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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Cottage Life celebrates spring with seven new and returning series

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From a media release:

After a long winter, Cottage Life is celebrating spring with an eight-week, national free preview running until May 5, with a slate of brand new series that showcase weekend and lakefront living. Headlining the new lineup is The Bryk Cottage (6×30), a documentary series that follows professional contractor and TV contractor and designer, Danielle Bryk, as she knocks down and rebuilds her sister’s beloved, but dilapidated cottage with thoughtful design and eco-friendly materials. Also new this spring, the channel gives audiences an advanced look at the first episode of the fan favourite series Life Below Zero: Canada (1×30), which will air in full in 2020. Popular Canadian-shot series Lakefront Luxury (10×30) and Hope For Wildlife (10×60) are both back with new seasons and Bondi Vet: Coast to Coast (10×60) introduces new vets to Bondi Vet fans.

As an added springtime bonus, Cottage Life fans in Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton have the chance to meet Danielle Bryk, Hope Swinimer, two of the Australian Bondi Vets, as well as Sue Aikens from the original Life Below Zero series at different upcoming Cottage Life consumer shows. For more information on the TV talent lined up for each Cottage Life Show visit shows.cottagelife.com.

Free Preview Premieres on Cottage Life

World’s Wildest Weather (Canadian Premiere, season two)
Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT starting March 11
From freak tornadoes to hailstones the size of footballs, this fast-paced, adrenaline-filled documentary series charts some of the most extreme weather from around the world with first-hand, witness statements and personal footage, bringing viewers right into the panic and drama of being caught up in a storm.

Lakefront Luxury (World Premiere, season two)
Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, starting March 14
The second season of this aspirational series, gives viewers more stunning views, gorgeous waterfronts and serene sunsets. With unlimited budgets and endless wish lists, each episode explores three opulent properties, which a featured buyer chooses from.

Bondi Vet: Coast to Coast (World Premiere, season one)
Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT, starting March 27
Fan favourite series Bondi Vet has been revamped and will introduce five new Australian vets from across the Australia who offer a myriad of exciting animal stories, ranging from the exotic and wild to our favourite domestic creatures.

The Bryk Cottage (World Premiere, season one)
Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, beginning March 28
This documentary series follows contractor and designer Danielle Bryk as she knocks down and rebuilds her sister and brother-in-law’s much-loved, but dilapidated cabin into a new stunning vacation home. Danielle deals with real-life issues as she works with a team of local contractors to use passive building standards that create a low carbon footprint cottage and a new getaway the entire family can cherish for generations.

Hope for Wildlife (World Premiere, season nine)
Friday at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, beginning April 5
A brand new season follows beloved nature advocate Hope Swinimer and her team as they rescue animals at her Halifax-based wildlife refuge and release them back into the wild. In this season, Hope forges a new partnership with an expert rescue crew.

Log Cabin Fever (Canadian Premiere, season two)
Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m PT, starting on April 6
New episodes follow southern jack of all trades Charlie Norman, as he and his crew travel throughout Tennessee and the Carolinas to salvage log cabins, barns, churches and old mills. To the Log Cabin team, they are hidden gems waiting to be mined for rare raw materials or carefully resurrected.

Life Below Zero: Canada (30-minute premiere episode; World Premiere Sneak Peek) This 30-minute, premiere episode airs Sunday, April 21 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT
Based on BBC’s successful format, Life Below Zero: Canada is an observational documentary series about people who live off the grid in remote regions of northern Canada. The new series is being shot on location in Canada with a focus on Canadian people and stories. The full series airs on Cottage Life in 2020.

Engage with Cottage Life: @cottagelife #cottagelife

Cottage Life, is a Blue Ant Media multi-platform brand, celebrating the people, activities and places that make leisure time special. Exclusive content covers real estate, food, DIY projects and much more. Both informative and entertaining, no one captures the essence of weekend living like this.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Dog’s Best Friend, Evan Goes Wild and North Woods law come to Animal Planet this spring

From a media release:

From unlikely animal companions, to exotic wildlife adventures, to high-stakes conservation drama, Animal Planet delivers something for everyone this spring with new and returning series.

First up, Dr. Evan Antin – voted the Sexiest Veterinarian Alive by PEOPLE magazine – takes viewers around the world as he chases his wildlife bucket list in the eight-episode one-hour series EVAN GOES WILD, airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT beginning March 7. Growing up in Kansas it was a fascination with wildlife and a love for animals that led him to become a vet. Sharing videos of his interactions with animals has made Evan the most followed veterinarian on Instagram, with more than one million followers. In EVAN GOES WILD, Evan leaves his Los Angeles-based clinic behind and crosses the globe chasing his dream wildlife experiences, including swimming alongside humpback whales in Tahiti, exploring caves with bats and snakes in the Philippines, and tangling with crocs in the Yucatan. Evan brings his passion and love for all wildlife to each adventure where, as a practicing veterinarian, he also lends a helping hand to animals in need along the way.

Then, dogs may be man’s best friend, but it’s their extraordinary chumminess with other animals that are the focus of Animal Planet’s original Canadian production DOG’S BEST FRIEND, airing Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT beginning March 10. The 12-episode, half-hour series showcases dogs who have struck up friendships with the most unlikely of animal companions, from turtles and dolphins, to cheetahs and cats. Each episode visits two sets of unique animal amigos from near and far, showcasing the fate-filled circumstances that first united the animal buddies. Viewers hear the tale of these extraordinary dog relationships, while expert commentary reveals the pop science and dog psychology contributing to these unlikely furry friendships.

The Conservation Officers of New Hampshire face a never-ending series of challenges carrying out their conservation work in Season 6B of NORTH WOODS LAW, airing Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT beginning April 2. Whether it’s fighting against the clock on a search and rescue, preserving and protecting the state’s resources, or tracking down elusive criminals, there’s never a dull moment for the Conservation Officers of New Hampshire. With the help of new trainees and the indispensable, and adorable, K-9 force, this elite group takes on everything the state can throw at them and works together to get the job done.

Below is a closer look at Animal Planet’s new and returning programming highlights for March and April. All programming is subject to change (all times ET; visit animalplanet.ca to confirm local broadcast times; programming subject to change).

Thursday, March 7
9 p.m. – EVAN GOES WILD – “Sharks and Recreation” – *Series Premiere*
Evan heads to the Tahitian Island of Mo’orea to fulfill a lifelong dream of swimming with humpback whales; he gathers DNA samples from Lemon sharks and blacktip reef sharks; Evan tries to find a home for a litter of day-old kittens.

Sunday, March 10
8 p.m. – DOG’S BEST FRIEND – *Season Premiere*
A four-year-old American bulldog/boxer rescue pup with a cleft lip named Puka loves to cuddle with Rocket Larry, the African Sulcata Tortoise he shares snacks, cuddles, and even coffee time with. Also featured in this episode, Eligh, a rambunctious Great Pyrenees mountain dog, tried desperately to make friends with the other animals at the farm, but it wasn’t until a bossy donkey named Laura arrived that he finally found his best friend.

Tuesday, April 2
10 p.m. – NORTH WOODS LAW – “Midsummer Mayhem” – *Season 6B Premiere*
Officer Holmes and Trainee Frye respond to an ATV accident where a man’s head has been run over. Officer McKee helps relocate a rare rattlesnake. Officer Courtney assists a dog locked inside a car. On Mt. Willard, a collapsed student needs rescuing.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

AMI-tv re-examines the death of a young Canadian, who was blind, in What Happened to Holly Bartlett, debuting March 28

From a media release:

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announces its newest series What Happened to Holly Bartlett, debuting Thursday, March 28, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.

Holly Bartlett, a 31-year-old Dalhousie University graduate student who was blind, was found unconscious under the MacKay Bridge in Halifax, Nova Scotia, early one morning in March of 2010. She died in hospital the next day from injuries identified as blunt force trauma, and hypothermia. While local authorities determined Holly’s death was accidental—stating she simply became disoriented and fell—there remains several unanswered questions, compelling evidence, and many theories about how she may have died.

Each of the six episodes—hosted by orientation and mobility specialist Peter Parsons—include interviews with family, friends and subject matter experts. The series uses computer animation and dramatic recreations to explore the various theories about what may have happened.

Additionally, the companion What Happened to Holly Bartlett podcast will be available on Apple iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher and other podcast catchers immediately following each new television episode. Hosted by investigative journalist Maggie Rahr, the podcast digs deeper into the inquiry and paints a full picture of Holly’s life and the uncertainty surrounding her death.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, What Happened to Holly Bartlett utilizes Integrated Described Video (IDV) to make episodes accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Season one episodes of What Happened to Holly Bartlett air Thursdays at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. The series can be watched post-broadcast on demand at AMI.ca or via the free AMI-tv App.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Comments and queries for the week of February 22

Where, when, how can I see Blown Away in the U.S.? —KJ

Hi KJ, Blown Away will be available worldwide on Netflix soon.

A stunning [Murdoch Mysteries] episode with an unusual detective story. Harmoniously included in the storyline were fragments of episodes from previous seasons of the show. Nice to see the return of the previous characters. It is good that the book of William and Julia became popular, but it is a pity that this was preceded by tragic events. The unexpected ending of the episode—it seems that a new antagonist character appears. I wonder what will happen next?
It is a pity that only two episodes are left before the end of the Season 12. My family loves Murdoch Mysteries very much! —Lilia

“Because (McAvoy) was calling it in a little sometimes. Just like with anything else you do for a while…” I’ve seen Roger Cross for decades on TV and he is one actor who has never called it in. He always brings something different to each character he plays. On Continuum, I felt sorry for his character but on Dark Matter I never trusted Six completely, even during Season 1. Well done! —John

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@ami.ca or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Island of Bryan premieres April 7 on HGTV Canada

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From a media release:

Starting Sunday, April 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, HGTV Canada gives viewers an in depth, personal look at the Baeumler’s struggle to transform their beachfront resort in the new Canadian original series Island of Bryan (13×60). Taking on their biggest challenge yet, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler move to the Bahamas with their four children to overhaul a run-down resort into a booming business. Despite the stunning backdrop of Bahamas’ white beaches and crystal blue water, they quickly discover that this is no vacation. Faced with daily hurdles and unforeseen challenges from construction delays and design limitations, Bryan and Sarah must work together to turn their embattled piece of paradise into the stunning dream of the Caerula Mar Club.

After a successful second season of Bryan Inc. – the #1 program on HGTV Canada last spring* – fans will experience the Baeumler’s bold and risky adventure first hand, seeing the step-by-step progress of the resort as it is transformed – from the hotel block and the private villas, to the poolside and the main club house. The final result is a beautiful boutique hotel that marries Sarah’s distinctive style with modern Caribbean design concepts and Bryan’s high level construction standards.

Island of Bryan is produced by Si Entertainment in association with Corus Entertainment’s HGTV Canada. New episodes will be available On Demand and at HGTV.ca each week after broadcast. Viewers can travel behind-the-scenes with exclusive Island of Bryan content at HGTV.ca, including tours of the Baeumler’s favourite rooms and spots around the island, fun videos of their four active kids (a.k.athe “B Team”), Q&A with Bryan and Sarah, and more.

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