Shaw announces 2012/13 specialty lineup

From a media release:

Shaw announces 2012/13 lineup

  • Slice™’s #1 Series The Real Housewives of Vancouver Renewed
    for Second Season
  • Showcase Debuts Massive New Dramas Copper and
    Beauty and the Beast
  • HGTV’s Mike Holmes Returns with a Brand-New Series
  • Broadcaster Commissions Over 650 Hours of Canadian Original Programming

On the heels of its highest performing season ever, Sliceâ„¢, the ultimate entertainment fix for women, has renewed its number one ranked series to date, The Real Housewives of Vancouver.

Jump starting the year on a high, Slice™’s fall schedule boasts the brand-new Canadian series Keasha’s Perfect Dress (WT), featuring renowned Kleinfeld’s bridal consultant Keasha Rigsby (Say Yes to the Dress), as well as The Mistress, a dramatic new series featuring self-proclaimed former mistress to Chef Gordon Ramsay and Lord Jeffrey Archer, Sarah Symonds. Returning for a new season this winter is the much-loved matrimonial showdown, Four Weddings Canada.

Showcase continues to be the top destination for the best in dramatic entertainment with a slew of new and returning hit series coming this fall. Starring Kristin Kreuk (Smallville) and produced in Canada by Take 5 and Whizbang Productions in partnership with CBS Studios, the brand-new series Beauty and the Beast will infuse Showcase with a fresh take on the fairytale classic. Other new series include the USA hit Common Law, which premiered to impressive audience numbers in the U.S., and the much-anticipated debut of the original series Copper, from creative dream team Academy Award®-winner Barry Levinson (Good Morning Vietnam, Oz) and Emmy® Award-winner Tom Fontana (Oz, Homicide: Life on the Street, The Borgias). In addition, Showcase will be the exclusive home to the original series World Without End, the bold follow-up to Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth starring Miranda Richardson (Rubicon, Merlin), Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City), Ben Chaplin (Mad Dogs) and Canadians Sarah Gadon (A Dangerous Method) and Meghan Follows. Viewers can also look forward to new seasons of Showcase’s top-rated series Lost Girl, as well as Warehouse 13, Royal Pains, and the channel’s megahit series Covert Affairs.

As the number one entertainment specialty channel, freshly revamped HISTORY offers the most robust collection of authentic characters and programming showcasing history being made every day. In addition to premiering the captivating new Canadian series Bomb Hunters, the network is set to launch the gripping new series about navigating and transporting materials across one of history’s most treacherous bodies of water in Great Lake Warriors. HISTORY is home to the worldwide television event of the fall with Mankind: The Story of All of Us, the epic tale of the global rise of civilization, complete with danger, action, heroism and adrenaline. Returning shows include massively successful series like Swamp People, Ice Pilots NWT, American Restoration, Ice Road Truckers, Canadian Pickers and the channel’s top-rated series from last fall, Pawn Stars.

On HGTV this fall, Canada’s most trusted contractor Mike Holmes is back with bigger renovations and storylines in the brand-new Canadian series Holmes Makes It Right. Also on the fall schedule is the first ever Canadian edition of the UK hit series May The Best House Win, the ultimate open house experience where proud homeowners open their doors to each other to judge and be judged.

With the hugely successful second season of Top Chef Canada wrapping up, Food Network has announced that its number one series will return for another season. The network’s fall lineup of delicious entertainment includes the launch of the brand-new Canadian series SugarStars and a second season of innovative Recipe to Riches. The long-standing and hugely popular series Restaurant Makeover returns as Restaurant Takeover, showcasing new and exciting twists.

As the number one digital channel in the country and the top-ranking digital channel in the top 20 across all specialty channels, National Geographic Channel continues to inspire Canadians with the most innovative content about science, technology and human endeavors. Brand new series on the fall schedule are the cutthroat, bluefin tuna fishing business series Wicked Tuna and docu-series American Chainsaw, following chainsaw sculptor and hard rock star Jesse “The Machine” Green and his unusual crew as they create art out of wood. Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? pits civilians against each other in a bid for merit badges.

New and Returning Programming Highlights Include:

SLICEâ„¢

The Mistress (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 27
The Mistress is a provocative, dramatic and controversial new series starring author and self-proclaimed former mistress to Chef Gordon Ramsay and Lord Jeffrey Archer, Sarah Symonds. Each episode follows Sarah on her mission to rescue a woman caught in the despair of an extra-marital affair. Sharing her knowledge and experience, Sarah takes each mistress on a journey of self-realization and empowerment, giving viewers a unique glimpse into the life of an often vilified woman.

Ex-Wives of Rock (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 29
Ex-Wives of Rock chronicles the highs and lows of four famous ex-wives in L.A. Once married to famous rock stars, they were kicked to the curb, and forgotten. With narrator Shannon Tweed as our guide, we follow the action as Athena, Bobbie, Blue and Sharise try to reinvent themselves and make their way to the top again.

Keasha’s Perfect Dress (WT) (World Premiere, Canadian Original) OCTOBER 2012
With a passion for fashion and her trademark sass, Keasha Rigsby (Say Yes To The Dress), renowned bridal consultant from Kleinfeld’s, begins an exciting new chapter in her career. Opening her own exclusive bridal boutique in Toronto, she continues on her quest for bridal perfection. Following the ups and downs of each bride’s pursuit of their dream gown, Keasha’s Perfect Dress (working title) takes audiences inside a bustling bridal salon, sharing tales of fittings, alterations, high hopes and big decisions.

Brand-new seasons of returning series on Sliceâ„¢ include: The Brides of Beverly Hills, Intervention Canada, Million Dollar Listings, Mob Wives, Pregnant in Heels and The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

SHOWCASE

Copper (Canadian Premiere, Canadian Original) FALL 2012
Copper is a gripping crime drama set in 1860s New York City, and focuses on Kevin Corcoran (Tom Weston-Jones; MI-5), an intense, rugged Irish-immigrant cop working the city’s notorious Five Points neighbourhood. Corcoran is struggling to maintain his moral compass in a turbulent world, while on an emotional and relentless quest to learn the truth about the disappearance of his wife and the death of his daughter. His friendship with two Civil War compatriots – the wayward son of a wealthy industrialist and an African American physician who secretly assists Corcoran with his work – takes him to the contrasting worlds of elegant Fifth Avenue and rural Harlem. The three men share a secret from their experience on the battlefield that inextricably links their lives forever.

Beauty and the Beast (Canadian Premiere) FALL 2012
From the classic tale comes a new, fresh take on Beauty and the Beast starring Canadian Kristin Kreuk (Smallville) as Catherine Chandler. As a teenager, Catherine witnessed the murder of her mother and Catherine knows her life would have been taken too if it wasn’t for someone – or something – that saved her. Now a smart, no-nonsense homicide detective, Catherine discovers Dr. Vincent Keller (Jay Ryan; Terra Nova), the man who saved her many years before. Vincent has been in hiding for the past 10 years to guard his secret – he becomes a terrifying beast, unable to control his super-strength and heightened senses when he is enraged. Catherine agrees to protect his identity in exchange for any insight he may have into her mother’s murder, beginning their complex relationship.

World Without End (Canadian Premiere, Canadian Original) FALL 2012
Ken Follett’s global bestseller World Without End premieres as an eight-part, one-hour event series on Showcase. Cynthia Nixon, Miranda Richardson, Ben Chaplin, Peter Firth, Charlotte Riley, and Canadians Megan Follows and Sarah Gadon headline the star-studded cast with director Michael Caton-Jones at the helm. The epic series follows Caris, a visionary young woman struggling to rise above the suffering and oppression in order to lead her people out of the dark times. England is on the brink of devastating war with France that will last over a hundred years, and a terrible plague is spreading that will wipe out a third of Europe’s population before it is done. With her lover Merthin, Caris builds a community that stands up to The Crown and The Church. Together, they unearth a dangerous secret and must fight to save their town of Kingsbridge from ruin, ultimately ushering in a new era of freedom, innovation and enlightenment.

Brand-new seasons of returning series on Showcase include: Lost Girl, Covert Affairs, Warehouse 13, Haven, Royal Pains, Law & Order: UK, NCIS and Rookie Blue.

HISTORY

Bomb Hunters (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 27
For almost a century, Canada has been a nationwide training camp for allied armed forces from all over the world. Millions of tons of munitions were fired and tested in fields and lakes across the country, and an estimated one in seven failed to explode. Dormant, but not dead, these munitions are known as UXO’s (unexploded explosive ordnance). There are several hundred known land locations across the country and over a thousand underwater sites from coast-to-coast – but only a handful of companies in Canada have the know-how and courage for the job. The series follows these unique crews of UXO techs, seasoned ex-military bomb disposal experts, combat divers and specialized geophysicists as they dig, dive, discover and dispose of the hidden explosives in real life operations ranging from the remote regions of Canada to its populated suburbs.

Secret Life Of… (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 31
Secret Life Of…is a cheeky and provocative new biography series that deliciously dishes dirt on icons of the past, such as Napoleon, Catherine the Great, and Casanova. A rare glimpse into the rarified world of the rich, famous and scandalous, this 14-part series features A-list historians and experts as you’ve never seen them before. Their hilarious demonstrations include: the bodice-ripping sexual foreplay in Tudor England, the obsessive eating habits of Queen Victoria and the exotic tools of seduction of the one and only Casanova. These juicy details have long been buried in the scrap heap of history – until now.

Brand-new seasons of returning series on HISTORY include: Canadian Pickers, Cajun Pawn Stars, Pawn Stars, American Pickers, American Restoration, Ice Road Truckers, Ancient Aliens and Ice Pilots NWT.

HGTV

Live Here, Buy This (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 27
What if you up and sold everything? Where could you afford to live and how? Live Here, Buy This tantalizes homeowners with properties around the world that equal the cost of their current home. We’ll show you what your life could look like in paradise!

May The Best House Win (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 30
In the first-ever Canadian edition of the hit UK series May The Best House Win, four proud homeowners open their doors to each other and prepare to critique and be criticized. It’s the ultimate open house experience – and absolutely nothing is off-limits! After touring each other’s homes with a critical eye the participants give each home a grade, and the homeowner with the highest score wins not only the pride but the $1000 prize. Whether it’s a condo or a castle, these house-proud Canadians will fight for the right to call their home the best.

Holmes Makes It Right (World Premiere, Canadian Original) OCTOBER 16
In this brand-new series Canada’s most trusted contractor helps unfortunate homeowners whose homes, lives and finances have been brutally disrupted by disastrous events and renovations. Mike Holmes takes on catastrophes that would make other contractors run. With the same commitment to high standards that is at the forefront in Holmes on Homes and Holmes Inspection, Holmes Makes It Right features Mike at his hands-on best – strapping on a tool belt, and helping desperate homeowners.

House Hazards (World Premiere, Canadian Original) OCTOBER 16
In this entertaining new show, a mind-boggling array of potential domestic disasters is put to the test. Whether it’s determining what happens if you leave a metal spoon in your microwave or watching what happens when you spill a whole bottle of dish detergent into a high power hot tub – every domestic disaster imaginable is tested in House Hazards.

Brand-new seasons of returning series on HGTV include: Leave It To Bryan, Urban Suburban, Kitchen Cousins, House Hunters and House Hunters International.

FOOD NETWORK

Chef Michael’s Kitchen (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 27
In Chef Michael’s Kitchen, Chef Michael Smith goes back to basics – with a twist! In every episode, Chef Michael solidly establishes the basics of a classic dish, ingredient or cooking technique and then shows viewers how easy it is to add a personalized twist. Chef Michael continues to inspire viewers to impress themselves in their own kitchens!

SugarStars (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 27
In this new real-life sitcom, we follow the hilarious antics of dessert divas and owners of Toronto’s Petite & Sweet, Elle, Casper, Yolanda and Antonella. In the sugary world of over-the-top confectionary creations, these friends-turned-business partners design elaborate and eye-popping ‘sweet tables’ for the biggest events and stars in town.

Chuck’s Week Off (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 28
Chef Chuck Hughes is hungry for a break from his daily grind, so he’s heading to Mexico and cruising across the country in an open-air jeep in search of culinary adventures. There’s nothing he won’t try, whether it be off-roading up a volcano, working a shift at a taco stand, stepping into a wrestling ring, or roping a cow with a group of Mexican cowboys. In this new series Chuck lives out once-in-a-lifetime experiences, meets awesome people and cooks and eats amazing, authentic food!

Restaurant Takeover (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 30
In a fresh take on Food Network’s popular Restaurant Makeover series, Restaurant Takeover challenges two restaurant industry top guns to help rescue a failing restaurant. With the help of hidden cameras, each local chef and designer duo go undercover to find out just why each restaurant is in need of a refresher. Each chef and designer team, which includes the likes of Corbin Tomaszeski, Massimo Capra and Cherie Stinson, are put to the test with just six days to overhaul and re-launch a local eatery for review by the toughest critics – their customers.

Food Factory (World Premiere, Canadian Original) AUGUST 30
In an eye-opening new show, Food Factory gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of production lines to see just how our food is really made. This revealing new series allows viewers to see the fascinating and tasty world of food production by discovering the ingredients, techniques and manufacturing processes that go into making some of our favourite treats.

Brand-new seasons of returning series on Food Network include: Recipe to Riches, Paula’s Best Dishes, Top Chef, Chopped, Cupcake Wars, The Great Food Truck Race, Restaurant Stakeout, Restaurant: Impossible, Sandwich King, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Halloween Wars.

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