through acquired and dubbed international series that appealed to its teen demographic with dramatic and comedic elements. Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–2015), a Canadian production addressing serious teen issues like identity and , was a key import that broadened Vrak's cultural reach. Nickelodeon's (2007–2012), a lighthearted about friends hosting a web show, drew in younger viewers with its tech-savvy humor during evening blocks. (1997–2003), the supernatural drama following a teen heroine battling vampires, added an adventurous edge to Vrak's lineup, airing in French-dubbed versions to captivate fantasy enthusiasts. Shorter-form and reality-infused series further highlighted Vrak's innovative approach to content. Ramdam (2001–2008), a advice show blended with elements in a blended setting, offered practical guidance on relationships and daily life, airing in slots targeted at preteens. 19-2 (2014–2017), a police co-produced with CBC focusing on patrol officers' personal and professional struggles, represented Vrak's later expansion into more mature themes while maintaining its Quebecois roots. These programs, often scheduled in after-school and evening blocks, collectively shaped Vrak's identity as a hub for engaging, culturally relevant that nurtured emerging talent and connected with international trends.

Distribution

In Canada

Vrak, originally launched as Le Canal Famille, was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1988 as a premium specialty service targeting French-language family programming, operating without commercials but available on a subscription basis through select broadcast distribution undertakings (BDUs). In 2001, following its rebranding to VRAK.TV, the service received genre protection as a youth-focused under CRTC policies for Category A services, ensuring its programming remained dedicated to children and teens up to age 17. Post the 2013 acquisition of by , the CRTC imposed updated conditions, including a minimum of 50% during the broadcast day and commitments to invest in original French-language programming as part of broader benefits totaling $246.9 million for TV, radio, and film across Bell's services. As a Category A specialty service, Vrak was mandatorily carried on the basic tier of major BDUs, including Quebec's largest provider (with approximately 1.3 million television subscribers pre-2023), as well as Rogers, Bell Fibe, and Shaw, facilitating broad domestic availability. Its penetration reached a peak of around 4.5 million households by 2010, with roughly 80% of its audience concentrated in due to its French-language focus, while carriage in remained limited to bilingual or optional packages. Ownership changes, such as the Bell acquisition, occasionally influenced carriage negotiations with BDUs but did not alter its basic-tier status until later disputes. This status changed in August 2023 when ended distribution following a , contributing to the channel's closure on October 1, 2023. Complementing linear distribution, Vrak extended its reach digitally through the Vrak.tv website, launched in , which offered streaming clips, on-demand content, and interactive features targeted at youth, fully integrated into Bell Media's ecosystem for cross-platform access until the channel's closure.

International

Vrak's international footprint was modest, centered on the export of select youth-oriented programs to Francophone markets in rather than full channel carriage outside . The channel's content, including dubbed series and original productions, was occasionally licensed for broadcast in youth programming blocks, contributing to cultural exchange within French-speaking audiences. However, detailed records of major distribution deals are scarce, reflecting Vrak's primary focus on the domestic market. By the , some Vrak-associated content saw broader licensing to streaming platforms in , though this remained secondary to Canadian distribution. The rise of global streaming services ultimately diminished traditional international TV exports for channels like Vrak, leading to a scaled-back emphasis on overseas markets by the early .

References

  1. https://broadcasting-history.ca/vrak-tv/
  2. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/bell-media-shuts-down-vrak-1.6940439
  3. https://encyclopop.uqam.ca/2025/07/07/la-television-des-jeunes-du-quebec/
  4. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1984/pb84-138.htm
  5. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1984/pb84-81.htm
  6. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1987/db87-896.htm
  7. https://broadcasting-history.ca/radio/radio-groups/astral-media-inc/
  8. https://kids.kiddle.co/Vrak
  9. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2006/db2006-382.htm
  10. https://www.lexpert.ca/big-deals/astral-acquires-the-family-channel-from-corus/343626
  11. https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/astral-media-revs-rocket-after-refocus-1117788190/
  12. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bell-to-acquire-quebecs-leading-media-company-astral-142908975.html
  13. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-574.htm
  14. https://www.reuters.com/article/astral-bce/update-5-canadian-regulator-blocks-bces-c3-bln-astral-takeover-idUSL1E8LIF1L20121018/
  15. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2013/2013-310.htm
  16. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-astral/article12861071/
  17. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/transaction-to-unite-astral-and-bell-media-moving-forward/
  18. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/tv/crave/
  19. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2020/2020-347.pdf
  20. https://mediaincanada.com/2023/08/21/bell-media-to-take-vrak-off-the-air/
  21. https://mediaincanada.com/2023/08/17/videotron-drops-vrak-and-z-while-bell-removes-yoopa/
  22. https://blog.fagstein.com/2023/08/23/bell-media-gave-up-on-vrak-now-its-shutting-it-down-which-channel-is-next/
  23. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2023/2023-324.htm
  24. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2016/2016-146.htm
  25. https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment_life/television/bell-media-to-shut-down-vrak-tv-oct-1-after-videotron-stops-distributing-channel
  26. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-241.htm
  27. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-626.htm
  28. https://www.lapresse.ca/arts/television/2022-09-27/generation-canal-famille/la-bible-tele-d-une-generation.php
  29. https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/editoriaux/2023-08-22/vrak-et-l-avenir-des-series-quebecoises.php
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318171/characters/nm0343082/
  31. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1988/db88-136.htm
  32. https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2010/2010-312.htm
  33. https://www.statista.com/statistics/797458/number-of-videotron-subscribers/
  34. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2011/crtc/BC9-9-2010-eng.pdf
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