Everything about Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, eh?

From a media release:

The weather may be cooling off, but the AMI-tv schedule is heating up! Today, AMI-tv unveils new and returning original series to entertain and inform Canadians of all abilities in the coming months.

It all begins with the Season 10 return of Our Community; followed by the debut of Desert Racers, starring Bruce Cook (By Hook or By Cook); the Season 2 return of Game Changers, hosted by Dave Brown; and Season 2 of Got Game.

Highlights of AMI-tv’s upcoming fall programming include:

September

Our Community returns Thursday, September 4, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern to AMI-tv and AMI+
Celebrating its 10^th season on AMI-tv, the Golden Sheaf Award-nominated Our Community highlights the people, places and organizations that have made life more enjoyable for Canadians with a disability. Organizations featured in the 12-episode 10^th season include Vancouver’s All Bodies Dance Project, Ontario’s WindReach Farm and Saskatchewan’s Prairie Branches.

Desert Racers debuts Friday, September 19, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv
Bruce Cook, the star of AMI’s IndieFEST award-winning By Hook or By Cook, is back with the brand-new six-episode series Desert Racers, exclusively on AMI-tv! Jimmy Diaz, a small-town Baja dreamer, teams up with Bruce Cook, a daredevil who is paraplegic, to take on the most grueling off-road race in the world: The Baja 1000. Desert Racers is produced by Render Digital Media.

October

Game Changers returns Thursday, October 2, at 9 p.m. Eastern to AMI-tv and AMI+
Dave Brownis back for Season 2!Each episode of Game Changers finds Dave Brown in his element, visiting stunning locales while spending the day chatting with notable Canadians. Upcoming guests in the 20-episode season include Mary Walsh (This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Olympic gold medal-winning hockey goaltender Sami Jo Small, comedian Courtney Gilmour, Barenaked Ladies’ Kevin Hearn, hockey analyst and Internet personality Steve Dangle, Gavin Crawford (Because News) and professional race car driver Marie-Soleil Labelle. Game Changers is produced by FRANK Digital.

November

Got Game returns Wednesday, November 26, at 9 p.m. Eastern to AMI-tv and AMI+
Hosted by Joshua Ang (pictured with the cast above), the six-episode second season of Got Game explores coming-of-age in a board game café as six youths with disabilities share their stories in a round table discussion while playing inclusive tabletop games. Got Game provides an outlet for youth with disabilities to share their feelings, frustrations, triumphs, ambitions and general outlook on life with a disability. But it’s not about defining these individuals by their disability; it’s about recognizing the individualism of these youth aside from their disability. Got Game is produced by Mountain Road Productions.

All AMI-tv originals are available post-broadcast on demand at AMI+.

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Tiny Adventures, Big Lessons: Old Enough! returns to TVO for Season 2

September 3, 2025 Greg David

From a media release:

TVO today revealed that Old Enough! (6 x 30) is back for a second season. The series, which follows Canadian kids, ages 3-6, as they take on real-world adventures, will premiere in Canada on TVO on Sunday, September 28.

Following the smash success of the series’ first season, Canadian comic and improv legend, Colin Mochrie (Whose Line is it Anyway?) will return as the series narrator for season 2. Mochrie’s voice once again will guide viewers through heartwarming adventures, as a new group of kids take on even more exciting challenges.

From smoothie runs to clothing shopping, everyday tasks become extraordinary adventures when tackled by newly empowered kids who have just experienced their first taste of independence. Each episode offers a glimpse into how families nurture independence, while a dedicated safety team ensures the kids are supported every step of the way.

“The response to Old Enough! has been heartening,” says Natasha Negrea, Head of Programming at TVO. “This is a truly special show and we are excited to bring viewers even more stories showing how everyday experiences can build confidence, resilience, and life skills in young children. Old Enough! is a wonderful example of how the power of storytelling can support learning at every age.”

“We’re thrilled that TVO has brought Old Enough! back for its second season,” says Matthew Hornburg, Co-President, Blue Ant Studios. “The success of this series in Canada is a testament to how well the hit Japanese format travels, and we can’t wait to bring even more heartwarming content to Canadian homes.”

Old Enough! is based on Nippon TV’s hit Japanese format of the same name. The TVO Original series, Old Enough! is a Blue Ant Studios production and the first North American format of the show. Executive Producers for Blue Ant Studios are Matthew Hornburg, Mark Bishop and Donna Luke. Mitch Burman serves as Series Producer and Eva Filomena serves as Senior Producer.

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

‘Yukon Harvest’ Season 3 Premieres Sept. 4 with Powerful New Stories of Land, Culture, and Community

August 5, 2025 Greg David

From a media release:

Access a world few get to see on season 3 of Yukon Harvest (13 x 30′), which follows the lives of several Indigenous hunting guides as they help Indigenous women and men, aged eight to 80, reconnect with land, culture, and community in ruggedly beautiful parts of western Canada, many accessible only by float plane. With new participants and communities featured, this season spotlights stories of personal growth, community involvement, cultural resilience, and the traditional practice of harvesting food that nourishes entire communities – both physically and spiritually. Produced by Rogue River Films, season 3 of Yukon Harvest premieres on APTN on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 10:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. MT / 7:30 p.m. PT. All episodes stream on APTN lumi starting Sept. 4, the same day as the broadcast premiere. The Northern Tutchone version of the show is expected to premiere on APTN Languages in winter 2026.

“Hunting provides not only food for many in need in Indigenous communities, but also allows Indigenous peoples to reconnect with tradition and culture,” says Todd Forsbloom, Métis producer, director, and co-founder, Rogue River Films. “We shot the series cinema verite style to give as true to life experience as possible to viewers. The result is a unique series that blends hunting with the cinematic beauty of land and emotional stories of personal growth and tradition.”

“We can’t wait for viewers to experience this new season of Yukon Harvest. It’s full of warmth, heart, and adventure, but it also reveals the vital relationship between Indigenous communities and the land. The profound practice of sharing food with community, at the core of the show, resonates with everyone, no matter where you come from,” says Adam Garnet Jones, APTN’s Director of TV Content and Special Events.

Each episode of Yukon Harvest follows Yukon hunting guides taking participants into the northern wilds as well as the lands of their home communities across Turtle Island. The stories focus not only on harvesting food, but also on how the guides help their communities by teaching youth in the community or passing down traditional knowledge. With hunting guides from nations including the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun, Selkirk First Nation, Secwepemc Nation, Gwich’in, Bloodvein First Nation, Cree, Teslin Tlingit Council, Métis Nation, and Siksika Nation, the series captures many personal journeys – from that of seasoned hunters to young people reclaiming traditions to newcomers drawn to the land’s teachings. This season also goes inside the guides’ personal lives as they deal with issues of grief, marriage, relationships, and more. This season was shot not only in the Yukon, but also the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

The first two episodes include:

Episode 1 – New Connections, Part 1
A Gwich’in hunting guide invites his teenage nephew fishing in the Northwest Territories.

Episode 2 – New Connections, Part 2
Gwich’in hunting guide Derek takes his nephew deer hunting to provide for a community elder.

A Rogue River Films original production, Yukon Harvest is executive produced by Jim Shockey and co-developed and co-produced by Todd Forsbloom and Erik Virtanen. Forsbloom also acts as the series director of photography, director, and musical composer. Annette Carter-Harris and Dallas Harris are associate producers. Yukon Harvest is made with the financial participation of the Canadian Media Fund.

Follow Rogue River Films for Yukon Harvest information on Instagram and YouTube.

ABOUT ROGUE RIVER FILMS
Rogue River Films is an award-winning, Vancouver Island based Indigenous production company co-owned and operated by Métis filmmaker Todd Forsbloom and outdoor writer, adventurer, wildlife photographer / videographer, and executive producer Jim Shockey. The company specializes in inspiring, cinematic outdoor adventure content that celebrates Indigenous lives and culture and the great outdoors. Recent credits include Yukon Harvest on APTN, the APTN docuseries Coastal Carvings, and the feature length TELUS Original documentary Northern Stars. For updates on new projects and behind-the-scenes content, follow Rogue River Films on Instagram and YouTube.

ABOUT APTN
APTN launched in 1999 as the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world. Since then, the network has become a global leader in programming that celebrates the rich diversity of Indigenous Peoples at home and abroad. A respected charitable media company, APTN inspires audiences and shares authentic stories via three platforms: APTN (English and French channel), APTN Languages (Indigenous language channel) and APTN lumi (streaming service). APTN proudly features over 80% Canadian content on all three platforms.

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Indigenous art takes the spotlight in the new docuseries ‘Coastal Carvings,’ premiering Aug. 25 on APTN lumi

July 29, 2025 Greg David

From a media release:

Get an exclusive look inside the award-winning Indigenous fine art gallery Coastal Carvings and see the day-to-day lives and moving personal stories of several exceptional Indigenous artists – each dedicated to the unified passion of keeping culture and tradition alive through art – in the new docuseries Coastal Carvings (13 x 30′). Produced by Rogue River Films, Coastal Carvings premieres on APTN lumi starting Aug. 25. The series has its broadcast premiere on Monday, Sept. 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. MT / 5:30 p.m. PT, with a new episode airing every week. The Blackfoot version of Coastal Carvings premieres Sept. 1 on APTN Languages at 9:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. MT / 6:00 p.m. PT. All episodes (English and Blackfoot) stream for free on APTN lumi starting Aug. 25.

“Art tells the story of Indigenous culture in ways that language often cannot,” says Todd Forsbloom, Métis producer, director, and co-founder, Rogue River Films. “We are happy to be able to share these artists’ traditional knowledge, exceptional crafts, and moving stories through the medium we specialize in – television.”

“Anyone who has ever tried to build something for the first time, or make their creative vision come to life, will love this series. It’s incredibly satisfying to ride along with these hilarious, passionate, and resourceful artists as they pull back the curtain on what it takes to create a masterpiece,” says Adam Garnet Jones, APTN’s Director of TV Content and Special Events.

Métis brothers Jeremy and Jerett Humpherville work together at the Coastal Carvings Fine Art Gallery in Coombs, BC, which is renowned around the world for its breathtaking contemporary and historic Indigenous art. The new docuseries of the same name tells the story of how the brothers, who sometimes butt heads, bring big ideas to life by teaming up with other traditionally-trained Indigenous artists across multiple different backgrounds and mediums who are dedicated to their craft and culture. Each episode focuses on different personal stories and inspiring art pieces – from delicate works to public commissions and entire home renovations that require heavy machinery – and the obstacles they must overcome to realize each expertly crafted work of art. For the team, no project is too big and no dream is too far out of reach. Nature inspires much of the artwork – and the series also showcases the beauty of Canada’s West Coast.

The first two episodes include:

Episode 1 – Welcome to Coastal Carvings
At Coastal Carvings, brothers Jeremy and Jerett take on a new bedroom set commission. Meanwhile, Jeremy mentors up-and-coming artist Levi, and his own daughter, Thea.

Episode 2 – Everything Taking Shape
It’s back to the drawing board for Jeremy when a request for a redesign on the custom bedroom set comes in. Meanwhile, on the Sunshine Coast, Levi collaborates artistically with family and community members.

Featured artists work across several mediums – from wood to metal to beads – and include gallery owners Jeremy and Jerett Humpherville (Coombs, BC), artist Lisa Shepherd (Lower Mainland, BC), cedar weaver Shy Watters (Sunshine Coast, BC), carver Derek Georgeson (Sunshine Coast, BC), artist Kaija Heitland (Cowichan Bay, BC), jewelry designer Jordan Syberg (Pincher Creek, AB), aspiring artist Thea Humpherville (Coombs, BC), woodshop assistant Jacob Holgate (Coombs, BC), and artist in training Levi Purjue (Sunshine Coast, BC).

Founded in 2004 by Jeremy Humpherville and his wife Darlene Humpherville, the fine art gallery Coastal Carvings specializes in fine art and custom home designs. As an Indigenous art gallery, it features a diverse collection of traditional and contemporary works by Indigenous artists from across Canada, including the Haida, Tsimshian, Salish, Ojibway, Cree, Nuu-chah-nulth, Métis, and Inuit Nations. The gallery also showcases select pieces from other accomplished West Coast artists.

A Rogue River Films original production, Coastal Carvings is executive produced by Jim Shockey and co-created and co-produced by Todd Forsbloom and Erik Virtanen. Virtanen also acts as writer along with Natalie Glubb. The series is narrated by Patsy Tuba. Coastal Carvings is made with the financial participation of the Canadian Media Fund.

Follow Rogue River Films for Coastal Carvings information on Instagram and YouTube. Follow the Coastal Carvings Fine Art Gallery directly on Facebook.

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, Underdog Inc.

Taking on jobs built for giants, Little Person Dale Kristensen stars in AMI’s new docuseries Underdog Inc., debuting July 11 on AMI-tv and AMI+

June 26, 2025 Greg David

From a media release:

Following Dale Kristensen, a Little Person navigating life in a small mountain town in the interior of British Columbia, AMI, in partnership with Big Time Decent Productions (Rust Valley Restorers), is thrilled to announce the debut of Underdog Inc., Friday, July 11, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

Underdog Inc. is an adrenaline-fueled 8×60 docuseries following Dale Kristensen—heavy-machinery operator, truck driver and mechanic—who stands just four-foot-two but takes on jobs built for giants.

Navigating the brutal terrain and unforgiving weather of the Western Canadian mountains, Dale battles blizzards, breakdowns and backbreaking labour to prove that skill and determination matter more than size. From wrangling livestock on his dad’s farm, to high-risk hot-shot deliveries and near impossible backroad recoveries, Dale proves that no job is too big or too small.

Born with dwarfism, Dale has never let his disability define him. This resilience and dogged determination are qualities he is passing onto his seven-year-old son, Cooper, who is also a Little Person. Living in a world that is not designed for them, Dale is forced to adapt in every aspect of life. From grocery shopping and cooking to farm work and driving enormous machines, he must be creative to get the job done.

As previously announced, Season 2 of Underdog Inc. is in production throughout the interior of British Columbia this summer.

Want to learn even more about Dale and the stars of Underdog Inc.? Check out exclusive content on AMI’s YouTube channel.

About Dale Kristensen
Dale Kristensen is a Little Person with a big passion for enormous machines. Born with achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism, Dale has spent his life adapting—and excelling—in a world built for taller people. Growing up on his family farm, he fell in love with mechanics and machinery at a young age, driving tractors around the fields and helping his dad on the farm.

As a teenager, Dale could be found in the workshop stripping down engines, diagnosing problems and rebuilding them with ease. Despite the challenges that come from being four-foot-two, Dale was determined to forge a living as a heavy machinery operator, mechanic and backroad delivery driver. His work has taken him through some of Canada’s most epic and unforgiving terrain. Whatever the weather, whatever the load, Dale has made a name for himself as someone who gets the job done—no excuses.

After years in Alberta’s construction industry, Dale returned to Barrière, B.C., to be closer to his father and two sisters. For Dale, family is everything, but nothing drives him more than his son, Cooper. Providing for Cooper is Dale’s ultimate purpose, and he’ll stop at nothing to build a better life for him.

Underdog Inc. airs Fridays at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream episodes anytime, for free, on AMI+.

About Big Time Decent Productions
Founded in 2020, Big Time Decent Productions is a Vancouver-based production company that develops and produces unscripted and scripted series, feature films and digital content for global audiences. Founder Matthew Shewchuk is an Executive Producer behind the hit factual series Rust Valley Restorers, which airs domestically on HISTORY and internationally on Netflix. For more information visit bigtimedecent.com or @bigtimedecent.

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.