Proven hits return to Citytv & Citytv+; Hudson & Rex names new lead

June 3, 2025 Greg David 1 Comment

From a media release:

Rogers flagship television network Citytv announced its 2025/26 programming slate today, anchored by new seasons of returning hits, buzzy new series and big live events that drove Citytv’s audience growth this season across full day and primetime**.

“Whether it’s original dramas, lifestyle programming or live sports, the focus of our long-term content investments is to give Canadian audiences the premium entertainment experiences they want, and how they want to watch it,” said Colette Watson, President, Rogers Sports & Media.

“We’ve got a powerful lineup this broadcast season that reflects the strength and stability of Citytv, cementing the network as one of Canada’s most desirable entertainment brands,” said Hayden Mindell, Senior Vice President, Television, Rogers Sports & Media. “Citytv is built on viewer-driven programming that advertisers can depend on to offer consistent audience reach week after week.”

CANADIAN ORIGINALS

Come On Down, Canada! Based on the smash-hit global format from Fremantle, The Price is Right Tonight (working title) is an all-new one-hour primetime edition of the iconic brand, hosted by legendary comedian and television personality Howie Mandel. Slated to air in Spring 2026, The Price is Right Tonight (working title) consists of 12 one-hour episodes with production beginning this December in Toronto. The Price is Right is the most successful and longest-running gameshow in TV history.

“I’ve been a fan of The Price is Right my entire life, so stepping into this iconic role is an absolute thrill,” said Howie Mandel, Host, The Price is Right Tonight (working title). “The Price is Right Tonight will bring a fresh, high-energy twist to everything people love about the original – big games, lots of laughs, and fun surprises! I can’t wait to say ‘come on down!’ to a whole new generation of Canadian fans.”

This September, the Toronto International Film Festival presented by Rogers celebrates 50 years as one of the world’s most revered film festivals. Citytv is bringing Canadians closer to the glitz and glam with a live one-hour red carpet special, hosted by Arisa Cox.

Hot off the heels of winning Best Drama Series at the Canadian Screen Awards, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent returns with an all-new season set to debut in midseason, produced in partnership with Lark Productions and Cameron Pictures Inc.

Beloved Hudson & Rex returns for Season 8 with Luke Roberts (Game of Thrones, Ransom) officially joining the cast as Detective Mark Hudson. Production for Season 8 is currently underway in St. John’s, Newfoundland and will premiere this fall. [Editor’s Note: A spokesperson for Citytv confirms John Reardon will not return to the series.]

And, Breakfast Television, Ontario’s #1 morning show***, continues to brighten mornings from 6-10 a.m. with Dina Pugliese, Tim Bolen, and the rest of the Breakfast Television family – Devo Brown, Melanie Ng, Caryn Ceolin, and Tammie Sutherland – for the latest news, entertainment, celebrity interviews, lifestyle content, and more. 

NEW & RETURNING SERIES AND LIVE EVENTS FOR 2025/26:

Citytv and Citytv+ welcome 21 returning hits, three new series, and a slew of iconic special events including:

Hit reality/competition series The Golden Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, and On Brand with Jimmy Fallon
Gripping dramas Brilliant Minds, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Hudson & Rex, The Hunting Party, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D.

· Animated comedies The Simpsons, Universal Basic Guys, Bob’s Burgers, and Krapopolis

· High-energy game show series The Price is Right Tonight (working title)

· Pre-historic series Surviving Earth

· Newsmagazine series Dateline

· Iconic special events “Making of Wicked” with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve, Hockey Night in Canada, Return to Downton Abbey: A Grand Event, and The 68th GRAMMY Awards

New this fall is unscripted series On Brand with Jimmy Fallon, which follows The Tonight Show host as he starts a premier marketing agency and fills it with the most creative, clever, and competitive go-getters he can find. Marketing titan, author, and entrepreneur Bozoma Saint John (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) stars alongside Fallon to mentor the creatives and evaluate their work. Also coming soon is the eight-episode pre-historic series Surviving Earth, which takes a journey into prehistory to learn the lessons from past mass extinctions.

Plus, Academy Award-nominated stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will lead a one-time only “Making of Wicked” special event from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles this fall.

NEW THIS SUMMER:

Citytv and Citytv+ are heating up this summer with an all-new season of Bachelor in Paradise featuring host Jesse Palmer, bartender Wells Adams, and the newest addition former Bachelorette Hannah Brown, starting Monday, July 7. Then, Steve Harvey hosts a new season of Celebrity Family Feud where teams of celebrities and their families face off to name the top responses to questions posed to 100 people, premiering Thursday, July 10. Plus, don’t miss new episodes of jaw-dropping talent on America’s Got Talent followed by reality competition series Destination X on Tuesdays.

All the newly announced titles and returning hits on Citytv are also available to stream on Citytv+ along with an expansive content library of the latest episodes and past seasons of popular programming from Bravo, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, Magnolia Network, ID, Cooking, OWN, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, OMNI Television and more.

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Big names & fresh faces headline Rogers Sports & Media’s Canadian originals slate for HGTV and Food Network

June 2, 2025 Greg David

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.

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Corus Entertainment delivers a red-carpet 2025/2026 lineup across its specialty portfolio

June 2, 2025 Greg David

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.

Featured, Private Eyes West Coast

Production begins on Global’s Private Eyes West Coast

May 29, 2025 Greg David

From a media release:

Cameras are set to roll on Private Eyes West Coast, as Global, Lionsgate Canada, and Piller/Segan confirm production kicks off on Thursday, June 5 on Vancouver Island. The new ten-episode spinoff series sees Canadian stars Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson return as Matt Shade and Angie Everett – TV’s favourite private investigators – now navigating a fresh set of mysteries in their new West Coast home base of Victoria, B.C.

With the Pacific Ocean as their backdrop and a new cast of characters joining the action, Private Eyes West Coast promises a sun-soaked, suspense-filled season. Picking up after the events of the original hit series – which ran for five seasons on Global (2016-2021), won the CSA Golden Screen Award, and was licensed in over 180 territories worldwide – this spinoff brings back the quick-witted, sizzling chemistry, and high-stakes detective work that made Private Eyes a fan favourite across Canada and around the world.

Production is set to run through the summer, with the first look at Shade and Everett’s new coastal digs coming soon. Additional information including casting and storyline details will be announced at a later date.

The series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Shawn Piller & Lloyd Segan, the award-winning, writer-driven studio known for premium, character-centred series including Wild Cards (CBC, The CW), The Dead Zone, Haven, Wildfire, Greek, and the original Private Eyes. Corus Entertainment is the commissioning broadcaster with Rachel Nelson, VP, Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios, and Lynne Carter, Director, Original Programming, overseeing the production. Lionsgate Television handles international distribution.

“We’re thrilled to reunite Jason and Cindy for this next chapter of Private Eyes, and to be reteaming with our longtime partners at Corus and our good friend Jocelyn Hamilton, along with our extended Lionsgate family,” said Piller & Segan, Executive Producers. “Victoria gives us a new cinematic canvas and a chance to evolve the series in fresh and unexpected ways. This is a west coast reinvention– same sharp wit, same beloved lead characters, brand new mysteries,with stunning new views.”

“Private Eyes West Coast builds on the brilliance and charm that made the original series a hit, while introducing a bold new setting and cast of characters in this spinoff. We’re thrilled to partner with Piller/Segan, and Corus to bring a fresh, west coast energy to the franchise,” said Jocelyn Hamilton, President, Television, Lionsgate Canada. “Audiences are in for a smart, stylish ride that stays true to the heart of the original while blazing its own trail.”

“We’re thrilled to see cameras roll on Private Eyes West Coast in British Columbia” said Rachel Nelson, VP, Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios. “Together with our talented partners at Piller/Segan and Lionsgate Canada, this new spinoff series will offer some new surprises with the same Shade and Angie banter that our Global viewers love.”

Executive Producers are Sarah Dodd (Cardinal, Family Law), Jennifer Kassabian (Hudson & Rex, Degrassi: Next Class), Jocelyn Hamilton (Cardinal, Burden of Truth) and Jason Priestley, in addition to Piller & Segan. Kassabian and Dodd also serve as Showrunners. Piller will also direct the pilot episode, and season directors will include Jason Priestley, James Genn (Wild Cards, The Good Doctor), Shannon Kholi (Resident Alien, You) and Alysse Leite-Rogers (When Calls The Heart, Family Law).

Awards, Featured

Academy CEO Tammy Frick previews The 2025 Canadian Screen Awards

May 29, 2025 Greg David

This weekend marks the most important in Canadian TV and film. The celebration of homegrown media by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, spotlights the best in front of and behind the camera with glitzy events in Toronto and online, culminating in the Canadian Screen Awards, hosted by Lisa Gilroy, this Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

Academy CEO Tammy Frick (pictured above) says things have kicked into hyper drive as she and the team head into the weekend. And, with Friday’s News, Entertainment, Sports, Documentary, Factual, Lifestyle and Reality awards; Saturday’s Cinematic Arts and Scripted Television awards; and Sunday’s gala, we’re not surprised things are moving fast.

Frick shared her thoughts on this year’s categories, the importance of celebrating Canadian content, and more.

How has the awards preparation gone so far?
Tammy Frick: Really well. Behind the scenes is just so incredible to watch all of this come together. I think people would be totally amazed. We should just run around with GoPros and create a little documentary at some point to show people the complexity of how this all comes together. But I’ll say emotionally, it’s so heartfelt at the end of it, when you see it all come together and you see people in the room and the beautiful speeches, the acceptance speeches, and just the moments that happen. So it’s so incredibly worth it, but it’s a lot of work. I have to give so much credit to our Academy internal team and our external producers. The patience, the level of professionalism that they bring to this is really impressive.

Is there an unofficial or official theme to this year’s awards?
TF: Last year we were really moving towards this feeling that, of course, the insiders partake in the show and want to watch the show and are so incredibly interested. So we’re just elevating that entertainment value. We want insiders to be engaged, and we also want the broader audience to be fully entertained. Our host, Lisa Gilroy, she’s so incredibly talented, witty, energetic, and just really knows how to connect with an audience. We’re excited to have her on stage, and we truly feel that a great awards program needs a lot of humour built in, and that’s the direction we’re taking with the show.

Canadian Screen Awards host Lisa Gilroy

What are your thoughts on the proposed tariffs on U.S. productions being filmed outside of America?
TF: It’s a big conversation that’s taking place right now, and there are a lot of different viewpoints and there’s a lot of uncertainty. I think the Academy’s position we believe in unequivocally, is that Canadian talent is amazing, and it resonates not just here in Canada, but it is a global, it’s content that’s taken in globally and is equally as successful in a broader world. I think we just really need to remind people that we’re resilient and we need to stay united, and that our creative talent out there are our true storytellers and their level of authentic storytelling resonates not just here in Canada, but abroad.

This week is really a celebration of Canadian television and film. How do you feel about the state of the industry and the content?
TF: The world has evolved in how the public takes in content. We now have the introduction of streamers, and everything’s just so accessible. And when we look at the nominees, this isn’t just an opportunity for the Academy to celebrate this wonderful talent, a peer group that comes together to truly spotlight what’s happening in the industry. And then we take it a little step further, and there’s still that discoverability piece. We’re completely aware that the moment is homegrown. Canadians are really paying attention across various industries, and we’re taking advantage of that moment. We truly feel that this awards program will even further spotlight our domestic talent because people are just paying attention in a much bigger way, which is a great thing.

Looking at the TV drama and comedy categories, I’m impressed with the breadth of storytelling being represented.
TF: What a way to truly celebrate Canada because the selection is so incredibly diverse. We’re telling these authentic stories that are resonating, and that’s why we see them on these lists.

Can you tell me a little bit about Sunday’s live Canadian Screen Awards?
TF: We have some pretty incredible presenters that’ll be up there on stage. Some special moments that we have built in as well. We have our Special Award winners. We have a wonderful tribute to Donald Sutherland planned. It’ll be a moment for everyone to just take a moment to remember and to pay their respects. The full In Memoriam piece will have a live performance by Murray Lightburn, who’s also nominated for Best Music in a Feature Documentary.

Are there any TV shows that you’ve been addicted to?
TF: I’m a huge Andrew Phung fan, I just love Run the Burbs. At the end of my day when I feel I just need some silliness, that’s the kind of stuff I watch. Children Ruin Everything, I’ve got a couple of kids, so it’s like PTSD. I tend to really lean into those comedy moments, and that keeps me going.

Stream or watch the Canadian Screen Awards this weekend and Sunday.

Images courtesy of George Pimentel Photography