Expect a new look and a new attitude when the Family Channel relaunches on Oct. 1, offering viewers ‘A more contemporary, more fun kind of feel,’ according to vp of programming Kevin Wright.

Owned equally by Astral Communications and WIC Western International Communications, the 11-year-old, commercial-free network has a brand-new logo, a newfangled website (also launching Oct. 1) and a revamped programming schedule that includes 800 new episodes and 14 new series.

Eight of those new series are Canadian premieres: Microsoap, a 13-part satirical soap for kids that deals with the subject of divorce, from the bbc and Disney u.k.; So Weird, a 22-part Disney Channel prod that follows the exploits of a family obsessed with the unexplained; from Telescene, Misguided Angels, a 26-part comedic series about a pair of misfit angels sent back to Earth to regain their wings; 13 half-hours of Crash Zone from Buena Vista International; Hoze Houndz, a 13-part animated series involving a group of mismatched dogs working to keep their community safe, from Ottawa-based Amberwood Productions; Out of the Box, a 65-part Disney series for preschoolers that celebrates the imagination through song, dance and hands-on activities; Great African Wildlife Rescue, a 13-part doc series from Buena Vista International; and Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century, a 13-part animated series from Buena Vista International.

While still receiving 60% of its programming from Disney, the network has a renewed output deal with the giant entertainment supplier, giving Family additional access to Disney International’s programming. That, combined with the network’s move from premium to an extended basic cable tier in 1997, which increased viewership to more than 3.3 million (including satellite and wireless customers), prompted the relaunch.

‘[Disney] has also given us more flexibility with their existing movie catalogue,’ says Wright. ‘In the past, they would simply give us seven or eight titles that we would play nine times over a 45-day period, which is fine in a pay world. In an extended basic world, those repeats were not appreciated. Starting in May, they gave us essentially the same number of telecasts, but instead of it being seven or eight titles, it was 30 or 35 titles that we would play one or two times.’

Family’s new look was created by entertainment marketing specialist Pittard Sullivan, who has also worked with ctv, abc espn and Disney Channel.