Corus Entertainment announced today that its new television service, ABC Spark, will launch across Canada on Monday, March 26, 2024. ABC Spark, based on the successful U.S. brand ABC Family, will launch with breakout series including The Secret Life of the America Teenager (starring Golden Globe nominee Shailene Woodley and Molly Ringwald), Switched at Birth (ensemble cast including Katie LeClerc, Vanessa Marano, Lea Thompson, D.W. Moffett and Constance Marie), Melissa & Joey (starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence) and Make It or Break It (starring Candace Cameron Bure) as well as brand new series Jane By Design (starring Andie MacDowell and newcomer Erica Dasher).
"We are very excited to bring some of ABC Family's most compelling, critically acclaimed and hugely popular original series to Canada with the launch of ABC Spark," said Susan Schaefer, Vice President, Head of Networks and Marketing, Corus Entertainment. "Canadian viewers have been waiting for these series and they will not be disappointed. ABC Family has found tremendous success with a programming strategy committed to high-calibre productions featuring powerful storylines, memorable characters and a combination of new and established talent. We are confident that these shows will resonate with audiences across the country."
Starting Monday, January 16, YTV, W Network and CMT (Canada) will air nested blocks of the channel's exclusive programming to promote the debut of ABC Spark. Switched at Birth will air every Monday night on YTV starting January 16; W Network will also air the series every Saturday starting January 21. Melissa & Joey will air Monday to Friday starting January 16 on CMT.
Additional information, including programming schedule and channel details, will be announced in the coming weeks.
ABC Spark will be available in Canada based on a license agreement with Disney/ABC Television Group. Built on the foundation of the successful U.S. brand ABC Family, ABC Spark is a multiplatform offering featuring original series and movies, as well as general entertainment programming. The 24-hour channel will have the same values, look, tone, essence and feel of ABC Family in the U.S.