Adult Swim (Canada)

Adult Swim first launched in Canada on July 4, 2012 as the late-night program block on Cartoon Network (then jointly owned by Corus Entertainment and the former Astral Media), much like its American counterpart. Prior to the block's launch, Adult Swim programming was seen after-hours on Teletoon as part of its adult-oriented program block, Teletoon at Night.[3][4][5] Adult Swim programming was also carried in French on sister network Télétoon as part of its own adult animation block.

The block primarily aired original shows from the U.S. version, as well as shows acquired from other sources. Several shows from its American counterpart were noticeably absent due to program rights; Rogers Media-owned G4, and Bell Media's Comedy and Much have broadcast a selection of them.[6][7][8][9] 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.[10][11][12]

In March 2016, [adult swim] Games 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.[13]

Due to program rights and licensing, several series, such as Mike Tyson Mysteries, Childrens Hospital, Fox animated sitcoms, and shows broadcast on Adult Swim's anime and action-oriented Toonami block in the U.S., weren't available on the service. Originally, Rick and Morty and Robot Chicken premieres were only added after they air in Canada.[14] Beginning with its third season, new episodes of Rick and Morty were added the next day after their American premiere. In 2017, new episodes from Samurai Jack's fifth season were added two days after they premiered on Toonami, while other new premieres from Adult Swim in the U.S were added the day after they aired. The service was removed from app stores in November 2018.[15]

On March 4, 2019, it was announced in a press release that Action would be replaced by a full-time Adult Swim channel. This marks the first time that the Adult Swim brand has been used for a 24-hour channel. 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. As a result of 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; Télétoon's adult block remained unchanged. 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.[16]

The channel launched exactly at midnight (six hours earlier than had been listed for Action's final night of programming in guide listings) with a simulcast of the American network's April Fools programming; the premiere of the anime-inspired tennis parody Gēmusetto Machu Picchu.