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Sportsnet and APTN partner to broadcast more NHL games in Plains Cree

From a media release:

Following the historic first NHL broadcast in Plains Cree last season in conjunction with Rogers Hometown Hockey’s visit to Enoch Cree Nation, Sportsnet and APTN are expanding their partnership to deliver more games over the next three seasons. In total, a minimum of six games per year will be broadcast on APTN in Plains Cree – full 2019-20 broadcast schedule below.

Sportsnet will continue to deliver the broadcast production, which will feature exclusive Cree-language commentary and analysis from APTN broadcasters for fans across the country. Broadcaster Clarence Iron will have the play-by-play call for APTN, while Juno Award-winning musician Earl Wood will host the studio show alongside influential Cree-language promoter Jason Chamakese, with game analysis from NHL alum John Chabot.

This season’s Cree-language broadcast schedule also features a special Rogers Hometown Hockey stop as the tour visits Peguis First Nation, Man. on Sunday, March 1 where Ron MacLean and Tara Slone will host a live broadcast of the same game on Sportsnet.

In addition to an expanded commitment to delivering Cree-language NHL broadcasts to Canadians, Sportsnet also contributes to the national production of Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition on OMNI Television.

2019-20 Cree-Language NHL Broadcast Schedule from Sportsnet on APTN:

  • Sunday, January 19 – Winnipeg Jets vs. Chicago Blackhawks (6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, February 9 – Winnipeg Jets vs. Chicago Blackhawks (6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, February 23 – Calgary Flames vs. Detroit Red Wings (6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, March 1 – Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (6:30 p.m. Et / 3:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, March 15 – Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, March 29 – Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT)
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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Principal photography wraps on anticipated season 2 of Merchants of the Wild

From a media release:

Today, Little Bear Big Wolf Pictures Producer Daniel Fortin, announced principal photography has wrapped on season two of the highly anticipated unscripted-series Merchants of the Wild. Sean Buckley of Buck Productions is on board again as Executive Producer and show mentor. After a successful inaugural season, the docu-series has officially wrapped filming in Nova Scotia and is now in post-production with an anticipated release in 2021.

Filmed within Potlotek’s Traditional Territory, (Near St Peters, NS) and some scenes in Hiawatha First Nation, ON; Merchants of the Wild is a vivid documentary series mixing culture, survival, reconnection to the land, and adventure. The show takes viewers back in time with six Indigenous adventurers, pitted against the perils of ancient waterway trade routes used by Mi’kmaq nations. Merchants of the Wild is being developed and produced by Little Bear Big Wolf Pictures for  APTN, in partnership with the Canada Media Fund.

Season two of Merchants of the Wild is one of Buck Productions’many collaboration projects of 2019 and wraps at a pivotal time for the Toronto-based production company as it prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary later this month.

Synopsis
Six Indigenous Adventurers embark on the journey of a lifetime, as they spend 25 days on the land, paddling birch bark ‘gwitn’ (canoes) through the Mi’kmaq territory, ‘Unama’ki ’ (Land of Fog), known as Cape Breton, NS. Following an old waterway trade route, moving inland from the ocean at the end of summer, the Adventurers begin their difficult journey with a few necessary tools and a limited supply of food. From day one, they will need to rely on cultural teachings and the land to reach the end of their journey.

During the course of their adventure, they will meet Mi’kmaq Elders and Knowledge Holders at various camps along the ocean, rivers, and lakes, learning culture, language, and traditional Mi’kmaq teachings to help them complete their journey. Throughout the experience, each Adventurer will be impacted in different ways, with some finding the connection their spirit has been in search of, while others could succumb to the constant demands of mother nature, the physical struggle and emotional challenges that can come with living off the land, while others discover newfound strength amongst the teachings and their new friends.

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Industry News

Ken Shaw announces his retirement from CTV News Toronto

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From a media release:

Veteran news anchor Ken Shaw announced this evening during CTV NEWS AT SIX that he will be retiring from the anchor chair following his final newscast on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. With a career spanning six decades – from the 1970s and into 2020 – Shaw has been a welcomed guest in millions of homes each week throughout the GTA.

Co-Anchor of Toronto’s #1 newscasts CTV NEWS AT NOON and CTV NEWS AT SIX since April 2001, Shaw first joined the CTV News Toronto team in 1979 as a breaking news reporter. He later moved to the national beat as National Editor for the station, and then as Weekday Anchor for CTV News Channel, before returning to CTV News Toronto to become its anchor.

“There have been so many changes over the decades and I’ve been privileged to have a front-row seat for all of them. I’m so thankful for the trust viewers put in our team to document the stories of their lives,” said Shaw. “Although I’m leaving the day-to-day duties of the anchor desk, I’m excited to work on a number of special projects at CTV News.”

Following Shaw’s last broadcast from the anchor desk on Jan. 6, he will assume a new role with CTV News Channel where he will provide special reports on a number of key issues of importance to him, including the environment. The reports and accompanying podcasts and digital stories will be available on CTV News properties across Canada.

A look back on highlights from Shaw’s career is now featured at CTVNewsToronto.ca. Viewers wanting to send their best wishes can also post messages to the site.

The multiple award-winning Shaw has guided Torontonians through some of the most memorable and momentous local and international news headlines, earning CTV News Toronto its distinction as the most-watched local newscast in the GTA. From coverage of the G20 Summit in 2010, the ice storm that left thousands of Torontonians without power in December 2013, the deadly Toronto van attack in April 2018, the closing of GM Oshawa in November of 2018, and countless provincial and municipal elections, to breaking key revelations in the Toronto mayoral scandal, viewers consistently turn to Ken Shaw and Co-Anchor Michelle Dubé for the headlines that matter most.

An announcement about a new co-anchor for CTV News Toronto will be made on Monday, Dec. 9.

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Industry News

Link: APTN celebrates 20 years of representing Indigenous peoples

From Melissa Hank of Postmedia:

Link: APTN celebrates 20 years of representing Indigenous peoples
“We always knew that there needed to be a network that represented us, a network that was true to who we were and that allowed us to learn the technical skills to tell our stories. Now we could actually see ourselves and hear our stories.” Continue reading.

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Industry News

Channel Zero launches Studio Division to be led by Jennifer Chen

From a media release:

Canadian media company Channel Zero Inc. today announced the launch of Channel Zero Studios which will develop and produce original scripted content for all platforms. Jennifer Chen, formerly the company’s VP of Programming, will lead the division as Head of Studios and VP of Content. Building on the company’s partnership with Motion Content Group, Group M’s content division, Channel Zero Studios will collaborate with both domestic and international partners to create compelling global content. Channel Zero Studios expects to be in production on its first series in Q1 2020.

In the newly created role, effective immediately, Chen assumes leadership of the division and will focus on building out the development slate, overseeing innovative financing of all projects, and fostering stronger relationships with global industry partners.

Chen joined Channel Zero in 2006 and has played a key role in the company’s expansion. As Channel Zero’s VP of Programming, Chen has been instrumental in securing notable acquisitions and commissioning original programming including Wynonna Earp, The Pinkertons, and Inside the Story. Previously, as General Manager of Ouat Media, Chen oversaw the sales and distribution of over a dozen Oscar-nominated and award-winning titles. Prior to joining Channel Zero, Chen held roles at the Canadian Film Centre, TIFF, Cannes Film Festival, and Hewlett Packard.

About Channel Zero
Channel Zero is an independent Canadian media company that owns over-the-air channel CHCH-TV and a bouquet of specialty channels including Rewind, Silver Screen Classics, and Halla Bol Kids TV, Canada’s first South Asian HD TV channel.

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