As streaming continues to transform how kids watch TV, the landscape for traditional children’s programming in North America is shifting, and fast. Linear TV networks are feeling the heat as younger audiences migrate toward platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Paramount+. That pressure has now led to a major shakeup – Nickelodeon’s Canadian channel is shutting down on September 1, 2025, alongside multiple Disney-branded channels.
Nickelodeon Canada is coming to an end after a 16-year run(X/@Nickelodeon) The Canada conundrum
The channel, which launched in Canada in 2009, carried a mix of classic and contemporary Nickelodeon content, including SpongeBob SquarePants and PAW Patrol. According to a report from The Canadian Press, Corus Entertainment, which distributes several U.S. networks in Canada, will be closing five kids’ channels: Nickelodeon, Disney XD, Disney Jr., ABC Spark, and La Chaîne Disney. The company cited a “comprehensive review” of its portfolio and the “evolving needs of audiences and distribution partners” as key reasons behind the decision.
Corus emphasized that the shutdown follows a “comprehensive review” of its network portfolio and the “evolving needs” of viewers and distributors. The company will continue to operate the Disney Channel brand on TV and streaming platforms in Canada.
The US remains unaffected
Though the US Nickelodeon network remains unaffected, the move highlights the network’s evolving presence across North America and the wider decline of cable TV. As streaming platforms are slowly but steadily taking over, kids are no longer waiting for scheduled broadcasts, making it harder for traditional channels to retain viewership or attract advertising dollars.
While Nickelodeon Canada is coming to an end after a 16-year run, it’s unclear whether its programming will shift to YTV, Treehouse TV, or STACKTV, all owned by Corus and still operational. In the U.S., however, Nickelodeon is holding steady with new shows like Wylde Pak and a SpongeBob SquarePants movie set to release this December.
The rise of streaming platforms
Streaming has transformed how young audiences consume content, with platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+ overtaking linear television. Kids today aren’t waiting for scheduled broadcasts – they’re binging shows on-demand, watching short-form content, and engaging with entertainment across multiple devices. That change has hit ad-supported TV networks particularly hard. Despite the fact that Nickelodeon’s US operations won’t be affected directly, it signals a growing challenge for kids’ cable networks across the continent: staying relevant in a market dominated by fast, flexible, and highly personalized digital entertainment.