Adult Swim (Canada)

Adult Swim (stylized as dult swim'') is a Canadian English language specialty channel based on the American programming block of the same name, which features animated and live-action shows targeting primarily a 14–34 audience. The network is wholly owned by Corus Entertainment subsidiary Showcase Television Inc. under a brand licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery.

The channel was launched on April 1, 2019, replacing Action, and operating under the same license.

History

Prelaunch

As a Programming block (2012–2019)

Adult Swim first launched in Canada on July 4, 2012, as the late-night program block on the Canadian version of Cartoon Network (then jointly owned by Corus and Astral), much like its U.S. counterpart. Prior to the block's launch, Adult Swim programming was also seen after-hours on Teletoon as part of its adult-oriented program block, Teletoon at Night,CN
TELETOON Canada Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Bring Cartoon Network and Adult Swim to Canada in 2012
Teletoon Canada Inc. press release February 2, 2012 and carried in French on sister network Télétoon, as part of its own Télétoon la nuit block. Corus took full ownership in 2014, due to Bell Media acquiring Astral the previous year.

The block primarily aired Adult Swim original programming, however, several shows from its U.S. counterpart were noticeably absent due to program rights; Rogers Sports & Media-owned G4 and FXX, and Bell Media's CTV Comedy Channel and Much have broadcast a selection of them. From September 1, 2015 until Fall 2017, Adult Swim programming would air exclusively on the Canadian block as part of the expansion of Cartoon Network, following the closure of Teletoon Retro.

As a SVOD service (2016–2018)

In March 2016, dult swimGames launched an over-the-top subscription streaming video on demand service for Android and iOS devices that allowed viewers to watch Adult Swim's original programming, including several series that weren't seen on the Canadian block. New episodes were added to the app as soon as they premiered in the United States.

Originally, ''Rick and Morty'' and ''Robot Chicken'' premieres were only added after they air in Canada. Beginning with its third season, new episodes of ''Rick and Morty'' were added the next day after their U.S. premiere. In 2017, new episodes from ''Samurai Jacks fifth season were added two days after they premiered on Adult Swim's Toonami block. As with the program block, several series (namely ''Mike Tyson Mysteries'' and ''Childrens Hospital'') weren't carried on the service due to existing program rights.

The service was removed from app stores in November 2018.

Relaunch (2019–present)

On March 4, 2019, it was announced in a press release that Action would be discontinued and replaced by a full-time Adult Swim channel, marking the first time that the Adult Swim brand has been used for a 24-hour channel. Coinciding with the relaunch, both Cartoon Network and Teletoon would discontinue their respective adult programming blocks on March 3, 2019, and April 1, 2019, and focus exclusively on family-oriented programming, while only Télétoon's adult block would continue and eventually get a new look. The channel launched with a two-month free preview on linear television beginning April 1, 2019, a high-profile day for the U.S. network due to their annual April Fools' Day scheduling, on-air pranks, and premieres. With the rollout of the Adult Swim channel, full episodes of the channel's programming were made free to watch on-demand until January 2020.First Ever 24-Hour Adult Swim Channel Coming to Canada This Spring
Newswire 2019-03-04

Programming

Adult Swim carries the majority of its American counterpart's original programming, including adult animation and live-action comedies, as well as programming acquired from other outlets (such as Fox, FX Networks, and HBO Max; a streaming service also owned by Warner Bros. Discovery). To fulfill Canadian content requirements (pretty much like its sister channels), the channel also airs shows produced for the former Adult Swim and Teletoon at Night programming blocks, the French-language Télétoon la nuit block, and content from Corus' programming libraries, in addition to carrying over Action's morning block of made-for-TV movies.

Shows announced for the channel's launch include ''Rick and Morty'', ''Robot Chicken'', ''Tim & Eric's Bedtime Stories'', '' The Eric Andre Show'', and ''Lazor Wulf'', the latter of which was announced to premiere day-and-date with the U.S service.

Current programming

As of December 2022:
*''American Dad!'' (14+)
*''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' (14+)
*''Archer'' (18+)
*'' Birdgirl'' (18+)
*'' The Bizarre Stories of Professor Zarbi'' (14+)
*''Black Dynamite'' (18+)
*'' Black Jesus'' (18+)
*'' Blade Runner: Black Lotus'' (18+)
*''Bob's Burgers'' (14+; used to be PG but changed Sept. 2022)
*''Clone High'' (14+)
*'' Delta State'' (14+)
*''Doomsday Brothers'' (14+)
*'' The Eric Andre Show'' (18+)
*''Family Guy'' (14+)
*''Harley Quinn'' (18+)
*''Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law'' (14+)
*'' Joe Pera Talks with You'' (14+)
*''King of the Hill'' (14+; used to be PG but changed Sept. 2022)
*''Metalocalypse'' (18+)
*''Moral Orel'' (18+)
*'' NTSF:SD:SUV::'' (14+)
*'' Primal'' (18+)
*''Rick and Morty'' (14+/18+; depends on episode)
*''Robot Chicken'' (14+/18+; depends on episode)
*''Sealab 2021'' (14+)
*''Smiling Friends'' (18+)
*''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'' (PG)
*''Squidbillies'' (14+)
*'' Stroker & Hoop'' (14+)
*''The Super Dave Osborne Show'' (PG)
*''Superjail!'' (18+)
*'' Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!'' (14+)
*'' Three Busy Debras'' (18+)
*''Tom Goes to the Mayor'' (14+)
*''Tuca & Bertie'' (18+)
*''The Venture Bros.'' (14+)
*'' YOLO: Crystal Fantasy'' (14+)
*'' Young Justice'' (PG)

Upcoming programming

*''Psi Cops'' (Winter 2023)
*'' Red Ketchup'' (2023)
*''Rick and Morty: The Anime'' (TBA)
*''Royal Crackers'' (TBA)
*''Uzumaki'' (TBA)

Former programming

As a channel

*''12 oz. Mouse'' (18+)
*''2 Nuts and a Richard!'' (18+)
*''Apollo Gauntlet''
*'' Assy McGee'' (18+)
*'' Ballmastrz: 9009''
*'' Batman: The Animated Series''
*'' Beef House''
*''The Brak Show'' (PG)
*''Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule''
*''China, IL''
*''The Cleveland Show'' (14+)
*'' Decker''
*''Delocated''
*''Dream Corp LLC''
*''The Drinky Crow Show''
*'' Eagleheart''
*''Frisky Dingo''
*''Fugget About It'' (14+)
*''Gēmusetto''
*''The Greatest Event in Television History''
*''The Heart, She Holler''
*''Home Movies''
*''Hot Package''
*'' Hot Streets''
*''Housing Complex C'' (14+)
*''Infomercials''
*''The Jellies!'' (14+)
*''JJ Villard's Fairy Tales''
*'' Knuckleheads''
*''Lazor Wulf'' (14+)
*'' Loiter Squad''
*''Minoriteam''
*''Momma Named Me Sheriff'' (18+)
*'' Mostly 4 Millennials''
*'' Mr. Pickles'' (18+)
*'' Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter''
*''Off the Air''
*''Pelswick'' (14+)
*''Samurai Jack''
*''Saul of the Mole Men''
*''The Shivering Truth''
*'' Teenage Euthanasia''
*''Tender Touches''
*''Tigtone''
*''Tim & Eric's Bedtime Stories''
*'' Titan Maximum''
*'' Tropical Cop Tales''
*''Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell''

As a programming block

*'' The Awesomes'' (14+)
*''Axe Cop'' (14+)
*''Crash Canyon'' (14+)
*''Fat Guy Stuck in Internet''
*''Futurama'' (14+)
*'' Golan the Insatiable''
*''Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil'' (18+)
*''Napoleon Dynamite'' (PG)
*''Night Sweats''
*''Perfect Hair Forever''
*''Stone Quackers''
*'' Undergrads'' (18+)
*'' Xavier: Renegade Angel'' (18+)

PG= Parental co-viewing recommended for viewers in the 8-13 age range. Contains controversial themes and mild language, violence, suggestive content or brief nudity.

14+= Not intended for viewers under 14 years. Contains mature themes and intense language, violence, sexual content or nudity.

18+= Intended for adults only. Contains adult themes and explicit language, violence, sexual content or nudity.

See also

* Adult Swim (United States)
* Adult Swim (Australia)
* Adult Swim (UK & Ireland)

References

External links

Official website

{{Williams Street

2012 establishments in Canada
Adult Swim
Canadian late-night television programming
Corus Entertainment networks
Digital cable television networks in Canada
English-language television stations in Canada
Television channels and stations established in 2012
Television programming blocks in Canada