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Industry News

AMI-tv announces its fall 2020 programming schedule

From a media release:

Today, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) unveiled its AMI-tv schedule for the 2020 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 the schedule, broadcast in the coveted 8 p.m. timeslot from Monday to Friday.

The previously announced AMI original Level Playing Field debuts on Monday, September 7 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern. Hosted by Paralympian Greg Westlake, Level Playing Field highlights and celebrates the power of sport by introducing audiences to the athletes, community groups, healthcare professionals and grassroots innovators who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport.

Season nine of AMI This Week bows on Monday, September 14, at 8 p.m. Eastern. The weekly magazine show—featuring host Victoria Nolan and Bureau Reporters Grant Hardy (Vancouver), Beth Deer (Edmonton), Alex Smyth (Toronto), Shelby Travers (Ottawa) and Laura Bain (Halifax)—continues to stay safe during COVID-19 by continuing its distinct community focus, sharing events and interesting stories from coast to coast from the safety of home.

Back for a third season is Reflect and Renew with Kevin Naidoo, and viewers can catch up on previous seasons of Our Community, Eyes for the Job, Double Tap TV and the award-winning Employable Me.

AMI-tv’s newest acquired series in described video include back-to-back broadcasts of Seasons one and two of Coroner. Based on the book series by M.R. Hall, Serinda Swan stars as Jenny Cooper, a Toronto-based coroner juggling a tumultuous personal life with solving crimes. Season one of the critical and fan favourite Anne with an E joins AMI-tv’s Sunday schedule. Created by Moira Walley-Beckett (Breaking Bad), L.M. Montgomery’s beloved characters are re-imagined for a new generation. And, Janette Oke’s best-selling novels come to the small screen in Season one 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.

Past seasons of Murdoch Mysteries and Frankie Drake Mysteries continue on AMI-tv; new seasons join the lineup later in the broadcast year. Other returning favourites include the final season of Monk, as well as Suits, American Greed, Attitude, Schitt’s Creek and Kim’s Convenience.

Friday and Saturday nights on AMI-tv are being shaken up, with James Bond feature films joining the schedule. It all begins with Dr. No on Friday, September 4, through to Skyfall, with every Bond film in the library part of AMI’s Friday Night Movie and Saturday Night Movie. This is the first time the James Bond films have been broadcast in described video on AMI.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, AMI’s original series and documentaries utilize Integrated Described Video (IDV) so they are 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 at the newly-redesigned AMI.ca or via the AMI-tv App.

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

Friday, Sept. 4
8 p.m. – AMI originals
9 p.m. – Friday Night Movie, Dr. No

Saturday, Sept. 5
8 p.m. – Our Community
8:30 p.m. – AMI This Week
9 p.m. – Saturday Night Movie, From Russia with Love

Sunday, Sept. 6
9 a.m. – Reflect and Renew with Kevin Naidoo (Return)
3 p.m. – Anne with an E (Debut)
5 p.m. – American Greed (Return)
7 p.m. – Frankie Drake Mysteries (Return)
8 p.m. – Murdoch Mysteries (Return)
9 p.m. – Monk (Return)
10 p.m. – Suits (Return)
11 p.m. – Coroner (Debut)

Monday, Sept. 7
11 a.m. – When Calls the Heart (Debut)
6:30 p.m. – Attitude (Mon.-Thur.) (Return)
7 p.m. – Kim’s Convenience (Mon.-Thur.)
7:30 p.m. – Schitt’s Creek (Mon.-Thur.)
8:30 p.m. – Level Playing Field (Debut)
9 p.m. – Murdoch Mysteries (Mon.-Thur.)

Monday, Sept. 14
8 p.m. – AMI This Week (Return)

Tuesdays
8 p.m. – Eyes for the Job
8:30 p.m. – Double Tap TV

Wednesdays
8 p.m. – Employable Me

Thursdays
8 p.m. – Our Community
8:30 p.m. – AMI This Week

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Hosted by Paralympian Greg Westlake, the AMI original series Level Playing Field debuts September 7 on AMI-tv

From a media release:

Everyone deserves a level playing field. Debuting Monday, September 7, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv, the AMI original production Level Playing Field highlights and celebrates the power of sport by introducing audiences to the athletes, community groups, healthcare professionals and grassroots innovators who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport.

Hosted by Paralympian Greg Westlake, Level Playing Field‘s eight half-hour episodes travel across the country, following the stories of athletes and organizations.

In the premiere episode on Monday, September 7, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv, we meet Rob Shaw. The 30-year-old para-athlete from North Bay, ON, has been playing tennis competitively from a young age and coaching, including coaching wheelchair tennis. After sustaining a spinal cord injury that resulted in C5-C6 level paralysis in all four limbs, Rob has limited mobility but has not stopped playing the sport he loves.

Future Season one episodes focus on Paralympic hopeful Anthony Lue, boxer Debbie Haryett, Para Triathletes Jon Dunkley and Jessica Tuomela, Para Judo star Priscilla Gagné, Wheelchair Rugby Canada team members Shayne Smith and Eric Rodrigues-Furtado, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

Season one of Level Playing Field was developed following the broadcast of two 2019 pilot episodes featuring Para Ice Hockey and Para Cycling. Stream the pilot episodes on demand on AMI.ca and the AMI-tv App.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, Season one of Level Playing Field features Integrated Described Video (IDV) making it accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Host Greg Westlake
Para ice hockey team captain Greg Westlake helped Canada to the silver medal at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

At the World Para Ice Hockey Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, in April 2017, Greg, a forward, helped Canada defeat arch-rivals U.S.A. to win a record fourth world title for the Canadians. The win marked his third world championship gold: Greg was on teams that won in 2008, 2013 and 2017.

Greg competed at his third Paralympic Games in 2014, in Sochi, and collected a second career Paralympic medal as Canada won the bronze. Greg finished the Sochi Paralympic Games tournament with four points in five games, including an assist on Billy Bridges’ insurance goal in the bronze medal game 3-0 victory over Norway.

In addition to Para ice hockey, Greg is developing a successful career as a broadcaster. He worked as a reporter for CBC at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

Greg had both legs amputated below the knee at age 18 months. When he was born his feet were malformed and were never going to be fully functional. The technical term is congenital bilateral below knee amputee. He began playing Para ice hockey with the Mississauga Cruisers in 2001 and made his debut in 2003 with Team Canada at age 17.

Level Playing Field debuts Monday, September 7, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream episodes post-broadcast on AMI.ca or using the AMI-tv App.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Season three of Mind Set Go returns April 1 to AMI-tv

From a media release:

New participants. New Paralympians. New mindset. AMI is proud to announce Season three of Mind Set Go returns Wednesday, April 1, at 8 p.m. Eastern to AMI-tv.

An Anaïd and AMI production in partnership with the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Mind Set Go‘s newest eight episodes feature Integrated Described Video ensuring they are accessible to viewers who are blind or partially sighted.

The third season of Mind Set Go follows eight Canadians living with a disability, debilitating injury or chronic pain as they transform their physical, mental and emotional health over a 90-day journey of body, mind and soul. As previously announced, lead expert Stephanie Dixon—a 19-time Paralympic medalist—and fellow Paralympians provide encouragement, insight and advice to help the participants face their biggest physical and emotional obstacles heads-on.

From legal blindness, obesity and high blood pressure to neurological disease, Season three of Mind Set Go delves deep into understanding how negative sociological and psychological coping behaviours impact the participants’ health.

Each one-hour episode begins with a participant’s backstory and their struggles to adopt fitness activities while also working on their spiritual well-being. Each participant is there for a reason—whether it’s a need to build strength, gain independence or overcome feelings of low self-worth, they are all uniquely positioned to make a positive change to achieve optimal health. To bookend their journey, each sets a physically demanding goal to illustrate how their lives and attitudes have progressed after three months.

The Paralympians and athletes joining Stephanie Dixon include:

  • Michael Frogley
  • Michelle Stilwell
  • Jessica Tuomela
  • Adam Purdy
  • Michelle Salt
  • Richard Peter
  • Pamela LeJean
  • Shira Stanfield

Season three of Mind Set Go premieres Wednesday, April 1, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. The complete first two seasons of Mind Set Go are available to stream online at AMI.ca or on the AMI-tv App.

The series is developed and produced by Anaïd Productions in association with Accessible Media Inc., with the participation of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canada Media Fund, Rogers Telefund, CHEK-TV and the Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC. Assistance was also provided by the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Season 3 of the award-winning series Employable Me premieres October 23 on AMI-tv

From a media release:

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announced today that Season three of the award-winning series Employable Me will premiere Wednesday, October 23, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.

Employable Me is a moving six-part documentary series featuring job seekers who are determined to show that having a physical disability or neurological condition shouldn’t make them unemployable. Seasons one and two of Employable Me captured Rockie Awards for Best Lifestyle Program at the Banff World Media Festival, and the Diversify TV’s Excellence Award for Representation of Disability in the Non-Scripted Category at MIPCOM 2017.

Produced by Thomas Howe Associates Inc. (THA), the third season of Employable Me provides an honest and emotional look at the challenges Canadians of varying abilities face in the job market. Each one-hour instalment features two job seekers who are blind, partially sighted or have a neurological condition such as Tourette Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder as they embark on a journey to possible employment.

Watch the Season three trailer here.

Employable Me focuses on the strengths and talents of potential employees, with help from experts in the medical and hiring fields. Season three experts and community partners include Minister of Public Service and Procurement Carla Qualtrough, Senator Jim Munson, March of Dimes Canada and the Geneva Centre for Autism. The journey isn’t always easy, but each participant is determined to overcome their challenges, change employers’ perceptions and land a job they’re truly passionate about.

Among the companies participating in Season three are The Second City, La Prep, Myplanet, Sobeys, Mindshare and JOIN (Job Opportunity Information Network). Additionally, digital exclusives available at AMI.ca or via the AMI-tv App on iOS and tvOS revisit past job seekers to update viewers on where they are now in their careers and offer advice on job seeking.

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

Employable Me is produced by THA in partnership with AMI and TVO, and is licensed by all3media international.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Season three of Eyes for the Job premieres September 10 on AMI-tv

From a media release:

Chris and Alex are tackling their biggest projects yet! Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announced that Season three of Eyes for the Job, the 13-part television series starring Chris Judge and Alex Haider, premieres Tuesday, September 10, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.

Produced by Clerisy Entertainment, Eyes for the Job is set in Halifax and features Nova Scotian co-hosts Chris Judge and Alex Haider. Chris, who is blind, is a lifelong handyman and do-it-yourself enthusiast. Joining him once again is Alex, who couples her creativity and enthusiasm with social media and outreach know-how.

Season three marks changes at the community workshop. Alex takes control of many projects, giving Chris even more time to tell jokes, practice his singing and even take a selfie or two. They also challenge themselves—and each other—with bigger projects, inviting friends and contributors to help them convert an old dresser into a change table, construct an apple press, and put their personal touches on a pair of custom baseball bats. Eyes for the Job becomes a family affair as Chris’ brother, Darren, stops by to help his sibling build a doghouse.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, Season three of Eyes for the Job features Integrated Described Video (IDV): Chris and Alex describe their actions and surroundings during filming to make the program accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Beginning on September 10, Eyes for the Job airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Check your local listings for the AMI-tv channel in your area or use AMI’s online channel guide. Episodes will be available online after the initial broadcast at AMI.ca or on the AMI-tv App.

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