Tag Archives: Industry News

Netflix announces partnerships with Canada’s leading Indigenous screen organizations

June 11, 2019 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Today, at the 2019 Banff World Media Festival, Netflix joined imagineNATIVE, The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and Wapikoni Mobile to announce a suite of partnership programs that aim to develop the next generation of Indigenous creators across Canada. These programs range from screenwriting intensives to apprenticeship programs, joining the 11 existing partnership programs Netflix has funded to nurture the next generation of Canadian creators from underrepresented communities.

“Indigenous communities in Canada are rich with unique stories, and organizations like imagineNATIVE, The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and Wapikoni Mobile are vital to ensuring these voices are heard,” said Stéphane Cardin, Director of Public Policy, Netflix Canada. “Netflix is proud to help launch these three programs, which will reach Indigenous communities across the country.”

imagineNATIVE
The game-changing Netflix-imagineNATIVE partnership will demonstrate an unprecedented level of support for Indigenous filmmakers in Canada, who have urgent needs for professional development programming designed from Indigenous perspectives and delivered within Indigenous contexts by an Indigenous-run organization. Over the next three-and-a-half years, imagineNATIVE will undertake or expand six distinct activities aimed at Indigenous screenwriters, directors and producers through its Institute department:

Indigenous Producers Lab
Indigenous Directors Lab
Indigenous Screenwriting Intensive
‘imagineNATIVE Originals’ Mentorship Commissions
Original Storytellers Series Incubator
Festival Industry Days & Year-Round Institute Series.

“We are thrilled to partner with Netflix to offer an unprecedented series of professional development initiatives at imagineNATIVE,” says Jason Ryle, executive director of imagineNATIVE. “This funding is a significant investment in opportunities for Indigenous directors, producers, and screenwriters in Canada, and marks one of the largest sponsorships in imagineNATIVE’s history.”

The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)
The ISO-Netflix Production Mentorship and Apprenticeship Program will provide second phase support for Indigenous projects that may have received development support through other programs such as those offered by imagineNATIVE Institute, Hot Docs, Banff World Media Festival, or Whistler Film Festival, as well as others. The Program will include two streams: Key Creative Apprenticeships and Cultural Mentorships for directors, producers, screenwriters and showrunners.

“ISO spent the last year in consultations with Indigenous creators and this fund responds to their expressed need for new funding opportunities that will advance work and career opportunities, as well as allow them to follow protocols and practices that are central to Indigenous ways of working,” says Jesse Wente, director of the Indigenous Screen Office.

Wapikoni Mobile
Mentoring and coaching are at the heart of the unique Wapikoni Mobile development experience, and increased accessibility of tools, spaces and trainers are offered through the mobility of its studios. Wapikoni’s approach is centred around the belief that it is essential for the next generation to be inspired by the success of their community. With this new partnership, Wapikoni will be able to coordinate its important collective of emerging filmmakers, organize the numerous opportunities, and structure a program of both continuing education and professional coaching which will have a profound and lasting impact on the next generation of Indigenous creators.

At the centre of Wapikoni’s priorities is the intent to highlight a significant collection of audiovisual works and an immeasurable cultural heritage of artistic expression and Indigenous identity while promoting:

Mediation, dialogue
Awareness, education
Building bridges between Nations, Peoples and generations.

“At Wapikoni, we believe that many young Indigenous artists are isolated from opportunity. When travelling to them locally to offer tools and resources to create short films, we discovered that this journey also leads to supporting the development of talented, emerging filmmakers. Learning from the creative process is at the heart of important social transformations, especially in terms of personal growth, community development, community involvement. We are proud to support the emergence of unique artistic and cultural signatures which will have an invaluable contribution to new audiovisual productions,” explains Odile Joannette, from the Pessamit First Nation of Quebec, and executive director at Wapikoni. “The support from Netflix will allow us to continue to foster narrative sovereignty and cinematographic excellence, and we are absolutely thrilled to count Netflix as a partner, not only for our organization but also for the voices of Indigenous youth,” she added.

Netflix’s support of these programs comes from its fund to develop the next generation of Canadian creators and talent, focused on underrepresented communities in the screen industry. This announcement marks the 11th, 12th and 13th partnerships since the fund was announced in September 2017. Other recent announcements in 2019 include partnerships with the Inside Out Film Festival, RIDM (Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal), and the Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (APFC).

Industry News

National public broadcasters ABC and CBC announce creative and commercial collaboration

June 10, 2019 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

At the Banff World Media Festival, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) today announced a creative and commercial collaboration that will enhance the reach and impact of their content across both countries.

The two national public broadcasters have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to co-develop English-language drama, comedy, factual, children’s and podcast content to maximize the value of their public funding for audiences. The three-year MOU will also provide further opportunities for co-financing and format sales of drama and children’s content.

The MOU will enhance cooperation and collaboration between the ABC and CBC through initiatives such as:

Children’s content: Co-development of children’s programs across television, audio and digital services, including two new proposed TV projects for 2 to 6-year-olds and 8 to 14-year-olds, and ABC’s acquisition of CBC Kids’ original commission Big Blue as well as CBC co-productions Kiri and Lou and the upcoming Sinking Ship sci-fi epic Endlings.
Drama, comedy and factual content: Collaboration on comedy, drama and factual programs through co-development, finance or acquisitions that promote the core values of the public broadcasters.
Educational content: Co-development of a media literacy initiative to equip schools and educators across both countries with the analytical skills and tools to combat misinformation and disinformation.
Audio content: Expansion of radio program exchanges between ABC RN and CBC Radio, plus the sharing of creative ideas and expertise between ABC Audio Studios and CBC Podcasts to create new podcasts.
News content: Sharing of technology and tools to improve tracking and verification of the accuracy of news content.
Local and regional communities: Collaboration on initiatives to better serve local and rural communities, including local journalism projects.
Employee exchange: To ensure the success of such initiatives, the ABC and CBC will facilitate employee exchanges where appropriate and feasible.

The MOU will build on an existing relationship that includes CBC’s acquisition of the broadcast rights to ABC programs Ronny Chieng: International Student, Mustangs FC, Hannah Gadsby’s Nakedy Nudes, Hannah Gadsby’s Oz and the format rights to the ABC’s original series You Can’t Ask That. CBC’s Canadian version of the award-winning format launches on the CBC Gem streaming service in June.

The broadcasters also have a strong history of sharing audio content such as CBC Podcasts Alone: A Love Story and Someone Knows Something and ABC podcasts Trace and Ladies, We Need To Talk, plus ABC RN programs All in the Mind and Off Track and CBC Radio’s Ideas and Out In The Open. With more than 20 million downloads each month, the CBC is Canada’s number-one podcaster. The ABC is Australia’s leading podcast producer.

Industry News, Transplant

Bell Media confirms 70 original productions for 2019/2020 season

June 5, 2019 Greg David 3 Comments

From a media release:

In advance of tomorrow’s #CTVUpfront, Bell Media confirmed today its first wave of new and returning original entertainment programming for the 2019/20 season. With 31 new original programs announced to date, and more to be confirmed in the coming days and weeks, a total of 70 original English-language programs will be produced in the coming season in partnership with independent production companies and in-house at Bell Media Studios.

With Canada’s top programs, including original programs and homegrown hits, more Canadians make Bell Media their choice for viewing than any other media company. As Canada’s most-watched network in primetime for 18 years in a row, CTV is home to:

THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the #1 summer series among A25-54 for a sixth season in a row
The most-watched Canadian comedy of the year, JANN
The top Canadian daily lifestyle programs, Bell Media Studios’ THE SOCIAL and THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW
The most-watched entertainment newsmagazine for nine years running, ETALK
Canada’s most-watched national morning show, YOUR MORNING

In addition to the productions announced by Bell Media Studios last week, Bell Media’s 2019/20 Original Productions slate includes the following:

NEW Bell Media Original Series and Specials for 2019/20 (by channel):

CTV

TRANSPLANT
CTV announced today that Hamza Haq, Laurence Leboeuf, and John Hannah will star in the one-hour, primetime medical procedural, with production beginning this month. TRANSPLANT tells the story of a brilliantly skilled emergency medicine doctor who fled Syria to Canada, as he’s challenged to make a place for himself in a new hospital and country. The drama blends the story of a new immigrant with an ensemble medical procedural, offering audiences a fresh take on a beloved genre. The first season consists of 13 episodes, with production set to begin in Summer 2019. (NBCUniversal International Studios with Sphère Média Plus)

ALBEDO
One-hundred-and-fifty years in the future, detective Vivien Coleman is dispatched to the edge of our solar system to investigate a scientist’s mysterious death on board an isolated space station. She soon finds herself trapped and cut off from Earth, along with the station’s small crew of brilliant scientists – all murder suspects, and all harbouring their own secrets… What begins as a classic murder mystery evolves into a fight for survival that may threaten the future of our species. (eOne)

POP EVOLUTION
This eight-episode series has one goal: to tell the richest, most fascinating tales from the ongoing history of pop music. Each stand-alone episode is a documentary portrait with its own unique voice, style, and vision. Through exclusive interviews and unprecedented access, archival depth, and critical takes, POP EVOLUTION dives deeper into the genre than ever before. (Banger Films)
CTV Life Channel

LET’S BRUNCH
This delightful cooking series is dedicated to everyone’s favorite leisurely and decadent mid-morning meal. Hosted by the bubbly Vanessa Gianfrancesco (ONE WORLD KITCHEN), LET’S BRUNCH offers a brunch menu for every occasion, showcasing sweet and savory recipes, along with the occasional refreshing beverage or cozy latte. (Gusto Worldwide Media)

CHRISTMAS WITH BONACINI
In this charming one-hour holiday special set in Michael Bonacini’s festive kitchen, the celebrity chef and his son Oscar cook up an elegant and flavourful feast of their favourite Christmas recipes. (Gusto Worldwide Media)

WATTS ON THE GRILL FOR THANKSGIVING
In his upcoming special, host Spencer Watts shows viewers how to barbecue like a pro throughout the holiday season. (Gusto Worldwide Media)

Crave
Canada’s prestige entertainment offering recently announced a complete slate of upcoming conversation-worthy Crave Originals, headlined by:

Crave heads to Montréal for the JUST FOR LAUGHS FESTIVAL this summer, shooting a series of four new specials featuring acclaimed Canadian comedians. These four new specials bring the Crave Original standup series total to 10 specials. (Just For Laughs Television)

WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE
A smart, distinctive, and caustic documentary about the end of the world, the newest original series from Crave goes into production this summer. Drawing together science, psychology, pop culture, and philosophy, WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE meets viewers’ fascination with the apocalypse head-on. Each episode explores one of the ways that humanity could meet its end – from nuclear war and asteroids to aliens – with the ultimate hope that humankind can come together to make the world a better place. (90th Parallel Productions)

ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND
Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, Brian Grazer, and Ron Howard, this documentary feature is a confessional, cautionary, and occasionally humorous tale of Robertson’s young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music. Inspired by Robertson’s bestselling memoir, Testimony (Penguin/Random House, 2017), the film blends rare archival footage and interviews with many of Robertson’s friends and collaborators, including Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Scorsese, Taj Mahal, Peter Gabriel, David Geffen, and Ronnie Hawkins, among others. (Imagine Documentaries/White Pine Pictures/Bell Media Studios/Universal Music Canada)

NEW EDEN
Production kicks off June 17 in North Bay, Ont. on the darkly funny “true crime” comedy from two of Canada’s hottest comedic voices, Evany Rosen (PICNICFACE, BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW) and Kayla Lorette (THE BEAVERTON, SPACE RIDERS). (Peacock Alley Entertainment)

Discovery

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, MAKE IT TO THE MOON (narrated by Canadian actor Stephan James) features four trailblazing teams – contracted by NASA – who take up President Kennedy’s challenge to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade. These ‘unsung heroes of the unsung heroes’ must invent from scratch the innovative technology necessary to create the lunar module spacecraft, the onboard computer, the moon suit, and track it all through space. (eOne)

VW WOODSTOCK BUS
On the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, VW WOODSTOCK BUS is a one-hour special that explores the inspiring story of Dr. Bob, the man who painted the original Woodstock hippie bus with symbols he believed would usher in the dawn of a new age. (Arcadia Productions)

CLEARED FOR CHAOS: 9/11
This documentary special tells the gripping story of how air traffic controllers in Gander, Newfoundland pulled off the impossible on September 11, 2001. (Bristow Global Media)

UNABOMBER: THE MAD TRUTH
This four-part series tells the story of the nationwide manhunt for the terrorist known only as the “Unabomber,” which lasted from 1978 – 1995, until a tip led the FBI to a remote cabin in the Montana mountains. The tip that ultimately took down Ted Kaczynski, a.k.a. the Unabomber, came from his younger brother, David, and David’s wife, Linda. (Yap Films)

Investigation Discovery

IF I SHOULD DIE
As investigators piece together a murder mystery, sometimes the victim speaks from beyond the grave, communicating via their revelatory words written in a diary, journal, or private online blog. IF I SHOULD DIE explores how these emotional words can provide incredible insight into the victim’s life – and sometimes into their darkest secrets. (Cream Productions)

UNEXPLAINED 911
This immersive new series reveals the true-life stories of police and other members of law enforcement who found themselves face-to-face with strange and bizarre events. Each episode investigates cases involving ghostly haunting, demonic possession, alien abduction, and other supernatural emergency calls featuring the men and women who have devoted their lives to serve and protect. (Cream Productions)
Much Studios

POSITIVE
A Much Studios’ Original Documentary, POSITIVE profiles the lives of five diverse HIV+ millennials through a roundtable discussion and stigma-busting personal narratives. Moderated by Much Studios’ Michael Rizzi, the documentary creates an intimate and safe space for the group to discuss the themes of identity, community, sex, and the ongoing misconceptions surrounding HIV.

Returning Bell Media Original Productions Confirmed to Date for 2019/20 (by channel):

CTV

Internationally successful and critically acclaimed series CARDINAL has wrapped production on its final season with stars Billy Campbell and Karine Vanasse. (Sienna Films/eOne)

The half-hour satirical news sensation THE BEAVERTON returns to CTV for Season 3, premiering July 23. (Pier 21 Films)

THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the most-watched series of the summer, is set to deliver its seventh season Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 2 on CTV. Hosted by Olympic gold medallist Jon Montgomery, the multiple Canadian Screen Award-winning series returns as nine all-new teams join fan favourites from Season 1, Jet & Dave, who were selected as Canada’s Choice to race again. The 10 teams head to the starting line to push themselves out of their comfort zones in a non-stop, action-packed race. (Insight Productions)

New episodes of original culinary series MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH continue Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV as host Mary Berg shares her delicious twists on classic dishes inspired by her family and close friends. (Proper Television)

THE 2019 CANADA’S WALK OF FAME AWARDS, delivering the awards’ 21st anniversary this November. (Insight Productions)

Crave

Named a “must watch” series by the New York Times and an award-winning Canadian comedy program, an all-new six-pack of LETTERKENNY premieres on Oct. 11 and production on another season begins this summer in Sudbury, Ont. (New Metric Media)
CTV Comedy Channel

Coming to the CTV Comedy lineup in the 2019-20 broadcast year are THE STAND-UP SHOW WITH JON DORE and four unique @JFL gala presentations from Montréal’s Place des Arts. (Just For Laughs Television)

The most-watched original series ever on CTV Comedy, CORNER GAS ANIMATED (CTV Comedy) premieres Season 2 on July 1 with 11 all-new episodes. The new season includes a star-studded lineup of cameos, featuring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Chris Hadfield, and EPIC MEALTIME’s Harley Morenstein, with a special guest star appearance by Michael J. Fox. (Prairie Pantoons/Moving Mountoons)

CTV Drama Channel

The light hearted mystery-crime drama CARTER, starring Jerry O’Connell (BILLIONS) is currently in production for Season 2. Shot in North Bay, Ont., the sophomore season is set to debut later this year, exclusively on CTV Drama. (Sony Pictures Television)

CTV Life Channel

Season 3 of SPENCER’S BIG 30 showcases healthy, hearty meals that can be prepared in 30 minutes. (Gusto Worldwide Media)
Italian cooking series BONACINI’S ITALY, starring MASTERCHEF CANADA’S Michael Bonacini, returns for a second season. (Gusto Worldwide Media)

Season 2 of WATTS ON THE GRILL continues to celebrate all things grilled with chef extraordinaire Spencer Watts. Each half-hour episode shows viewers how to barbecue like a pro, from sizzling steak, smoked chicken and steamy seafood, to fruit, cheese, and delicious desserts. Tips, tricks, and tasty recipes are all on Watts’ menu as he inspires viewers to think of ingredients differently and try new things on the grill. (Gusto Worldwide Media)

CTV Sci-Fi Channel

The fifth and final season of CTV Sci-Fi’s most-watched original series KILLJOYS returns July 19. In the Quad, a planetary system on the brink of a bloody interplanetary class war, a fun-loving trio of bounty hunters attempts to remain impartial as they chase deadly warrants. Reprising their roles for the last time, Hannah John-Kamen (ANT MAN AND THE WASP) returns as Yelena “Dutch” Yarden / Aneela, along with Canadian Screen Award nominee for best lead actor Aaron Ashmore (CARDINAL) as John Jaqobis, and Luke MacFarlane (THE NIGHT SHIFT) as D’avin Jaqobis. (Temple Street Productions)

Discovery

The captivating series MAYDAY, currently in the first half of its 19th season, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET, continues to reveal the often harrowing truth behind plane crashes, providing viewers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the world’s most catastrophic aviation accidents in search of clues that might prevent similar tragedies from happening again. (Cineflix/National Geographic Channels International/Canal D)

HELLFIRE HEROES returns this fall for Season 2. Featuring stories of strength, fearlessness, and dedication, a uniquely versatile group of firefighters risk their lives to serve and protect the residents of isolated areas of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. (Pixcom Productions)

HIGHWAY THRU HELL is back for Season 8 in 2019, chronicling the lives of heroic rescue teams who often put their own lives at risk to help keep vital transport highways open and communities safe. (Thunderbird Entertainment Group)

HEAVY RESCUE: 401, a Top 5 series on Discovery, returns for Season 4 in early 2020, documenting dramatic recoveries along Ontario’s 400-series highways – extending from Windsor in the west to the Québec border in the east. (Thunderbird Entertainment Group)

Animal Planet

Biologist Niall McCann travels the world to understand the relationship between humans and some of the world’s most charismatic and formidable animals in the upcoming third season of the award-winning BIGGEST AND BADDEST. (Gryphon/Wild Planet Productions)

KERI: PRAIRIE VET returns for a third season, continuing to follow the action-packed life of travelling vet Dr. Keri Hudson Reykdal, on the road 24/7 to care for “all creatures big and small.” (Merit Morion Pictures)

WILD BEAR RESCUE, the most adorable original Canadian series, returns for Season 3 on June 14 with heartwarming stories of injured and orphaned bear cubs at Northern Lights Wildlife Society in Smithers, B.C. (Omnifilm Entertainment)
Investigation Discovery

FEAR THY NEIGHBOUR returns for Season 6 this fall. This true-crime thriller follows the disturbing tales of those with the misfortune to unwittingly take up residence within a stone’s throw of a psychopath or killer. (Cream Productions)

Industry News

Corus Entertainment 40 outstanding Canadian series for 2019-2020

May 30, 2019 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Today, Corus Entertainment announced its 2019-2020 order of captivating new Canadian series and proven hits. This unrivaled slate features 40 newly-commissioned seasons and titles. With an increase in Canadian production year over year, Corus underscores its commitment to homegrown talent. The company’s diverse portfolio of networks is investing in premium original content across all genres in collaboration with award-winning creators across the country. In addition to the Canadian series being announced today, more scripted and lifestyle series will be unveiled in the coming months.

This year, Corus’ acclaimed scripted slate grew with character-driven drama Nurses and Canada/UK co-production Departure starring Emmy^® winner Archie Panjabi and Oscar^® winner Christopher Plummer. Complementing those series, Corus orders returning seasons of detective drama Private Eyes and award-winning historical drama Vikings. As a trailblazer in unscripted lifestyle content, a new crop of original competitive, palate-pleasing series are introduced including Wall of Chefs, The Big Bake and kid cooking series Junior Chef Showdown. Leading home and renovation series, Big Home Overhaul and Hot Market complement recurring favourites with heavy-hitting Canadian talent such as Property Brothers, Island of Bryan and Home to Win. The company also brings audiences homegrown versions of prized franchises such as Big Brother Canada and Top Chef Canada with returning seasons this year, along with new episodes ofIron Chef Canada. Dominating the industry in children’s content and world-class animation, endearing pre-school series The Remarkable Mr. King joins Corus’ successful slate of animated content.

Corus Entertainment further cements its position as a leader in stellar Canadian programming on an international scale through its Corus Studios content and its industry-leading kids content company, Nelvana. Corus Studios develops, produces and distributes programs across an array of genres, distributed globally in over 150 territories. This year, Corus Studios delivers 11 new series and confirms seven returning hits. As a world-leading producer and distributor of children’s content, Nelvana’s content is broadcast across Corus’ collection of leading kids’ networks and is distributed in more than 160 countries worldwide. For the 2019-2020 broadcast season, Nelvana creates two new series and a short film, along with a number of returning series across a slate of more than a dozen productions.

Below is a breakdown of Corus Entertainment’s lineup of new and returning original series:

GLOBAL
Global renews seasons of summer smash-hit Private Eyes, juggernaut reality series Big Brother Canada for the 2019-2020 season. Also joining the schedule, are previously announced original dramas Departure and Nurses set to premiere midseason in 2020.

Entertainment Tonight Canada, Season 15 (260×30) – NEW SEASON (2019/2020)
Returning for its milestone 15^th season, the nation’s entertainment powerhouse ET Canada delivers in-depth and breaking celebrity, film, television, and music news both on-air and online. Airing weeknights at 7:30 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, ET Canada is hosted by Cheryl Hickey along with Sr. Reporter Roz Weston, and Entertainment Reporters Sangita Patel and Carlos Bustamante. (Produced by Corus Entertainment for Global Television in association with Paramount Domestic Television).

Private Eyes, Season 4 (12×60) – NEW SEASON – (Summer 2020)
Private Eyes returns to the exciting, sexy and unpredictable world of The Everett and Shade agency with Season 4. Shade (Jason Priestley) and Everett (Cindy Sampson) have their hands full of twisty, thrilling, and dangerous cases to solve. From a Gatsby garden party, to a high-profile celebrity golf tournament, and the glitz and glamour of TIFF to a bizarre alien cult. The beloved duo will be personally and professionally challenged as they think about the paths not taken, and what kind of life they want to lead. Season 3 of the summer hit currently airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Global. (Produced by eOne).

Big Brother Canada, Season 8 (30×60) – NEW SEASON – (Winter 2020)
On the heels of a successful Season 7, which delivered the largest audience of any season on Global for total viewers*****, the hit reality series hosted by Arisa Cox is back for another season in 2020. As a Top 20 performer across key demos****, Season 8 will feature a group of hand-picked strangers, sequestered from the outside world, living in a house with cameras and microphones that capture their every move. (Produced by Insight Productions. Big Brother is an original format owned by Endemol Shine Group).

Previously announced series include:

Departure, Season 1 (6×60) – NEW SERIES – (Midseason, in early 2020)
Departure is a six-part event series that follows the shocking disappearance of Flight 716, a passenger plane that vanishes over the Atlantic Ocean. Kendra Malley (Panjabi), the recently widowed, brilliant aviation investigator, is called in by her former boss and mentor Howard Lawson (Plummer) to investigate the mysterious crash. With the whole world watching, Kendra and her team race to pinpoint the missing aircraft and locate possible survivors. They must battle through a host of suspects and motives – pilot suicide, terrorism, politically motivated murder, systems failure – to determine what really happened to Flight 716…and to stop it from happening again. (Produced by Shaftesbury and Greenpoint Productions Ltd.)

Nurses, Season 1 (10×60) – NEW SERIES – (Midseason, in early 2020)
Stationed in every tendril of a busy downtown trauma centre and thrust into frontline medical action, Nurses sees five recent graduates beginning their careers in a high-stakes hospital with pressure cooker training. Forming an inextricable bond, the nurses struggle to find a work-life balance that matches and counters the intensity of their new job. Their interaction with patients, relatives, and staff quickly leads them to the discovery that nursing isn’t just about biology, chemistry, and anatomy, it’s also about psychology, compassion, and romantic complications. (Produced by ICF Films, and eOne in association with Piazza Entertainment).

LIFESTYLE

Food Network Canada delivers a delectable menu of standout new series beginning with holiday-themed baking competition, The Big Bake this fall. To satisfy cravings this winter, a sweet competition series, Chocolate Masters joins the network. This spring, a foodie-friendly competition show debuts featuring the brightest kid cooks in Junior Chef Showdown and home cooks will strive to satisfy the country’s toughest palates in epic new culinary competition series, Wall of Chefs.

The Big Bake (18×60) – NEW SERIES – (Corus Studios) (Fall 2019)
The Big Bake is a larger-than-life holiday baking competition series from Food Network Canada with themed Halloween, holiday and spring episodes. In each special self-contained episode, three professional baking teams have six hours to design, bake and decorate a grand-scale holiday-inspired cake based on a particular theme. These bakers need to go big or they’ll go home – blowing up their designs to gigantic proportions and thinking outside the (bakery) box for their holiday-inspired creations. The more ambitious and delicious the cake, the closer they are to victory…and each episode’s $10,000 prize. (Produced by Architect Films).

Chocolate Masters (8×60) – NEW SERIES – (Corus Studios) (Winter 2020)
Chocolate Masters is a new ooey-gooey, decadent chocolate dessert competition series from Food Network Canada. In this sweet serialized competition, 10 home bakers go head-to-head in the indulgent world of chocolate, vying for the grand prize in a range of creative and exciting chocolate-based challenges. In order to survive the competition from week-to-week and avoid elimination, the chocaholic dessert-makers must dazzle our panel of world-renowned chocolatiers and food expert judges with their delicious, inventive creations. In the end, only one competitor makes it all the way to the end and is crowned the ultimate chocolate master. (Produced by Architect Films).

Junior Chef Showdown (wt) (8×60) – NEW SERIES – (Corus Studios) (Spring 2020)
The most buzz-worthy kid cooks gather in one spot to compete in this serialized cooking competition. These amazing wunderkid chefs live and breathe food and are ready to amaze and astound with their culinary creations. In Junior Chef Showdown, the best and brightest young cooks go head-to-head in challenges that test their skills and ingenuity in the kitchen, but only one pint-sized chef will be named the country’s best. (Produced by Proper Television).

Wall of Chefs (20×60) – NEW SERIES – (Corus Studios) (Spring 2020, Spring 2021)
In Wall of Chefs, amateur cooks face off in cutthroat culinary challenges that are judged by twelve of Canada’s most renowned chefs, also known as ‘The Wall’. Each episode features four home cooks who compete in themed rounds with the ultimate goal of satisfying the palates of these highly respected industry pros. At the end of each devastatingly difficult but delicious round, the chef judges critique the dishes and the competitor who makes the worst dish must leave the Wall of Chefs kitchen. At the end, only one cook will be left standing, claiming $10,000 and the respect of the Wall of Chefs. (Produced by Insight Productions).

Iron Chef Canada, Season 1B (10×60) – NEW EPISODES (Fall 2019)
Based upon the popular Japanese sensation, Iron Chef Canada pits world-class chefs in intense culinary battles against the legendary Canadian Iron Chefs: Hugh Acheson, Amanda Cohen, Lynn Crawford, Rob Feenie, and Susur Lee. In every episode, a talented challenger goes head-to-head against one of Canada’s most iconic and legendary Iron Chefs in a one-hour, five-dish competition for culinary supremacy. (Produced by Proper Television. Based on the original ‘Iron Chef’ Series Produced by Fuji Television Network, Inc.).

Carnival Eats, Season 7 (13×30) – NEW SEASON – (Fall 2019)
Host Noah Cappe is back on the hunt for the most mouth-watering and outrageous foods famously found at fairs and amusement parks in Carnival Eats, giving audiences an inside look at the wacky characters who create them and the culinary thrill-seekers who devour and delight in them. (Produced by Alibi Entertainment).

Fire Masters, Season 1B (15×60) Season 2 (15×60) – NEW SEASON – (Corus Studios) (Spring 2020, Spring 2021)
In each episode of Fire Masters, three chefs push their grilling talents to the limit as they do battle in fiery culinary challenges, cooking up creative, mouthwatering, flame-kissed dishes. One chef is eliminated in each of the first two rounds. The last chef standing then goes head-to-head with a Fire Masters judge in an epic third and final round, vying for $10,000 cash and the coveted title of Fire Masters Champion. (Produced by Architect Films).

Big Food Bucket List, Season 2 (26×30) – NEW SEASON – (Corus Studios) (Spring 2020)
Fan-favourite host and comedian John Catucci (You Gotta Eat Here!) returns for a second season, taking viewers on one-of-a-kind food adventures across North America, checking the most drool-worthy dishes and must-see culinary stops off his Big Food Bucket List. (Produced by Lone Eagle Entertainment).

Top Chef Canada, Season 8 (8×60) – NEW SEASON – (Spring 2020)
Canada’s most prestigious culinary competition is back with the best and brightest professional chefs competing for the title of Canada’s Top Chef. A Top 3 ranked series on Food Network Canada this spring*, Top Chef Canada returns for its eighth season with its expert panel of judges comprised of chef, restaurant co-owner and host, Eden Grinshpan, owner of The McEwan Group, head judge chef Mark McEwan along with resident judges: restaurateur Janet Zuccarini, food personality Mijune Pak and renowned food critic Chris Nuttall-Smith. (Produced by Insight Productions. Top Chef Canada is the homegrown version of the hit Emmy Award-winning NBCUniversal Series Top Chef).

HGTV Canada brings home 12 new and returning series, welcoming new Canadian talent and featuring familiar fan-favourite personalities including a new season of Property Brothers this fall. New real estate series Hot Market reveals high stakes in the country’s largest city, while Big Home Overhaul transforms households for deserving families, set for spring 2020.

Property Brothers: Forever Home (7×60) – NEW SERIES – (Summer 2019)
Drew and Jonathan Scott are on a mission to help couples transform their houses into forever homes – a place where they can put down roots and spend their lives. Our homeowners aren’t looking to flip properties or make a quick buck, they know their house is “the one” and have plans to grow old together. They need Drew and Jonathan to unlock the full potential of their houses and renovate them into the homes of their dreams. (Produced by Scott Brothers Entertainment).

Hot Market (8×60) – NEW SERIES – (2019/2020)
Hot Market chronicles the behind-the-scenes stories of five top-selling real estate agents in Canada’s biggest city. This fresh new series follows the hustle to buy, sell and renovate homes for discerning clients in the high-stakes, high-end and highly competitive Toronto marketplace. Each episode opens the doors to an exclusive world of multi-million dollar properties, showcasing everything from trendy urban lofts and modern penthouses to jaw-dropping mansions and luxurious lakefront estates. These top agents stop at nothing to chase listings, prep homes for sale and find clients their ultimate dream home. (Produced by Architect Films).

Big Home Overhaul (wt) (8×60) – NEW SERIES – (Corus Studios) (Spring 2020)
Big Home Overhaul (wt) is HGTV Canada’s new feel-good renovation series that follows the network’s most talented contractors and designers as they come together to deliver whole-home renovations to incredibly deserving homeowners. In each episode, our dynamic host brings together a different HGTV Canada celebrity contractor-designer duo to plan and execute the worthy homeowner’s makeover, with the help of family, friends and the community. After the cathartic first swing of the sledgehammer that starts the demolition, the family leaves the home renovation in the hands of HGTV Canada’s best who work around the clock to give the family a complete home overhaul. (Produced by Proper TV).

Home to Win: For the Holidays, Season 4 (8×60) – NEW SEASON – (Corus Studios) (Fall 2019)
The fourth season of the top-rated Canadian original series, which ranked in the Top 10 specialty entertainment programs during its original run**, offers viewers the opportunity to win their very own dream home, returns this fall. HGTV Canada’s celebrity builders, designers and real estate experts bring their extraordinary skill, creativity and reno know-how to completely restore this season’s home, a Victorian beauty in dire need of a modern makeover. New this year are holiday-themed design touches and DIY challenges with the home rewarded just in time for the warm-and-fuzzy holiday season. (Produced by Architect Films).

Property Brothers: Buying and Selling, Season 6 (8×60) – NEW SEASON – (Fall 2019)
In Property Brothers: Buying and Selling, Jonathan and Drew Scott help homeowners take their next step up the real estate ladder. Jonathan renovates the family’s home for a successful sale, while Drew hunts down the best options for their next property and oversees the selling and buying. (Produced by Cineflix).

Property Brothers, Season 7 (18×60) – NEW SEASON – (Fall 2019 and Winter 2020)
Drew and Jonathan support couples across the Greater Toronto Area, Nashville as well as Calgary and Las Vegas to find, buy, and transform extreme fixer-uppers into incredible dream homes. First, real estate specialist Drew tracks down hidden gems with untapped potential, and then it’s up to identical twin brother and contractor Jonathan to expertly overhaul these ramshackle properties. (Produced by Cineflix).

Island of Bryan, Season 2 (8×60) – NEW SEASON – (Corus Studios) (Winter 2020)
The most watched program on HGTV Canada in over 10 years*** and ranking #3 across all of Canadian specialty entertainment this spring*, Island of Bryan returns for a second season this winter. In Season 2, Bryan and Sarah have committed to six more months until the grand opening. With the budget maxed out and more at stake than ever, they need to keep their eyes on the prize: finishing their dream project. This season will bring an end to the epic family adventure; leaving viewers inspired, amazed, and relieved that they didn’t have to take on this build themselves. (Produced by Si Entertainment).

$ave My Reno, Season 3 (14×30) – NEW SEASON – (Corus Studios) (Winter 2020)
In $ave My Reno Season 3, cash-conscious homeowners’ domestic dreams become a reality when Sebastian Clovis, the savvy builder with contagious energy, and Samantha Pynn, the celebrated ‘luxe-on-a-budget’ designer, grab hold of each project. Seb and Sam save through smart spends, upcycling, and spectacular DIY designs, encouraging homeowners to strap on a toolbelt and help with their renovation along the way. Together they transform these houses into showpiece homes – all on a budget that fits the bill. (Produced by Great Pacific Media).

Backyard Builds – Season 3 (11×30) – NEW SEASON – (Corus Studios) (Spring 2020)
Contractor Brian McCourt and design expert Sarah Keenleyside maximize a backyard’s potential by creating tailored, one-of-a-kind structures in Backyard Builds. Whether it’s a converted shipping container, cake studio, treehouse village or outdoor theatre – when indoor space isn’t enough, Brian and Sarah take it outside. (Produced by Frantic Films).

Previously announced series include:

Farmhouse Facelift (10×60) – NEW SERIES – (Corus Studios) (Winter 2020)
Old farmhouses are spacious, historic treasures with loads of potential, but restoring them to their former glory with modern amenities can be a massive undertaking. No one knows more about farmhouse living than renovation experts and siblings Billy Pearson and Carolyn Wilbrink. Billy (a contractor) and Carolyn (a designer) grew up on their family farm in rural Ontario. Now, they’re using their construction and design expertise to restore rustic and rundown farmhouses for their clients. (Produced by Sonar Entertainment).

Make Your Move (wt) (10×60) – NEW SERIES – (Corus Studios) (Winter/Spring 2020)
In Make Your Move, Kortney and Dave Wilson help homeowners make strategic moves with their money by using their flipping expertise to turn a newly purchased fixer-upper into the home of their dreams – all while making smart investments into the biggest asset these families own. (Produced by Scott Brothers Entertainment).

Vacation House Rules (10×60) – NEW SERIES – (Corus Studios) (Spring 2020)
You don’t need a million bucks to buy the vacation house of your dreams. Real estate expert and contractor Scott McGillivray, with his years of smart real estate and renovating experience, can show you how. Scott shows homeowners how to take their vacation property purchase and unlock its full rental potential. Through Scott’s Vacation House Rules even the most neglected and unlivable of spaces can be transformed into unique and buzz-worthy pieces of paradise. (Produced by McGillivray Entertainment).

HISTORY® debuts three new series, Big Timber, following a family of loggers in B.C., joining previously announced series Salvage Kings slated for fall and Breaking Wild for winter. The network also debuts a new season of historical drama and Top 5 entertainment specialty program*, Vikings, later this year.

Big Timber (8×60) – NEW SERIES – (Corus Studios) (2020)
In the forests of Vancouver Island, B.C. a family of loggers have bet it all on a valuable and isolated timber claim. But with treacherous weather and impossible terrain they must build their own roads and MacGyver their own machinery to get this timber out in the best condition possible – and they have a limited amount of time to get it done. (Produced by Big Timber Media).

Holocaust – The Last Survivors (wt) (1×90) – REMEMBRANCE DAY SPECIAL – (Fall 2019)
The personal experiences of children during the Holocaust told through first-hand accounts of the last survivors. Seventy-five years ago, they were witness to unspeakable horrors, but their stories of survival are often filled with moving examples of bravery, kindness and redemption. The survivors travel back to Europe – to hometowns and concentration camps where painful memories flood back, and where dramatic and emotional reunions unfold. As the last living links to the worst crime of the 20th century, they wonder, “when we are gone, will people remember? Will they believe it happened?” (Produced by Saloon Media).

History Erased, Season 2 (4×60) – NEW SEASON – (Corus Studios) (Fall 2019)
This innovative event series examines the butterfly effect of removing key individuals, ideas and inventions from a given nation’s history to highlight that country’s contributions to global culture and human history. In each episode, we imagine the world without a specific country as their game-changing leaders, innovators and social-political achievements are erased. What unfolds? Global catastrophe, societal upheaval and chaos! (Produced by Cream Productions).

Vikings – Season 6A (10×60) – NEW SEASON – (Fall 2019)
Award-winning historical drama and ranking as the #4 program across specialty entertainment last fall*, Vikings returns with the hotly anticipated first part of Season 6, the final season, coming this fall (Canada/Ireland co-production by Take 5 and TM Productions Limited).

Dead Still, Industry News

Shaftesbury’s Ireland-Canada co-pro Dead Still currently in production for RTE, Acorn TV, and Citytv

May 30, 2019 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Dublin-based Deadpan Pictures and Toronto-based producer Shaftesbury today announced that production is underway on new mystery drama series DEAD STILL (6 X 60). The Ireland-Canada co-production is co-commissioned by RTÉ and Acorn Media Enterprises (AME) alongside ZDF Enterprises. Set in 1880s Ireland in the Victorian era heyday of “postmortem photography,” the six-episode period drama follows a renowned memorial photographer as he investigates the murders of his recently deceased subjects. DEAD STILL is written by John Morton and directed by Imogen Murphy (Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, Red Rock) and Craig David Wallace (Slasher, Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, Murdoch Mysteries). Acorn Media Enterprises has secured all rights in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom; co-premiere rights in Canada; and secondary rights in Ireland. ZDF Enterprises will distribute the series in the rest of the world. It was developed with the support of Screen Ireland and Creative Europe. DEAD STILL will premiere in 2020 on RTÉ in Ireland, on Acorn TV in the United States as an Acorn TV Original, and in Canada on Citytv, a division of Rogers Media. The series, with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), is currently filming on location in and around Dublin through June 2019.

DEAD STILL blends mystery and drama with gallows humour, and features an incredible ensemble of acclaimed international actors including Michael Smiley (Luther as DS Benny Silver, Wire in the Blood, Death and Nightingales) as Brock Blennerhasset, Kerr Logan (Game of Thrones, Victoria, Alias Grace) as Conall Molloy, Eileen O’Higgins (Brooklyn, Mary Queen of Scots) as Nancy Vickers, and Aidan O’Hare (Jackie, Pilis) as Detective Frederick Regan. DEAD STILL also stars Jimmy Smallhorne (Taken Down, Clean Break) as Cecil Carruthers, Mark Rendall (Departure, Versailles) as Percy Cummins, Peter Campion (Derry Girls, Kat and Alfie: Redwater) as Henry Vickers, Michael Patric (Frontier, Supernatural), and Martin Donovan (Big Little Lies, Fahrenheit 451).

Dublin, 1880. The practice of memorial portraiture is at the height of its popularity – that is, the portrait photography of the recently deceased. As renowned memorial photographer Brock Blennerhasset (Smiley) expands his business with the help of his would-be actress niece Nancy Vickers (O’Higgins) and assistant Conall Molloy (Logan), someone with more sinister designs is getting in on the death photography game. A serial killer is cashing in on the sordid, developing taste for ‘snuff’ imagery – pictures of people in their death throes. The murders escalate and Detective Frederick Regan (O’Hare) of the Dublin Metropolitan Police suspects that Ireland may have its first serial murderer at large. As Blennerhasset becomes a possible suspect and his family is put in harm’s way, they must track down the serial killer before he strikes again.

DEAD STILL is executive produced by Paul Donovan, Ailish McElmeel, Christina Jennings, and Scott Garvie, and produced by Suzanne McAuley. DEAD STILL is an Ireland/Canada treaty co-production produced by Deadpan Pictures (Ireland) and Shaftesbury (Canada) in association with RTÉ, Acorn TV with Acorn Media Enterprises, ZDF Enterprises, and BAI, and with the participation of the Irish Tax Credit, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit. DEAD STILL was developed with the support of Screen Ireland and Creative Europe.