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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Talk show host Dini Petty is back on network TV with Trailblazing Talks

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From a media release:

Legendary and award-winning Canadian broadcaster Dini Petty is making a surprising return to network television with Trailblazing Talks. The one-hour special will launch nationally on The News Forum in the Summer of 2025. Trailblazing Talks, created by filmmaker Kate Campbell, has officially completed production and is poised to inspire audiences with its powerful and timely conversations.

In the one-hour special Trailblazing Talks, Dini Petty is back for another candid conversation with Canadian Senator, former rower and three-time Olympian gold-medalist, Marnie McBean, alongside actor, award-winning producer and Reelworld Screen Institute, Founder & Executive Director, Tonya Williams. Petty will also share highlights of memorable moments from her original interviews with both guests, who first appeared on The Dini Petty Show.

“My first television appearance was at age 12. It was not a good beginning, and I swore I’d never go into the business, but fate had other plans,” says Dini Petty. “Now, 68 years later, at age 80, I’m back!”

“The time is now for a new kind of conversation, one that honours the women who’ve shaped our world,” said Executive Producer Kate Campbell. “I created this one-hour special to celebrate broadcast icon Dini Petty’s powerful return to television at 80, alongside two remarkable trailblazers from her past.”

“Dini Petty is truly a force of nature,” said Executive Producer Ken MacDonald. “It’s such a joy to see her back in front of the cameras where she rightfully belongs. We are honoured that she has chosen to step back into the spotlight to host this exciting new program.”

Petty is back doing what she does best: leading powerful, engaging conversations with trailblazing women from across industries, spotlighting stories of reinvention, leadership, resilience and aging with purpose. With her signature wit, warmth and unmatched interviewing style, Petty brings a fresh yet familiar energy to the Trailblazing Talks special. A pioneer in Canadian television, Petty’s journalism career has earned her six CanPro Awards, four Gemini nominations, and the prestigious NATPE International Iris Award.

Created by Kate Campbell, who also serves as Showrunner and Executive Producer, Trailblazing Talks is helmed alongside award-winning Executive Producer Ken MacDonald, former Vice-President and General Manager of Discovery Channel Canada. Marina Cordoni of Marina Cordoni Entertainment (MCE) and Dini Petty also Executive Produce. Former broadcaster and commissioner at CRTC Martha Wilson joins as Consulting Producer.

About The News Forum
The News Forum is a Canadian national television network that values integrity, balance, and the inclusion of multiple voices. Privately owned by Canadian shareholders, the network delivers programming that aims to empower viewers with diverse perspectives and support a robust Canadian democracy. Learn more at www.thenewsforum.ca.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Learn more about the unique relationships between children and service animals on AMI’s Collar of Duty Kids, debuting June 23 on AMI-tv and AMI+

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From a media release:

Dogs are said to be human’s best friend, but what about pigs, horses, turkeys and snakes? Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), in partnership with Summerhill Media Inc. and in association with Fifth Ground Entertainment, is excited to announce the debut of the eight-episode Collar of Duty Kids, Monday, June 23, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

A spinoff of the successful original series Collar of Duty, Collar of Duty Kids takes young viewers into the lives of amazing children who have been matched with extraordinary service animals. 

Whether it’s a therapy horse helping a 13-year-old boy with Down Syndrome to find his voice, emotional support chickens acting as a cheery distraction for a young girl with Type 1 diabetes, or a service dog teaming up with a young girl with a limb difference, this series immerses viewers into the world of children and the animals that assist them.

“This inclusive, fun and touching documentary series is all about the powerful pairings between children and animals, as well as the life adventures they experience together,” says Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production at AMI. “We know our young viewers and their families will love learning these stories.”

“Animals are making our world more accessible for kids, and the impact is both profound and undeniable. It is also needed,” says Laura Lillie, series creator and executive producer, Summerhill Media Inc. “This first all-kids season is as playful as it is educational. Get ready for the best season yet.”

Companies featured in Season 1 of Collar of Duty Kids include PetSmart, SARI Therapeutic Riding, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, CNIB, Horse Discovery, Dancing Goat Therapy Farm, Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, Partners with Paws, CHEO and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

The first three episodes of Collar of Duty Kids include:

Puppy Bath Time – Monday, June 23, at 8 p.m. Eastern
A horse named Ace helps a 13-year-old boy with Down Syndrome find his voice. Meanwhile, it’s bath time for future dog guide puppies, and things go swimmingly when service dog Atlas teams up with a young girl with a limb difference.

Foster Puppy Pick Up – Monday, June 30, at 8 p.m. Eastern
Therapy horses Shaemus and Soleil join 17-year-old Sam as they take new steps forward on a snowy trail. It’s puppy pick up day and time for eight-week-old puppy Eloise to head home with her foster family, and study buddies Lucy and service dog Elwood are crushing their first year of campus life together.

Learning with Horses – Monday, July 7, at 8 p.m. Eastern 
A chattering of emotional support chickens is a cheery distraction for a young girl with Type 1 diabetes. Meanwhile, children are learning and feeling with horses at Horse Discovery, and William takes on his first solo musical performance with service dog Wander by his side.

Collar of Duty Kids airs Mondays at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream episodes anytime, for free, on AMI+.

About Summerhill Media Inc.
While our goal is pure entertainment, our passion is connection through story. Inspired by subtext and the sublime, we are on a mission to tell life-affirming stories, in both unscripted and scripted original programs. Our flexible and caring approach allows us to continue to work and play in an ever-evolving marketplace. Our series and award-winning docs have appeared in every major market around the world.

About Fifth Ground Entertainment
The Fifth Ground Entertainment (FGE) team brings stories to life on every screen — from factual and documentary to scripted to branded content. Toronto-based FGE is known for its award-winning television including scripted comedy series Rent-A-Goalie (Showcase, 22 industry awards noms), music documentary series The Rawside Of… (IFC, 2 Gemini noms), and critically lauded documentary series Reelside (TMN/Crave, 2 Canadian Screen Awards noms — best doc series and best directing). FGE produced kids’ science adventure series Leo’s FishHeads and Leo’s Pollinators (nominated for a Best Children’s Non-fiction CSA) for TVOkids, with Secrets of the Forest on air now and The Screen Team in production. Cloudy and The Booligans are in development. Additionally, FGE produces digital and branded content including collaborations with Spin Master, Deloitte, BlackBerry, Yahoo! and the NHLPA. FGE is also heavily involved in documentary production with a social conscience.

About AMI
AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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Adapting, Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Big Time Decent Productions announces greenlights, partners with AMI on new and returning slate of originals

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From a media release:

Vancouver-based production company Big Time Decent Productions has announced greenlights on a slate of scripted and unscripted content for AMI. Marking the production company’s first scripted series, Adapting (6×30) is a bold new dramedy about navigating high school love while living with cerebral palsy. Underdog Inc. (8×60), a docuseries that follows Dale Kristensen (Backroad Truckers, pictured above), a little person navigating life in a small mountain town in the interior of British Columbia, has been renewed for a second season.

“Building on our successful foundation in unscripted television, we are excited to announce our first scripted series, Adapting,” said Matthew Shewchuk, Founder and Head of Production, Big Time Decent Productions. “We’re especially thrilled to be working with our partners at AMI on this bold new series and to start production on Season 2 of Underdog Inc.”

Between small town scandals, messy love triangles, and a whole lot of bad decisions, Adapting takes a heartwarming and raw look at disability, adolescence, and the minefield of family dynamics—dysfunction and all. Based on the concept by father-daughter writing duo Rachael Ransom and Garner Ransom, the series is inspired by Rachael’s real-life experiences with cerebral palsy, offering a long-overdue, unfiltered look at disability. Executive producers include Matthew Shewchuk, René Brar, Juliana Wimbles, Eve Zhou, and Jeff Kinnon. Bread & Better Films, Big Time Decent’s scripted division, will begin production in the Winter of 2025 throughout the Lower Mainland.

“Adapting brings a perspective we rarely see on screen—it’s sharp, funny, and rooted in lived experience. We’re proud to be producing homegrown content with global ambitions. Canadian stories can travel—and this one’s built to,” said René Brar, Head of Development, Big Time Decent Productions.

Following little person Dale Kristensen as he juggles fatherhood and runs a trucking business on the treacherous backroads of Western Canada, Season 2 of Underdog Inc. will be in production throughout the interior of BC this summer. Season 1 will premiere Friday, July 11th at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on AMI-tv and AMI+.

“Season 1 of Underdog Inc. will strike a real chord with audiences—Dale’s story is equal parts raw, inspiring, and wildly entertaining. We’re excited to dive back into his world for Season 2, where the stakes are higher, the roads are rougher, and Dale’s just getting started,” said Jeff Kinnon, VP of Factual, Big Time Decent Productions.

“AMI is thrilled to partner with Big Time Decent again on Season 2 of Underdog Inc., as well as our groundbreaking new upcoming series, Adapting. Not only are these shows entertaining but they are unlike anything else on Canadian screens thanks to the exceptional talent and creativity of these producers. These are two series you won’t want to miss!” said Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production, AMI.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Big names & fresh faces headline Rogers Sports & Media’s Canadian originals slate for HGTV and Food Network

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From a media release:

Building on its $7 billion investment in Canadian content over the last decade, Rogers today announced its new slate of Canadian made original programming for specialty networks HGTV and Food Network.  

“We are proud to collaborate with an incredible group of Canadian production partners and personalities to bring nearly 120 hours of original unscripted programming with both big household names and new voices,” said Kale Stockwell, Director of Original Programming, Rogers Sports & Media, ahead of its Upfront tomorrow. “Whether it’s home renos, visually stunning culinary creations or inspiring home design, this robust and competitive slate builds on the foundation of what makes HGTV and Food Network so popular with viewers and offers unique opportunities for advertisers.”

Premiering across Food Network, HGTV, and Citytv+ starting in fall 2025, new titles include Andy’s East Coast Kitchen Crawl, Bake Master Battle, Come Dine with Me Canada, David Rocco’s Eating Dirty, The County featuring Sarah Keenleyside, Small Town Escapes with Colin & Justin, plus a new project with Sarah Richardson with details to be announced in the coming months.

Rogers Sports & Media will work with ‘Property Brothers’ Drew and Jonathan Scott and their production company, Scott Brothers Entertainment, on an all-new show. The home reno and real estate powerhouse duo will star in new HGTV series Property Brothers: Commitment Issues (working title), set to premiere in 2026.

“As Vancouver natives, Canada has a special place in our hearts and we always strive to make sure that our shows are available to Canadian audiences,” said Drew & Jonathan Scott. “It’s exciting to work with Rogers to expand our offerings in this market and we think audiences are really going to love some of the new content we have coming up, including the new series Property Brothers: Commitment Issues, in which we’ll help hesitant home buyers commit to a home purchase by transforming it into their dream space.”

“Drew and Jonathan Scott are superstars in lifestyle television and have this tremendous capacity to deeply engage and inspire audiences with their relatable presence and trusted expertise,” said Stockwell. “We’re excited to bring more Property Brothers to Canadians next year with their new HGTV series.”

Rounding out the competitive slate of new Canadian originals is Home Town Takeover Canada, featuring beloved home reno and design couple, Ben and Erin Napier, and a yet to be named Canadian talent. In keeping with the same format as the hugely successful HGTV U.S. hit, the new series will give love to a hometown somewhere in Canada, breathing new life into the selected community. Location, host, and broadcast details to be announced in the coming months.  

Show details are as follows:

HGTV 

Home Town Takeover Canada 
(8 x 60 / RTR Media / in production 2026)
This emotional, empowering and entertaining series is based on the U.S. hit of the same name. “Home Town Takeover Canada” follows a complete small-town revitalization that transforms homes, businesses and public spaces.

Property Brothers: Commitment Issues (working title)
(14 x 60 / Scott Brothers Entertainment, Warner Bros. Discovery / in production summer and fall 2025) 
In this new one-hour format, HGTV fan-favourite duo Drew and Jonathan Scott help homeowners make confident, informed decisions when purchasing their dream home. Once they help the homeowners buy their dream house, they lead the renovation process to transform it into their forever space.  

Small Town Escapes with Colin & Justin
(20 x 30 / Ocean Entertainment / in production summer and fall 2025)
Dynamic design duo Colin and Justin moved from the big city to small town bliss in Nova Scotia five years ago, and it transformed their lives. Now, in this fresh three-house format, they are making dreams come true for homebuyers looking to escape to a small town and purchase their own piece of paradise.

The Emily Michelle Project 
(8 x 60 / Scott Brothers Entertainment / in production summer 2025) 
A refreshing take on home transformations, where interior designer Emily Michelle steps in to help homeowners achieve their dream homes without breaking the bank. Join Emily Michelle in her world of bargain hunting, thrifting and DIYs to celebrate the big changes you can make with the right vision and expertise. 

The County 
(10 x 60 / RTR Media / in production summer 2025) 
Beloved HGTV Canada star and designer Sarah Keenleyside uprooted her family from Toronto to Prince Edward County, Ontario to build her home and design business from scratch. She’s designing small-town dreams with big charm for herself and others in this new docu-series format.    

Top of the Block 
(40 x 30 / Scott Brothers Entertainment / in production summer 2025) 
This brand-new real estate series sees homeowners competing to prove their house is the best on the block. Each episode will feature seasoned experts who evaluate the homes based on design, creativity, and investment impact, ultimately crowning the Top of the Block winner! Top of the Block is distributed by Cineflix Rights.

Food Network 

Andy’s East Coast Kitchen Crawl  
(12 x 30 / Proper Television / in production summer 2025) 
Join chef and social media star Andy Hay (MasterChef Canada finalist) as he explores the essence of East Coast cooking – one kitchen at a time. From lobster boats to clam shacks to farms and five-star establishments, Andy gathers inspiration to bring home to his Halifax kitchen where he’ll create family-friendly recipes to share.

Bake Master Battle  
(8 x 60 / in production August 2025) 
Tis’ the season for baking! Canadian television personality Dina Pugliese takes the reins as host of Bake Master Battle, a high-stakes bake-off with three teams of elite bakers competing and showcasing their confectionary mastery in a series of thrilling and festive challenges anchored to seasonal themes (Halloween, Holidays, Spring). Joining Pugliese as head judge is hyper-realistic baker extraordinaire, April Julian (Netflix’s Is It Cake?).  

Come Dine With Me Canada  
(60 x 30 / Blink49 Studios / in production summer 2025) 
Five amateur chefs host dinner parties in their homes, showcasing culinary skills to impress their fellow contestants. Each night, the chefs rate the dishes, and the highest score at week’s end wins a cash prize. Let the competition begin! Come Dine With Me Canada is based on the format by ITV Studios.

David Rocco’s Eating Dirty 
(13 x 30 / Rockhead Entertainment / in post-production)
Join celebrity chef David Rocco as he sets off on a fearless food-fueled journey through Italy’s vibrant cities, charming towns, and seaside villages. From the colorful chaos of Naples to the hidden corners of Florence and the sun-soaked streets of Sicily, David follows his appetite. Each episode is a celebration of bold flavors, rich culture, and unapologetic indulgence. David Rocco’s Eating Dirty isn’t just a food show – it isn’t just a travel show – it’s a full-throttle celebration of culture, chaos, and the raw, unapologetic joy of eating dirty.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Corus Entertainment delivers a red-carpet 2025/2026 lineup across its specialty portfolio

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From a media release:

Home Network

Following the record-breaking success of Island of Bryan, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler expand their journey with the new series, Building Baeumler. This fall, viewers will see an up-close-and-intimate look at the Bauemlers’ lives as the couple juggle personal and commercial renovations in the Bahamas, Florida Keys, and Georgian Bay.

Two new Canadian faces join the Home Network lineup this fall: designer Natalie Chong with Rentovation and self-taught DIYer Kristen Coutts in Beer Budget Reno. Both series provide unique solutions to elevate and personalize a space: either for renters who want forever-home designs or for people wanting budget-friendly transformations. These series will resonate with viewers looking for aspiration as well as affordability.

Home Network continues to feature the best in Canadian lifestyle programming into next year, with the series premiere of Life is Messy. From Scott Brothers Entertainment, designer/realtor Kortney Wilson and contractor Kenny Brain help overwhelmed homeowners tackle the most chaotic households in this heartwarming new series. Then, fan-favourites House of Ali and Rock Solid Builds return for brand new seasons.

Flavour Network

Serving up a festive feast this fall are new Canadian Original series Halloween Bakeshop and Holiday Bakeshop, hosted by Canadian actress and comedian Lauren Ash, with celebrated chefs Jordan Andino and Kareem “Mr. Bake” Queeman as the series expert judges. Plus, Top Chef Canada returns for a remarkable Season 12, promising to showcase the best in Canadian cuisine and talent. Chef, cookbook author, and longtime series host, Eden Grinsphan returns as host, alongside the esteemed panel of returning judges: Chef, fermenter and author David Zilber, powerhouse restaurateur Janet Zuccarini, chef and owner of The McEwan Group, Mark McEwan, and content creator and global food expert Mijune Pak.

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