Canadian television has seen countless channels rise and fall, each leaving behind a distinct cultural footprint. From music and movies to news and niche entertainment, these networks once shaped how Canadians spent their evenings and weekends. Many of them thrived during the golden age of cable, offering specialized programming before streaming changed everything. Here are 22 Canadian TV channels that went off the air.
MuchMoreMusic
Launched in 1998 as the softer, adult-oriented sibling of MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic became the go-to channel for pop, soft rock, and mellow hits that appealed to a wider audience. It also featured interviews, live performances, and lifestyle shows, making it a refreshing alternative to the youth-driven energy of its parent station. As digital streaming reshaped how Canadians consumed music, viewership dropped. In 2013, the channel was rebranded as M3 before being shut down in 2016. For many, MuchMoreMusic represented an era when television still had a personal soundtrack for every mood.
Bravo Canada
Bravo Canada started in 1995 with a focus on arts, film, and performance-based programming. It offered an eclectic mix of independent cinema, documentaries, and cultural shows that appealed to viewers seeking depth and creativity. The channel carved out a niche in Canada’s television landscape by showcasing homegrown talent and thoughtful content. Over time, Bravo shifted toward mainstream crime dramas and American imports, losing much of its original charm. In 2019, it was rebranded as CTV Drama Channel, marking the end of a once-iconic platform for Canadian arts and culture.
Teletoon Retro
Teletoon Retro launched in 2007, quickly becoming a nostalgic favorite for Canadians who grew up watching classic animated shows. From The Flintstones and Transformers to Looney Tunes and He-Man, the channel revived childhood memories for multiple generations. It offered a comforting escape in an age of digital overload. However, as Teletoon+ and on-demand services gained popularity, the network’s relevance faded. Teletoon Retro went off the air in 2015, but its legacy of cartoon nostalgia still holds a special place in the hearts of Canadian viewers.
MTV Canada
MTV Canada made its debut in 2006, bringing the global MTV brand north of the border with a mix of music, pop culture, and reality shows. It became a launchpad for Canadian VJs and a platform that celebrated youth culture during the rise of social media. While it initially mirrored the American network, MTV Canada also featured local productions and uniquely Canadian takes on entertainment. However, as music television declined and streaming took over, the channel’s impact waned. MTV Canada quietly transitioned into an entertainment outlet with limited original content before fading from prominence.
Sun News Network
Launched in 2011, Sun News Network aimed to be Canada’s answer to Fox News, offering a conservative perspective on current affairs. It positioned itself as a bold alternative to mainstream media but struggled to attract a sustainable audience. Despite its outspoken hosts and high-profile debates, the channel faced criticism for bias and sensationalism. Poor ratings and lack of cable carriage deals led to its shutdown in 2015. Though short-lived, Sun News Network left a notable imprint on Canada’s media landscape as a polarizing experiment in political broadcasting.
BiteTV
BiteTV launched in 2005 as an edgy, youth-oriented digital channel focused on comedy, pop culture, and short-form content. It gained recognition for embracing interactive programming long before streaming became mainstream. The channel offered a platform for emerging creators and indie comedy that resonated with Canada’s digital generation. However, as online video platforms like YouTube grew, BiteTV’s niche audience migrated to the internet. In 2015, it was rebranded as Makeful, shifting focus to DIY and lifestyle programming. BiteTV remains a reminder of Canada’s early digital television innovation.
CLT (Canadian Learning Television)
Canadian Learning Television (CLT) debuted in 1999, offering educational and professional development content to lifelong learners. It partnered with Canadian universities, broadcasters, and educators to produce programming that was both informative and inspiring. The channel focused on topics like business, science, arts, and self-improvement. However, as online learning platforms gained traction, CLT’s audience declined. In 2011, it was replaced by DIY Network Canada, marking a shift from educational content to home improvement entertainment. CLT’s closure symbolized the broader move from broadcast education to digital learning.
BookTelevision
BookTelevision launched in 2001 as a niche channel dedicated to literature, writing, and storytelling. It featured author interviews, literary discussions, and adaptations of classic novels. The channel aimed to make reading more accessible and engaging for television audiences. Over time, its focus broadened to include general documentaries and cultural programming, losing its original literary identity. With limited viewership and the rise of digital book platforms, Bell Media shut it down in 2021. For many Canadians, BookTelevision was a rare space that celebrated the written word on screen.
Fashion Television Channel
Inspired by the long-running FashionTelevision program hosted by Jeanne Beker, Fashion Television Channel launched in 2001. It offered a stylish mix of runway coverage, designer profiles, and behind-the-scenes looks at the global fashion industry. The channel helped showcase Canadian and international fashion talent during a time when style journalism thrived. As fashion content migrated online and social media became dominant, its audience declined. Bell Media closed the channel in 2021, marking the end of an era when television was still a front-row seat to the world of couture.
BBC Kids
BBC Kids debuted in 2001 as a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Corus Entertainment, bringing high-quality British children’s programming to Canadian audiences. The channel offered educational and entertaining shows such as Charlie and Lola, Doctor Who spinoffs, and Teletubbies. It was praised for its safe, family-friendly lineup that balanced fun with learning. However, the channel struggled to compete with digital streaming options and children’s content on demand. BBC Kids ceased broadcasting in 2018, leaving a void for fans of its thoughtful and imaginative programming.
MusiquePlus
Launched in 1986, MusiquePlus was Quebec’s answer to MuchMusic, blending music videos with entertainment news and pop culture content. It became a cultural staple for French-speaking youth, highlighting both Quebecois and international artists. Over the years, the network evolved to include reality shows and lifestyle programs, moving away from its musical roots. As streaming services took over music consumption, MusiquePlus lost relevance. It officially shut down in 2019, marking the end of one of Quebec’s most influential pop culture institutions.
Movieola
Movieola began broadcasting in 2001, specializing in short films from around the world. It provided a rare television platform for independent filmmakers, students, and creators who wanted their stories seen. The channel earned a loyal following among cinephiles for its diversity and creativity. However, its niche appeal and the limited financial support for short films made sustainability difficult. In 2010, Movieola was rebranded as Silver Screen Classics, focusing on vintage cinema instead. Though short-lived, Movieola played an important role in promoting Canada’s indie film community.
Bold (CBC Bold / Country Canada)
Originally launched as Country Canada in 2001, the channel later rebranded as CBC Bold. It focused on Canadian rural life, agriculture, and eventually arts and performance programming. It became known for showcasing homegrown productions, stage performances, and cultural documentaries. Despite its strong public service mission, the network faced declining viewership as audiences shifted toward on-demand content. In 2012, it was replaced by CBC’s documentary channel. Bold’s transition marked the CBC’s evolving approach to specialized storytelling on television.
Newsworld International
Newsworld International, launched in 1994, provided Canadian and global news coverage with an international perspective. Operated by CBC and available in the U.S., it showcased Canadian journalism abroad and offered world news that emphasized depth over drama. The channel was sold to U.S. networks in 2000, eventually becoming Current TV, and later Al Jazeera America. Its closure in 2013 symbolized the changing face of broadcast journalism and the challenges of maintaining independent international news voices in a competitive global market.
Action (formerly Showcase Action)
Showcase Action, later simply branded as Action, debuted in 2001 as a home for adrenaline-filled programming. The channel specialized in action movies, thrillers, and high-intensity TV series that attracted a dedicated audience. It became a popular destination for fans of classic action films and Canadian cult favorites. In 2019, Corus Entertainment rebranded it as Adult Swim Canada, aligning it with the edgy U.S. counterpart. While Action is gone, its legacy remains with those who remember late-night movie marathons and tough-as-nails heroes on Canadian cable.
Lone Star Channel
Lone Star Channel launched in 2001 as a Canadian specialty network devoted to western films and TV series. It catered to fans of cowboy culture, classic westerns, and frontier stories, offering a nostalgic escape into cinematic Americana. The channel built a small but loyal audience that appreciated its focus on a genre rarely seen on mainstream television. Over time, shifting viewer interests and licensing costs led to its decline. Lone Star was rebranded into Movietime in 2008, ending its run as Canada’s go-to destination for western classics.
CoolTV
CoolTV began as a digital specialty channel in 2003, focusing on pop culture, music, and lifestyle programming. It targeted younger audiences with music videos, celebrity interviews, and entertainment news. Despite a fresh concept, the channel struggled to distinguish itself from MuchMusic and MTV Canada. As online video platforms grew, CoolTV’s viewership declined rapidly. It officially went off the air in 2008, remembered as one of Canada’s many early-2000s experiments in youth-focused digital broadcasting.
Mystery Channel
Launched in 2001, Mystery Channel catered to fans of crime dramas, thrillers, and whodunit stories. It featured series like Midsomer Murders and Sherlock Holmes, attracting a devoted audience that enjoyed classic detective television. Despite a strong niche, it faced challenges from streaming services offering similar content on demand. In 2006, Mystery Channel was rebranded as Bravo! Mystery, and later merged with other specialty content. While short-lived, it filled a unique space in Canadian television for mystery lovers.
Drive-In Classics
Drive-In Classics made its debut in 2001, offering a nostalgic mix of B-movies, sci-fi flicks, and cult horror films reminiscent of 1950s drive-in theaters. It celebrated the quirky side of cinema, featuring everything from monster movies to vintage action. The channel became a favorite among film buffs and retro enthusiasts. However, by 2012, changing media habits and declining ad revenue led to its closure. Its spirit lives on among fans who still remember its kitschy, late-night movie marathons.
MTV2 Canada
MTV2 Canada launched in 2001 as a music-focused network under Craig Media, later operated by Bell Media. The channel featured alternative rock videos, live performances, and youth culture content. It served as a platform for emerging Canadian artists and niche music fans who wanted something different from mainstream pop. Over time, programming drifted away from music toward general entertainment, leading to declining viewership. MTV2 Canada was discontinued in 2019, closing a chapter in Canadian alternative music television.
Historia (Original Version before Rebrand)
Historia debuted in 2000 as a French-language history channel co-owned by Alliance Atlantis and Astral Media. It offered documentaries, biopics, and historical dramas focusing on Canadian and global events. It quickly became a respected cultural outlet in Quebec, promoting local heritage and storytelling. In 2019, Corus Entertainment rebranded Historia as Historia – Une chaîne Historia with a new format more focused on entertainment. Many long-time viewers saw the change as the end of the channel’s original educational mission.
Leafs TV
Leafs TV launched in 2001 as a channel dedicated entirely to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Operated by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, it offered behind-the-scenes access, classic games, and interviews with players and coaches. For fans, it was a unique insider experience into one of Canada’s most iconic hockey franchises. As NHL broadcasting rights became centralized and digital streaming grew, Leafs TV’s role diminished. The channel officially went off the air in 2015, marking the end of a dedicated era for Maple Leafs loyalists.
21 Products Canadians Should Stockpile Before Tariffs Hit
If trade tensions escalate between Canada and the U.S., everyday essentials can suddenly disappear or skyrocket in price. Products like pantry basics and tech must-haves that depend on are deeply tied to cross-border supply chains and are likely to face various kinds of disruptions
21 Products Canadians Should Stockpile Before Tariffs Hit
