W Network

What W Network does

W Network is a Canadian specialty television channel owned and operated by Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B), one of Canada's largest media conglomerates whose portfolio spans 32 specialty television services, 15 conventional television stations, and multiple digital/streaming properties. The channel curates premium dramatic series, family-friendly storytelling, and exclusive Hallmark Channel content — including seasonal stunts, holiday movie events, and marquee series such as When Calls The Heart and Outlander — targeted primarily at Canadian women and families. The technology base is a traditional linear broadcast/cable channel complemented by video-on-demand and streaming distribution through W On Demand, the STACKTV streaming platform, and the Global TV App; the channel is not available outside Canada.

The product surface extends well beyond the linear feed. W Network offers a streaming experience via STACKTV (with a free-trial acquisition funnel) and authenticated access through the Global TV App for subscribers of partner TV service providers. The content portfolio combines original productions (The Way Home, The Motherhood, LAID, Based on a True Story, Hope Valley: 1874), Hallmark-licensed movies and events (Mistletoe Murders, Christmas at Sea, The Five Star Weekend, Celebrations with Lacey Chabert), and licensed series (Outlander, Days of our Lives, Chesapeake Shores). W On Demand provides next-day catch-up episodes, complete seasons of popular series, and exclusive W movies, with depth of offering varying by distributor (Cogeco, Rogers, and Shaw customers receive the richest W On Demand experience).

The business model is a hybrid of recurring subscription/subscriber fees paid by TV service providers (Bell, Rogers, Shaw, Telus, Cogeco, Videotron, SaskTel, and regional carriers) for carriage of the channel, plus advertising revenue sold against programming breaks to a primarily female audience demographic. Distribution is exclusively Canadian, with content marketed through organic social channels (X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), an email newsletter, and the wnetwork.com website. Operationally, W Network is lean — the input attributes approximately 29 employees directly to the channel — consistent with its content, distribution, technology, and back-office functions being shared across the broader Corus Entertainment portfolio.

Name

W Network

Legal name

W Network

Website

https://wnetwork.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

W Network is a Canadian specialty television channel owned by Corus Entertainment that distributes premium dramatic series and exclusive Hallmark Channel content to Canadian viewers through major TV service providers, STACKTV, and the Global TV App.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Subscription/Subscriber Fees: W Network generates revenue through subscriber fees paid by TV service providers (cable, satellite, IPTV) who carry the channel. These fees are bundled into customer subscriptions.
2. Advertising: The network sells advertising inventory during programming breaks, targeting its primarily female audience demographic.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

W Network is a Canadian specialty television channel that broadcasts and streams premium dramatic series, exclusive Hallmark Channel seasonal stunts and movies, and original programming to Canadian audiences. Content is delivered through a linear TV channel carried by Canadian TV service providers and through streaming on STACKTV and the Global TV App, with W On Demand offering next-day catch-up episodes and full seasons.

Product overview

W Network is a Canadian specialty television network and streaming platform operated by Corus Entertainment. The core offering is the W Network TV channel, which provides premium dramatic series, exclusive Hallmark Channel seasonal stunts and movies, and original programming. Content is distributed through multiple channels: the linear W Network TV channel (available via traditional TV service providers), the W On Demand video-on-demand service included with subscription, the STACKTV streaming platform, and the Global TV App. The network's content portfolio includes original dramas (The Way Home, LAID, Based on a True Story), Hallmark-style movies (The Five Star Weekend, Mistletoe Murders, Christmas at Sea), and licensed series (Outlander, When Calls The Heart, Chesapeake Shores, Days of our Lives).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• W Network (TV Channel)

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.

• STACKTVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSTACKTV is a streaming platform that provides live and on-demand access to W Network content. The partnership allows cord-cutters and streaming-first viewers to access W Network's premium dramatic series and Hallmark content without a traditional TV subscription. STACKTV offers new shows streaming every day and provides a free trial option for new subscribers.
• Global TV AppcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Global TV App is a free streaming application available on multiple devices that provides access to W Network content with a TV service provider subscription. Content availability may vary by TV provider.
• Bell (Bell, Bell Fibe, Bell MTS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBell is one of Canada's largest telecommunications companies and a major distribution partner for W Network. The network is available across multiple Bell platforms including Bell TV (satellite), Bell Fibe TV (IPTV), and Bell MTS TV, reaching millions of Canadian subscribers.
• Rogers CommunicationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRogers is a major Canadian telecommunications company and key distribution partner for W Network. Available on cable in multiple major markets including Toronto, Fredericton, and St. John's. W On Demand access also provided through Rogers Channel 100.
• Shaw and Shaw DirectcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShaw is a major Western Canadian cable provider and Shaw Direct is its satellite subsidiary. W Network is available on both platforms across multiple markets including Edmonton, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Sault Ste Marie. W On Demand also available.
• Telus Optik TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTelus Optik TV is an IPTV service offered by Telus, one of Canada's major telecommunications companies. W Network is available on channel 9329 SD and 329 HD, reaching Telus's substantial subscriber base.
• CogecomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCogeco is a major cable provider in Ontario and Quebec. W Network is available on channels 763 (Ontario) and 111 (Quebec), serving subscribers in both provinces with customer support provided in English and French.
• VideotronmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVideotron is a major Quebec-based telecommunications company. W Network is available on channel 110 SD / 710 HD in Montreal, serving Quebec market subscribers.
• SaskTelregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSaskTel is the Saskatchewan-based telecommunications Crown corporation. W Network is available on channel 100 SD and 400 HD, serving Saskatchewan subscribers.
• Regional Canadian TV Providers (Eastlink, Execulink, VMedia, Wightman, RiverTV)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVarious regional Canadian TV service providers including Eastlink (Maritime provinces), Execulink (Ontario), VMedia (Ontario/Quebec), Wightman (Ontario), and RiverTV. These partnerships extend W Network's reach to smaller markets across Canada.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Hallmark Channel (US): The original US Hallmark network whose content W Network licenses for Canada. Larger scale, US distribution, and same brand-defining family-friendly/holiday movie programming that anchors W Network's identity.
• Lifetime (A+E Networks): US cable network focused on women's scripted content including romantic dramas, thrillers, and movies. Closest US analog to W Network's women-targeted dramatic programming approach and revenue model.
• Home Network (Corus Entertainment): Sister Corus Entertainment cable channel with overlapping female/family audience. Similar specialty channel economics within the same corporate portfolio and Canadian-only distribution structure.
• Hallmark Movies & Mysteries: Companion Hallmark network focused on mystery and holiday movie content. Comparable in programming philosophy (family-friendly original movies, holiday stunts) and content origin, though not distributed in Canada.
• OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network): US cable network targeting female audiences with scripted drama, lifestyle, and relationship-focused programming. Comparable audience targeting and ad-supported cable business model in a larger US market.
• Flavour Network (Corus Entertainment): Sister Corus Entertainment lifestyle channel repositioned toward women-focused programming. Comparable operating model, distribution footprint, and target audience but in lifestyle rather than drama category.

Direct peers

• Crave (Bell Media): Canadian subscription streaming service carrying premium scripted content including Bell Media's drama channels. Competes for the same cord-cutting Canadian viewer seeking dramatic and romantic content.
• CTV Drama Channel: Bell Media-owned Canadian specialty cable channel focused on dramatic series and premium scripted content. Direct competitor in Canada targeting similar female-leaning drama audiences through comparable distribution and revenue models.
• Showcase (Corus Entertainment): Sister specialty cable channel under Corus Entertainment offering premium scripted dramas. Comparable in business model (subscription + ad revenue, Canadian-only distribution) but with more thriller/original drama emphasis rather than family-friendly content.
• UP (Aspire): US cable network focused on uplifting, family-friendly, faith-adjacent scripted content and holiday movies. Closest pure-play analog to W Network's romantic/family drama programming philosophy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/w_network
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WNetworkCanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/wnetwork
• Instagraminstagram.com/w_network
• TikToktiktok.com/@w_network
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/w-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about W Network