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North of North, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

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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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Home Network’s fall blueprint delivers signature originals and internationally acclaimed hits

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From a media release:

Home Network, Canada’s #1 destination for lifestyle content*, is ready for a new season with a dynamic lineup of hit series debuting this fall. Featuring signature originals and internationally acclaimed titles, Home Network’s fall lineup is anchored by two returning Canadian Original hits with Season 4 of Rock Solid Builds (8×60 – Cineflix), hosted by third-generation builder and proud Newfoundlander Randy Spracklin, and the sophomore season of House of Ali (8×60 – Nikki Ray Media), helmed by award-winning interior designer Ali Budd. The lifestyle lineup continues with the return of fan-favourites Interior Design Masters, Renovation Rescue, and Million Dollar Dream Home.

Home Network opens its fall lineup with Season 4 of Rock Solid Builds, premiering Sunday, September 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Viewers will get an intimate snapshot of Spracklin’s home life as he and his partner Melissa undertake a massive project of their own. Now the proud owners of her grandparents’ property in Brigus, the two are determined to transform its tired interior into an East Coast showpiece that blends cherished memories with a refreshing modern update. Randy and his talented team are continuing to tackle a load of big projects, such as restoring the historic Ferryland lighthouse, turning a neglected backyard into an all-season sanctuary, and many more. These proud islanders deliver ‘catty’ builds and elite craftsmanship all while showcasing the windswept charm of rugged Newfoundland. A new roster of sponsors are also breaking ground with integrated content from Home Hardware, Kohltech, Dildo Brewing Co., and Charm Diamond Centre.

Up next for Canadian originals is Season 2 of House of Ali, premiering Thursday, September 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. From a private villa in Costa Rica to a designer dream home in Connecticut, Budd and her team are making global moves in a style that is completely their own. The show’s unscripted lens gives viewers a look into the reality of high-end interior design, million-dollar reveals, and the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Meticulous down to the final detail, Budd showcases her unfiltered honesty and one-of-a-kind creativity to the pickiest of clients. Audiences can look forward to spectacular, custom transformations that inspire them to tap into their inner designer. One of the sales partnerships for the show’s sophomore season is with Knix, where the brand is featured through seamless in-show story integrations.

Home Network sets the blueprint with additional fall programming, highlighting an exciting schedule of new and returning shows, starting off with the series premiere of The Mother Flip on Wednesday, September 2 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. Following are several international series that appeal to at-home design enthusiasts, including Renovation Rescue, which returns for its second season on Monday, September 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and Season 7 of Interior Design Masters on Thursday, September 10 at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT. Outdoorsman Hal Shaffer is back with Season 4 of Renovation Hunters on Monday, September 7 at 9/9:30 p.m. ET/PT, along with host Viviana Vigil, who returns to connect affluent house hunters with luxurious multi-million-dollar properties in Season 8 of Million Dollar Dream Home, premiering Monday, October 26 at 10/10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Viewers can continue to watch new episodes of Love It or List It Season 12 on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT, and Season 8 of Sun, Sea, and Selling Houses on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT. The programming slate continues with new episodes of:

  • The Block, Season 20 on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT
  • Help! We Bought a Village, Season 4 on Fridays at 10 p.m. ET/PT
  • The Bidding Room, Season 7 on Saturdays 9 p.m. ET/PT
  • A Place in The Sun, Season 16 on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT

Viewers can stream Home Network’s hit lineup, including prior seasons of Rock Solid Builds and House of Ali, anytime on STACKTV.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Docuseries Racing Waters goes to camera for Season 2 ahead of series launch on APTN this fall

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From a media release:

Racing Waters Productions Inc and APTN announced today that the brand new documentary series Racing Waters, directed by Asia Youngman (I’m Just Here for The Riot), has been renewed for a second season ahead of the series’ debut. The nine episode 22 minute series begins airing weekly on APTN (in English) and streaming on APTN+ starting on September 13, 2026. The series is presented in English and will also be released in Hul’q’umi’num on APTN Languages at a later date. 

Racing Waters takes viewers into the exhilarating world of Indigenous war canoe and outrigger racing through the eyes of the paddlers of the Island Brave Canoe Club from the Snuneymuxw First Nation, while also following the many Indigenous canoe clubs that make up the Pacific Northwest racing circuit. More than a sports series, it is an intimate portrait of a community where every stroke carries generations of history, responsibility, and pride. Led by respected Chief Mike Wyse Sr., the series follows the paddlers as they compete in the fiercely competitive Pacific Northwest war canoe circuit while pursuing opportunities in outrigger racing on the international stage. From first-time racers to seasoned champions, athletes battle for seats, overcome personal setbacks, and support one another through triumph and loss, discovering that success is measured by more than crossing the finish line.

“That Season 2 of Racing Waters is already in production speaks volumes about the appeal of this new adrenaline-fueled series,” says Adam Garnet Jones, Director of TV Content and Special Events at APTN. “An intimate look inside the fiercely competitive world of Indigenous war canoe racing, this docuseries runs the gamut of human emotion, from the thrill of victory, to the sting of defeat and the deep pride of representing one’s Nation. It delivers at every turn, suspense, resilience and heart.”

Season Two expands the story by following even more clubs across the Pacific Northwest, including Vikki Lynn Canoe Club and Rikkole Cree Canoe Club, as the series explores new communities, rivalries, and journeys both on and off the water.

Season one was shot across British Columbia, with locations including Agassiz, Cultus Lake, Comox, Musqueam, Saanich, North Vancouver, Cowichan Bay, Nanaimo and Cumberland featured. Other shooting locations include Rio De Janeiro & Niteroi, Brazil, Calgary, Alberta and Lummi, Washington. For Season Two, which has gone to camera, additional shooting locations include Victoria, Oregon, Washington, Oahu & Molokai, Hawaii, Singapore and Fort Langley.

Racing Waters is directed by Asia Youngman, produced by Mike Wavrecan (Moosemeat & Marmalade) and contemporary Coast Salish master carver Luke Marston, with Carey Newman (Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun) and Patti Poskitt (Kokum & Dot) as executive producers. The director of photography for the series is Luke Connor (Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun), editors are John Roney (Ocean Warriors) and Jovan Harmuth (Highway Thru Hell), and the composer is Jason Burnstick (Red River Gold).

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Corus Entertainment is Canada’s entertainment specialty programming leader with 2026/2027 slate of Canadian originals

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From a media release:

With more top 20 networks than any other broadcaster and owning 100 per cent of the top 10 most watched entertainment specialty programs this past fall3, Corus Entertainment dominates Canada’s entertainment specialty programming landscape1. With a powerhouse slate of star-studded dramas and comedies, premium lifestyle and factual storytelling, and family fun entertainment premiering across its networks and streaming on STACKTV, Corus’ 2026/27 lineup solidifies its position as the leader in Canada’s entertainment specialty programming space1. Reinforcing its commitment to Canadian storytelling, Corus will also deliver an upcoming slate of 11 Canadian Original titles spanning lifestyle, factual, and entertainment programming.

Corus Entertainment presents its 2026/27 roster of new and returning series across its specialty networks below. For more details on all specialty programming, please click here.

SCRIPTED DRAMAS & COMEDIES

W Network

Hit holiday whodunnit series Mistletoe Murders3 (6×60) returns for Season 3 with more mystery and intrigue unfolding in Fletcher’s Grove. From Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions, the Canadian-created, written and produced series by Ken Cuperus stars Sarah Drew as Emily Lane, a small-town shop owner with a secret past, alongside Peter Mooney as local detective Sam Wilner. Executive producers include Jocelyn Hamilton (Lionsgate Canada) Michelle Melanson (Headspinner Productions) and Sarah Drew.

LIFESTYLE AND FACTUAL

Home Network

Home Network, Canada’s #1 Lifestyle Network2, announces a sizzling slate of five new and returning Canadian Original series.  

The network announces the greenlight of Love It or List It West (8×60), bringing one of the world’s longest-running and most popular television franchises to Calgary.  Set against a distinctly Western backdrop – from modern urban skylines and vibrant cityscapes to expansive prairies, dramatic badlands, and the breathtaking Rocky Mountains – the series blends aspirational real estate with stunning landscapes and unique homes, giving the franchise a bold new visual identity. Introducing new hosts, interior designer Amanda Hamilton and real estate agent Robbie Kamaleddine, the duo helps a fresh batch of homeowners decide whether to renovate the house they have or sell and move to a new dream home. Love It or List It West is produced by Big Coat Media for Home Network.

Brand-new series Property Pursuit (18×60) sees designer Debra Salmoni helping ambitious homeowners level up, with episodes debuting this winter. From cramped condos to starter homes, Debra guides determined buyers through the emotional journey of climbing the property ladder in search of more space, more function, and a home that fits their next chapter. Property Pursuit is produced by MEM in association with Corus Studios for Home Network.

Beer Budget Reno (10×60) returns for a second season this winter, with Kristen Coutts delivering more transformational renovations for homeowners who have been told their dream home is out of reach. Beer Budget Reno is produced by Blue Ant Studios for Home Network and A+E Global Media.

Rock Solid Builds, a top 20 specialty entertainment series during its third season11, returns for Season 4 (8×60) this fall, following Randy Spracklin and his team who bring heart, community, and tough renovations in Newfoundland’s notoriously harsh weather and rugged terrain. Rock Solid Builds is produced by Cineflix in association with Corus Studios for Home Network.

House of Ali returns for a second season (8×60) this fall, as luxury designer Ali Budd and her team take on more epic builds and big-budget renovations across North America. House of Ali is produced by Nikki Ray Media Agency in association with Corus Studios for Home Network.

Flavour Network

Flavour Network, Canada’s #2 lifestyle network2, announces a mouthwatering lineup of new and returning Canadian Original series and upcoming acquisition titles.

Top Chef Canada: The Dessert Table (6×60), a new spinoff of the esteemed, long-running hit series Top Chef Canada, will bring together Canada’s best professional pastry chefs to compete in the country’s most prestigious dessert competition. Hosted by Eden Grinshpan, who is joined by two revered judges, each episode will spotlight sweets through culinary excellence and artistry in a showdown that will push the pastry chefs to create never before seen desserts. Top Chef Canada: The Dessert Table is produced by Insight Productions (A Blue Ant Studios Company) in association with Flavour Network. The Top Chef format is licensed globally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Top Chef Canada, last fall’s #1 Lifestyle specialty program3, returns for a landmark 13th season (8×60) this fall. Hosted by Eden Grinshpan, the nation’s most prestigious culinary competition will see 10 of the best up-and-coming professional chefs from coast-to-coast fight for the title of Canada’s Top Chef. Top Chef Canada is produced by Insight Productions (A Blue Ant Studios Company) in association with Flavour Network. The Top Chef format is licensed globally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group.

As previously announced, the second season of the Canadian original series Halloween Bakeshop (7×60) – last fall’s #1 new lifestyle series3 – and Holiday Bakeshop (7×60) premiere this fall. Hosted by Lauren Ash, who is joined on the judging panel by Kareem “Mr. Bake” Queeman and Colin Asuncion, these seasonal baking battles bring fun, festive flair and fierce competition, with eight talented bakers competing for sweet victory and a $25,000 prize. Halloween Bakeshop and Holiday Bakeshop are produced by Nikki Ray Media Agency in association with Corus Studios for Flavour Network.

The HISTORY® Channel

The HISTORY® Channel, Canada’s #1 factual network2, has two upcoming Canadian Original series as well as new and returning acquisition titles that include proven ratings hits, premium factual storytelling, and star power.

Brand new co-production Mountain Men: Wild North (10×60) brings the long-running franchise to Canada’s vast and unforgiving terrain. This new series follows a rugged cast of individuals who have chosen to live entirely off the land – on remote traplines in the boreal forest, along frozen Yukon rivers, and deep in the wilderness where the nearest help can be hundreds of miles away. Mountain Men: Wild North is produced by Blue Ant Studios Company for The HISTORY® Channel and A+E Global Media.

Countdown to Disaster (8×60) will premiere this winter, unraveling the sequence of events that transforms ordinary days into catastrophes, both natural and man-made. Each episode plunges viewers into the heart of the calamity: volcanic eruptions, nuclear meltdowns, plane crashes, bridge failures, floods, infernos and earthquakes that devastated cities and stunned people everywhere. Countdown to Disaster is produced by Cream Productions for The HISTORY® Channel and A+E Global Media.  

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, The Tom Green Farm

There are animals and interviews to discover on Crave’s The Tom Green Farm

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By Scott Campbell

“I was on a farm,” Tom Green says during a phone interview. “I thought, ‘We should do a show here.’ And then it just unravelled from there.”

The one thought led to the newest Crave original series, The Tom Green Farm, produced by Tom Green Productions Canada Inc. in association with Crave, premiering on Friday.

The 10-episode first season is set in rural Ontario, on a 150-acre lot that features Green’s farmhouse, built in 1857.

“I think the biggest surprise is the fact that I have these amazing big animals now that are part of our family,” he says.

“My wife and I look after this giant 1,500-pound mule and horses. It’s a whole new experience I never really, frankly, imagined growing up. I would have these big donkeys and horses living with us,” he continues. “They’re so friendly, and they sort of become kind of connected with you, it’s not an inanimate object that’s there. They actually know you, and I know them, and we trust each other, and we spend time with each other.”

“It’s really a kind of moving experience every day when you realize these animals are our friends, and we all love each other.”

Green was born in Pembroke, Ontario, but remembers living in Petawawa—calling himself a “military brat”—and going to school there. He noted his father was a captain in the Canadian Armed Forces, so the family moved around a lot.

The time in Petawawa has led to Green’s induction into the Petawawa Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame, scheduled for June. This is thanks to a suggestion by singer Jason Blaine made to Mayor Gary Serviss.

“We’ll be going up there and having a fun time in our old stomping grounds for sure,” he says.

The mention of Jason Blaine is because he is also one of the guests who visits The Tom Green Farm in Season 1. The media release mentions guest names such as Amber Marshall, Jay Baruchel, Michael Cera (pictured above), Chantal Kreviazuk, The Tragically Hip’s Paul Langlois, Steven Page, Priyanka, Jessie Reyez and George Stroumboulopoulos.

Priyanka and Tom Green

“We had Tony Hawk [and Kevin Stabb] on the show,” said Green. “We built a skateboard ramp that was sort of an incredible experience for me, being a skateboarder growing up. We had Dan Aykroyd on the show, a legendary entertainer, and it was just sort of an honour to have him come out to the farm.”

Really, all the guests surprised Green because they made the effort to show up in the middle of the wilderness.

“I think it really bleeds into the interviews and the show because people are having fun and excited to be out in nature and exploring the rural countryside,” he says.

Green has gained a few interview experiences through the years. He mentioned being a guest host for David Letterman on The Late Show, a guest host for Larry King and, of course, hosting The Tom Green Show, and he built a studio in his living room for a show called Webovision.

Green is happy with the completion of this current project, now that it’s all put together and ready to be unleashed into the world. A lot of work was put into it, as it’s been a labour of love.

“It’s almost like a cinematic film shoot type thing,” he says. “There are really a lot of technical aspects of it, and now that we have everybody to see life on the farm and all of our amazing guests that came out.”

The Tom Green Farmcast is also launching on iHeartRadio Canada the same day the series premieres, serving as a companion piece.

“If you want to watch the show in its entirety, you should watch it on Crave,” Green says. “But if you’re driving in your car and it comes on iHeartRadio, you can hear a great interview with Dan Aykroyd or one of our guests, and hopefully that’ll make you go get Crave. If you don’t have Crave already, watch the show because it’s a lot of fun.”

The Tom Green Farm debuts Friday on Crave. Following the debut, two episodes will be released every Friday.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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