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Ian Hanomansing to host new CBC News daily primetime program, Hanomansing Tonight, live from the West Coast

From a media release:

CBC today announced that veteran broadcaster and award-winning journalist Ian Hanomansing will host a new CBC News daily primetime program rooted in Western Canada, HANOMANSING TONIGHT, live from CBC Vancouver beginning Tuesday, February 18. Offering breaking and live news coverage with the professionalism and personality that he is known for, HANOMANSING TONIGHT will broadcast weeknights from 7 – 9 p.m. ET (4 – 6 p.m. PT) on CBC News Network, and will also be available to stream anytime on CBC Gem with on-demand segments on YouTube. 

“Of all the assignments I’ve had, my favourite has always been going live on a major, developing story. And we’ll be doing a lot of that on this show,” said Hanomansing. “It’s also important to have a daily show from Western Canada. Where you are has an impact on how you assess stories and we’ll be very aware of news developing in the late afternoon and early evening out here.” 

In this unprecedented time in news with a looming federal election, the uncertain U.S.-Canada relationship, and cascading cost of living pressures for Canadians, HANOMANSING TONIGHT is positioned to help audiences make sense of it all, anchored by one of the most trusted journalists in the country.

Hanomansing will continue as the host of CROSS COUNTRY CHECKUP on CBC Radio and CBC News Network, and as the Sunday host of CBC News’ flagship program THE NATIONAL. Over the years, he has anchored a wide range of programs for CBC including: 

  • Pacific Rim Report (1995-1999), which focused on Canada’s connection to Asia; 
  • Times 7 (2005), a joint venture between CBC News and the New York Times; 
  • Canada Now (2000-2007), a national supper-hour newscast; 
  • Still Talking Hockey (2004), a sports-themed late night program on CBC British Columbia; 
  • Feeling the Heat (2007), a summer series about the environment on CBC Radio; 
  • CBC News Network with Ian Hanomansing (2012-2017) which won a Canadian Association of Journalists Award in 2014 and shared a Canadian Screen Award in 2015, both for breaking news coverage. 

Other national awards include the 2008 Gemini Award for Best News Anchor, and the 2016 and 2020 Canadian Screen Award for Best National News Anchor, the latter shared with Adrienne Arsenault, Rosemary Barton and Andrew Chang. He also co-hosted the CBC podcast UNCOVER: BOMB ON BOARD with Johanna Wagstaffe in 2018.

Born in Trinidad and raised in Sackville, New Brunswick, Hanomansing graduated with an honours B.A. in political science and sociology from Mount Allison University in Sackville, where he was valedictorian; he also has a law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax. While in university, Hanomansing won six national university debating and public speaking championships. He began his broadcasting career at CKDH Radio in Amherst, Nova Scotia and worked at radio stations in Moncton and Halifax before joining CBC in Halifax in 1986. His assignments took him to Toronto the following year and eventually to Vancouver, where he was a national reporter for 14 years.

Image courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Industry News

Bell Media and Pageboy Productions ink co-development deal for new series

From a media release:

Bell Media and PAGEBOY Productions, founded by acclaimed actor, producer, and advocate Elliot Page, announced today a new partnership to develop bold, original scripted series for Crave and CTV. Under this agreement, their collaboration will explore content opportunities, with a joint dedication to spotlighting untold stories.

“Canada holds a special place in our company’s story, and is an integral part of PAGEBOY’s identity,” said Matt Jordan Smith, Head of Development and Production. “Through our partnership with Bell Media, we look forward to deepening our roots here, while showcasing multifaceted stories that resonate globally. This collaboration marks an important step in our mission to create groundbreaking, authentic, and compelling content worldwide,” continued Smith. He is joined by Director of Development, Tuck Dowrey.

“Partnering with Bell Media feels like a natural evolution for PAGEBOY Productions,” added founder Elliot Page. “We’re excited to create captivating content that amplifies voices that deserve to be heard. This collaboration will allow us to tell powerful, genuine stories that challenge perspectives, and inspire audiences both at home and internationally.”

“PAGEBOY Productions brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to content creation,” said Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media. “This pact signifies a shared commitment to fostering Canadian creativity, telling stories from different perspectives, and delivering impactful storytelling to  audiences.”

With the new agreement, Bell Media continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in creating premium original content, fostering a pipeline of innovative projects for Canadian audiences and beyond. Past commitments include a development deal with Point Grey Pictures, and Lionsgate, as well as a licensing and distribution pact with FOX Entertainment Global.

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Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Blue Ant Media greenlights five new originals and four renewals for 2025

From a media release:

International production studio, rights business and channel operator, Blue Ant Media, announced today from Prime Time a robust originals slate consisting of five new greenlights and four renewals. The slate spans mystery, paranormal, nature, wildlife and lifestyle genres. Overseen by Sam Linton, VP, Production and Development, Global Media, the slate will roll out on the company’s Canadian specialty TV channels, T+E and Cottage Life, in 2025, followed by its global free streaming channels—HauntTV, Homeful, Love Pets, and Declassified—at a later date. Blue Ant Studios will oversee global pre-sales and licensing opportunities for all titles in the slate.

The latest slate includes Ghost Lands (w/t, image above), a chilling, hour-long documentary that presents Indigenous ghost stories rooted in various Indigenous cultures and mythology. Created, written and produced by Winnipeg-based Métis producer Jessica Landry, the project was developed and greenlit as a direct result of Blue Ant Media’s RFP Initiative, in partnership with imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, the Reelworld Film Festival and Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. The process called for pitches focused on paranormal series from Indigenous and racialized producers for Blue Ant’s linear channel T+E and its FAST channel, HauntTV.

Additional greenlights include You Can’t Deny It, a compelling new documentary series exploring the power of corroboration; Vet Detective, which spotlights Vancouver-based veterinarian Dr. Lauren Adelman’s pioneering work in veterinary medicine; Engineering from Above, a spin-off of the Mysteries from Above franchise exploring awe-inspiring engineering marvels; and Birthplace of Hallowe’en (w/t), a one-hour documentary filmed in Ireland with T+E’s fearless female trio—Kelly Ireland, Corine Carey and Leanne Sallenback— paranormal investigators hailing from British Columbia, known for History’s Most Haunted and Haunted Gold Rush.

Following their ratings performances and global appeal, Blue Ant has ordered a fourth season of the hit franchise Mysteries from Above, as well as second seasons of My Haunted Hometown, Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy and Wild Rose Vets. My Haunted Hometown ranked in the top 5 with total viewers and A18+ in its first run on T+E, with repeats continuing to perform in the top 10 with A25-54 and women 25-54. Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy also ranked in the top 5 with all the key demos and total viewers in its first run on Cottage Life and remains in the top 10 for total viewers, A18+, and women 25-54 in its second run. Finally, all three seasons of Mysteries from Above ranked as top programs with key demos and total viewers A18+ and A25-54 on Cottage Life. Wild Rose Vets, Season 1 will premiere this spring on Cottage Life.

New Greenlights:

Ghost Lands (w/t) (1 x60)
Producer: Jessica Landry
World broadcast premiere scheduled for fall 2025 on T+E during the channel’s free preview event, followed by HauntTV
Ghost Lands is a gripping, hour-long documentary that delves deep into true Indigenous ghost stories, passed down through generations and told by those with a profound connection to the spirit world. Rooted in various Indigenous cultures and led by an Indigenous cast and crew, the documentary brings these timeless tales to the forefront. Ghost Lands offers a hauntingly fresh perspective in the paranormal documentary space, leaving audiences both terrified and captivated.

Birthplace of Hallowe’en (w/t) (1 x60)
Producer: Small Army Entertainment
World broadcast premiere scheduled for fall 2025 on T+E during the channel’s free preview event, followed by HauntTV
Audiences will join fearless paranormal investigators from British Columbia—Corine, Leanne and Kelly (History’s Most Haunted, Haunted Gold Rush)—for a Hallowe’en special on T+E, as they journey through Ireland’s most haunted locations to uncover the dark and twisted stories that have haunted the country for centuries. From ancient druidic sites to blood-soaked castles, Ireland’s rich history of murder, torture, and ghostly encounters provides a backdrop for some of the world’s most terrifying hauntings.

You Can’t Deny It (6×60’)
Producer: Blue Ant Studios
World broadcast premiere scheduled for fall 2025 on T+E during the channel’s free preview event, followed by HauntTV
A compelling, new documentary series explores the power of corroboration. Each episode features multiple survivors who have experienced life altering paranormal encounters at the same location. Each has come face to face with the terrifying entities that dwell within. One by one, they return to these locations to tell their stories – verifying the harrowing details, until they come together in the end to share the undeniable similarities of their experiences. Finally, there is tangible affirmation that they’re not alone.

Vet Detective (6×60)
Producer: Big Time Decent
World broadcast premiere scheduled for spring 2025 on Cottage Life during the channel’s nationwide free preview event in Canada, followed by Love Pets
A gripping series spotlighting Dr. Lauren Adelman’s pioneering work on veterinary medicine’s most puzzling cases. Set in Vancouver, each episode follows desperate pet owners turning to Dr. Adelman for answers about their sick pets after months of uncertainty. With time ticking and stakes high, Dr. Adelman and her internal medicine team methodically reevaluate every detail, conduct tests, and explore new theories hoping to uncover overlooked clues. Each pet investigation brings unexpected twists and turns until Dr. Adelman and her team crack the case and bring a healthy pet back to their loving owner.

Engineering from Above (8×60’)
Producer: Blue Ant Studios
World broadcast premiere scheduled for summer 2025 on Cottage Life, followed by Declassified
Engineering from Above, a spin-off of the popular Mysteries from Above franchise, explores awe-inspiring engineering marvels across the globe. The visually striking series spotlights iconic modern landmarks, such as Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ National Stadium, the Burj Khalifa and the Millau Viaduct. Using state-of-the-art technology, the show offers fresh perspectives and uncovers hidden secrets through the use of dynamic graphics. Each episode focuses on four marvels connected by a compelling theme, guided by authoritative experts in engineering, history, and science.

Returning Unscripted Titles:

Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy, Season 2 (8×60’)
Producer: The Holmes Group
World broadcast premiere scheduled for fall 2025 on Cottage Life, followed by Homeful
The series sees construction pioneer Mike Holmes return to his foundational “make it right” roots and mentor his kids, Michael and Sherry, to carry on his legacy of helping deserving homeowners. A reboot of the classic Holmes on Homes series, the show delves deeper into the Holmes family dynamic, with cameras following the trio as they work side-by-side to create life-changing renovations for deserving homeowners, while also capturing heartfelt behind-the-scenes family moments with Mike and his kids.

Mysteries from Above, Season 4 (8×60’)
Producer: Blue Ant Studios
World broadcast premiere scheduled for spring 2025 on Cottage Life during the channel’s nationwide free preview event in Canada
The hit franchise series takes to the skies to unlock Earth’s greatest mysteries and dramatically change how we see the world. From the vantage points of drones, satellites and aerial photography, the series explores unique buildings and structures — both natural and artificial, curious creatures and lost ancient civilizations, revealing fascinating insights and never-before-seen footage to the viewers.

My Haunted Hometown, Season 2 (8×60’)
Producer: Blue Ant Studios
World broadcast premiere: Fall 2025 on T+E, followed by HauntTV
My Haunted Hometown takes viewers inside the real-life haunted homes of North American residents. These ordinary people, who have laid down roots in their communities, now feel trapped and tormented by vengeful spirits. Room by room, the residents guide viewers through their homes, recounting the eerie paranormal experiences that have shattered their sense of safety. With harrowing testimonies and unsettling footage, the series reveals the frightening supernatural activity plaguing these small towns and their inhabitants.

Wild Rose Vets, Season 2 (13×30′)
Producer: Wapanatahk Media in partnership with Great Pacific Media
A Blue Ant Media and APTN Co-production
Scheduled to premiere in fall 2025 on Cottage Life
A heartwarming and culturally-unique docuseries following the behind-the-scenes adventures of three Indigenous veterinarians in the prairies as they rescue and rehabilitate a wide range of household pets and exotic wildlife. The daily experiences of these young vets in very different urban clinics could not be more varied but they are each driven and connected by their love of animals. The series will also broadcast and stream on APTN, APTN Languages and APTN lumi in Canada (date TBC).

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Featured, Industry News

Buffalo Gal Pictures sparks a global “Fiasco” on 30th anniversary

From a media release:

Celebrating 30 years of industry acclaim, Buffalo Gal Pictures proudly announces the launch of sister enterprise Fiasco Global Media. A new television development company dedicated to creating rich, character-driven stories rooted in the spirit of working-class communities and rural prairies, Fiasco is designed to connect with viewers across the globe.

Headquartered in Winnipeg and Los Angeles, the company is poised to expand Buffalo Gal’s international reach while staying true to its creative roots. 

Fiasco Global Media is led by Jennifer Beasley (above), a former writer-turned-seasoned executive producer whose credits include Less Than Kind, Cra$h & Burn, The Spencer Sisters, the hit comedy Acting Good, and the 2024 horror satire Rumours, starring Cate Blanchett. Fiasco, under Beasley’s leadership, will focus on characters and stories that immerse audiences in compelling worlds and create cultural touchstones.

Fiasco’s slate is growing, with the company picking up IP that will attract talent and deliver a mix of escapism and resonance. Early projects include a rural half-hour family workplace comedy series from acclaimed writer Garry Campbell (North of North, Kids in the Hall, Less Than Kind) and a comedic two-hander police procedural from Hollis Ludlow-Carroll, creator of Wong & Winchester.

Joining Beasley as Consulting Head of U.S. Series Development is Burrad Marsh, whose career began at ICM as a literary agent before he transitioned into television development. Marsh has held key executive roles at Alchemy, Shed Media, Outright Distribution, and Amaze Film & TV, developing and producing series for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. He also consults for the Canadian Consulate on cross-border content initiatives.

For more information, visit fiascoglobal.com.

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Featured, Industry News

The Banff World Media Festival announces new board members from Banijay, Fifth Season and YouTube, alongside leadership updates

From a media release:

The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is thrilled to announce the appointment of new members and a new executive appointment to its esteemed Foundation Board of Directors.

Joining the BANFF Board are three distinguished industry leaders:

  • Prentiss Fraser, President, Television Distribution, FIFTH SEASON
  • Andrew Peterson, Head of YouTube Canada
  • Jane Rimer, Senior Vice President, Canada, Banijay Rights

In addition, Patrick Vien, Group Managing Director, International at A+E Networks, has been appointed as Vice Chair of the Board, succeeding Brenda Gilbert, producer and Co-Founder of BRON Media who will be remaining on the Board of Directors.

BANFF also recognizes and thanks two retiring Board Members for their outstanding contributions:

  • Sally Catto, General Manager of Entertainment, Factual and Sports, CBC
  • Colin Bohm, Chief Executive Officer, Toon Boom Animation Inc. 

These leadership changes come on the heels of Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media, being recently named Chair of BANFF’s Board of Directors.

“This is a pivotal moment for BANFF as we continue to grow our impact on and service to the global media industry,” said Cohan. “With the addition of such accomplished leaders to our Board, we are well-positioned to advance the Festival’s mission of facilitating major business partnerships and fostering creative collaboration on new film, TV and digital projects. There is more to come as we lead up to the 2025 festival.  Stay tuned.”

Located in Banff, Alberta, Canada, BANFF is a premium marketplace and conference, an intimate space where unparalleled access, creative inspiration and expert insight combine to launch fresh content and new business strategies. With more than 45 years of history, the festival has grown into a must-attend annual event where media moguls, producers, creatives and industry stakeholders along with broadcasters and digital media companies tackle issues and trends, forge relationships and nurture partnerships in one of the world’s most stunning landscapes.

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