After a little break, where not a lot was going on, Greg and Amy go through debuts and returns on the Canadian TV calendar.
Then, we cover the latest Canadian TV news, including CBC renewing Moonshine for Season 3; ET Canada giving Sangita Patel co-hosting duties; Boat Rocker teaming with Jay Baruchel; AMI-tv’s fall schedule; and the CTV/Lisa LaFlamme debacle.
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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
From a media release:
Summer at Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is hotter than ever! Today, AMI-tv unveiled new original and documentary programming to entertain and inform Canadians of all abilities in the coming months.
Returning programs to AMI-tv include new seasons of sports documentary series Level Playing Field and Beyond the Field, travel series Postcards From, Dish with Mary, special Town Hall episodes of Double Tap TV and Employable Me: Where Are They Now?
New series include We Are One—meeting Canadian families that include members of the disability community—and Mind Your Own Business, where mentors offer business owners that are members of the disability community advice on taking their company to the next level of success.
AMI programming features Integrated Described Video (IDV), making it accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.
Highlights of AMI-tv’s upcoming summer programming include:
We Are One
Debuts Thursday, June 2, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Every family is unique. Meet Canadian families—that include members of the disability community—as they share stories of adapting, growing and supporting each other. In the debut episode, meet the family of Ollie Acosta-Pickering, a young boy who was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma and who is now legally blind.
Seven Feet Over
Debuts Wednesday, June 15, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern
In the first season of Seven Feet Over, viewers follow the lives of Vincent, Pascal, Martin and David, four men who stand head and shoulders above the crowd, literally, because of their height.
By Hook or By Cook
Returns Thursday, June 16, at 10 p.m. Eastern
Bruce Cook, a stunt motocross rider who is disabled, wants to help others with disabilities enjoy life’s possibilities with unique innovations that he and his friend, Christian Bagg, create. Bruce has been depressed since COVID-19 shut down most activities which, in turn, has given him a lot of time to think about the reality of the injuries he sustained eight years ago. When given an opportunity to make a remote lake lodge more accessible for those with disabilities he jumps at the chance.
Postcards from the Rockies
Debuts Friday, June 24, at 7 p.m. Eastern
Go on exciting adventures from the comfort of your own home and join AMI Bureau Reporter Alex Smyth as he travels across Canada, celebrating our country’s diverse cultures and experiences. Upcoming destinations this summer include the Rocky Mountains, Winnipeg (Friday, July 29, at 7 p.m. Eastern) and Northwest Territories (Friday, August 26, at 7 p.m. Eastern). No passport needed!
Seeing Music
Debuts Wednesday, June 29, at 10:30 p.m. Eastern
Go on a musical journey across Canada and around the world, meeting blind and partially sighted musicians for whom music is not only a passion, but a way of living.
Our Community
Returns Thursday, June 30, at 8 p.m. Eastern
An all-new season of Our Community once again highlights the people, places, organizations or things that have made life more enjoyable for Canadians living with a disability. Upcoming episodes explore why children with disabilities aren’t being properly represented in children’s literature in Canada; the W. Ross Macdonald School’s renowned music program in Brantford, Ont.; and the cast of characters at Real Wheels Acting Academy, a one-of-a-kind program focusing on professional training and empowerment for local actors in the disability community in Vancouver.
Mind Your Own Business
Debuts Wednesday, July 6, at 8 p.m. Eastern
Hosted by entrepreneur Kevin Shaw, who is blind, each episode of Mind Your Own Business takes viewers into the life of a business owner in the disability community as they share their journey of how they came to run their own company. And, with the help of a mentor, they’ll aim to take their business take to the next level.
Dish with Mary
Returns Tuesday, July 12, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Mary Mammoliti—a home cook and food blogger who is blind—knows her way around the kitchen, but can she navigate her way through an at home cook-along with Canadian chefs? Each Season two episode of Dish with Mary will focus on one chef, one dish, and one star ingredient, PLUS a lot of laughs, a bunch of tips, and tons to dish about!
Double Tap TV Town Halls
Friday, July 8 and Friday, July 15, at 7 p.m. Eastern
Steven Scott, Marc Aflalo and special guests are hitting the road! Filmed in front of a live audience in Regina, the team discusses the state of tech and accessibility when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit. What was it like as a student, in the workplace and at home, and what role did tech play in easing the pain? Then, the team discusses the return to work and school, and what role accessibility and tech have in making that return as smooth as possible.
Level Playing Field
Returns Monday, July 11, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Paralympian Greg Westlake returns as host, introducing viewers to the athletes, community groups, healthcare professionals and grassroots innovators who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport. Sports and individuals featured in Season 2 of Level Playing Field include para surfing, pickleball, VOLT Hockey, ParaGolf Canada founder Todd Keirstead and Canadian biathlete and para-Nordic skier Mark Arendz.
Behind the Lens
Returns Thursday, July 14, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern
The documentary Behind the Lens takes an intimate look at Angela Waldick, a photographer who overcame setbacks—including legal blindness—to land her dream job.
DJ Hunnicutt
Debuts Thursday, July 21, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern
In this documentary, viewers are introduced to DJ Hunnicutt (a.k.a. Tyler Sneesby). For over 20 years, DJ Hunnicutt has mixed music for the masses. After losing his vision, Tyler is trying to find new ways to create music, even if it means going head-to-head with a software giant to convince them to program an accessible interface.
Employable Me: Where Are They Now?
Debuts Friday, August 5 and Friday, August 12, at 7 p.m. Eastern
In this follow-up to the award-winning AMI-tv series, viewers catch up with job seekers from past seasons for an update on their employment and personal lives.
Beyond the Field
Returns Monday, August 8, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Beyond the Field, hosted by Paralympians Greg Westlake and Travis Murao, examines important issues impacting the world of parasport. Topics covered in the second season of Beyond the Field include Paralympic funding in Canada versus Olympic funding, training and competing during a global pandemic and myths and misconceptions of making it to the Paralympic Games.
From a media release:
Double Tap TV, AMI’s popular television program focusing on tech from an accessibility point of view, returns September 14th 2021 for its fourth season on AMI-tv. Airing every Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern, Double Tap TV hosts Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo offer viewers an in-depth dive into the consumer tech industry – always asking, “Is this accessible to people with disabilities?”
“Last season we really hit our stride bringing our viewers really compelling interviews with some of the biggest names in the industry,” says co-host Steven Scott. “Not only do we talk to the Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and Google’s of the world, but we also shine a spotlight on some of the lesser-known companies developing amazing new tech. We are excited to bring viewers even more this.”
“Double Tap TV is one of our most popular shows. We are thrilled to have Steven and Marc back for another great year, which will include some really special broadcasts as we keep the tech conversation going,” said John Melville, Vice-President, Content Development & Programming, AMI-audio/AMI-tv.. “Double Tap TV Town Halls will be back, hopefully in person, as the show aims to bring Steven and Marc directly to their audience.”
Season 4 of Double Tap TV, hosted by Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo, debuts September 14th at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream past episodes and seasons on AMI.ca and the AMI-tv App for Apple and Android.
Viewers and listeners can follow Double Tap TV and Double Tap Canada on Twitter @DoubleTapCanada.
About Double Tap TV
Double Tap TV features the latest tech news, product reviews and compelling interviews around consumer and accessible technology. Double Tap TV is produced by Double Tap Productions a Montreal-based production company which also produces Double Tap Canada on AMI-audio, a weekly audio program and podcast, YourTechReport, a weekly radio program and podcast on SiriusXM as well as some exciting new projects currently in production.
