From a media release:

Temple Street Productions and Family Channel announce start of principal photography on season 2 of The Next Step

Temple Street Productions Inc. (Temple Street) and Family Channel announced today that principal photography has begun on the second season of break out reality-style series, The Next Step. The serialized tween drama is created by Frank van Keeken, creator of the hit Temple Street series Wingin’ It, which also airs on Family Channel and Disney XD.

In addition to the 30 half-hour episodes on the channel, extra content will appear on Family.ca including, The Next Step Aftershow web series featuring exclusive character interviews and behind-the-scenes footage and commentary on the series’ storylines.

Season two of The Next Step follows the lives of an elite group of dancers at The Next Step Dance Studio as they attempt to win at the highest levels of competition. But it takes a lot more than proper technique to be successful; the A-Troupe needs to learn to work together and accept everyone for who they are, if they truly want to win as a team.

The Next Step stars: Victoria Baldesarra as Michelle; Alexandra Beaton as Emily; Brittany Raymond as Riley; Trevor Tordjman as James; Isaac Lupien as Eldon; Lamar Johnson as West; Brennan Clost as Daniel; Jennifer Pappas as Chloe; Bree Wasylenko as Miss Kate; Samantha Grecchi as Stephanie; Tamina Pollack-Paris as Tiffany; and So You Think You Can Dance Canada season four winner Jordan Clark as Giselle. A national casting search found new cast members Zac Vran, who plays Hunter, someone from Michelle’s past; and Taveeta Szymanowicz as Thalia, a new studio member.

The remaining episodes from season one will debut on Family Channel this fall, culminating with the epic competition taking place at the regional championship.

Commissioned by Family Channel, The Next Step is produced by Temple Street and is executive produced by Frank van Keeken (Wingin’ It, Kids in the Hall, Billable Hours), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Orphan Black, Being Erica, Wingin’ It). BBC Worldwide handles the international rights to the series. The Next Step is also produced with the financial assistance from The Shaw Rocket Fund.

From a media release:

W Network Announces New Series About Canada’s Figure Skating Sweethearts Tessa & Scott

Corus Entertainment’s W Network announced today that it is commissioning a new six-part series following Olympic Gold medal winners and Canadian sweethearts Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. To be produced by Media Headquarters in association with W Network with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, Tessa & Scott will go into production this summer and is scheduled to launch on January 2, 2014, leading up to the Sochi Olympic games.

Tessa & Scott (6×30) will go beyond closed doors and into the day-to-day lives of Canada’s irresistible duo. The series will follow the figure skating superstars on their quest for a second Olympic gold medal at the 2014 Winter Games in Russia and give audiences a window into the dramatic world of competitive ice dancing. In the face of fierce competition and pressure, Tessa and Scott will have to fight their way to the top of the podium while staying in sync with each other.

The series will also capture Tessa and Scott’s unique personal relationship. Partners since primary school, their intimate connection on the ice has inspired millions of fans. Interest in their close friendship follows them everywhere. Whether undergoing intense training, travelling to competitions around the world, or just trying to live the lives of 20-something year olds, audiences will be drawn inside the roller-coaster adventures of Tessa and Scott.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir caught the World’s attention in 2006 when they became the first Canadian Ice Dancers to win the Junior World Championships. Since then, the pair has consistently placed among the top of the pack at International competitions, including a gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Games and gold at the 2010 and 2012 World Figure Skating Championships. Virtue and Moir are also four-time Canadian National Champions, winning in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. At the 2009 Skate Canada, the pair received the first 10.0 awarded in dance in international competition. The pair have skated together since 1997, and are known for their intricate footwork and innovative lifts.

From a media release:

Pyramid Productions’ Sizzling New Food series Set to Premiere on CMT August 12

Let the battle for the best burgers, tacos and pizza begin! CMT (Canada) is launching a new fun-filled food series featuring three scrumptious specialties that will each be showcased for an entire month. Tune in your taste buds for Burger Wars in August, Taco Wars in September and Pizza Wars in October.

In this unique three-part series Comedian Cris Nannarone hosts a quest to discover the best burgers, tacos and pizza across North America. Scouring five-star restaurants, diners, food trucks and everything in between, Nannarone gets up close and personal with three chefs in every episode to learn the secrets of their specialties. He also meets a cast of colourful locals to get opinion and insight into their local favourites. In the end, the three contenders will go head to head when a group of local judges taste test each entry in a final showdown to crown a winner.

With stops in Los Angeles, Toronto, Chicago, Vancouver, Calgary, Banff, Phoenix and Las Vegas, this battle for food supremacy puts Nannarone and the chefs to the test.

“It’s a dream job,” says Nannarone. “I mean, think about it. I get to eat my way across the continent.”

CMT Canada premieres Burger Wars on Monday, August 12 at 7 p.m. ET and don’t miss Taco Wars on Monday, September 9 at 7 p.m. ET and Pizza Wars beginning Monday, October 14 at 7 p.m.

From a media release:

POP QUIZ pits contestants against one another in rapid succession. In each episode, 10 contestants positioned in a circle begin the challenge by answering random, pop culture questions. A wrong answer leads to elimination, while each round of questions becomes increasingly difficult – and increasingly hilarious. Each show, contestants compete against one another, themselves and the clock to win prizes – with stakes getting higher, games getting faster and prizes getting more exclusive as the match rolls on – until the day’s Pop Quiz Winner is crowned.

Tickets for POP QUIZ are currently available for the following dates:

Wednesday, July 17th 9:00AM
Wednesday, July 17th 1:30PM

If you are interested in attending a taping of POP QUIZ, please contact us at: popquizaudience@pixcom.com

Please include the following information in your ticket request:

First Name:
Last Name:
Email Address:
Number of Tickets Requested:

POP QUIZ is filmed at SHOWLINE STUDIOS, 915 Lake Shore Blvd E Toronto, ON M4M 3L5.

From Bill Brownstein of the Montreal Gazette:

Just for Laughs: Shaun Majumder shows off diverse talents
Now, just because Majumder is a comedian, he fully understands how some might view Majumder Manor as somewhat akin to Fawlty Towers, the classic BBC-TV sitcom penned by and featuring John Cleese. In fact, his efforts are being chronicled in the documentary TV series Majumder Manor on W. Continue reading.