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APTN celebrates real northern life with new fall programming

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From a media release:

Explore the REAL North this fall on APTN! Our cool lineup celebrates true Northern living in all its complexities, where the strength to persevere comes from a commitment to land, to community, and to loved ones. In the North, where life can be precarious, your best assets are adaptability, connection to tradition, and a gritty attitude. APTN’s Northern series will show audiences there are unforgettable stories waiting to be discovered and people to make you laugh just when it feels like all is lost. Come along with us this fall and see the Real North!

First up in this celebration of the North is the award-winning comedy and audience favourite North of North. Just as impressive are APTN’S cultural documentaries like Go North! and Chuck and the First Peoples Kitchen, about Arctic travel and good food, or the true stories of neighbours sharing resources and assistance like Life Below Zero and Northern Air Rescue. Audiences will be swept away by the charm, ingenuity and resilience of these unique free spirits, be touched by the beauty of this seemingly infinite land and the warmth that runs through the lives of the Peoples who call the North their home.

“Nine Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Comedy Series, says a lot about how good Season 1 of North of North was, and Season 2 picks up right where we left off”, said Adam Garnet Jones, Director of TV Content and Special Events at APTN. “This fall’s new and returning documentaries bring that same energy – real people, real stories, told by the people living them. This isn’t content made about the North – this is the North telling its own stories.”

See the premiere dates below – and follow the links for more information.

North of North (Season 2) – Comedy
APTN, CBC and Netflix original series is back for Season 2! As winter closes in on Ice Cove, young Inuk mother Siaja (Anna Lambe) is still making bold decisions and even bolder mistakes in her effort to level up her life. The hardest part? Proving to her tight-knit Arctic community, and herself, that she’s ready to take charge.

●     Exclusive world premiere on APTN+: September 1 (English)

●     APTN premiere: September 8 (English)

Go North!  – NEW Docu-series
A celebration of Arctic Indigenous travel, resilience, and life across the changing North. Narrated by Shina Nova, it follows remarkable people, using countless traditional and modern methods, to keep cultures, knowledge, and connections alive.

●     APTN premiere: September 3 (English)

Northern Air rescue (Season 2) – Docu-series
Be transported inside the world of Manitoba’s fastest growing and only Indigenous owned airline, “Missinippi Airways”. Fly with their pilots, nurses and grounds crew as they embark on lifesaving air ambulance missions into remote northern communities.

●     APTN premiere: September 13 (English)

Life Below Zero (Season 7) – Docu-series
In the remotest regions of Alaska, where bears and wolves outnumber people, survival is a daily battle. Our Alaskan neighbours share truths about how they live through the long and brutal Arctic winters, enduring isolation and scarce resources, to re-emerge, at end, into warmth and light.

●     APTN premiere: September 13 (English)

Chuck and the First Peoples Kitchen (Season 6) – Lifestyle/ Culture
Eager to learn about the culinary traditions on Turtle Island, Chef Chuck Hughes visits Indigenous communities, where he discovers their time-honoured or contemporary harvesting techniques and savours their unique recipes. He always ends his visits by preparing a great meal for his hosts. This season Chuck travels further north, to Nunavik and the Northwest Territories, to experience new flavours and the richness of these Northern cultures.

●     APTN premiere: August 31st (English) and September 4 (French)

●     APTN Languages premiere: September 6 (Innu)

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CBC sets Fall 2026 premiere dates

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From a media release:

CBC today announced streaming and broadcast premiere dates for its fall 2026 slate of new and returning programming on CBC Gem and CBC TV, including more than 20 original series and specials from Canadian creators, producers, and storytellers reflecting people, places and perspectives from across the country. The first episode of all series will be available to stream on CBC Gem starting at 9 a.m. ET on their premiere dates noted below with a new episode available weekly at the same time, unless otherwise specified. CBC TV local broadcast times are noted in parentheses (for Newfoundland and Labrador, please add half an hour to all times).

Fall 2026 Series

  • Coronation Street – ongoing (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
  • Family Feud Canada (64×30) *Season 8* – Premieres Monday, October 5 (7:30 p.m.) airing four nights a week, Monday to Thursday.
  • This Hour Has 22 Minutes (24×30) *Season 34* – Premieres Tuesday, September 8 (8 p.m.)
  • Son of a Critch (12×30) *Final Season* – Premieres Tuesday, September 8 (8:30 p.m.)
  • North of North (8×30) *Season 2* – Premieres with two back-to-back new episodes, Tuesday September 8 (9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.)
  • The Passionate Eye (10×60 + 2×120) – Premieres Wednesday, September 16 (8 p.m., 9 p.m. beginning September 30). Feature documentary Everyone is Lying to You for Money opens a new season of thought-provoking documentaries. Actor and filmmaker Ben McKenzie pulls back the curtain on the cryptocurrency industry and the culture of hype, misinformation, and speculation that fuelled its explosive rise. 

The season continues on September 23 with CBC original feature documentary Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple, exploring the artistry and enduring influence of Rush’s enigmatic drummer and lyricist through rare archival footage, intimate reflections and extraordinary live performances. An all-star lineup of acclaimed drummers joins Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to tackle Peart’s notoriously demanding drum parts, revealing the musicianship behind one of rock’s most original artists. Directed by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn and produced by Banger Films and Elevation Pictures. Republic Pictures has acquired the film outside of Canada.

  • Dragons’ Den (16×60) *Season 21* – Premieres Thursday, September 17 (8 p.m.)
  • Heartland *Season 20* (10×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 4 (7 p.m.)
  • The Great Canadian Baking Show *Season 10* (9×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 4 (8 p.m.)
  • Murdoch Mysteries (21×60) *Season 20* – Premieres Monday, October 5 (8 p.m.) 
  • Doula: A True Crime (3×60) – Premieres Wednesday, October 7 (8 p.m.)  

Over the course of nine months in 2022, Kaitlyn Braun—a 24-year-old woman from Brantford, Ontario—reached out to over 40 doulas with the same devastating story: she had been sexually assaulted and was in her third trimester, carrying a stillborn child. The doulas responded with unwavering empathy, stepping in without hesitation, many offering their services pro bono. Over time, the narrative began to fracture, and as the doulas began to question themselves and their experiences, they uncovered something far more complex.  It’s a real-life saga that is hard to believe – one that launched a desperate search for answers, a campaign to get the attention of the authorities, a TikTok counter-offensive, 53 criminal charges, and a complex mental health diagnosis. With unparalleled access to all sides of the story, Doula: A True Crime elevates a sensationalist media story to an uncommon examination of empathy and the controversial question of its limitations. 

  • Halifax Comedy Fest (6×30) *Season 29* – Premieres Tuesday, October 13 (9:30 p.m.) 
  • Lord of the Flies (4×60) – Premieres Thursday, October 22 (9 p.m.) *Exclusive Canadian Premiere*

In the first television adaptation of William Golding’s landmark dystopian classic Lord of the Flies, innocence descends into savagery when a group of English schoolboys become desert island castaways. Written by Emmy-winner Jack Thorne (Adolescence) and directed by Marc Munden (The Mark of Cain) for BBC.

  • The Assembly (6×30) *Season 2* – Premieres Sunday, November 1 (9 p.m.) 
  • Diamonds and Plastic (3×60) – Premieres Thursday, November 19 (9 p.m.)

Diamonds & Plastic plunges inside the secret sisterhood built by Montreal’s Maria Meriano, one of the top Tupperware product sellers in the world, as she fights to keep her women-led empire alive in the wake of the iconic brand’s most uncertain chapter in 80 years: its bankruptcy filing. As Tupperware’s nostalgic promise of female empowerment collides with the new reality of online shopping, social media selling, and a company fighting for its future, Maria must hold onto her people, her relevance, and her legacy. Can the extravagant leadership that made her a celebrity in this subculture keep an empire together when the brand at its centre enters uncertain territory?

CBC News 

  • About That with Andrew Chang – Premieres Friday, September 11 at 8:30 p.m. on CBC TV (Available anytime on the CBC News YouTube channel)
  • Marketplace (16×30) *Season 54*  – Premieres Friday, October 2  (8 p.m.) 

Former CBC News Go Public investigative reporter Rosa Marchitelli joins Asha Tomlinson as co-host of Canada’s award-winning consumer investigative series. 

  • The Fifth Estate (17×60) *Season 52* – Premieres Friday, October 9 (9 p.m.)
  • The National – ongoing (live at 10 p.m. weeknights and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
  • CBC Morning Live with David Common (Weekday mornings on CBC News Network) 
  • Power & Politics with David Cochrane (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
  • Hanomansing Live (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
  • Rosemary Barton Live (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

CBC Kids Originals

  • Butterfly Academy (26×11) – Premieres Friday, August 28 on CBC Gem; Tuesday, September 8 on CBC TV

Butterfly Academy is in the heart of the milkweed patch where every mistake made by Patrick, Marty, Jennifer and Lily transforms their apprentices’ training into a funny and exciting adventure!

  • On Track with Andre De Grasse (10×5) – Premieres Saturday, September 26 on CBC TV and CBC Gem

In this live-action comedy series for kids, Olympic Champion Andre De Grasse travels back in time to give advice to his 10-year-old self. The sprint star must keep his younger version on track. But Young Andre’s got other ideas, and they don’t necessarily include accepting life coaching from his future self. Hugo Assad makes a delightful comic turn as the scrappy Young Andre, and De Grasse proves he’s got acting chops and charm to spare, ditching his racing gear for a metallic time travel suit. A fun buddy show in short-format, teaching life lessons through sport. 

  • Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures (39×22) – Premieres Wednesday, October 14 on CBC TV and CBC Gem

Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures is a seven-minute show that follows the adventures of Power Paige, the newest member of the Super Readers, who joins Super Why, Wonder Red, Princess Presto, and Alpha Pig, as they protect the comic book world of Reader Valley, a universe where letters, words, and sounds have enormous power, from a group of literacy villains and other strange anomalies with the help of the home viewer – Super YOU! Set in a visually fantastic 2D comic book world, these heroic adventures expand preschool and kindergarten literacy skills through high-stakes, action-packed, fast-paced, comic book-inspired stories.

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2026 WGC Screenwriting Awards celebrates 30 years of excellence in Canadian TV, film, and digital media

From a media release:

The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) celebrated 30 years of outstanding screenwriting in Canadian television, film and digital media tonight at the annual WGC Screenwriting Awards, held at Koerner Hall in Toronto. The gala brought together hundreds of screenwriters, industry professionals, and fans.

Created in 1997 to recognize excellence in Canadian screenwriting, and raise the profile of screenwriters, the WGC Screenwriting Awards have grown as the Canadian industry has expanded. Over the years, we have celebrated writers whose work has shaped Canadian culture, and reached audiences around the world.

This year’s award winners demonstrate the breadth of talent across nine categories, and include Katherine Sandford for Preschool (Mittens & Pants, “Pants in the Box”), Garry Campbell for Comedy Series (North of North, “Dumpcano”), Kaveh Mohebbi for Short Series (18 to 35, “Buck Mustang”), and many more.

Special honours were also presented:

  • Simon Barry was honoured with the prestigious Showrunner Award.
  • Jeremy Boxen received the McGrath Service Award for exceptional service to the Guild.
  • Lawrence S. Mirkin was presented with the Alex Barris Mentorship Award.
  • Ian Weir received the Margaret Collier Award, presented with the Canadian Academy as supporting partner.

Hosted by Ali Hassan (Run the Burbs, Sort Of, Laugh Out Loud) and written by Kurt Smeaton (Children Ruin Everything, Kim’s Convenience), the gala featured lively moments, and presentations by well-known industry professionals and creators, including Nadine Bhabha (Heated Rivalry, Letterkenny), Laura Good (Bet, The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco), Penny E. Gummerson (Allegiance, Cardinal), Tattiawna Jones (Dinner with Friends, Murdoch Mysteries), Celeste Koon (Dino Dex, Go Togo), Phil McCordic (Mittens & Pants, Zerby Derby), Jennifer Podemski (Nika & Madison, Little Bird), Sarah Podemski (Coroner, Warrior Strong), Tamara Podemski (The Borderline, Saint-Pierre), Bruce Smith (Street Legal, 19-2), Jacob Tierney (Heated Rivalry, Letterkenny), Sugith Varughese (Kim’s Convenience, Transplant), and Jean Yoon (18 to 35, Kim’s Convenience).

2026 WGC SCREENWRITING AWARDS WINNERS

CHILDREN’S

Lana Longbeard, “Lana the Something Super Great and Totally Awesome” | Written by Emer Connon

COMEDY SERIES

North of North, “Dumpcano” | Written by Garry Campbell

DRAMA SERIES

Family Law, “Play It Straight” | Written by Corey Liu

DOCUMENTARY

In the Room | Written by Brishkay Ahmed

FEATURE FILM

Honey Bunch | Written by Madeleine Sims-Fewer & Dusty Mancinelli

PRESCHOOL

Mittens & Pants, “Pants in the Box” | Written by Katherine Sandford

SHORT FILM

Now, I Am A Bear | Written by Jason Filiatrault

SHORT SERIES

18 to 35, “Buck Mustang” | Written by Kaveh Mohebbi

TWEENS & TEENS

Bet, “The Hunt” | Written by Laura Good

Image courtesy of Yvonne Stanley

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Awards, Featured, Heated Rivalry, North of North, Small Achievable Goals

North of North and Heated Rivalry topline Canadian Screen Award nominations

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From a media release:

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today the nominees for the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, recognizing excellence across 146 categories in film, television, and digital media. The 14th annual awards will be presented over four days in Toronto during Canadian Screen Week 2026. The celebrations will culminate in The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, hosted by Andrew Phung, broadcasting and streaming on Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 PM (9:00 AT, 9:30 NT) on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV.

Television series North of North tops both television and overall nominations with 20, including Best Comedy Series, presented by Lionsgate Canada; Best Ensemble Performance, Comedy; and Anna Lambe for Best Lead Performer, Comedy. Heated Rivalry scores 18 nominations, including Best Drama Series, presented by Blink49 Studios, followed by Small Achievable Goals with 12.

In film, 40 Acres leads nominations with 10, including Best Motion Picture; and nods for R.T. Thorne for both Achievement in Direction and the John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award. Following with eight nominations are Follies | Folichonneries, Honey Bunch, and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, while Blue Heron and Mile End Kicks both receive seven.

Settle Down earns the most digital media nominations with nine, including Alexander Nunez for Best Lead Performance, Web Program or Series; followed by 18 to 35 with five; and Coming Home, Cows Come Home, and Dying Seconds with four each.

“Canada’s creative community has experienced an extraordinary year, with bold storytelling and world-class talent capturing attention at home and around the globe,” said Tammy Frick, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “The momentum we’re seeing across film, television, and digital media speaks to the power of our industry, and we’re proud to celebrate the innovation and diverse voices that carry Canada’s screen sector to new heights.”

The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards also features the debut of the Spotlight Award categories, which are presented to eligible Canadians working on non-Canadian certified television series. Wayward leads the inaugural Spotlight Award nominations with seven, including the Spotlight Award for Best Series. The Way Home received four nominations, followed by Jane with three.

For a complete list of 2026 Canadian Screen Award nominees, please visit academy.ca/nominees.

Winners will be unveiled during Canadian Screen Week 2026, taking place from Wednesday, May 27 to Sunday, May 31 at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto. Over the course of six award presentations, nominees and winners will be recognized alongside this year’s Special Award recipients, leading up to the finale: The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards. Hosted by Andrew Phung, the ceremony will be broadcast and streamed on Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 PM ET on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV. For a full listing of 2026 Canadian Screen Awards and programming, visit CanadianScreenWeek.ca.

Nominees for the Canadian Screen Awards are chosen by voting members of the Canadian Academy and by nominating juries, conducted virtually with representatives from the film, television, and digital media industries. The membership will now cast their votes between Thursday, March 26, 2026 and Monday, April 13, 2026 to determine the winners. 

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Production underway on Season 2 of North of North for APTN, CBC and Netflix

From a media release:

APTN, CBC and Netflix, with production partners Red Marrow Media and Northwood Entertainment, today announced that production is underway on the second season of the Arctic-set comedy North of North (8×30). Created and executive produced by Stacey Aglok MacDonald (Qanurli, The Grizzlies) and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Angry Inuk, The Grizzlies) of Red Marrow Media and executive produced by Miranda de Pencier of Northwood Entertainment (Anne with an E, Beginners, The Grizzlies), the highly anticipated new season will premiere on APTN, CBC and Netflix later in 2026. Audiences in Canada can stream season one of North of North on APTN+, CBC Gem and Netflix.

Season two will continue to follow Siaja, a young Inuk mother who attempts to build a new life in her tiny Arctic community of Ice Cove. Anna Lambe will reprise her starring role as Siaja, alongside Maika Harper, Braeden Clarke, Jay Ryan, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Zorga Qaunaq, Bailey Poching, Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds and Keira Cooper. 

The second season is currently filming in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and Toronto, with production continuing through April.

North of North instantly captivated audiences and critics worldwide when it first premiered in Canada on APTN and CBC in January 2025 and then globally on Netflix in April 2025. Since its debut, the series has achieved a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The breakout comedy took home five awards at the 2025 Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) Awards, including Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for Danis Goulet and Comedy Series Crew of the Year. North of North is also nominated for the 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards’ Best New Series, along with Best Performance in a New Series for Anna Lambe.

North of North became the most-watched new series on CBC Gem since the launch of the streaming platform.* Additionally, the comedy was one of the most-watched programs on CBC among the A25-54 demographic.** On APTN, North of North was among the top-performing new scripted shows during the Winter 2025 season and the top new program on APTN lumi (now APTN+). Globally, North of North debuted at No. 9 on Netflix’s global top 10 for English-language series the week of its release on the service in April. The series also broke into Netflix’s top 10 in 33 individual countries with nearly 9 million views between April and June 2025***.

An APTN, CBC and Netflix original series, North of North is produced by Red Marrow Media and Northwood Entertainment. The series is created and executive produced by Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril of Red Marrow Media and executive produced by Miranda de Pencier of Northwood Entertainment. 

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