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CBC’s six-part docu-series True North Calling debuts Feb. 17

From a media release:

CBC premieres six-part docu-series TRUE NORTH CALLING on Friday, February 17 at 8:30 p.m. (9 NT). Produced by Proper Television in association with CBC, the series follows the lives of six resourceful Canadians living across the far North as they share what it takes to survive and thrive in Canada’s toughest terrain.

From The Northwest Territories to the Yukon and Nunavut, TRUE NORTH CALLING follows a group of hardy and determined Canadians who navigate unforgiving terrain, unpredictable weather and unexpected challenges to earn a living and make a life for themselves in the far North.

In Iqaluit, Franco Buscemi’s goal is to run for public office and gain the power he needs to lead his community into the 21st century – while still holding down a day job and hunting daily to provide for his family and community. Whitehorse farmers Kate Mechan and Bart Bounds dream to create a sustainable farm and achieve food security in the North – while raising their two small children off the grid in a tiny yurt. As a struggling tour operator in one of the most remote regions of the North, Kylik Kisoun Taylor has to marry old world traditions with modern day business savvy. This year he has a new idea – a big gamble – that, if it pays off, could change everything. Shawn Buckley, a fourth-generation fisherman in Yellowknife, battles the raw elements to fish through two distinctly different seasons and meet the demand for wild, fresh fish while balancing life as a single parent. And Iqaluit based TV producer Stacey Aglok MacDonaldfights to preserve her culture by making a wild comedy series entirely in the language of Inutituk. Each of these rugged Northerners has the same goals most of us have – to parent

Each of these rugged Northerners has the same goals most of us have – to parent well, and to make ends meet – but they often have to do it in unrelenting sub-zero temperatures.  Yet, as hard as it can be to succeed in the North, they find life there deeply rewarding and wouldn’t want to live any other way. TRUE NORTH CALLING is a journey into the unexpected and an intimate look at what it really takes to not only survive – but thrive – in Canada’s farthest reaching regions.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Chuck & Danny’s Road Trip set to debut on Food Network Canada

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From a media release:

Food Network Canada is ready to take Canadians on the most epic Canadian culinary adventure with Chuck & Danny’s Road Trip premiering Friday, March 3 at9 p.m. ET/PT. The original six-part series sees chefs and best buddies Chuck Hughes (Chuck’s Day Off) and Danny Smiles (Top Chef Canada Season 3) hit the open road in their fully loaded RV, visiting Canada’s most spectacular regions and three National Parks. In each location, the duo source the finest regional ingredients and cook up unforgettable one-of-a-kind campground feasts for celebrated local chefs, farmers and artisans. Their cross-country RV adventure celebrates Canada’s natural beauty and delicious homegrown ingredients, honouring Canadian cuisine and local food producers as Canada gears up for its 150th birthday.

For years, the Montreal-based duo have been a team creating exquisite dining experiences for guests at Hughes’ critically acclaimed restaurant Le Bremner. Digging into their locally sourced sensibilities, Chuck and Danny seek out the freshest and wildest array of flavours from dedicated food producers, artisans and local chefs as they crisscross Canada and experience the RV lifestyle. From bagging seaweed in wet suits to digging for quahogs, harvesting wild rice in a canoe or foraging for juniper on ATV’s, they go to any lengths to get the best local ingredients.

Chuck and Danny’s journey spans Vancouver Island, British Columbia to Prince Edward Island National Park, PEI. With a passionate appreciation for local food, Chuck and Danny’s Road Trip takes an inspired approach to camp style cuisine, served up with the enthusiasm only true adventure-loving chefs can deliver.

Locations and local chefs featured include:

  • Episode 1 takes place in Prince Edward and Hastings Counties, Ontario and features Justin Cournoyer, owner/chef of Actinolite.
  • Episode 2 takes place on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and features chef Dan Hudson.
  • Episode 3 takes place on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia and features Brooke Winters, owner/chef at Bnurtured Trailer.
  • Episode 4 takes place in Rouge National Urban Park, Ontario and features Elia Herrera, executive chef at Los Colibris.
  • Episode 5 takes place in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick and features Pierre A Richard, chef at Little Louis Oyster Bar.
  • Episode 6 takes place in Prince Edward Island National Park, PEI and features Ross Munro, owner/operator at Prince Edward Island Culinary Adventures.
The series extends online with exclusive content including a tour of Chuck and Danny’s Fifth Wheel RV;  Chuck & Danny’s Road Trip playlist which showcases a full roster of Canadian music featured in the series courtesy of Dine Alone Records; recipes; fun food facts; galleries and much more. To learn more about the series and watch episodes online after they premiere, visit www.foodnetwork.ca.

Chuck & Danny’s Road Trip is produced by Force Four Entertainment, in association with Corus Entertainment’s Food Network Canada.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Discovery’s Mighty Cruise Ships sets sail with a new season on February 12

From a media release:

Discovery’s original Canadian series MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS embarks on its second season voyage, Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT beginning Feb. 12 on Discovery and the Discovery GO app. Produced by Discovery’s in-house production unit, Exploration Production Inc. (EPI), the visually stunning, six-episode series features unprecedented access to billion-dollar, cutting-edge, opulent vessels that sail passengers away to high seas luxury.

From the newest and largest cruise ship in its fleet able to accommodate more than 4,600 guests, to a vessel that is referred to as “a boutique hotel at sea”, and a ship able to navigate down the tightest of passages to remarkable places, MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS takes viewers to some of the world’s most extraordinary hotspots. The series also goes behind the scenes of these seafaring marvels to reveal the high-stakes, behind-the-scenes navigational and technological challenges aboard the floating state-of-the-art vessels.

A true Canadian success story, MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS is distributed to 160 countries worldwide by EPI’s distribution arm, Exploration Distribution Inc. – the international distributor for all of EPI and Bell Media programs.

Sailing to the world’s most blissful nautical hotspots, MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS journeys to exotic ports in old world Mediterranean cities including Rome, Athens, Venice, and Barcelona; the challenging but breathtaking high Arctic; the rugged coastlines of Norway and Scotland; and for the first time, to the Caribbean.

Episode highlights from Season 2 of MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS:

“Carnival Vista”
Sunday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Carnival Vista is the new flagship for one of the world’s largest cruise lines. It can carry more than 4,600 passengers and boasts 10 restaurants, nearly 2,000 staterooms, and a crew of 1,400 ready to tend to their guests’ every need. The top deck features Carnival’s largest waterpark at sea with a 140 metre-long slide, and a first-ever suspended bike loop that allows guests to pedal 46 metres above the sea.

“Royal Clipper”
Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Royal Clipper is the largest sailing cruise ship in the world, with five masts that soar 58 metres high, supporting 42 sails carrying the ship to a speed of 17 knots. With a ratio of one crew member for every two guests, the Royal Clipper offers the epitome of pampered service. On this ship, adventure is written on the wind.

“Viking Sea”
Sunday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Viking Sea is the second ocean-going vessel launched by the owners of Viking River Cruises. Reviews for the first cruise ship were stellar, but each ship – and each voyage – is a new test. No casinos, bumper cars, or discos on this ship – just fine food, dramatic destinations, and sublime Scandinavian décor making Viking Sea one of the most beautiful cruise ships in the world.

“Europa 2”
Sunday, March 5 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Life aboard Europa 2 is all about luxury. That means having plenty of room to relax. The ship offers more space per passenger than any other. There is always a free chaise by the pool or a table available in the restaurant. And the crew caters to every request or whim. A special aerial tour in an exotic port? Done. A surprise beach barbeque to celebrate a family birthday? No problem. The credo on this vessel is simple: “Small ships make big things happen.”

“Ocean Endeavour”
Sunday, March 12 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

With an ice-strengthened hull and a fleet of zodiacs, Ocean Endeavour is the perfect vessel for adventure. A voyage on this ship is not just a cruise…it’s an expedition. In the hands of an experienced staff who are experts in arctic ice, wildlife, and natural history, each trip ashore promises a rugged but enriching experience.

“MSC Divina”
Sunday, March 19 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

MSC Divina is divine – all marble and mirrors, with dramatic lighting and Swarovski crystal staircases. Featuring the best of Mediterranean design and North American convenience, the ship cruises the Caribbean in a style more often associated with ships one-quarter its size. Carrying 4,200 passengers, a cruise on this ship offers the best of Europe on board, with stops at the top ports in the Caribbean.

MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS is produced by Exploration Production Inc. (EPI), a production house wholly owned by Discovery Canada. Karen McCairley is the Executive Producer. The Series Producer is Richard Martyn. Kelly McKeown is Director of Production.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Four Senses expands its world in Season 4

Four seasons in, Four Senses‘ mantra continues to be “Touch it. Taste it. Hear it. Smell it.” But the cooking show—returning Thursday, Jan. 5, to AMI-tv—designed for viewers who are blind or partially sighted has expanded its scope with cross-country adventures and high-profile celebrity guests.

Co-hosts Carl Heinrich and Christine Ha (he won Top Chef Canada and she took the MasterChef title) are back and more confident than ever in their surroundings and each other. Now sure-footed as chefs and hosts and describing how they’re preparing dishes as second nature, they’re able to joke and verbally jab one another, adding to the charisma factor. Their on-screen comfort means they can give more attention to their guests.

Thursday’s return features radio and television veteran Steve Anthony, who pops in to help create crab-stuffed avocado halves, Brussels sprouts slaw and homemade salsa and chips. Anthony has spent decades interviewing folks, so it’s no surprise he turns the tables on Ha and Heinrich, asking their opinion of specialty salts or opining as to why kids don’t like Brussels sprouts, but they give it right back, enquiring as to his kitchen habits. Yes, Four Senses is a cooking show but it’s also about sharing and telling stories, and Anthony, Ha and Heinrich do plenty of that before digging into their creations. (Upcoming guests include interior design gurus Colin and Justin, fashion icon Jeanne Beker and comedian and television star Luba Goy.)

The series has also upped the air miles in Season 4 as the co-hosts swap the kitchen for trips around Ontario and Nova Scotia, highlighting Canada’s diverse culinary landscape and the chefs, farmers and purveyors who bring them to our tables.

Four Senses airs Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. ET on AMI-tv.

Image courtesy of AMI.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Ontario’s highways thru hell star in Discovery’s Heavy Rescue: 401

Anyone who relies on Ontario’s 400-series highways knows that, at the best of times, you’ll fly along to your destination. But throw in some weather or boneheaded move by a fellow driver and chaos ensues. That’s what’s captured in Heavy Rescue: 401.

Debuting Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Discovery Canada—and from the same folks behind Highway Thru Hell, Heavy Rescue: 401 tracks the tow truck drivers, provincial police and emergency personnel who work long hours in dangerous conditions to keep cars and trucks full of precious cargo—human, animal and product—safe and on to their destinations. Yes, the west coast’s Coquihalla highway has snow and high peaks, but Ontario’s roads have their own challenges.

“I would fly into Toronto for meetings at Discovery and would drive from the airport and see guys smashing into each other in front of me,” executive producer Mark Miller says. “I’d get to Discovery and tell everyone about the hell I had just been through and they’d say, ‘Yeah, we go through that every day.’ We spoke to tow truck drivers that work the roads and quickly realized there was something there. It was different enough that it makes for a really cool series.” Miller likens the 401 to a spine with manufacturing plants and factories attached to it; the sheer number of tractor trailers needed to transport supplies along that route means jam-packed lanes and accidents waiting to happen.

“It’s all about time,” says longtime Abrams Towing driver John Allen (pictured above), one of several drivers featured in Heavy Rescue: 401. “You have auto parts going to Oshawa, auto parts going out to Windsor. If they get tied up, it’s costing GM or Chrysler or whoever is doing the manufacturing millions of dollars because they don’t have the storage capacity. Their storage is the trucks coming in.” Tuesday’s debut episode wastes no time showing what happens when snowy conditions and several lanes of traffic mix: a multi-vehicle accident has shut down part of the 401 and Allen is among the drivers rushing to the scene. Other companies followed in Season 1’s episodes include Herb’s Towing, Preferred Towing, Ross Services, Steve’s Towing, Classic Heavy Towing and Metro Towing.

Allen, with over 25 years in the towing business, has seen it all on Ontario’s roads and isn’t fazed by the fact he’s about to become a TV star. Instead, he’s more interested in educating viewers about the dangers involved in his profession.

“Part of what I want to get out of this show is for drivers to slow down, move over and give us a little space,” Allen says. “One tow truck driver is killed every six days in North America. That’s more than police officers, firefighters and ambulance drivers put together.” Injuries and death, he says, occur when a tow truck operator is crushed between vehicles or in what he refers to as “the 30 feet of kill zone” between his door and the back of the truck working in an active traffic lane and totally unprotected.

“Not even one in 10 drivers will move over and give me room,” Allen says. “I was watching the episode back and was getting scared! Give me some space in my workplace … that’s all I ask.”

Heavy Rescue: 401 airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Discovery Canada.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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