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Saloon Media announces the greenlight of Witches of Salem for Travel Channel and T+E

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From a media release:

Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, announces the greenlight by Travel Channel (US) and T+E (Canada) of The Witches of Salem, a new four-part docudrama series about America’s infamous 17th-century witch trials. The series will be produced by Saloon Media in association with Talos Films, Travel Channel, and T+E.

The Salem witch trials is one of the most gripping real-life dramas in history. It began in February 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. In just 220 days, 200 were accused and 20 were executed. It was a period of mass hysteria that opens a window into the darkest side of human nature.

The Witches of Salem (4 x 60’) draws on extensive historical documents and court records to bring this gripping drama to life. Sociologists, psychologists, and cultural historians also illustrate how communities are still susceptible to the same hysteria today.

The Witches of Salem is Executive Produced by Michael Kot, Julie Chang, Julian P. Hobbs and Elli Hakami. Executive in Charge for Travel Channel is Charles Nordlander and the Head of Original Content for T+E is Sam Linton. The series is produced by Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, in association with Talos Films, Travel Channel (US), and T+E (Canada). International content distributor Blue Ant International Ltd has exclusive worldwide rights to the series.

Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor and channel operator.

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

History starts production on Canadian original docu-series Breaking Wild

From a media release:

Corus Entertainment’s HISTORY® in association with Breakthrough Entertainment and Bonterra Productions announce the start of production on the new Canadian-original series Breaking Wild (10×60). The doc-series follows the efforts of fearless indigenous cowboys in B.C.’s pristine Nemiah Valley as they fight together for the survival of wild Qayus horses who roam in their midst. Breaking Wild is currently slated to premiere in Winter 2020 on HISTORY.

Set in the sprawling and secluded paradise of the B.C. interior, the Nemiah Valley is part of the Xeni Gwet’in’s 1700 square kilometers of title lands and home to a growing herd of as many as 1,000 Qayus. These wild horses are among the smartest, strongest, and rarest on the planet. Under the direction of current Chief Jimmy Lulua, the Xeni Gwet’in cowboys continue to draw upon centuries of experience managing the Qayus. Elite competitive rodeo riders including Howard Lulua, Amanda Lulua and Emery Phillips work alongside trusted outsiders and legendary horse trainers Roy Mulvahill and Mike Hawkridge, as well as transplanted American Naval Officer Michael Lares. Together they work to protect the herd from over population, scarcity of resources, and natural predators. Through a multi-camera approach, production of the series provides access to the rarely seen, high-octane lives of modern cowboys. Capturing stories about the unbreakable bond between human and horse as they streak across sweeping plains and over snowcapped mountain peaks.

Breaking Wild is produced in accordance with the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government Filming Protocol. The Xeni Gwet’in have appointed community advisers who ensure the cultures, practices, and beliefs of the Xeni Gwet’in are accurately portrayed.

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Brightlight Pictures’ hit series Quest Out West: Wild Food renewed at APTN

From a media release:

APTN has renewed the hit series Quest Out West: Wild Food from Brightlight Pictures for a third season. The new season of the B.C.-based series will air on APTN in early 2020. Viewers will be taken on a new adventure every week in this 13-episode season. It will be executive produced by Brightlight Pictures’ president, Shawn Williamson (The Good Doctor) and hosted, written and produced by Tracey Kim Bonneau (Quest Out West: Wild Food).

“To be renewed for a new season is always exciting, but this one feels extra special for our team because the show puts the spotlight on British Columbia and its beauty,” said Shawn Williamson, executive producer of Quest Out West: Wild Food. “Over the past two seasons, the series has helped redefine what a healthy and traditional meal looks like. We hope that this new chapter will continue inspiring viewers to challenge the status quo in their own kitchens.”

Quest Out West: Wild Food is the antidote to boring and unhealthy food. Viewers experience what it’s like to hunt for big game, fish for wild salmon, dig for little-known edible roots and berries, and then learn how to turn them into a spectacular meal. Host Tracey Kim Bonneau takes viewers out of their home and on an adventure for a truly healthy meal every week.

Production on the third season will begin in late spring in the interior of British Columbia. Producing alongside Williamson and Bonneau are Darlene Choo (Quest Out West: Wild Food) and Jordan Smysnuik. Brightlight Pictures produced the first two seasons in 2014 and 2017.

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Industry News, Nurses

Global announces ensemble cast in new medical drama Nurses

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From a media release:

Global announced today casting details for new original drama Nurses (working title), a coming-of-age story centered around the lives of five rookie nurses. From Canadian broadcaster and production partner Corus Entertainment, with Entertainment One (eOne) and ICF Films, in association with Piazza Entertainment, the serialized, character-driven drama (10×60), from the team behind Rookie Blue, features a stellar ensemble cast of young talent including Tiera Skovbye (Riverdale), Natasha Calis (The Posession), Jordan Johnson-Hinds (Blindspot), Sandy Sidhu (Home Before Dark) and Donald MacLean Jr. (Workin’ Moms). With production underway in Toronto, the new drama will premiere in 2019 on Global.

Set in Toronto, the series follows five young nurses working on the frontlines of a busy downtown hospital, dedicating their lives to helping others, while struggling to help themselves. Grace Knight (played by Skovbye), is a young nurse looking for a fresh start, until someone from her past turns up who could jeopardize her career;  Ashley Collins (played by Calis), is a wild and unapologetic adrenaline junky who lives for the fast pace of the hospital; Keon Colby (played by Johnson-Hinds), is a former college football star who’s trying to prove he’s more than he was on the field; Nazneen Khan (played by Sidhu), is a whip-smart daughter of a wealthy family in India who moved to Canada to reinvent herself and is now starting her first job ever; and Wolf Burke (played by MacLean Jr.), is soft hearted and playful, but with a secret that may find him in over his head.

Stationed in every tendril of a busy downtown trauma centre and thrust into frontline medical action, Nurses sees five recent graduates beginning their careers in a high-stakes hospital with pressure cooker training. Forming an inextricable bond, the nurses struggle to find a work-life balance that matches and counters the intensity of their new job. Their interaction with patients, relatives, and staff quickly leads them to the discovery that nursing isn’t just about biology, chemistry, and anatomy, it’s also about psychology, compassion, and romantic complications.

Nurses is produced by ICF Films, eOne in association with Piazza Entertainment and Corus Entertainment, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. eOne handles international distribution on the series. Executive Producers are Ilana Frank (Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), Linda Pope (Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), Vanessa Piazza (Lost Girl, Dark Matter), Adam Pettle (Burden of Truth, Saving Hope) Jocelyn Hamilton (Mary Kills People, Ransom) and Tassie Cameron (Mary Kills People) with Julie Puckrin (Killjoys, X Company) as Co-executive Producer.

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Industry News

With love, from Mary… CTV’s new original culinary series Mary’s Kitchen Crush premieres April 28

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From a media release:

Full of food, friends, and fun, CTV today announced that its delectable new series MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH drops into CTV’s midseason schedule and on Crave Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT beginning April 28. Viewers will get a second helping of the series with a bonus digital-only episode available on CTV digital platforms including CTV.ca and the CTV app, CTV’s YouTube™ page, and CTV, THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW, YOUR MORNING, and Gusto Facebook pages, as well as Bravo.ca and MTV.ca. Canadians can also enjoy the bonus episode on CTV On Demand via set-top box with applicable TV service providers.

Hosted by Canada’s culinary sweetheart and MASTERCHEF CANADA winner Mary Berg, the all-new series showcases Berg’s culinary skill and creativity with original recipes inspired by someone who has made a meaningful impact on her life. The premiere of MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH follows the return of MASTERCHEF CANADA, airing Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV beginning Monday, April 8. Viewers can then stream episodes anytime on CTV.ca and the CTV app.

With a pinch of humour and a dash of kindness, Berg’s meals are like an edible love letter for her family members and close friends. Each meal is motivated by a story which connects back to the episode’s special guest. Memories of family trips to South Carolina spur a Southern feast, while a French-themed menu is created after Berg and a friend dreamt of jetting off to Paris.

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, a sports game, or just expressing gratitude for a loved one, MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH is filled with recipes for every occasion. As Berg prepares the meal, she guides viewers through the recipe, offering up plenty of helpful tips and takeaways. The guests in each episode then join Berg to enjoy the final meal. Following each episode, viewers can visit CTV.ca for full written and video recipes featured on the show including video extras “Mary in a Minute,” “Mary Crushes,” and “Mary’s Mantras,” which feature Berg as she dishes on her tastiest meals and kitchen hacks. Viewers can also visit the recipe hub on TheLoop.ca for details on all of Berg’s delicious dishes.

Joining the series this season as sponsors are Starbucks at Home and Dawn Ultra Dish Liquid, who will produce custom content around the series featuring Mary Berg.

Berg’s impressive culinary journey took off after capturing the title of MASTERCHEF CANADA. She can be seen regularly as a food expert on CTV’s YOUR MORNING and THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW, and can be found developing recipes for shows, food, beverage brands, and her blog A Small Stove. Berg’s first cookbook, Kitchen Party, is set to be published in September 2019.

From the kitchen to the table, in the first episode of MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH, “Mary Loves Myra” airing Sunday, April 28 at 7 p.m. ET/PT, Myra Berg is not just an amazing mom, she’s also Mary’s #1 fan! To thank her mom for all of her love and support, Mary gives Myra a giant food hug with a fresh and flavourful spin on her favourite dish.

A CTV Original Production, MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH is produced by Proper Television (MASTERCHEF CANADA), a division of Boat Rocker Studios, in association with CTV. Cathie James, Allison Grace, and Lesia Capone serve as Executive Producers and Garrett Wintrip as Series Producer.

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