ET Canada’s Sangita Patel promoted to host alongside Cheryl Hickey ahead of Season 18 premiere this fall on Global

August 18, 2022 Greg David

From a media release:

ET Canada is proud to announce that Sangita Patel has been promoted to host, after ten seasons as a reporter on the Canadian Screen Award winning entertainment news program. Patel will now help lead the nightly broadcast alongside longtime host Cheryl Hickey, when ET Canada’s 18th season premieres Monday, September 12 on Global.

“It’s been an incredible journey to be part of ET Canada for the past 10 years, bringing the best in entertainment to our viewers,” stated Patel. “I am honoured to be joining the one and only

Cheryl Hickey as co-host, the first time that two women will be hosting together. It’s going to be an amazing ride!”

“It is so empowering to have our show back with two hosts, and leading the way into Season 18 with Sangita,” exclaimed Hickey. “This is an important time for all of us at ET Canada, and I am excited for what the future holds!”

Since joining ET Canada, Patel has been delivering entertainment news headlines to viewers across the country. In 2016, she was announced as host of HGTV Canada’s popular home renovation series Home to Win, garnering a Canadian Screen Award nomination for her hosting duties. Dedicated to utilizing her national platform to shine a light on organizations close to her heart, Patel is a supporter of Pathways to Education, Children’s Wish and ONE Campaign. Most recently, she spearheaded ET Canada’s HELP INDIA broadcast special when India was battling the nation’s worst COVID-19 crisis, bringing together some of the biggest names in entertainment to help raise over $135,000 for the Humanitarian Coalition’s emergency response efforts.

“Whether she is laughing with Julia Roberts, on the beach with Dwayne Johnson, or broadcasting from an aircraft carrier with Tom Cruise, Sangita’s energetic yet thoughtful interviews are what makes her an incredible journalist and an immeasurable asset to ET Canada,” stated executive producer John Kampilis. “We are thrilled to have Sangita hosting alongside Cheryl [Hickey], and have this unstoppable duo lead the show into our 18th season, this fall!”

ET Canada airs weeknights at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT on Global. For up-to-the-moment entertainment news, celebrity interviews and more, visit etcanada.com, and stream ET Canada live and on demand with STACKTV and the Global TV App.

Industry News

Boat Rocker strikes first-look deal with Jay Baruchel

August 16, 2022 Greg David

From a media release:

Boat Rocker, an independent, integrated global entertainment company, has struck a first-look deal with actor, writer, director, and producer Jay Baruchel. Under the deal, Baruchel will develop and produce original television, film and digital projects for the company.

“Proudly wearing the Canadian maple leaf tattooed over his heart, Jay Baruchel is a national treasure. Jay has brought his unique talent, charm and humour to a multitude of rewatchable films and series, whether it be as actor, writer, producer or host,” said David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, Co-Executive Chairmen, Boat Rocker Media and Co-Chairmen, Boat Rocker Studios. “Everyone at Boat Rocker is excited to be working with Jay to help him bring his ideas and stories to global audiences.”

Baruchel starred as Josh Greenberg on all three seasons of Simon Rich-created Man Seeking Woman on FXX. He is also known for voicing Hiccup in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, co-writing and starring in the Goon movie franchise, and his roles in blockbuster feature comedies Tropic Thunder, Knocked Up, and This is the End. Baruchel recently hosted the hit series LOL: Last One Laughing Canada from Boat Rocker’s Insight Productions for Amazon Prime Video. He will also be a series regular in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s upcoming untitled spy adventure series for Netflix.

Jay Baruchel said: “I loved working with the Boat Rocker and Insight Productions family on LOL: Last One Laughing Canada and have been and continue to be a big fan of what they’re doing and the projects they are developing. I couldn’t be more excited about this partnership or more honoured to be working with Boat Rocker in finding wonderful Canadian stories to entertain the world with. Stay tuned!!”

Baruchel joins other first-look deals recently struck by Boat Rocker, including Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s Maroon Visions, Dakota Johnson and Ro Donnelly’s TeaTime Pictures, and Shamier Anderson and Stephan James’ Bay Mills Studios.

Boat Rocker is behind a growing number of premium content productions, including Amber Brown, for Apple TV+, the upcoming Slip for The Roku Channel, and Orphan Black: Echoes for AMC.

Baruchel is repped by CAA, Thruline Entertainment, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler, Feldman & Clark, Inc.

Industry News

AMI-tv announces its fall 2022 programming schedule

August 16, 2022 Greg David

From a media release:

Today, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) unveiled its AMI-tv schedule for the 2022 fall broadcast season, with a lineup of exciting new and returning AMI originals available in described video for the blind and partially sighted community in Canada.

AMI original productions are the centrepiece of AMI-tv’s schedule, broadcast in the coveted 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. timeslots from Monday to Friday.

Double Tap TV is back for Season 5! Returning on Tuesday, September 13, at 8 p.m. Eastern, Double Tap TV brings viewers discussions on everything tech—all with an eye on accessibility—to television. Each week, join hosts Steven Scott, Marc Aflalo and a range of contributors as they help viewers better understand how technology can assist in everyday life.

Debuting on Wednesday, September 14, at 8 p.m. Eastern is the new series Healthy at Home. Produced by Honey Cut Studios (#IGotThis), fitness instructor Bobbi Janzen guides viewers through a home workout that tones and strengthens for everyday living. As someone who is a member of the blind and partially sighted community, Bobbi gives step-by-step detailed instruction and often focuses on the muscle groups overused when using a white cane or guide dog. This quick workout is the best way to start or end your day and can even be done on the go!

In addition to Double Tap TV and Healthy at Home, viewers can catch up on previous seasons of AMI originals Dish with Mary, Beyond the Field, #IGotThis, Our Community, Mind Your Own Business and the award-winning Employable Me.

Complementing AMI’s original programs are a slate of acquired series offered in described video.

Weekday afternoons boast family drama with Seasons 1-6 of When Calls the Heart—which follows the adventures of a young teacher who swaps big-city life for a small coal-mining town in 1910 Canada—at noon Eastern, followed by Seasons 9-15 of Heartland—the multi-generational drama set in Alberta and starring Amber Marshall, Michelle Morgan, Shaun Johnston and Chris Potter—at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Sundays on AMI-tv include a comedy block consisting of Season 1 of Son of a Critch—the heartfelt family sitcom based on the life of comedian Mark Critch—at 6 p.m. Eastern followed by Seasons 5-8 of Mr. D, starring stand-up comedian Gerry D as a hapless elementary school gym teacher, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Past seasons of award-winners Murdoch Mysteries, Coroner, Burden of Truth, Schitt’s Creek and Kim’s Convenience continue on AMI-tv. Other returning favourites include American Greed, Attitude and Frankie Drake Mysteries. Saturday and Sunday nights on AMI-tv boast the biggest feature films out of Hollywood, featuring described video.

“I’m very excited about AMI’s upcoming broadcast season,” says John Melville, Vice-President, Content Development & Programming, AMI-audio/AMI-tv. “We’re honoured to bring a wide range of programming to the blind and partially sighted community in Canada.”

AMI programming features Integrated Described Video (IDV), making it accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

All dates subject to change. Additional fall programming will be announced in the coming weeks. Stream past episodes of AMI original programming on demand post-broadcast on AMI.ca or via the AMI-tv App.

AMI-tv’s fall returns and debuts (all times Eastern)

Mondays
9 a.m. – NOW with Dave Brown (Mon.-Fri.)
Noon – When Calls the Heart (Mon.-Thur.)
1 p.m. – Heartland (Mon.-Fri.)
4 p.m. – Schitt’s Creek (Mon.-Thur.)
4:30 p.m. – Kim’s Convenience (Mon.-Wed.)
8 p.m. – Beyond the Field
8:30 p.m. – #IGotThis
9 p.m. – Murdoch Mysteries (Mon.-Fri.)

Tuesdays
8 p.m. – Double Tap TV (Season 5 debuts Sept. 13)
8:30 p.m. – Mind Your Own Business

Wednesdays
8 p.m. – Healthy at Home (Debuts Sept. 14)
8:30 p.m. – AMI originals

Thursdays
8 p.m. – Our Community
8:30 p.m. – Dish with Mary

Fridays
Noon – Frankie Drake Mysteries
8 p.m. – AMI originals

Saturdays
3 p.m. – Coroner
4 p.m. – Burden of Truth
8 p.m. – Employable Me
9 p.m. – Saturday Night Movie

Sundays
6 p.m. – Son of a Critch
6:30 p.m. – Mr. D
7 p.m. – Murdoch Mysteries
8 p.m. – Attitude
9 p.m. – Sunday Night Movie

Industry News

Omar Sachedina named chief news anchor and senior editor of CTV National News

August 15, 2022 Greg David 1 Comment

From a media release:

CTV announced today that Omar Sachedina has been named Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor of CTV NATIONAL NEWS, effective Monday, September 5. A veteran journalist with more than 15 years’ experience covering many of the world’s most significant breaking news stories, Sachedina is currently National Affairs Correspondent for CTV News. He first joined CTV NATIONAL NEWS as a correspondent in Toronto in 2009.

As National Affairs Correspondent for CTV News, Sachedina has been on the ground, reporting in English and French, for many international news stories, including multiple assignments in Ukraine during the ongoing war; reporting from the Colombia-Venezuela border during Venezuela’s political power struggle between Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido; delivering Canadian Screen Award-winning coverage of D-Day’s 75^th Anniversary in Normandy, France; covering the Pro-Democracy Protest in Hong Kong; reporting on natural disasters in Haiti and Indonesia; and covering Brexit. For Canada’s 150^th anniversary, he reported from aboard an icebreaker as he journeyed through the Northwest Passage.

During his tenure in CTV’s Parliamentary Bureau, Sachedina travelled with the Prime Minister to cover international summits and conferences. He also served as a fill-in host on CTV News Channel’s daily marquee political program POWER PLAY. Part of CTV News’ 2015, 2019, and 2021 Federal Election team, Sachedina reported from the campaign trail from coast-to-coast-to-coast and interviewed federal party leaders. Prior to joining CTV NATIONAL NEWS, he served as a reporter and anchor at CP24.

For his outstanding coverage, Sachedina has been recognized with multiple nominations for Best National News Reporter at the Canadian Screen Awards, and has received multiple RTDNA Awards, most recently for a feature from Nunavik, Que., where he explored the roots of Mary Simon: Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General. Sachedina was also recognized by the Canadian Association of Journalists with a nomination for a Daily Excellence award.

Born in Vancouver to parents of Indian descent from Uganda, Sachedina holds a degree in Political Science from McGill University, a Masters in Journalism from Columbia University, and is a graduate of The Poynter Institute.

Industry News

Lisa LaFlamme departs CTV News

August 15, 2022 Greg David 4 Comments

From a media release:

CTV announced today that Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme is departing the network. Since 2011, LaFlamme has anchored CTV NATIONAL NEWS, and before that spent more than a decade as CTV News’ National Affairs Correspondent.

Recognizing changing viewer habits, CTV recently advised LaFlamme that it had made the business decision to move its acclaimed news show, CTV NATIONAL NEWS, and the role of its Chief News Anchor in a different direction.

“A trusted broadcaster and distinguished voice in Canadian news, Lisa has been on the front line of the world’s biggest headlines,” said Karine Moses, Senior Vice President, Content Development & News, Bell Media and Vice Chair, Québec, Bell. “With an unfailing commitment to delivering the stories that matter most to Canadians as part of Canada’s leading news team, Lisa has deftly guided viewers through both turbulent times and celebration, and we wish her nothing but the best as she begins a new chapter.”

As part of the multi-award-winning CTV News team, staffed with the country’s best writers, producers, and editors, LaFlamme covered some of the most important stories during her 35 years with CTV News. CTV News prides itself on covering those stories that matter, no matter where they take place in the world, so that Canadians everywhere can stay informed on the key developments, both domestically and globally, that impact their lives.

LaFlamme issued the following statement following CTV’s release:

“Today, with profound gratitude and a range of other emotions, I am sharing with you some news about me and my career with CTV News. For 35 years, I have had the privilege of being welcomed into your homes to deliver the news on a nightly basis, so I felt you should hear this from me directly.

On June 29th, I was informed that Bell Media made a “business decision” to end my contract, bringing to a close my long career with CTV News.

35 years of service – of journalism – of work that I have dedicated my life to – over.

I was, and still am, shocked and saddened by Bell Media’s decision. I was also asked to keep this confidential from my colleagues and the public until the specifics of my exit could be resolved. That has now happened, so please allow me to reflect on the last 35 years.

Reporting on the darkest days of war – from Iraq, Afghanistan and this year, Ukraine – to covering natural disasters, this pandemic, federal elections and so many other consequential events, including this summer’s papal apology tour to residential school survivors and their families, is a trust I have never taken for granted. Whether it is reporting from the field or, for the last 12 years, from the anchor desk, I am forever grateful to you, such loyal viewers, for sharing in the belief that news delivered with integrity and truth strengthens our democracy.

At 58, I thought I would have more time to tell more of the stories that impact our daily lives as I have done for so many decades.

I leave humbled by the people who put their faith in me to tell their story.

As I sign off from CTV, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you who call Canada home who have shared in this journey with me, and for the unwavering support of colleagues, friends and family.

While it is crushing to be leaving CTV National News and a team that is more like family in a manner that is not my choice, please know these last 35 years of bringing to you every major national and international event has been the greatest honour of my life.”

– Lisa LaFlamme