Everything about Blackstone, eh?

Fall time is primetime…ish

The days are getting short, the leaves have started to change, the kids are back in school (except here in BC). Calendar be damned, it’s fall, and with it comes the new television season.

For Canadian TV, this is also the damned if you do, damned if you don’t season.

Do you put your original programming into the mix with the American shows and their massive marketing machine, or do you test  just how little scripted content is required by the CRTC anyway?

Do you even have a spot left in your schedule after buying from all the US networks and trying to maximize your purchases by airing shows on your channel at the same time as the US channel, therefore allowing you to put your own ads into the US feed as well?

If you’re Global this fall, you don’t.  They have no original scripted series in primetime this season. That seems an extreme reaction to the problem to me. Boo, Global.

CTV has a prime spot left for their million-plus-viewers-club medical drama Saving Hope, premiering September 22 before settling into its regular Thursday timeslot at 9 pm — for the first five weeks, nestled after aging but compatible Grey’s Anatomy.

City brings back Package Deal on Friday nights starting September 12. Not exactly a plum timeslot but it does get it away from stiff American competition and gives City something other than The Bachelor Canada (premiering September 18) and a little series called Hockey Night in Canada to promote.

CBC, of course, is where the CanCon action is this fall. Unless you’re looking for hockey (though they get to air some games despite not earning revenue from them. Sweet deal, huh?).

Due to shorter seasons for many series and a lot of scheduling real estate to fill given budget cuts and hockey losses, their fall season mostly starts in October, and reruns and the odd non-Canadian show as usual supplement the originals.

Returning shows include Heartland and Canada’s Smartest Person on September 28, Murdoch Mysteries on October 6, Rick Mercer Report and This Hour Has 22 Minutes on October 7, and Dragons’ Den and Republic of Doyle on October 15.

The new shows are where it gets interesting. CBC is taking some risks with the dark serialized drama Strange Empire by the writer of the very dark Durham County and premiering October 6. What sounds like a cross between Heartland and The Week The Men Went very much isn’t — in an 1869 frontier town, women struggle to survive after most of the men are gone. 

Sci-fi drama Ascension is another outlier, both in content and in its later premiere date of November 25. The six-episode series likely won’t be able to rely on a compatible lead-in but hopefully the sci-fi crowd finds it on this unexpected channel.

In scripted series beyond the major broadcast networks, Teletoon is airing new series Clarence and Total Drama: Pahkitew Island starting September 4, Haven returns to Showcase with a two-hour premiere on September 18,  Transporter: The Series returns to The Movie Network/Movie Central on October 5, and APTN has Blackstone returning on November 11 and Mohawk Girls debuting on November 25.

An upside to Canadian TV is that none of these series will be cancelled before the end of their current seasons, even if some of them on the private broadcast networks might get shuffled around to make way for changing US network schedules. So go on, get hooked on Saving Hope or Strange Empire: they’re here for the season.

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APTN announces fall schedule, including Blackstone and Mohawk Girls

From a media release:

APTN ANNOUNCES SOLID SELECTION OF FALL 2014 PRIME TIME LINEUP AND PREMIERES

  • Mohawk Girls, a world premiere on the network with straight-up portrayals of modern Mohawk women – it’s a prime time, dramatic comedy series of adventures in self-discovery about a group of young women and what connects them.
  • Arctic Air, Blackstone, Cashing In and Longmire, four well-known prime time dramas return with new seasons and will instantly become classic fan favourites.
  • Catch the Dream and Native Planet, two documentary series with world premieres debut on the prime time lineup, backed by thought provoking themes.
  • The Nature of Things, an iconic Canadian-produced documentary series debuts on the network.
  • Chefs Run Wild, a prime time reality series of adventures in search of Asianinspired cuisine makes its network debut.
  • Amy’s Mythic Mornings and Warrior Games, two world premieres of children and youth series debut on APTN Kids to share unique knowledge with youthful minds.
  • Qanurli and Takuginai, two children and youth series return with new world premieres and continue to own their titles of the longest running original series from the North.

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) has announced a fall prime time lineup featuring its most solid selection of programming to date. Five new original English series, two new original French series and two new original Aboriginal language series are part of the programming premiering on its fall 2014 lineup.

APTN’s 2014 fall season begins September 1 and new programming will continue to captivate you throughout the fall.

PRIME TIME – NEW ORIGINAL SERIES THIS FALL ON APTN:

CATCH THE DREAM / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DOCUMENTARY

Documentary series featuring 18 amazing achievers who made things happen for themselves. Their journeys cover the vast expertise of Arts and Culture, Education, Health and Sports – each shares their unique motivations and commonalities that helped them to come out on top.

  • Premieres September 4 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on APTN East Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on APTN West
  • Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on APTN HD

MOHAWK GIRLS – SEASONS I AND II / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DRAMA
Life on the “Rez” can prove challenging for the modern day Mohawk women. This new drama series follows the lives of four young women as they struggle to walk the path their community has chosen for them. From finding love to finding a purpose in life, you’ll discover what it really means to be a Mohawk Girl in this lighthearted, sexy and fun show.

  • Premieres November 25 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT), APTN North (CT) and APTN HD (ET) – Back-to-back episodes
  • Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. on APTN East Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. on APTN West
  • Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on APTN North Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. on APTN HD

LE RYTHME (FRENCH) / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME YOUTH DOCUMENTARY
Follow eight young performers from Quebec’s First Nations as they learn the tools of the trade to become a recording artist. Under the guidance of Algonquin rapper Samian, will they learn to trust their inner artistic instincts and surpass themselves both in their everyday lives and creative spheres?

  • Premieres September 1 on APTN East (ET) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Mondays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN East Mondays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN HD

NATIVE PLANET / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DOCUMENTARY
Travel deep into the centre of compelling Aboriginal communities where community members are at the helm guiding change in defence of the planet. These passionate spokespeople will share their Indigenous perspectives on the critical issues that affect humanity.
NOTE: CREE ONLY ON APTN NORTH

  • Premieres September 3 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT), APTN North (CT) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN East Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN West
  • Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN North Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN HD

AMY’S MYTHIC MORNINGS / WORLD PREMIERE / CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Animated series that takes children on unique journeys of discovery to reveal the value of problem solving. This is the kind of insight that only comes from the honourable experience and wisdom of Elders.

  • Premieres September 6 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT), APTN North (CT) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. on APTN East Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. on APTN West
  • Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. on APTN North Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. on APTN HD

LES DEERSKIN (FRENCH) / WORLD PREMIERE / DRAMA
Forced out of the Wawkeetawkee reserve, the Deerskin family try to integrate into a small town of predominantly non-Aboriginals. Their new neighbours have a pretty strange notion of what Aboriginal Peoples are all about. Attempting to fit in is going to be a challenge, in the most amusing way. Les Deerskin, a hilarious animated series now presented En Français!

  • Premieres September 1 on APTN East (ET) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Mondays at 5:30 p.m. on APTN East Mondays at 5:30 p.m. on APTN HD

WARRIOR GAMES / WORLD PREMIERE / CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Host and apprentice Steve Sxwithul’txw’s new youth-focused series brings Aboriginal sports to the forefront. Amateur athletes from various territories mentor Steve through the play of traditional and contemporary games; the remarkable cultural traditions, sport and well-being of youth are also praised.

  • Premieres September 6 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT), APTN North (CT) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. on APTN East Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. on APTN West
  • Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. on APTN North Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. on APTN HD

CHEFS RUN WILD / NETWORK PREMIERE / PRIME TIME REALITY
Three Winnipeg chefs exit the comforts of their realm and don’t look back. A homegrown reality series featuring chefs Chad, Lyndon and Clayton, who let loose through the detours and back routes of Asia – in the name of cuisine.

  • Premieres September 3 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT) and APTN HD (ET) – Backto-back episodes
  • Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN East Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN West
  • Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN HD

THE NATURE OF THINGS / NETWORK PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DOCUMENTARY
A documentary series created by award-winning scientist,  environmentalist and broadcaster David Suzuki. Stories guided by science but presented in a way to humanize each fascinating subject; it’s a Suzuki specialty of adventure, drama and insight.

  • Premieres September 4 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Premieres September 7 on APTN North (CT)
  • Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN East Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN West
  • Sundays at 5:00 p.m. on APTN North Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN HD

NEW SEASONS OF FAN FAVORITES:

ARCTIC AIR – SEASON III / NETWORK PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DRAMA
Bobby Martin (Adam Beach), Krista Ivarson (Pascale Hutton) and Mel Ivarson (Kevin McNulty) are at forks in the road. In season two,  Bobby dodged a death threat, but its shadow looms over his head, placing those close to him in peril’s reach. It seems nothing stops this crew from putting their own lives at risk to help others – search and rescue missions, evacuations and flood diversions are part of their days work.

  • Premieres November 9 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT), APTN North (CT) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Sundays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN East Sundays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN West
  • Sundays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN North Sundays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN HD

BLACKSTONE – SEASON IV / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DRAMA
Blackstone’s multi-award winning formula and drama continues to go beyond its own limits, and its well-known emphasis on realism digs deeper into First Nations power and politics. This season confronts themes of human trafficking, the high population of Aboriginal Peoples in the prison system and other effects of the residential school system.

  • Premieres November 11 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Premieres November 16 on APTN North (CT)
  • Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. on APTN East Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. on APTN West
  • Sundays at 10:00 p.m. on APTN North Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. on APTN HD

CASHING IN – SEASON IV / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DRAMA
The North Beach Casino is a prosperous palace of gaming recently acquired by Matthew Tommy and his casino empire. Matthew’s mission is to make North Beach, North America’s top First Nations casino. Set on the Stonewalker First Nation, snug against an affluent Manitoba beach community, the cast is a swirl of swindling executives, schemers and colourful community members, of all sorts.

  • Premieres November 18 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Premieres November 23 on APTN North (CT) – Back to back episodes
  • Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN East Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN West
  • Sundays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN North Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN HD

LONGMIRE – SEASON III / NETWORK PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DRAMA
Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) returns – chin up – to solve the perplexing mysteries of Absaroka County, Wyoming. Shaken from a series of recent overwhelming events, Longmire realizes a time will come when he needs to pull it together and carry on…

  • Premieres November 28 on APTN East (ET), APTN West (MT) and APTN HD (ET)
  • Premieres November 29 on APTN North (CT)
  • Fridays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN East Fridays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN West
  • Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN North Fridays at 8:00 p.m. on APTN HD

QANURLI – SEASON IV (INUKTITUT) / WORLD PREMIERE / YOUTH DOCUMENTARY
This youth-driven series is back with hosts Inuk (Thomas Anguti Johnston) and Nipangi (Vinnie Karetak) and their signature northern comedic style. Their show features talented Inuit youth, comedic skits, commercial parodies and more. It’s the Inuk answer to Wayne’s World of Saturday Night Live.

  • Premieres September 1 on APTN North (CT) – Back-to-back episodes
  • Mondays at 7:00 p.m. on APTN North

TAKUGINAI – SEASON XIV (INUKTITUT) / WORLD PREMIERE / CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Takuginai is a series for kids but appeals to all ages featuring ‘Johnny’ the lemming, other locally crafted puppets and young hosts. An educational show that teaches Inuktitut counting, syllabics and cultural values with loads of fun mixed into the process.

  • Premieres September 7 on APTN North (CT)
  • Sundays at 8:30 a.m. on APTN North
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