Tag Archives: T+E

Industry News

Channel your fears: T+E conjures up five spooky new shows and resurrects two fan-favourite series this October

From a media release:

Starting Thurs., Oct. 3, T+E offers all treats and no tricks with a spooky “Creep Month” line-up that features five new series and two returning favourites, all in time to embrace the spine-tingling spirit of Halloween. Highlights include the highly-anticipated North American premiere of BBC’s re-telling of The War of the Worlds (Oct. 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT) starring Rafe Spall, Eleanor Tomlinson, Robert Carlyle and Rupert Graves; the sinister new Canadian series Witches of Salem (Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT) that exposes the mass hysteria that hit a sleepy New England village in 1692; and Sky Vision’s hit high-octane dystopian series Curfew (Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT) which follows Adam Brody, Sean Bean and Billy Zane on the deadliest ride of their lives.  T+E’s “Creep Month” airs from Thurs., Oct. 3 to Thurs., Oct. 31.

Five new series are set to cast a spell over viewers this October. In addition to the previously mentioned series The War of the Worlds (North American premiere), Witches of Salem (Canadian premiere), and Curfew (Canadian premiere), two new series join the Creep Month line-up. Paranormal: Caught on Camera (Canadian premiere) follows the world’s most terrifying apparitions caught on tape and an all-new season of A Haunting (Canadian premiere) follows bone-chilling true stories of possession, exorcism,  and paranormal encounters. (Full descriptions below).

Resurrected returning favourites include Help! My House is Haunted (12×60’) and Haunted Hospitals (13×60’), both of which promise to take viewers on a spine-tingling trip to the other side and back.

HALLOWEEN “CREEP MONTH” HIGHLIGHTS

NEW SERIES & SEASONS

Curfew (Canadian premiere, season one)
Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, starting October 3
When day becomes night, a strict curfew forces ordinary people to go pedal to the metal in a deadly race for freedom in this action-packed British dystopian drama. Along for the ride in this near-future zombie apocalypse is Adam Brody, Billy Zane and Sean Bean.

Witches of Salem (Canadian premiere, season one)
Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, starting October 6
Witches of Salem tells the tale of history’s most terrifying real-life witch hunt. Drawing on extensive historical documents and court transcripts, the four-part series explores the widespread “satanic panic” that cast a spell over the sleepy village of Salem, Massacuttes and asks what lessons history can teach us about modern day witch hunts and mass hysteria. Produced in Canada by Saloon Media, a Blue Ant company, and in association with Talos Films.

The War of the Worlds (North American premiere, season one)
Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, starting October 6
This long-awaited three-part drama has been generating massive buzz since the BBC first announced its commission. Based on H.G. Wells’ seminal tale and set in Edwardian England, the story follows a terrifying alien invasion where people must fight for their lives against an enemy beyond their comprehension. Directed by the award-winning Craig Viveiros, the series stars Rafe Spall, Eleanor Tomlinson, Rupert Graves and Robert Carlyle.

Paranormal: Caught on Camera (Canadian premiere, season one)
Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, starting October 11
Watch as eyewitness’ capture amazing, eye-opening and downright scary paranormal videos from around the world while a panel of experts break down the footage and analyze what was captured.

A Haunting (Canadian premiere, season ten)
Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, starting October 15
Through terrifying first-person accounts and dramatic recreations, A Haunting delves into the true and horrific events that plague innocent people when spirits determined to have a final say invade their lives to inflict unimaginable horrors.

RESURRECTED SERIES AIRING ALL MONTH LONG

Haunted Hospitals
Fridays at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Explores chilling tales of otherworldly activity inside medical institutions. In each episode, doctors, nurses, and patients give first-hand accounts of deceased patients and medical staff who come back from the grave and stalk the corridors to warn of impending danger.

Help! My House is Haunted
Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT
Created by Ghost Adventures’ Zak Bagans, Help! My House is Haunted is a ghost-hunting series that leaves no stone unturned when it comes to searching for paranormal entities.

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Blue Ant Media unveils its 2019/2020 programming slate of new and returning original series

From a media release:

Blue Ant Media unveils its 2019/2020 schedule of new and returning Canadian original productions for some of its most popular channels, T+E, Cottage Life, Smithsonian Channel, and Makeful. Haunting paranormal programming, cottage and outdoor lifestyle series, intriguing documentaries, and creative competition series dominate the schedule, with several programmes available for licensing globally by Blue Ant International. Overseen by Sam Linton, Head of Original Content, Blue Ant Media, the new and returning series start hitting airwaves in fall 2019, with the majority of programs being world broadcast premieres.

Popular paranormal programming dominates T+E’s new slate. New series include Hotel Paranormal (world broadcast premiere), a series that brings encounters with hotel-lurking paranormal entities to life. The previously announced series, The Witches of Salem (Canadian premiere), also joins the schedule as a four-part series about the mass hysteria surrounding America’s 17th-century witch trials. Returning favourites include Haunted Hospitals (season two, Canadian premiere), and Paranormal 911 (season two, Canadian premiere).

The love of all things cottaging and the outdoors feature heavily on Cottage Life’s new programming grid. New series include the previously announced series, Life Below Zero: Canada (world broadcast premiere), the Canadian version of the hit BBC Studios format. Additionally, a new short-form digital web series Cottage Coach (world premiere), sees DIY expert Adam Holman give useful how-to tips with a cottage lifestyle vibe. Returning series include viewer favourite Hope For Wildlife (world broadcast premiere) who is back for an impressive tenth season of rehabilitating animals. Meanwhile, even freakier weather gets the spotlight on season two of The Weather Files (world broadcast premiere).

The honourable way of the samurai leads Smithsonian Channel’s new schedule with the premiere of Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan (Canadian premiere), a new docudrama series that highlights Japan’s Golden Age of the Samurai. Also new is High Maintenance (Canadian premiere), a series that takes a look at the death-defying work of the crews who keep our roads, bridges, and highways safe.

The competition series Landscape Artist of the Year Canada (world broadcast premiere), showcasing the unique work of talented artists who vie for the coveted title, heats up Makeful’s schedule. Handmade Hotels (world broadcast premiere) also returns for a second season of even more creative short-term rentals.

For a full list of programming highlights, please see below.

T+E

New Original Series 

Hotel Paranormal (8×60’; HD) (spring 2020) (world broadcast premiere)
Real-life accounts, dramatic recreations, and expert insight, bring encounters with ghosts to life in this new thrilling series. Every year, millions of people book hotel rooms. But most are unaware that some hotels hold dark secrets connected to a tragic past. Get shivers as guests and staff alike recall their spooky occurrences on camera. Produced by Saloon Media, part of Blue Ant Studios. Distributed by Blue Ant International.

The Witches of Salem (4×60’; HD) (October 2019) (Canadian broadcast premiere)
The Salem Witch Trials is one of the most gripping real-life dramas in history. It began in February 1692. A group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil. Then, they started accusing local women of witchcraft. In just 220 days, 200 were accused and 20 were executed. It was a period of mass hysteria that opens a window into the darkest side of human nature. This four-part documentary series draws on historical documents and court records to bring this gripping drama to life. Sociologists, psychologists, and cultural historians also illustrate how communities are susceptible to the same hysteria today. Produced by Saloon Media, part of Blue Ant Studios, in association with Talos Films, Travel Channel, and T+E. Distributed by Blue Ant International. (previously announced)

Returning Series 

Haunted Hospitals (season two; 13×60’; HD) (winter 2020) (Canadian broadcast premiere)
Hear the chilling stories of paranormal activity inside hospitals, nursing homes, and morgues. In each episode, doctors, nurses, and patients give first-hand accounts of the supernatural, such as deceased patients who come back from the grave. Dead doctors who insist on tending to their patients. Spirits who stalk corridors to warn of impending danger. As the personal stories unfold, the mysteries behind the troubled souls and hauntings become more alive than ever. Produced by Bristow Global Media.

Paranormal 911 (season two; 13×60’; HD) (spring 2020) (Canadian broadcast premiere)
Each year, first responders rush to over 250 million 911 calls in North America. But what happens when these emergencies lead to paranormal encounters? Find out in season two of Paranormal 911. Hear the first-person accounts of first responders who came face-to-face with the supernatural. Produced by Bristow Global Media.

COTTAGE LIFE

New Original Series

Life Below Zero: Canada (8×60’; HD) (spring 2020) (world broadcast premiere)
Long, dark, frozen winters. Sweltering, bug infested summers. Canadians who live ‘off the grid’ grapple each day with limited means to find food, water, and shelter. Life Below Zero: Canada captures the rugged day-to-day trials of Canadians who live in the remote Canadian north. Find out how they survive in the most unforgiving environments using various means, from makeshift problem solving to traditional survival skills. This is the Canadian version of the hit BBC Studios format Life Below Zero. Life Below Zero: Canada is produced by Saloon Media, part of Blue Ant Studios. (previously announced.)

Cottage Coach (digital series; 6×7’) (fall 2019) (world premiere)
Cottagelife.com DIY expert Adam Holman coaches viewers on how to tackle cottage issues in this exclusive new short-form series. From fixing a broken pipe to replacing a rotten deck board, each episode offers essential tips. And in true cottage lifestyle form, Adam mixes in some fun in the process. Fishing anyone?

Returning Series

Hope For Wildlife (season 10; 10×60’; HD) (summer 2020) (world broadcast premiere)
Fan-favourite wildlife advocate Hope Swinimer and her team are back. This season, the team continues to rescue animals in need. They use her Halifax-based wildlife refuge to rehabilitate them. Once they are strong enough, the team releases the animals back into the wild. Produced by Arcadia Content. Distributed by Blue Ant International.

The Weather Files (season two; 8×60’; HD) (spring 2020) (world broadcast premiere)
This season of The Weather Files puts the most unusual and freakish weather on the planet in the spotlight. First-person testimony and actual footage combined with scientific insight give viewers an in-depth and up-close and personal look at the dangers of extreme and unusual weather. Produced by Saloon Media, part of Blue Ant Studios. Distributed by Blue Ant International.

SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL 

New Original Series

Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan (6×60’; HD) (winter 2020) (Canadian broadcast premiere) This series follows the life of legendary samurai, Date Masamune, an iconic figure, known as the One-Eyed Dragon, who fought alongside the three founding fathers of Japan. Together, these warlords led fierce armies of samurai against each other to unite the nation. This series brings this extraordinary era to life. It shows how powerful warriors, master swordsman, and lethal ninjas came together in deadly battles to create Japan’s golden age of the Samurai, a period that still resonates today. Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan is produced by Cream Productions.

High Maintenance (8×60’; HD) (winter 2020) (Canadian broadcast premiere)
From subways to bridges to power dams, High Maintenance is about the hard-working crews who do the death-defying work to keep these structures safe. The series features engineering feats including the Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Stations in Niagara Falls, the Montreal Metro, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in California. Each episode profiles two such structures or systems – and the brave, behind-the-scenes workers who run them. Co-produced by Frantic Films and Kew Media Distribution.

MAKEFUL 

New Original Series

Landscape Artist of the Year Canada (4×60’; HD) (winter 2020) (world broadcast premiere)
Professional and amateur Canadian artists vie to win the title of Landscape Artist of the Year in this new Makeful competition series. Each episode features a different landscape painting challenge. Expert judges determine the winner of each competition until the best landscape artist remains. Time-lapse segments ensure viewers don’t miss any of each artist’s progression from blank canvas to finished work. Based on the UK format distributed by Banijay Rights and originally produced by Storyvault Films. Landscape Artist of the Year Canada is produced by marblemedia. (Previously announced.)

Returning Series 

Handmade Hotels (season two; 6×30’; HD) (spring 2020) (world broadcast premiere)
Viewers get to peek inside even more unique and charming short-term rentals in season two of this series with host and professional house flipper, Katie Herbert. In each episode, Katie explores three unique spaces that showcase the creativity of homeowners and give viewers inspiration on how they can add artistic touches to their own homes. Produced by Architect Films. Distributed by Blue Ant International.

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Industry News

Saloon Media announces the greenlight of Witches of Salem for Travel Channel and T+E

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From a media release:

Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, announces the greenlight by Travel Channel (US) and T+E (Canada) of The Witches of Salem, a new four-part docudrama series about America’s infamous 17th-century witch trials. The series will be produced by Saloon Media in association with Talos Films, Travel Channel, and T+E.

The Salem witch trials is one of the most gripping real-life dramas in history. It began in February 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. In just 220 days, 200 were accused and 20 were executed. It was a period of mass hysteria that opens a window into the darkest side of human nature.

The Witches of Salem (4 x 60’) draws on extensive historical documents and court records to bring this gripping drama to life. Sociologists, psychologists, and cultural historians also illustrate how communities are still susceptible to the same hysteria today.

The Witches of Salem is Executive Produced by Michael Kot, Julie Chang, Julian P. Hobbs and Elli Hakami. Executive in Charge for Travel Channel is Charles Nordlander and the Head of Original Content for T+E is Sam Linton. The series is produced by Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, in association with Talos Films, Travel Channel (US), and T+E (Canada). International content distributor Blue Ant International Ltd has exclusive worldwide rights to the series.

Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor and channel operator.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Intervention Canada premieres on T+E, April 1 at 9 p.m. ET

From a media release:

As announced today, the next season of the powerful docu-series Intervention Canada will premiere on its new home, T+E, beginning April 1 at 9 p.m. ET. In each episode, viewers get an up-close and personal look at the life of an addict and their family who are desperately trying to help them. The series premieres on T+E during its current free preview, which began March 4 and runs until May 4.

Intervention Canada provides an unflinching glimpse at the horrifying reality of the life of an addict, as well as the gut-wrenching toll their addiction takes on their family and friends. With the help of professional interventionists Andrew Galloway, Maureen Brine, Jesse Hanson, and Geri Bemister, each episode culminates in a dramatic intervention where the subject must make a life-and-death decision – continue their descent to rock bottom alone, or accept the offer of a clear path to recovery in one of Canada’s top addiction treatment facilities. This season, the series looks at addictions and dependencies on alcohol, crystal meth, cocaine, opioids, and eating disorders. Intervention Canada is based on the hit A+E format and is now in its fifth season.

Select storylines on this season of Intervention Canada include:

  • An expectant mother in BC who is determined to free her partner from a deadly fentanyl addiction before the birth of their child;
  • Three Ontario born siblings struggling to save their father from the grips of crippling alcoholism;
  • A four-time Canadian MMA fighting champion grappling to overcome an addiction to crystal meth both for the sake of his son, and ultimately his own life.

Intervention Canada is produced by Open Door Co. and Insight Productions, in association with Blue Ant Media. Executive Producers are Tom Powers for Open Door Co. and John Brunton and John Murray for Insight Productions. The Series Producer is Thomas Chenoweth. Sam Linton is Head of Original Content at Blue Ant Media.

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Industry News

Blue Ant Media unveils biggest-ever slate of new original programming for its Canadian channels

From a media release:

Blue Ant Media, an international content producer, distributor and channel operator, announced today its new, original production slate to air across its channels in Canada, including Cottage Life, Makeful and T+E. The company’s largest-ever commissioning order includes two new series to premiere on Makeful, including a second season of Crazy Beautiful Weddings and Blown Away, a brand new glass-blowing competition series, co-produced with Netflix. For T+E, there’s a trio of paranormal series including My Worst Nightmare, Haunted Hospitals and Paranormal 911 as well as Intervention Canada, the fifth season of the critically acclaimed hit docu-series, in partnership with U.S.-based A+E Networks. New Cottage Life programming includes the brand new series, The Weather Files, a second season of Lakefront Luxury, the ninth season of Hope For Wildlife and the previously announced Great Canadian Cottages docu-series with Scottish design stars Colin and Justin.

Blue Ant Media’s original programming slate includes:

Blown Away (10×30’; HD) is a co-production with Netflix that sees a group of talented and creative artisans from all over North America compete over the course of the series in the highly skilled art of glass blowing. In each episode the glass blowers create beautiful works of art, which are assessed by a panel of expert judges. One artisan is eliminated each week until a winner is announced in the final episode. Blown Away is a co-production between Blue Ant Media and Netflix and was created by and will be produced by marblemedia. The series will premiere exclusively in Canada on Makeful in Spring 2019.

Crazy Beautiful Weddings, Season 2 (10×30’; HD) The second season of Crazy Beautiful Weddings follows indie wedding planner Lynzie Kent as she continues to create jaw-dropping celebrations that are inspired by the unique love stories of her clients. Each episode sees Lynzie and her team design and craft atypical wedding celebrations that feel like art installations or music festivals. The series is a co-production by Blue Ant Media and UP TV and is set to air on Makeful in Fall 2018. It will be available for international licensing by Blue Ant International.

Intervention Canada (10×60’; HD) is the fifth installment of the Canadian version of the hit, Emmy Award-winning A+E docu-series that gives an unflinching glimpse at the horrifying reality of the life of an addict and the gut-wrenching toll their addiction takes on family and friends. With the help of professional interventionists, each one-hour episode culminates in a dramatic real-life intervention where someone must make a life-or-death decision: continue their descent to rock bottom alone, or accept the offer of a clear path to recovery in one of Canada’s top addiction facilities. Blue Ant Media is partnering on the format with A+E Networks. Toronto’s Open Door Co and Insight Productions, which produced the previous four seasons, will also produce the fifth season. Intervention Canada will premiere in Canada on T+E in March 2019.

My Worst Nightmare (10×60’; HD) explores harrowing recurring nightmares and brings them to life in vivid detail. With cinematic nightmare dramatizations, captivating true accounts and distinct expert analysis from dream interpreters and psychoanalysts, each episode attempts to decode the meaning and mystery behind the dream and provide insight into these intrusive nightmares. My Worst Nightmare is produced by Pixcom for Blue Ant Media and will premiere on T+E in spring 2019. The series is available for international licensing by Blue Ant International.

Haunted Hospitals (10×60’; HD) tells the chilling stories of paranormal activity inside hospitals, nursing homes and morgues. In each episode, doctors, nurses and patients give first-hand accounts of deceased patients who come back from the grave, doctors who insist on tending to their patients, even in death, and spirits who stalk corridors to warn of impending danger. As the personal stories unfold, the mysteries behind the troubled souls and hauntings are brought to life. Haunted Hospitals is produced by Bristow Global Media for Blue Ant Media and will premiere on T+E in fall 2018.

Paranormal 911 (13×60’; HD) is a gripping, docu-drama series with harrowing first-person accounts that thrusts viewers into the terrifying encounters of victims and emergency responders who lived through terrifying paranormal encounters. Paranormal 911 is produced by Bristow Global Media for Blue Ant Media and is set to premiere on T+E in spring 2019.

Lakefront Luxury, Season 2 (10×30’; HD) continues with even more stunning views, gorgeous waterfronts and serene sunsets. With unlimited budgets and endless wish lists, each episode takes viewers on a tour of three opulent properties with potential buyers, as they weigh their options and ultimately decide which home is the one for them. Lakefront Luxury is produced by Architect Films for Blue Ant Media and will premiere on Cottage Life in spring 2019. The series is available for international licensing by Blue Ant International.

Hope for Wildlife, Season 9 (10×60’; HD) is back with an impressive season of episodes that follow fan-favourite nature advocate Hope Swinimer and her team as they rescue animals at her Halifax-based wildlife refuge and release them back into the wild. In this season, viewers will meet a whole new generation of volunteers, a new, on-site vet team and an exciting new partnership with an expert rescue crew. Produced by Arcadia Content for Blue Ant Media, the series will premiere on Cottage Life in Spring 2019. The series is available for international licensing by Blue Ant International.

The Weather Files (8×60’; HD) is a new documentary series that shines a spotlight on extreme weather patterns. The series travels across North America chronicling severe weather phenomena and features riveting first-person testimony and original video backed by leading scientific insight to give viewers an in-depth look at the unpredictability and danger that extreme and mysterious weather brings. The Weather Files is produced by Blue Ant Media and set to air on the Cottage Life channel in August 2018. The series is distributed internationally by Blue Ant International.

Previously announced, Great Canadian Cottages (8×30’; HD) brings renowned design duo Colin and Justin back to the channel with a documentary series that explores unique Canadian cottage architecture. Produced by Architect Films, the series will delve into the fascinating stories of Canadians who live in extraordinary cottages and cabins built in the Canadian wilderness. Great Canadian Cottages is set to premiere exclusively this fall on the Cottage Life channel. The series is available for international licensing by Blue Ant International.

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