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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Family Law

Global greenlights new original legal drama Family Law

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From a media release:

Corus Entertainment announced today a series of greenlights and renewals for its suite of acclaimed Global Originals, growing its investment and maintaining its commitment to creating premium Canadian scripted content with global distribution. From SEVEN24 Films and Lark Productions, new Global Original series Family Law (10×60) begins production in Vancouver this spring with casting and pre-production currently underway. Unprecedentedly, Global also proudly orders second seasons, in advance of their broadcast premieres, of its upcoming 2020 dramas Nurses, (10×60) from eOne and ICF, and Shaftesbury’s Departure (6×60).

Set in Vancouver, Canada, Family Law follows lawyer and recovering alcoholic Abigail Bianchi struggling to put her career and family back together after hitting rock bottom. As a condition of her probation, Abby is forced to work at her estranged father’s firm, practicing in family law for the first time while forging new relationships with the half-brother and half-sister she’s never met. The end result is a dysfunctional family law firm operating to help other families with their own dysfunctions. From SEVEN24 and Lark Productions, Family Law is helmed by Showrunner Susin Nielsen, Executive Producers Tom Cox and Jordy Randall (SEVEN24), and Executive Producer Erin Haskett (Lark Productions). Casting and start of production details to be announced at a later date.

Previously announced Global Originals Nurses and Departure each receive early orders for sophomore seasons ahead of their series debuts, reinforcing the network’s long-term investment in scripted dramas. Produced by ICF Films and eOne, with industry veteran Ilana Frank (Rookie Blue, Burden of Truth) serving as Executive Producer, Nurses is a coming-of-age series following five young nurses working on the frontlines of a busy downtown Toronto hospital, dedicating their lives to helping others, while struggling to help themselves. Starring an all-Canadian ensemble cast, the series makes its world premiere on Monday, January 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global. Nurses is produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.

From Shaftesbury, led by 2019 Order of Canada recipient Christina Jennings, Departure is a six-part event series created by Vincent Shiao with Director T.J. Scott and Showrunner Malcolm MacRury. Season 1 stars Archie Panjabi and Christopher Plummer in an adrenaline-fueled serialized thrill ride following the mystery of a passenger plane that vanishes over the Atlantic Ocean. Broadcast details for the North American premiere of Departure will be announced soon. Casting and production details for Season 2 will also be announced in 2020.

Other Global Originals returning to the network in 2020 include Season 4 of Private Eyes (eOne) starring Canadians Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson and Season 8 of reality juggernaut Big Brother Canada (Insight Productions). Elsewhere at Corus, HISTORY® Original series Vikings (TM Productions and Take 5 Productions), one of Corus’ biggest scripted success stories, is currently on air with its sixth season Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HISTORY.

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Industry News

Link: ‘It’s also kind of a scary time’: Canadian creators on the streaming era

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From Victoria Ahearn of the Canadian Press:

Link: ‘It’s also kind of a scary time’: Canadian creators on the streaming era
Brent Butt is trepidatious about the streaming era.

While the Canadian comedy star says he’s excited about the “palpable opportunities” that exist as more streamers enter the market here, he also finds it “a little frightening.” Continue reading.

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Industry News

Sportsnet and APTN partner to broadcast more NHL games in Plains Cree

From a media release:

Following the historic first NHL broadcast in Plains Cree last season in conjunction with Rogers Hometown Hockey’s visit to Enoch Cree Nation, Sportsnet and APTN are expanding their partnership to deliver more games over the next three seasons. In total, a minimum of six games per year will be broadcast on APTN in Plains Cree – full 2019-20 broadcast schedule below.

Sportsnet will continue to deliver the broadcast production, which will feature exclusive Cree-language commentary and analysis from APTN broadcasters for fans across the country. Broadcaster Clarence Iron will have the play-by-play call for APTN, while Juno Award-winning musician Earl Wood will host the studio show alongside influential Cree-language promoter Jason Chamakese, with game analysis from NHL alum John Chabot.

This season’s Cree-language broadcast schedule also features a special Rogers Hometown Hockey stop as the tour visits Peguis First Nation, Man. on Sunday, March 1 where Ron MacLean and Tara Slone will host a live broadcast of the same game on Sportsnet.

In addition to an expanded commitment to delivering Cree-language NHL broadcasts to Canadians, Sportsnet also contributes to the national production of Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition on OMNI Television.

2019-20 Cree-Language NHL Broadcast Schedule from Sportsnet on APTN:

  • Sunday, January 19 – Winnipeg Jets vs. Chicago Blackhawks (6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, February 9 – Winnipeg Jets vs. Chicago Blackhawks (6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, February 23 – Calgary Flames vs. Detroit Red Wings (6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, March 1 – Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (6:30 p.m. Et / 3:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, March 15 – Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT)
  • Sunday, March 29 – Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT)
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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Chloe Wilde takes viewers on a life-changing journey in Crave’s Healthy is Hot

From a media release:

This new year, TV personality, fitness guru, and nature lover Chloe Wilde (ETALK) takes viewers on a life-changing journey for the mind, body, and soul in the brand-new Crave Original Series HEALTHY IS HOT. From Bell Media Studios, all six episodes are available Friday, Jan. 10, only on Crave.

Developed from Wilde’s highly successful blog, podcast, and Instagram of the same name, HEALTHY IS HOT is set to inspire new resolutions, endless possibilities, and exciting opportunities for healthier and happier living as viewers settle into 2020.

The series showcases Wilde’s journey– from Vancouver Island, B.C. to Ottawa and Toronto – as she tackles fears, indulges in new foods, gives back to charity, and more. Each episode is dedicated to learning and practicing different elements that promote personal growth and make up a healthy lifestyle, while providing an open and supportive discussion about difficult subjects like the importance of mental health and the real effects of climate change. HEALTHY IS HOT is produced by Bell Media Studios. Michelle Crespi is Executive Producer, Bell Media Studios.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Season 4 of Heavy Rescue: 401 returns January 7 to Discovery

From a media release:

Buckle up, Canada! Discovery gets winter-ready with the return of smash-hit, MADE®-in-Canada original series HEAVY RESCUE: 401, airing Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT beginning Jan. 7. With 14 new episodes featuring compelling extreme winter wrecks and roadside rescues on Ontario’s notorious 400-series highways – extending from Windsor in the west to the Québec border in the east – the series takes viewers on a riveting ride through tense situations in intense environments. A Top 5 series on Discovery across all seasons among the key A25-54 demo, viewers can catch Season 4 of HEAVY RESCUE: 401 everywhere Discovery content can be found.

From Great Pacific Media, the makers of Discovery’s fan-favourite series HIGHWAY THRU HELL, HEAVY RESCUE: 401 tells the stories of Ontario heavy recovery operators who fight to clear wrecks, flip trucks, and keep drivers moving. Close to half-a-million vehicles travel these highways every day, requiring government and police forces to depend on the experienced men and women of Canada’s towing industry – ready to work just inches from open lanes and speeding traffic – when disaster strikes. Production on Season 5 of HEAVY RESCUE: 401 is currently underway.

About Season 4 of HEAVY RESCUE: 401:
The all-new season catches up with new Canadian Sonny Subra (Steve’s Towing) who earned the chance to run a rotator, the pinnacle of heavy recovery machines. Now he and his wife are set to embark on the next phase of their Canadian dream, pushing Sonny to work harder and stretch himself in a whole new way.

Mitch Wright (B&G Towing) starts a small job that turns into one of his biggest challenges. Meanwhile, Kevin Richardson leaves his longtime home at Metro Towing and adjusts to life at new company.

Collin Vandenheuvel (Preferred Towing) faces days of non-stop whiteout attacks on the highways around Sarnia and London pushing him to sharpen his skills with danger lurking around every bend. Nearby, Ross Towing faces its busiest winter in years, and newly promoted Brad Prince is forced to master his new wrecker with no time for training wheels.

In the east, Andrew Vink (Herb’s Towing) has rebuilt his heavy crew, putting his faith and his rotator in the hands of 21-year-old Zach,  but it remains to be seen if Zach’s ability matches his ambition. After working for the same family for years, everything changes for veteran Eric Godard when a new company (County Towing) and a new family, take over.

HEAVY RESCUE: 401 continues to work closely with the Ontario Provincial Police and Sgt. Kerry Schmidt to execute on-the-spot accident reconstructions, managing massive pileups, and overseeing toxic spill sites; and follows the crew at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s massive control centre.

In the premiere episode, “We’re Jumping In” (Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT), after three decades on the highway, a major change forces Eric Godard to adapt to a whole new crew on a tough rollover. A vicious pre-winter storm pushes Sonny into urgent on-the-job training; and when a jet fuel spill shuts down the entire 401, it’s up to the Ross crew to get it back open.

Viewers can catch up on Season 3 of HEAVY RESCUE: 401 with a New Year’s Eve marathon, Tuesday, Dec. 31, beginning at 2 p.m ET on Discovery and now on the Discovery GO app.

HEAVY RESCUE: 401 is produced by Great Pacific Media (a Thunderbird Entertainment Group company) in association with Bell Media. Executive Producer is Mark Miller. Series Producer is Todd Serotiuk.

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