By Connie Thiessen
Bell Media says it will end the operation of its Vrak channel, effective Oct. 1, following a decision by Quebecor-owned Videotron to no longer carry the channel.
On-air for 23 years, the French-language speciality channel broadcasts primarily medical and legal drama series like Transplant and Chicago Med.
Bell Media said in an announcement Friday that with Videotron’s move to drop the channel, it must “reassess the range of programming offered to its customers to comply with its objective of aligning the offer with its revenue potential,” also noting “an ever-changing operating environment” and an obsolete regulatory framework that “does not take current challenges into account.”
“VRAK is a unifying, entertaining and current specialty channel that has left its mark on several generations of Quebec viewers,” said Karine Moses, Senior Vice President, Content and News, in the same announcement. “Ending Vrak’s activities is not a decision we wanted to make. However, given Videotron’s decision and the current context in which we operate, a reassessment of our programming is in order and viewers are no longer numerous enough.”
Viewers will be able to finish current seasons of Vrak series until midnight on Oct. 1.
Videotron is also dropping Bell Media sci-fi speciality channel Z from its cable offerings, while Bell is moving to omit pre-school channel Yoopa, operated by Quebecor subsidiary TVA Group.
This story first appeared in Broadcast Dialogue and is reprinted with permission.
