Corus Entertainment is building buzz for its new ABC Spark channel with a cross-property programming promotion.

Starting Jan. 16, Corus will be rolling out nested programming blocks on YTV, W Network and CMT channels to get Canadian viewers hooked on Spark fare before the channel’s launch in 2012. A firm date for the channel’s launch has not yet been confirmed.

Corus recently acquired the Disney/ABC Television Group channel via a licensing agreement covering multiple platforms. The channel targets 15- to 34-year-olds.

YTV will air Switched at Birth starting Jan. 16 at 9 p.m. The one-hour drama is about two teenage girls who discover they were switched as newborns. According to a release, Switched at Birth was ABC Family’s top-performing series debut of all time in its target demos this past summer. W Network will also air the series every Saturday at 12 p.m. starting Jan. 21.

Also starting Jan. 16 is half-hour comedy Melissa & Joey on CMT (Canada), about former wild child and local politician Mel, who takes on raising her sister’s kids, and hires desperate-for-a-job Joe as a “manny.” The show will air Monday to Friday at 8:30 p.m.

On-air, digital and outdoor sponsorship opportunities for the preview are available, according to a Corus Entertainment representative.

Photo: Vanessa Marano and Katie Leclerc from Switched at Birth

From Playback Daily