Big shake-ups are coming to Canadian television, and if you grew up with Nickelodeon or Disney Jr., the news isn’t great. Corus Entertainment, the Toronto-based media company, has confirmed it will be pulling the plug on several youth-focused channels in Canada—including Nickelodeon, Disney XD, Disney JR, and ABC Spark—before the end of the month.
That means some of the most recognizable kids’ shows of the past two decades, from SpongeBob SquarePants to Dora the Explorer and even PAW Patrol, are vanishing from traditional TV lineups. For fans, this isn’t just another channel shuffle—it’s the end of an era.
SpongeBob’s Last Splash on Cable
Yes, it’s true: SpongeBob SquarePants is leaving Canadian cable television. For nearly 25 years, Nickelodeon has been the home of the sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea. But now, that familiar after-school ritual of flipping to Nickelodeon and diving into Bikini Bottom is about to disappear.
Instead, SpongeBob episodes will only be available on Paramount+, the streaming platform owned by Nickelodeon’s parent company, Paramount. For families who don’t subscribe, that’s a sudden loss—and one that hits at the heart of childhood nostalgia.
It’s not just SpongeBob. Other Nickelodeon staples like The Fairly OddParents, Dora the Explorer, and PAW Patrol will vanish from channel guides, pushing Canadian households toward the streaming model whether they’re ready or not.
Disney Jr. and Disney XD Also Get the Axe
Nickelodeon isn’t the only casualty. Corus is also shutting down Disney XD and Disney JR, networks that carried a mix of animated favorites and preschool hits. For many parents, Disney JR was a safe, go-to option for younger kids—programming you could trust.
Now, those shows are moving exclusively to Disney+, Disney’s own streaming service. That means families looking for staples like Bluey, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, or PJ Masks will need to subscribe if they want to keep watching.
Adding to the frustration: ABC Spark is also being dropped, a channel known for tween and teen-friendly shows. And in Quebec, Francophone households will lose La Chaîne Disney, the French-language Disney station. Only the main Disney Channel in Canada will survive the purge.
Why It’s Happening
So what’s behind this wave of channel closures? The short answer: money.
Corus Entertainment is facing a major financial crisis. The company is more than $1 billion in debt, and its most recent quarter showed a $55.9 million loss with revenues dropping by $29 million. The new CEO, John Gossling, has already told analysts to expect a 20% year-over-year revenue decline this quarter.
It’s a steep fall for a company that once controlled a huge portion of Canadian specialty television. Last year, Corus lost heavy-hitting lifestyle networks HGTV and Food Network Canada when rights shifted to competitor Rogers. Now, with Nickelodeon and Disney’s youth channels gone, Corus’s portfolio is looking thinner than ever.
The Streaming Takeover
What’s happening with Corus isn’t unique—it’s part of a bigger shift in kids’ entertainment. Across North America, traditional children’s cable networks are being phased out. Studios like Disney and Paramount no longer want to lease their best shows to outside broadcasters. Instead, they’re funneling fans toward their own streaming services.
For Canadian families, this means one thing: more subscription juggling. Want SpongeBob? That’s Paramount+. Want Bluey or Mickey Mouse? That’s Disney+. Throw in Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube Kids, and suddenly the once-simple cable package looks like the “good old days.”
Parents Left in the Middle
Parents used to rely on cable channels as curated, safe spaces for kids. Disney JR and Nickelodeon had built-in boundaries, airing age-appropriate programming throughout the day. Now, the responsibility shifts onto parents to manage apps, set up profiles, and monitor screen time more closely.
And while streaming offers convenience, not every household has adopted it. For families without stable internet or the budget for multiple subscriptions, the disappearance of these channels is a genuine loss.
A Cultural Goodbye
For Canadians who grew up in the late 1990s and 2000s, the closure of these channels hits differently. Shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and Hannah Montana weren’t just programs—they were cultural markers, part of a shared childhood experience.
Pulling them off the air doesn’t erase the shows themselves—they’ll live on through streaming—but it does close the book on a way of watching TV that defined generations of kids. No more channel surfing into SpongeBob reruns. No more Disney JR mornings while parents made breakfast. That rhythm of family viewing is disappearing.
What’s Next for Corus
Corus still controls some recognizable brands, including Teletoon, Showcase, History Channel, and Adult Swim. But its position as Canada’s go-to for kids’ programming is effectively over. With billions in debt and shrinking revenue, the company’s future looks uncertain.
What’s undeniable is that Canadian TV is undergoing a major transformation. The shutdown of Nickelodeon, Disney JR, Disney XD, and ABC Spark marks more than just another business decision—it’s the latest chapter in the collapse of kids’ cable television.
And for SpongeBob? He’s not gone, but he won’t be waiting on Canadian TV screens anymore. If you want to visit Bikini Bottom, you’ll have to stream it.
