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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

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

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

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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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

A story of perseverance in life and adaptive sport, We Were Broncos debuts May 26 on AMI-tv and AMI+

From a media release:

It was the story that rocked a community, a country and the world. The tragic bus crash on April 6, 2018, in Saskatchewan that killed 16 and injured 13 members of the Humboldt Broncos junior ice hockey team forever changed the lives of those involved.

Ryan Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down in the crash, stars in the upcoming AMI docuseries We Were Broncos, debuting Monday, May 26, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

As an athlete, Ryan Straschnitzki wanted to be a professional hockey player. But after the crash, he had to adapt to a new athletic goal of becoming a wheelchair basketball player while completely changing his lifestyle.

“We Were Broncos is about perseverance in life and adaptive sport,” says Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production at AMI. “We sincerely thank Ryan, his family, and Prairie Cat Productions for allowing us to tell this story.”

Watch the teaser trailer. 

In the debut episode, “Moving Beyond Tragedy,” Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki tries to narrow down which parasport will give him his best chance at making Team Canada for the Paralympics. He ultimately chooses wheelchair basketball after he is cut by the national sledge hockey team.

Future instalments of the six-part series follow Ryan as he experiences the frustrations of learning a new sport, attends a Calgary Flames tribute game for the late NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and revisits Humboldt, Saskatchewan, for the first time since the crash.

Season 1 of We Were Broncos debuts Monday, May 26, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and can be streamed on demand for free on AMI+.

About Prairie Cat Productions
Prairie Cat Productions is a Canadian Screen Award-nominated production company based in Regina, Saskatchewan. Our projects vary greatly in genre and scope, ranging from scripted films to documentaries and promotional videos. We love to focus on telling stories that celebrate life on the Canadian prairies and have worked with Telefilm Canada, CBC, the Accessibility Network, SK Arts, Canada Council for the Arts, SGI, the Regina Police Service, and more.

About Accessible Media Inc.
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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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

He’s back! AMI’s Dave Brown returns with a brand-new series, Game Changers, debuting May 15 on AMI-tv and AMI+

From a media release:

Dave Brown is back! Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), in partnership with FRANK Digital, is thrilled to announce the debut of the 16-episode Game Changers, Thursday, May 15, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

Each episode of Game Changers finds Dave in his element, visiting stunning locales while spending the day chatting with notable Canadians.

Guests joining Dave in Season 1 include wheelchair basketball star Tara Llanes, sportswear designer Lucy Wild, The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, award-winning music producer/recording artist Mattmac, PGA golfer Kyle Miller, playwright Ashley King, actor Bruce Horak and punk rock icon Bif Naked.

“Dave has a genuine curiosity about how others view the world,” says John Melville, Vice-President of Content Development and Operations, AMI-tv and AMI-audio. “His engagement with his interview subjects is second-to-none. We invite Canadians to join Dave and his guests as the third chair in their engaging conversation.”

“It’s important to have meaningful conversations with people who want to make a difference,” host Dave Brown says. “These are people putting words into action. It’s a privilege to learn about them and give them a platform to share their perspective. It’s an added bonus that I’ve been able to make my way across the country to have these conversations.”

The first five episodes of Game Changers include:

Tara Llanes – Thursday, May 15, at 9 p.m. Eastern
Dave Brown shoots hoops with Tara Llanes, former pro mountain biker turned wheelchair basketball star. Along the way, Tara shares her journey of resilience, reinvention and athletic excellence.

Maggie Manning – Thursday, May 22, at 9 p.m. Eastern
Dave Brown sits down with para hockey goaltender Maggie Manning to hear her story of sport, advocacy and resilience. Then it’s game on as Dave hits the ice to see if he can score on Maggie!

Lucy Wild – Thursday, May 29, at 9 p.m. Eastern
Dave Brown hits the slopes with technical sportswear designer Lucy Wild to talk innovation, inclusion and high-performance gear. From Paralympic design to skiing in Whistler, this episode is all about pushing limits in style.

Jaimie Borisoff – Thursday, June 5, at 9 p.m. Eastern
Dave Brown chats with Paralympic champion and rehab engineer Jaimie Borisoff about innovation, mobility and life after elite sport. Then the pair explore the future of accessibility tech, including a playful encounter with the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s robotic dog, MACO!

Carla Qualtrough – Thursday, June 12, at 9 p.m. Eastern
Dave Brown meets Member of Parliament Carla Qualtrough—Paralympian and trailblazing politician—to talk sports, leadership and disability advocacy. Then Dave takes on a new challenge: learning to walk with a guide dog!

Game Changers airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream episodes anytime, for free, on AMI+.

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