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Bell Media and Tom Green partner to develop original Canadian content

February 20, 2025 Greg David

From a media release:

Bell Media announced today a co-development agreement with Tom Green Productions Canada Inc., founded by beloved Canadian comedian, actor, and filmmaker Tom Green, to create original content for Crave and CTV. The pact expands Green’s long-standing relationship with Bell Media, which includes THE TOM GREEN SHOW and TOM GREEN’S HOUSE TONIGHT, and most recently, a co-starring role in the Crave Original comedy THE TRADES, which was the #1 Canadian series on Crave in 2024*, and returns for a second season, March 14.

The agreement covers both scripted and unscripted projects, reflecting Bell Media’s commitment to making great original content and collaborating with some of the industry’s biggest names. Specific project details will be announced at a later date. Rory Rosegarten, Tom’s manager, will serve as Executive Producer on all projects.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Bell Media to develop some of my ideas,” said Green. “It’s great to be back living in Canada and working with one of the world’s premiere media companies.”

“Over the course of his legendary career, Tom has been a creative and comic visionary who has consistently seen around the corner to be ahead of his time,” said Stewart Johnston, Senior Vice President, Content & Sales, Bell Media. “We look forward to embarking on this new journey together as we develop dynamic projects and expand Bell Media’s mandate of making great original content that resonates at home, and abroad”.

With the new agreement, Bell Media continues to strengthen its position as a 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, Lionsgate, and most recently, PAGEBOY Productions.

About Tom Green Productions Canada Inc.

Tom Green Productions Canada Inc., based in Ontario, is a full-service film and television production company founded by comedian, actor, director, and broadcaster Tom Green. With three new projects having recently launched, including THIS IS THE TOM GREEN DOCUMENTARY, TOM GREEN COUNTRY, and I GOT A MULE!, the company is rapidly establishing itself as a creative hub in the entertainment industry.

Featured, Industry News

Four-part miniseries Disrepair debuts on Bell Fibe TV1

February 13, 2025 Greg David 1 Comment

From a media release:

The entertainment world is buzzing with excitement as we approach the premiere of the highly anticipated four-part mini-series, Disrepair. Set to debut on January 29, 2025, on Bell Fibe TV1, this gripping series stars acclaimed actors Matthew Sauvé, John Reardon, and Tommy James Murphy.

Disrepair takes a timely and poignant look at the essential conversations surrounding mental health and addiction. The series offers a raw and realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by individuals battling these issues and the profound impact they have on family dynamics. The creators aim to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of seeking support in challenging times.

At the heart of the story is Jake Thomas, portrayed by Matthew Sauvé, Greg Thomas portrayed by John Reardon, and James Thomas portrayed by Tommy James Murphy. After years of navigating the tumultuous waters of addiction, Jake finally finds himself sober but is determined to mend the broken relationships that his struggles have left in their wake. The series delves deep into themes of love, loss, and the intricate dynamics of addiction and recovery, offering viewers an emotional journey that resonates on multiple levels.

The four episodes of Disrepair are set to provide a powerful exploration of the complexities of addiction.

Here’s a brief breakdown of the episodes:

Episode 1 – “Home Sweet Home”: Jake returns to a family that has been waiting for his sobriety but is unsure of how to reconnect.

Episode 2 – “Why Do You Hate Me?”: Tensions rise as unresolved feelings and past grievances come to light.

Episode 3 – What Have I Done?: Jake confronts the consequences of his addiction and seeks forgiveness from those he has hurt.

Episode 4 – Brotherly Love: In the series finale, Jake strives to rebuild the familial bonds that were shattered, showcasing the resilience needed for recovery.

Under the brilliant direction of Andrew Ravindran, Disrepair benefits from a unique storytelling perspective that creates a heartfelt narrative, resonating deeply with audiences. Ravindran’s vision lends authenticity and emotional depth to a series that promises to leave a lasting impression.

Written by Tommy James Murphy, Disrepair boasts a talented production team, including Ray Hoang, David M. James, Robin Osmond, Dixon Productions, Nameless Films, and RavinMurph Pictures. The series also features an original song titled “Disrepair,” performed by WILHELM, written by Simon Wilcox and Scott Helman, alongside an evocative original score by Max White.

Featured, Industry News

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

February 12, 2025 Greg David

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.

Featured, Industry News

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

January 30, 2025 Greg David

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.

Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

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

January 29, 2025 Greg David

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).