Step back in time as rare, 16mm film clips from TV shows from the ‘60s and the ‘70s are projected onto the theatre’s giant screen.
See the 1963 Fall Preview promotional film “CBS: The Stars Address” featuring Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Ed Sullivan, Dick Van Dyke, Alfred Hitchcock, Clint Eastwood from “Rawhide,” The Beverly Hillbillies, Walter Cronkite and others.
Then there’s 1972’s “CBS Where the Good Times Are,” welcoming a string of new hits that year including M*A*S*H, Maude, The Waltons, The Bob Newhart Show and a show that should have run longer, Bridget Loves Birney. Other clips include scenes from All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Carol Burnett Show and many more.
Bill Brioux, TV columnist, curator and podcaster, puts these rare films from his private collection into context. Come ready to answer TV trivia questions and win prizes!
Two matinee showings: Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m.
You never know where an errant conversation will lead. It could just steer you right back on track.
That’s certainly the case with writer, producer and director Laura J. Milliken. Unsure of whether or not she wanted to stay in the TV business anymore, the Anishinaabe entrepreneur, and founder of Big Soul Productions, was chatting with Glenn Styres in 2018. She and the winningest driver at, and owner of, Ohsweken Speedway discussed a possible show, which eventually evolved into Friday Night Thunder.
“I had been to that track a few times, but I was by no means an avid racer,” Milliken says over the phone. “[Co-creator/producer/composer and fellow driver] Derek Miller has shown me some documentaries on Ayrton Senna and Drive to Survive on Netflix, and I became really inspired and obsessed.” Her racing education continued through track visits to watch Indy, Formula 1, NASCAR and dirt tracks.
The result? A documentary series heading into its third season. Returning Friday at 8 p.m. Eastern on APTN, Friday Night Thunder spotlights 11 Indigenous sprint car drivers—including Styres, Miller, Brian Nanticoke, Aaron Turkey and Alex Hill—as they navigate the highly dangerous open-wheel sport in the Six Nations community just outside Brantford, Ont. And as cool as it is to watch the drivers and their cars jockey for position in heats and finals, Friday Night Thunder shines with its storytelling.
In Episode 1 of 13, it has been over 993 days since the COVID-19 pandemic closed Ohsweken Speedway. Now it’s open for business, but missing an integral part. Vera, Glenn’s mother, has passed away since the Season 2 finale. This gave Milliken and her team not only the opportunity to re-tell how, in 1994, Glenn built the 3/8 mile oval Ohsweken Speedway—the only of its kind in an Indigenous community in North America—on 80 acres of family-owned land but also those early days and the support Vera provided him right up until her death. It’s an emotional, deeply personal episode that cements the community around the track and the drivers, crew and audience on it.
“The show is really about the people,” Milliken says. “It’s exciting to see Indigenous people doing something that we don’t know they’re doing. This is the most fun I’ve ever had telling stories in my entire life.”
Friday Night Thunder airs Fridays at 8 p.m. Eastern on APTN.
Coming soon to APTN is another incredible lineup of Indigenous stories. From groundbreaking dramas that highlight Indigenous resilience and the connection between past, present and future, to a full weekend of special programming in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), to new episodes of APTN’s hit docuseries, the network’s upcoming season is full of soul-stirring content, both new and old.
APTN’s fall slate will roll out from the beginning of September to the end of October and will include the programs below, plus many more.
NEW TO APTN
Bones of Crows Expanding on the feature film of the same name, this five-part series is a story of resilience and strength told through the eyes of Cree matriarch Aline Spears. When Aline and her siblings are removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, they are plunged into a struggle for survival. Over the next hundred years, Aline and her descendants fight for a more just future.
APTN TV premiere dates: Sept. 20 (English) and Sept. 25 (Cree) APTN lumi premiere dates: Sept. 21 (English) and Sept. 26 (Cree)
Little Bird Little Bird, launched initially on APTN lumi in May of this year, is a six-part series that explores the theme of resilience in the face of trauma and loss. Removed from her home on the Long Pine Reserve in Saskatchewan, Bezhig Little Bird is adopted into a Montreal Jewish family at the age of five, becoming Esther Rosenblum. Now in her 20s, Bezhig longs for the family she lost and is willing to sacrifice everything to find them.
APTN TV premiere date: Oct. 12 (English)
Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2023 Produced by APTN and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, this 90-minute multilingual commemorative gathering seeks to honour residential school Survivors and pay tribute to all the Indigenous children who never made it home. This year’s gathering will encompass powerful reflections from esteemed Elders and Survivors as well as moving performances by First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists.
Sur le terrain* Sur le terrain is a French-language documentary series that explores the daily lives of frontline Indigenous health and social services workers. Whether they work in a remote region or in an urban setting, their commitment to community members is unwavering. These workers, who are mostly women, offer us an inside look at the immense challenges they face every day.
Corner Gas – Seasons 1-3 One of Canada’s most popular sitcoms, Corner Gas takes place in the fictional town of Dog River, Sask., and follows the daily lives of the community’s oddball residents, including gas station owner Brent Leroy and coffee shop proprietor Lacey Burrows. APTN will air episodes daily this fall from Tuesday through to Friday.
APTN TV premiere date: Sept. 5 (English)
NEW SEASONS OF APTN FAN FAVOURITES
Gespe’gewa’gi: The Last Land – Season 2* APTN lumi: Aug. 28 (Mi’kmaq) and Aug. 29 (English) APTN TV: Sept. 4 (Mi’kmaq) and Sept. 5 (English)
Michif Country – Season 3* APTN lumi: Aug. 28 (Michif) and Aug. 29 (English) APTN TV: Sept. 4 (Michif) and Sept. 5 (English)
Merchants of the Wild – Season 4* APTN lumi: Aug. 28 (Mi’kmaq) and Sept. 26 (English) APTN TV: Sept. 4 (Mi’kmaq) and Oct. 3 (English)
Friday Night Thunder – Season 3 APTN TV: Sept. 8 (English) APTN lumi: Sept. 9 (English)
Amplify – Season 2* APTN lumi: Aug. 31 (Michif) and Oct. 6 (English) APTN TV: Sept. 7 (Michif) and Oct. 13 (English)
7th Gen – Season 2* APTN lumi: Oct. 2 (Cree) and Oct. 6 (English) APTN TV: Oct. 9 (Cree) and Oct. 13 (English)
The Other Side – Season 9 APTN TV: Oct. 25 (English) APTN lumi: Oct. 26 (English)
Ghost Hunters of the Grand River – Season 2 APTN TV: Oct. 25 (English) APTN lumi: Oct. 26 (English)
*Indicates programs launching first on APTN lumi. APTN lumi has put together a collection of these returning favourites and more for viewers to catch up on prior to their television broadcast.
CBC today announced streaming and broadcast premiere dates for its fall 2023 slate of new and returning programming on CBC Gem and CBC TV, including more than 20 original series and specials from Canadian creators, producers, and storytellers reflecting people, places and perspectives from across the country. The first episode of all series will be available to stream on CBC Gem starting at 9 a.m. ET on their premiere dates noted below with a new episode available weekly at the same time, unless otherwise specified. CBC TV local broadcast times are noted in parentheses (for Newfoundland and Labrador, please add half an hour to all times).
New Canadian Original Series
TELLING OUR STORY New Documentary Series (4×60) – All episodes available Sunday, September 17 on CBC Gem This TIFF 2023 Primetime selection shares the perspectives of the 11 First Peoples in Quebec.
BONES OF CROWS New Limited Drama Series (5×60) – Premieres Wednesday, September 20 (9 p.m.) Limited series BONES OF CROWS brings to life a moving multi-generational epic of Indigenous resilience, survival and the pursuit of justice.
BLACK LIFE: UNTOLD STORIES New Documentary Series (8×60) – First four episodes available Wednesday, October 18 on CBC Gem, with remaining four available on Wednesday, October 25 (CBC TV debut on Wednesday, October 25 at 9 p.m.) Highly anticipated documentary series and TIFF 2023 Primetime selection BLACK LIFE: UNTOLD STORIES reframes the rich and complex histories of Black experiences in Canada.
BLACKBERRY New Limited Drama Series (3×60) – All episodes available Thursday, November 9 on CBC Gem (CBC TV debut on Thursday, November 9 at 9 p.m.) The extended series version of BLACKBERRY, featuring never-before-seen footage, charts the rise and fall of the world’s first smartphone.
SWAN SONG New Documentary Series (4×60) – All episodes available Wednesday, November 22 on CBC Gem (CBC TV debut on Wednesday, November 22 at 8 p.m.) SWAN SONG offers a backstage look at first-time director Karen Kain’s monumental new production of Swan Lake for the National Ballet of Canada on the eve of her retirement from the company.
Bones of Crows; images courtesy of Farah Nosh
Returning Series
CORONATION STREET – ongoing (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
THE PASSIONATE EYE (10×60)– Premieres Wednesday, September 13 (8 p.m.) THE PASSIONATE EYE returns with a new season of thought-provoking original documentaries, beginning with Lin Alluna’s TWICE COLONIZED, following the personal journey of renowned Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter.
FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 5 (102×30, Monday – Thursday) – Premieres Monday, September 18 (7:30 p.m.) The new season kicks off with a Teachers’ Week that sees teams of high school teachers competing for funds to support their schools’ programs. The season continues with host Gerry Dee welcoming families from across Canada, with all-new episodes Monday to Thursday.
THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 31 (24×30) – Premieres Tuesday, September 19 (8 p.m.)
THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (9×30) – All episodes of Season 4 (13×10) available Monday, August 28 on CBC Gem (Seasons 2 and 3 (9×30) premiere Tuesday, September 19 at 9:30 p.m. on CBC TV)
DRAGONS’ DEN Season 18 (16×60) – Premieres Thursday, September 21 (8 p.m.)
STILL STANDING Season 9 (10×30) – Premieres Tuesday, September 26 (8:30 p.m.) Host Jonny Harris embarks on more adventures in small towns across the country, from Dawson City, Yukon to Gander, Newfoundland and everywhere in between.
HEARTLAND Season 17 (10×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 1 (7 p.m.)
THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW Season 7 (9×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 1 (8 p.m.)
SKYMED Season 2 (9×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 1 (9 p.m.)
MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 17 (24×60) – Premieres Monday, October 2 (8 p.m.)
SORT OF Season 3 (8×30) – Two episodes available weekly on CBC Gem beginning Friday, November 17
Murdoch Mysteries
CBC Gem Originals
ZARQA Season 2 (6×11) – All episodes available to stream on Friday, October 6 Zarqa Nawaz returns for more comic hijinx.
HOW TO FAIL AS A POPSTAR (8×15) – All episodes available to stream on Friday, October 13 The adaptation of Vivek Shraya’s hit play and book.
THE BANNOCKING (6×10) – All episodes available to stream on Friday, October 20 A new Indigenous horror series, available in time for Halloween.
FARM CRIME Season 3 (6×20) – All episodes available to stream on Friday, November 3 Exploring the largely unseen dark side of Canada’s agriculture industry.
I HATE PEOPLE, PEOPLE HATE ME (6×15) – All episodes available to stream in late fall (date to be confirmed) This offbeat comedy and 2023 Tribeca Festival selection created by Bobbi Summers explores queer identity in a time when queerness has not only been mainstreamed, but commodified.
CBC News
BIG: CBC News Original Documentary series (4×60) – Premieres Friday, September 22 at 9 p.m. on CBC TV (Available to stream now on CBC Gem)
CBC NEWS EXPLORE’s PLANET WONDER (9×30) – Premieres Friday, October 6 at 8:30 p.m. on CBC TV (Available to stream now on CBC Gem)
MARKETPLACE Season 51 (17×30) – Premieres Friday, October 13 (8 p.m.)
THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 49 (15×60) – Premieres Friday, October 20 (9 p.m.)
THE NATIONAL– ongoing (live at 10 p.m. weekdays and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC Gem) CBC’s flagship national newscast with Chief Correspondent Adrienne Arsenault (Monday – Thursday) and Ian Hanomansing (Friday and Sunday)
CBC MORNING LIVE WITH HEATHER HISCOX (Weekday mornings on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
ABOUT THAT WITH ANDREW CHANG (Weekday mornings on CBC News Explore)
CANADA TONIGHT (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
POWER & POLITICS (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
CBC Sports
CBC SPORTS PRESENTS – ongoing (live on Saturday and Sunday afternoons on CBC TV and CBC Gem) CBC SPORTS brings audiences all the action from the world of high-performance sport with competitions including Artistic Gymnastics World Championships (Antwerp, Belgium, Oct. 1 – 8); Beach Volleyball World Championships (Tlaxcala, Mexico, Oct. 6 – 15); and World Trampoline Championships (Nov. 9 – 19, Birmingham, UK), as international athletes prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic (July 26 – Aug. 11, 2024) and Paralympic (Aug. 28 – Sept. 8, 2024) Games. Showcasing Canada’s top university and college athletes, the USports Championships (Nov. 1 – 25), including the Vanier Cup (Nov. 25 in Kingston, Ont.), return and the winter season kicks off with Grand Prix of Figure Skating (multiple weekends and locations from Oct. 20 to Dec. 10), Four Continents Short Track Championships (Laval, Que., Nov. 3 – 5) and FIS Women’s Alpine World Cup (Tremblant, Que., Dec. 2 – 3).
Canadian Awards
CBC will feature the following award celebrations this fall, honouring diverse Canadian creators, artists and storytellers:
THE LEGACY AWARDS, The Black Academy’s award show celebrating Black Canadian achievement, will air live on CBC TV and CBC Gem on Sunday, September 24
SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE will air live on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio and CBC.ca/books on Monday, November 13
CBC Kids
SPELLBOUND New Series (26×30) – All episodes available to stream Friday, September 1 on CBC Gem A Canadian premiere and CBC Gem exclusive from the creators of Find Me in Paris, tween drama SPELLBOUND follows the adventures of a teen dance student, CeCe Parker-Jones (played by Canadian Hailey Romain), at the Paris Opera Ballet School who discovers that she is a witch.
AUNTY B’S HOUSE New Series (20×7) – All episodes available to stream Monday, September 4 on CBC Gem (CBC TV debut on Monday, September 11 with new episodes airing Monday – Saturday) A groundbreaking live action CBC Kids original sitcom for kids about a foster home full of heart, humour, music and unconditional love.
HELLO KITTY: SUPER STYLE! New Series (52×11) – Premieres Monday, September 4 on CBC Gem and CBC TV, with a new episode airing daily, Monday – Saturday The iconic Hello Kitty helps her friends find happiness while putting on the most appropriate (and cutest) outfits to face each situation in this animated series for kids.
Today, AMI unveiled its AMI-tv schedule for the 2023-24 fall broadcast season, with a lineup of exciting new and returning AMI originals available in described video for the blind, partially sighted and disability community in Canada.
In addition to new seasons of AMI-tv’s live daily shows, NOW with Dave Brown and Kelly and Ramya, AMI invites viewers to join host Bobbi Janzen for a new crop of accessible exercises in Healthy at Home, engage in technology conversations through Access Tech Live, and learn about those who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport in Level Playing Field.
“AMI-tv’s robust fall schedule has something for everyone,” says John Melville, Vice President of Content Development and Operations, AMI. “From health and technology to sport and entrepreneurs and our daily live shows, we’re spotlighting and furthering the conversation on disability.”
Highlights of AMI-tv’s fall schedule include:
NOW with Dave Brown – weekdays at 9 a.m. Eastern Join veteran broadcaster Dave Brown, weekdays at 9 a.m. Eastern, as he discusses the latest news, entertainment, sports and current events through a disability lens.
Kelly and Ramya – weekdays at 2 p.m. Eastern Airing weekdays at 2 p.m. Eastern, Kelly and Ramya gives a dynamic and compelling voice to the disability experience in Canada. Stay tuned for more information later this fall regarding a special primetime broadcast of Kelly and Ramya’s annual holiday party.
Healthy at Home – Season 2 returns Wednesday, September 6, at 7 p.m. Eastern Fitness instructor Bobbi Janzen guides viewers through an hour-long home workout that tones and strengthens for everyday living. Bobbi gives step-by-step detailed instruction that focuses on the muscle groups overused when using a white cane or guide dog, fitness advice for wheelchair users, and overall tips for better health.
Access Tech Live – Season 1 debuts Thursday, September 14, at Noon Eastern As previously announced, Access Tech Live is a live weekly broadcast, hosted by Marc Aflalo and Steven Scott, that promises an interactive experience for viewers and the ability to cover technology news as it unfolds.
Level Playing Field – Season 4 returns Tuesday, October 3, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Hosted by Paralympian Greg Westlake (Para Sport Update, above), Level Playing Field introduces viewers to the athletes, community groups, healthcare professionals and grassroots innovators who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport. Among the athletes featured in Season 4 are Para athletics sprinter Marissa Papaconstantinou, Para climber Chaz Misuraca and Toronto Raptors’ star Pascal Siakam’s generous donations to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Disrupt – Season 2 returns Monday, October 23, at 9 p.m. Eastern Hosted by the charismatic Taylor Olson, Disrupt showcases music, short films, poetry, animation, spoken word, comedy, dance, puppetry and other mediums, with a disability-first punk rock attitude. Disrupt also features members of the disability community working in such key production roles as production manager, writer, assistant editor, assistant director, composer, assistant production designer and camera and sound assistants.
Mind Your Own Business – Season 3 returns, Wednesday, November 15, at 9 p.m. Eastern Hosted by Kevin Shaw and with the help of mentors, entrepreneurs in the disability community aim to take their businesses to the next level. Businesses featured in Season 3 include Liberty Co consultants, Glass Brothers Construction Inc., Friendly Roads Mobility Service and Country Fields Beekeeping Supplies.
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.
About AMI-tv AMI-tv is the world’s first television network to broadcast all programs with open format described video for individuals who are blind or partially sighted and is broadcast daily into more than eight million Canadian homes as part of the basic digital cable package with most service providers. AMI-tv is committed to broadcasting a variety of content with a focus on accessibility and inclusion.
About Accessible Media Inc. AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through accessible media, reflection and portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.
