Everything about Amazing Race Canada, eh?

Amazing Race Canada

Amazing Race announces first two teams

From a media release:

CTV Announces First Two Teams Competing on THE AMAZING RACE CANADA

Canadians auditioned by the thousands, but only nine teams were chosen to compete in the race of a lifetime. Now, the wait is over. Today, CTV unveiled the first two teams competing on THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, this summer’s most-anticipated television series. Hosted by Olympic Champion Jon Montgomery (@jrmonty12), the first team announced to embark on the thrilling, all-Canadian race around the country is Jody, a Canadian Forces veteran from Ottawa, and his dedicated brother Cory, from Edmonton. Joining them are Kristen and Darren, a couple of avid outdoor enthusiasts in top physical condition from British Columbia, who share a passion for positive thinking and a love of all living things. In total, nine teams will compete for the historic half a million dollar grand prize, with three more teams announced tomorrow (June 25), two on Wednesday (June 26), and the final two pairings on Thursday (June 27). Set to anchor CTV’s Summer 2013 schedule, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 15 on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

Below are the first two teams announced to compete in THE AMAZING RACE CANADA.

20130624-071753.jpg

JODY and CORY – Brothers

Name: Jody Mitic
Age: 36
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Current occupation: Army Sniper (Ret.)/Motivational Speaker
Twitter: @JODYMITIC, #jodyandcory

Name: Cory Mitic
Age: 32
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Current occupation: Labour Relations Officer
Twitter: @Miticthecritic, #jodyandcory

Audition Video

Motto: “They are the enemy and we shall destroy them.”

How will they plan to win the Race: Focus, hard work, calculated risk.

20130624-071858.jpg

KRISTEN and DARREN – Dating Couple

Name: Kristen Idiens
Age: 32
Hometown: Fairmont Hot Springs, BC
Current occupation: Outdoor Adventure Guide
Twitter: @KristenDarrenBC, #kristenanddarren

Name: Darren Trapp
Age: 26
Hometown: Fairmont Hot Springs, BC
Current occupation: White-water raft guide, lifeguard
Twitter: @KristenDarrenBC, #kristenanddarren

Audition Video

Motto: “We believe strongly in equity for all living creatures and creating our own realities through positive thinking and sharing love everywhere we go.”

How will they plan to win the Race: “Using our fitness level, logic, resourcefulness and maintaining a positive attitude towards each challenge.”

Thousands of teams have entered, but only one team will run away with the historic grand prize for THE AMAZING RACE CANADA. Valued at more than half a million dollars including $250,000 in cash, the prize also features the opportunity to fly free for a year for two anywhere Air Canada flies worldwide (175 destinations) in Executive First Class (based on 10 trips for two), and two 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingrays. In total, the prize is equal to 167,224 hockey pucks, 178,572 cans of beer, and 33,356 half-liter jars of pure Canadian maple syrup.

With the knowledge that most Canadians have not travelled beyond their own province, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA gives Canadians the opportunity to race around Canada and discover the country they love in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Teams will race to the finish line, criss-crossing up to 23,000 kilometres. A stunning depiction of the Canadian fabric, the teams will travel through both the country’s urban centres as well as the most remote outposts in the land, all while exploring its broad cultural and ethnic diversity, wildlife, and iconic landmarks. Fans are encouraged to follow @AmazingRaceCDA and stay tuned to the CTV Facebook page for updates.

THE AMAZING RACE CANADA will also air TSN on Tuesdays at midnight ET beginning July 16, on RDS2 Wednesdays at 6 p.m. ET beginning July 17, and TSN2 on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET beginning July 17, as well as on demand across CTV’s digital platforms: including CTV.ca, the CTV App, the CTV Mobile channel on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners such as Bell Fibe TV following the broadcast.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Amazing Race Canada, Dramas and Comedies, Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, Satisfaction

Industry Update – CTV/Bell Media 2013 Upfront

ctv13-09

CTV/Bell Media’s “Amazing” 2013 upfront was held at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, in Toronto, Ontario. It was the third straight year the upfronts were held there. The press conferences were, as always, held at Bell Media’s home offices at 299 Queen Street West.

CTV expanded the number of press conferences this year, from six to seven. The Canadian originals – The Amazing Race Canada and Satisfaction – came first. CTV’s press conferences are largely a showcase for new imported programs. This year featured ABC’s The Goldbergs, CBS’ Intelligence (this one’s about a microchip-enhanced operative — it looks silly), CBS’ Hostages, and syndicated talk show Bethenny. Fox’s The Following rounded out the bill, as the “returning favourite.”

Bell Media’s upfront presentation was fairly straightforward. It was the longest of the Big Three upfronts, at ninety-plus minutes. For its length, it didn’t have much to say beyond the standard talking points. I assume this was by design. Bell Media formally welcomed Astral Media into its family in 2012, barring “little things” like CRTC regulations…that were actually acted upon. For 2013, Bell showcased what they actually owned.

Bell Media dialed back the hubris, compared to last year. The only hint of the Bell-Astral deal was the announced Bravo GO multi-screen initiative. Mostly, Bell showcased supporting players from its American imports, as well as stars from its Canadian shows.

The clips for Canadian shows were blended with the clips for American shows, so CTV wasn’t shoving its original content into a cultural ghetto. CTV took pride of place in Bell Media’s hierarchy, with CTV Two announcing The Big Bang Theory…in syndicated weekday rerun form. Anger Management and Hot in Cleveland — six nights a week of Hot in Cleveland were also patched into CTV Two, as well as six nights a week of Mike & Molly. It’s obvious CTV Two is the home of shows CTV doesn’t want to lose to CHCH.

Cirque du Soleil topped and tailed the upfront presentation. Castmembers from Saving Hope, The Listener, Orphan Black, The Amazing Race Canada and Motive were on hand for pictures during the afterparty.

There’s a commercial element to this, of course. Bell Media runs a joint venture with Cirque du Soleil. Bell wants The Amazing Race Canada to be a hit for CTV. Motive, The Listener and Saving Hope are hits for CTV. Orphan Black does well on SPACE, and on BBC America.

One thing that bothered me about the 2013 CTV/Bell Media upfront: I was told I couldn’t take pictures of the presentation, the afterparty, or the tweets (including one of mine) that cycled during the upfronts. Come the afterparty, the tweet cycle included pictures of both events. Many of the pictures were of a giant birdcage, with Cirque du Soleil performers inside.

Bell Media showcased afterparty tweets — a few from accredited press members – as part of the afterparty. I’m not criticizing Bell Media; I just found the miscommunication strange. Bell Media announced a relationship with Twitter Canada as part of the upfront. Ad buyers were no doubt going to tweet about the cage, and Jon Montgomery handing CTV Programming and Sports executive Phil King a beer pitcher.

As for The Social, I didn’t find its sales pitch that strong. It came across to me as The View, with social media elements. That’s a thin premise to hang a talk show on. Perhaps The Social will make more sense once it airs. If the chemistry between the four hosts aren’t there, Twitter AMPLIFY content won’t make up the difference.

I didn’t mind the CTV/Bell Media 2013 upfront. Bell Media is still slow to embrace video-on-demand, but it has a better overall grasp of how to handle its Canadian content. Whether it follows through on a statement to make more Canadian content remains to be seen.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Amazing Race Canada

Jon Montgomery named Amazing Race Canada host

From a media release:

CTV Announces Olympic Champion and Canadian Hero Jon Montgomery as Host of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA

  • Athletic host to actually perform challenges when all-Canadian race premieres July 15 on CTV

CTV announced today that Jon Montgomery (@jrmonty12), the Vancouver 2010 Olympic gold medallist in skeleton, has been named host of CTV’s reality competition series THE AMAZING RACE CANADA. Three years after gaining hero status with Canadians following his Olympic win and now-famous, frosty, golden beer victory walk through the streets of Whistler, the reigning Olympic Champion guides teams on the race of a lifetime on THE AMAZING RACE CANADA. Set to anchor CTV’s Summer 2013 schedule, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 15 on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

In a Canadian twist, Montgomery’s dynamic athleticism will be featured in THE AMAZING RACE CANADA. The host actually participates and demonstrates to both the competitors and viewers at home the risks involved and the skills required for some of the daring challenges facing the racers.

“Canadian hero Jon Montgomery knows what it takes to compete in the race of a lifetime,” said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. “Combine that with his charismatic charm, captivating personality, and thirst for adventure, and you get the perfect host for THE AMAZING RACE CANADA.”

“It’s such a great honour to be able to host THE AMAZING RACE CANADA,” said Montgomery. “Canadians are going to love seeing our great country serve as the backdrop to one of their favourite TV shows.”

“Jon as host was a no-brainer – he is the quintessential embodiment of the Canadian attitude,” said John Brunton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Insight Productions. “He represents the Canadian spirit. It’s about hard work, dedication and heart. And it’s that spirit and passion that he brings to THE AMAZING RACE CANADA.”

Montgomery travels coast-to-coast-to-coast with the teams as they embark on a uniquely Canadian journey in pursuit of the biggest prize ever awarded for a Canadian competition television series. No stranger to podium finishes, Montgomery joins THE AMAZING RACE CANADA with a passion for life, a thrill for adventure, and a love for new challenges. Only eight years after his first run down a skeleton track, Montgomery won gold at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Born and raised in Russell, MB, Montgomery transitioned from a career as an auctioneer, to become a champion skeleton racer. He captured a silver medal at the 2007/2008 FIBT World Championships in Altenberg, Germany, and has earned eight World Cup medals (four gold, two silver, and two bronze), and five Canadian National titles to date.

Following his powerful gold-medal run down Whistler’s Blackcomb Mountain during Vancouver 2010, Montgomery became a household name as Canadians across the country instantly fell in love with this inspirational hero. He currently lives in Calgary, with his wife Darla, a fellow skeleton racer.

Thousands of teams have entered, but only one team will run away with the historic grand prize for THE AMAZING RACE CANADA. Valued at more than half a million dollars including $250,000 in cash, the prize also features the opportunity to fly free for a year for two anywhere Air Canada flies worldwide (175 destinations) in Executive First Class (based on 10 trips for two), and two 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingrays. In total, the prize is equal to 167,224 hockey pucks, 178,572 cans of beer, and 33,356 half-liter jars of pure Canadian maple syrup.

With the knowledge that most Canadians have not travelled beyond their own province, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA gives Canadians the opportunity to race around Canada and discover the country they love in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Teams will race to the finish line, criss-crossing up to 23,000 kilometres. A stunning depiction of the Canadian fabric, the teams will travel through both the country’s urban centres as well as the most remote outposts in the land, all while exploring its broad cultural and ethnic diversity, wildlife, and iconic landmarks. Fans are encouraged to follow @AmazingRaceCDA and stay tuned to the CTV Facebook page for updates.

THE AMAZING RACE CANADA will also air TSN on Tuesdays at 12 a.m. ET/PT beginning July 16, on RDS2 Wednesdays at 6 p.m. ET beginning July 17, and TSN2 on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 17, as well as on demand across CTV’s digital platforms: CTV.ca, the CTV App, and through video on demand partners.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Amazing Race Canada, Featured, Satisfaction, Saving Hope, The Listener

The Listener, Saving Hope, Satisfaction and Amazing Race Canada in CTV summer lineup

1 Comment

From a media release:

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! CTV Sets Amazing Summer Lineup

  • Canadians get in the game with the premiere of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, July 15
  • New CTV comedy SATISFACTION couples begins June 24
  • Fan favourite THE LISTENER returns for its fourth gripping season, May 29
  • Last summer’s #1 drama SAVING HOPE returns June 25

It’s shaping up to be an eh-mazing summer on CTV as the network unveiled the first wave of its summer lineup today. As announced yesterday, Canada’s must-see reality TV program of the year anchors a new must-see Monday lineup on CTV as adventure-seekers across the country go head-to-head on THE AMAZING RACE CANADA (@AmazingRaceCDA). With new programs still to be announced, CTV’s summer schedule already features a lineup of returning hits such as SAVING HOPE (@SavingHopeTV) and THE LISTENER (@listenertv), along with the premiere of the all-new comedy SATISFACTION (@SatisfactionTV), as well as encore broadcasts of this season’s newest hit MOTIVE (@MotiveTV).

CTV’s new Monday night destination lineup kicks off the week with laughs and thrills starting with the debut of SATISFACTION (June 24), a hilarious exploration of romantic woes and wins, life crises, and personal ambitions starring a sexy young cast. Mondays will then thrill audiences as THE AMAZING RACE CANADA starts to make its way to the finish line.

Dramas hitting the summer schedule on CTV include the return of CTV’s hit original series THE LISTENER (May 29), back for an action-packed fourth season, as telepath Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik) goes up against increasingly dangerous criminals. As well, last summer’s most-watched drama series SAVING HOPE (June 25), starring Erica Durance, Michael Shanks, and Daniel Gillies, joins the Tuesday lineup for its highly-anticipated second season.

Completing CTV’s unstoppable summer lineup is MOTIVE (May 20), the #1 new Canadian series of the 2012/2013 broadcast season, which returns with encore presentations in simulcast with ABC.

NEW SERIES

SATISFACTION – Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV beginning June 24
CTV original comedy SATISFACTION takes a humorous look at a group of friends who are completely uninhibited as they share their relationship woes and romantic wins, life crises, and personal ambitions. Dedicated single man Mark (Ryan Belleville, THE L.A. COMPLEX) hustles the dating scene while his best friends and long-term couple Jason (Luke MacFarlane, BROTHERS & SISTERS) and Maggie (Leah Renee, BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE) work at keeping the sparks flying as they face the day-to-day challenges of being in a committed relationship.

THE AMAZING RACE CANADA – Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV beginning July 15
Get ready for the race of the summer! THE AMAZING RACE CANADA is set to give Canadians the opportunity to race around Canada and discover the country they love in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Teams will race to the finish line, criss-crossing up to 9,000 kilometres. A stunning depiction of the Canadian fabric, the teams will travel through both the country’s urban centres as well as the most remote outposts in the land, all while exploring its broad cultural and ethnic diversity, wildlife, and iconic landmarks.

RETURNING SERIES

THE LISTENER – Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV beginning May 29
Season 4 of CTV’s hit original series THE LISTENER, sees telepathic former paramedic Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik, The Timekeeper) working hard to sharpen his police skills, as he becomes involved in the Integrated Investigative Bureau’s (IIB) cases as a Special Consultant. His personal life also heats up as he deepens his relationship with crime reporter Tia Tremblay (Melanie Scrofano, BEING ERICA), who is inexplicably the one person he can’t read. Life will be no less dramatic for Toby’s colleagues, as Sgt. Michelle McCluskey (Lauren Lee Smith, CSI) navigates a complicated marriage with her husband, and IIB head Alvin Klein (Peter Stebbings, MADISON) attempts to protect himself and his team from the political manoeuvrings of the ambitious new police superintendent Nichola Martell (Ingrid Kavelaars, LIVING IN YOUR CAR). Meanwhile, new director of emergency services Oz Bey (Ennis Esmer, THE L.A. COMPLEX) realizes that being the boss isn’t as easy as he thought it would be.

MOTIVE – Airs Monday, May 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, moves to Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV beginning May 23
MOTIVE, the #1 new Canadian series of the 2012/2013 broadcast season joins the summer schedule, with encore presentations airing in simulcast with ABC. The CTV hit original series is a captivating one-hour crime drama that follows spirited female homicide detective Angie Flynn on a backwards chase for clues to a killer that has already been revealed to viewers. An unconventional way to watch a crime unfold, the “whydunit” stars Kristin Lehman (THE KILLING), Gemini Award-winning Louis Ferreira (SGU STARGATE UNIVERSE), and Lauren Holly (NCIS).

SAVING HOPE – Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV beginning June 25
Last summer’s #1 Canadian drama SAVING HOPE returns for a compelling second season with former Chief of Surgery, Dr. Charlie Harris (Michael Shanks, STARGATE SG-1) awake from his coma and reunited with his fiancée Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance, SMALLVILLE). This season, Alex and the other doctors of Hope Zion Hospital – including Alex’s ex-boyfriend, Dr. Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies, VAMPIRE DIARIES) – continue to handle gripping medical cases full of twists and turns, while Charlie struggles with a secret that could jeopardize his career and his relationship with Alex: he can still see and communicate with ghosts. Gemini-nominated actor Jason Priestley (CALL ME FITZ) and Gregory Smith (ROOKIE BLUE) are each set to direct an episode this season, joining directors David Wellington (THE ELEVENTH HOUR, WOULD BE KINGS, ROOKIE BLUE) Ken Girotti (BOMB GIRLS), John Fawcett (ORPHAN BLACK), and Jeff Woolnough (Jack). Plus, Gemini Award-winning actress Erin Karpluk (BEING ERICA) joins SAVING HOPE for a recurring guest starring role this season, playing a single mother and one of Dr. Joel Goran’s (Daniel Gillies) patients.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Amazing Race Canada

Amazing Race Canada premieres July 15, announces prizes

1 Comment

From a media release:

CTV Confirms Record Grand Prize to be Awarded as THE AMAZING RACE CANADA Books July 15 Premiere Date

  • Teams to race for more than half a million dollars in prizes including $250,000 cash, free Executive First Class airfare for a year courtesy of Air Canada, two 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingrays, as well as special pit stop prizes.

The stakes have just been raised. The teams on THE AMAZING RACE CANADA will kick-off the race of a lifetime in pursuit of the biggest prize ever awarded for a Canadian competition television series. Set to anchor CTV’s Summer 2013 schedule, it was confirmed today that THE AMAZING RACE CANADA will air Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 15 on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times). It was also announced today that THE AMAZING RACE CANADA will also air on RDS, TSN, and TSN2, as well as on demand across CTV’s digital platforms: CTV.ca, the CTV App, and through video on demand partners. Thousands of teams have entered, but only one team will run away with the historic grand prize for THE AMAZING RACE CANADA.

Including a $250,000 cash payout, the prized also features the opportunity to fly free for a year for two anywhere Air Canada flies worldwide (175 destinations) in Executive First Class (based on 10 trips for two), and two 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingrays. In total, the prize is valued at 167,224 hockey pucks, 178,572 cans of beer, and 33,356 half-liter jars of pure Canadian maple syrup. Teams will also be competing for special pit stop prizes with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

Following the casting announcement in December 2012, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA has received thousands of applications. Applicants have come in from all across the country, comprised of pairings from all kinds of relationships. The host, and other show details for #RaceCDA will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans are also encouraged to follow @AmazingRaceCDA and stay tuned to the CTV Facebook page for updates.

Set to anchor CTV’s Summer 2013 schedule, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA will provide a uniquely Canadian take on the original series, with competitors discovering the world within the borders of Canada.

With the knowledge that most Canadians have not travelled beyond their own province, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA gives Canadians the opportunity to race around Canada and discover the country they love in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Teams will race to the finish line, criss-crossing up to 9,000 kilometres. A stunning depiction of the Canadian fabric, the teams will travel through both the country’s urban centres as well as the most remote outposts in the land, all while exploring its broad cultural and ethnic diversity, wildlife, and iconic landmarks.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail