The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Corus Launching 2 New Cable Channels Replacing Those They Lost

**Posted by RadioActive** September 18, 2024 10:09 am

It looks like there's still some fight (and money, although where that's coming from is an open question) in Corus yet. After losing channels like HGTV and The Food Network to Rogers, the company has announced its launching two new replacements, both of which sound very familiar.

The Flavour Network sounds a lot like Food while the Home Network appears to be a clone of HGTV. Both will be available "in the Winter/Spring of 2025."

"While Home Network promises to deliver the feeling of “home” beyond four walls with inspiring storytelling, Flavour Network will expand viewers’ palates with a fresh take on all things food – both delivering a hand-picked, content-first strategy and curated brand experience."

Corus Introduces Home Network and Flavour Network

**Posted by mace** September 18, 2024 11:10 am

Since I never watch Food or HGTV, I will ignore these channels also.

**Posted by RadioActive** September 18, 2024 11:16 am

I know an older lady who has the Food Network on almost 24 hours a day. She simply cannot get enough of it.

It's totally baffling to me why anyone would want to watch a station dedicated to cooking and eating, but it's a popular station in North America. I just have no idea why. I cannot think of anything more boring.

**Posted by Radiowiz** September 18, 2024 12:27 pm

Bye Bye Corus! Nobody's going to be watching your clone crap. People will stick with the original.

**Posted by Dial Twister** September 18, 2024 12:43 pm

RadioActive wrote:
I know an older lady who has the Food Network on almost 24 hours a day. She simply cannot get enough of it.

It's totally baffling to me why anyone would want to watch a station dedicated to cooking and eating, but it's a popular station in North America. I just have no idea why. I cannot think of anything more boring.

What with fast food, dining out, Uber Eats, etc., nobody seems to cook anymore. Cooking shows are like watching archaeology documentaries. 😁

**Posted by andysradio** September 18, 2024 12:57 pm

I wonder how this will look at the viewer level. Will HGTV and Food just rebrand at 6AM [seems to be when these things take place] and just maintain dial positions that they have now on BDUs?
Will Rogers versions of these channels be net new and if so where will they go? I am sure in Rogers land, and probably Shaw now there will be some channel swapping or changing out but what about the rest?

**Posted by RadioAaron** September 18, 2024 1:10 pm

andysradio wrote:
I wonder how this will look at the viewer level. Will HGTV and Food just rebrand at 6AM [seems to be when these things take place] and just maintain dial positions that they have now on BDUs?
Will Rogers versions of these channels be net new and if so where will they go? I am sure in Rogers land, and probably Shaw now there will be some channel swapping or changing out but what about the rest?

The shrewd move would be for Rogers to put their versions on the channel positions currently occupied by the Corus properties.

**Posted by paterson1** September 18, 2024 1:13 pm

I enjoy watching cooking shows from time to time. I have even watched Rogers long running L'Art Di Cucanare with chef Gianni Ceschia. The show is in Italian, and I don't speak the lingo but still watch it. Love Italian cuisine!

The Food Network seems to have too many competition shows, and Bobby Flay is getting tired and is featured too much on the network in my opinion. Let's see what Flavour Network is all about. Maybe they will feature more actual cooking shows like the Food Network use to. The reality cooking competitions are getting a bit boring and too staged. Flavour Network could also get into a little lifestyle, with healthy cooking, and budget meals. Something that Food doesn't do.

**Posted by LOSat** September 18, 2024 1:18 pm

I believe a BDU can't arbitrarily move a channel but have to give notice of a channel placement (number) change to the broadcaster so they can update marketing etc. Now Rogers may have already given Corus notice but I would think that Corus would complain to the CRTC that Rogers was giving themselves an unfair advantage if they simply replace the Corus HGTV and Food Networks with their own version.
Corus has a lot of popular Canadian productions, especially for HGTV. It will be interesting to see if a years time some of those Canadian personalities productions are poached as well. Rogers will have to start producing some Canadian content for those channels that they are launching as a linear channel.

I noticed Corus mentions Brian Baulmer and Scott McGillvery but not someone like Sarah Richardson who Corus have worked with before.

**Posted by RadioAaron** September 18, 2024 1:20 pm

Corus definitely has a solid library of their own popular Canadian productions to float their channels for a while. The question would be whether they'd be able to afford to continue creating that content moving forward.

**Posted by Radiowiz** September 18, 2024 1:25 pm

RadioAaron wrote:
Corus definitely has a solid library of their own popular Canadian productions to float their channels for a while. The question would be whether they'd be able to afford to continue creating that content moving forward.

Bang on! I think for the short run they will work with what they have and take it from there.

**Posted by Glen Warren** September 18, 2024 1:50 pm

Radiowiz wrote:
RadioAaron wrote:
Corus definitely has a solid library of their own popular Canadian productions to float their channels for a while. The question would be whether they'd be able to afford to continue creating that content moving forward.
Bang on! I think for the short run they will work with what they have and take it from there.

Both of you are correct! This is the current plan / thinking going forward.

The majority of the library for HGTV and Food Network was successful on the Specialty Channels for their first runs, and many of these titles from the library have been airing on Global for a second window (typically 4 or 5 years later/delayed).

Last edited by Glen Warren (September 18, 2024 1:51 pm)

**Posted by RadioActive** September 18, 2024 7:10 pm

Corus CEO Troy Reeb is convinced they can beat their own former networks, offering more Canadian produced programming that will be more relevant to the audience.

"Reeb said Flavour and Home will lean harder into Corus's "distinct Canadian identity" and aim to attract a younger and more diverse audience as part of the broadcaster's programming strategy.

"We know we're going to have to compete in the space, and we think we've come up with something that's leaning on our long-term expertise and experience in this space and is going to compete and win."

Corus co-CEO says new lifestyle brands can rival Food Network, HGTV scooped by Rogers

**Posted by Storm** September 18, 2024 8:49 pm

RadioActive wrote:
It's totally baffling to me why anyone would want to watch a station dedicated to cooking and eating, but it's a popular station in North America. I just have no idea why. I cannot think of anything more boring.

Not boring at all. My wife and I have been watching it regularly (but not exclusively) for years. If you are into food and food preparation, it is both fun and interesting to watch. There are too many reality and competition shows on now, but the actual cooking shows are great and educational to someone who is cooking challenged (me - not my wife).

**Posted by Shorty Wave** September 19, 2024 7:09 am

Radiowiz wrote:
Bye Bye Corus! Nobody's going to be watching your clone crap. People will stick with the original.

Hardly. Rogers isn’t that good at producing original non-scripted programming, have you not watched Citytv or OMNI? They will have to produce a certain amount of programming here in Canada, like all broadcasters and Rogers will really have to up their game if they’re going to attempt to match Corus’ production quality, which I can’t see them doing any time soon, or at all.

**Posted by RadioAaron** September 19, 2024 7:56 am

Shorty Wave wrote:
Radiowiz wrote:
Bye Bye Corus! Nobody's going to be watching your clone crap. People will stick with the original.

Hardly. Rogers isn’t that good at producing original non-scripted programming, have you not watched Citytv or OMNI? They will have to produce a certain amount of programming here in Canada, like all broadcasters and Rogers will really have to up their game if they’re going to attempt to match Corus’ production quality, which I can’t see them doing any time soon, or at all.

Corus doesn’t produce that programming; it’s farmed out to independent production companies. Rogers can use the same teams if they want.

Having said that, Rogers’ focus will be streaming/on-demand, so they won’t need nearly as much original content.

**Posted by Leslieville Bill** September 19, 2024 12:23 pm

Thing is with specialty channels is they have celebrities. People watch the Food Network to see Bobby Flay, Anna Olsen and Ted Allen. It will be tough for Corus's knockoffs to complete.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** September 20, 2024 8:28 am

RadioAaron wrote:
Shorty Wave wrote:
Radiowiz wrote:
Bye Bye Corus! Nobody's going to be watching your clone crap. People will stick with the original.

Hardly. Rogers isn’t that good at producing original non-scripted programming, have you not watched Citytv or OMNI? They will have to produce a certain amount of programming here in Canada, like all broadcasters and Rogers will really have to up their game if they’re going to attempt to match Corus’ production quality, which I can’t see them doing any time soon, or at all.
Corus doesn’t produce that programming; it’s farmed out to independent production companies. Rogers can use the same teams if they want.

Having said that, Rogers’ focus will be streaming/on-demand, so they won’t need nearly as much original content.

Actually RadioAaron, you’re partially correct however, the independent production companies deal with a production executive at Corus for each project. These production execs do the initial deal, determine payment and more importantly, they screen the projects and “give notes” to the producers regarding content etc. They used to have quite a few of them for their various streams - lifestyle, children and drama.

**Posted by Binson Echorec** September 20, 2024 9:09 am

I rather like the channel names and can't believe both were available for use.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** September 20, 2024 9:24 am

Binson Echorec wrote:
I rather like the channel names and can't believe both were available for use.

I agree Binson Echorec, they’re to the point and snappy, plus easy to remember!

**Posted by ED1** September 20, 2024 10:21 am

Was kind of expecting the new branding for these channels would have been under the Global banner ie) "Global Home" and "Global Flavour", like how the CTV specialty channels are branded.

**Posted by RadioActive** September 20, 2024 10:35 am

The new logos:

**Posted by Shorty Wave** September 20, 2024 11:58 am

RadioActive wrote:
The new logos:

I like them, clean and uncluttered!

**Posted by paterson1** September 20, 2024 1:08 pm

Leslieville Bill wrote:
Thing is with specialty channels is they have celebrities. People watch the Food Network to see Bobby Flay, Anna Olsen and Ted Allen. It will be tough for Corus's knockoffs to complete.

True, but Corus have their own well known celebrities like Scott McGillivrey, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, Pamela Anderson, Jonathan and Drew Scott (Property Brothers) and a few more that are very familiar to the audience. Some more detail on the two new networks from Bill Brioux at brioux.tv...https://brioux.tv/blog/2024/09/19/corus-fights-back-with-rebrands-home-and-flavour/

**Posted by andysradio** September 20, 2024 3:47 pm

Last edited by andysradio (September 20, 2024 3:48 pm)

**Posted by paterson1** September 20, 2024 5:39 pm

That is surprising the Property Brothers don't show up since they had their start with Corus. But also surprised that Gordon Ramsay will be on the Flavour Network with a couple of new shows.
https://www.corusent.com/media-centre/press-releases/corus-introduces-flavour-network-and-home-network/