Looking beyond the glitz of Canadian broadcasters rolling out their latest new and returning U.S. series at their recent upfront presentations in Toronto, you’d have seen local networks putting their best foot forward in pitches to local media buyers and agencies.
But below the surface, the Canadians are paddling furiously to keep pace in a rapidly-changing TV industry where increased cord-cutting and a continuing linear TV ad recession has local players chasing viewers online with pricey American series to keep pace with Netflix.
Ahead of the Banff World Media Festival this week, Warner Bros. Discovery did deals to move popular lifestyle and entertainment brands like HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Magnolia Network and OWN from Corus Entertainment to rival Rogers Sports and Media. Canadians Drew and Jonathan Scott of Property Brothers fame on HGTV are mainstays of the lifestyle and entertainment channel popular across North America.
Corus will...
But below the surface, the Canadians are paddling furiously to keep pace in a rapidly-changing TV industry where increased cord-cutting and a continuing linear TV ad recession has local players chasing viewers online with pricey American series to keep pace with Netflix.
Ahead of the Banff World Media Festival this week, Warner Bros. Discovery did deals to move popular lifestyle and entertainment brands like HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Magnolia Network and OWN from Corus Entertainment to rival Rogers Sports and Media. Canadians Drew and Jonathan Scott of Property Brothers fame on HGTV are mainstays of the lifestyle and entertainment channel popular across North America.
Corus will...
- 6/12/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Crave’s management is eyeing a breakthrough into the top three streaming services in Canada, as its parent Bell unveiled its 2024 season Upfronts slate today.
In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Bell Media VP, Content Development & Programming Justin Stockman outlined a “multi-pronged, multi-year” plan to break into the top three by subscriber numbers, which is currently occupied by Disney+, Prime Video and Netflix. Crave has around 3.1 million subs at the moment, which has ticked up slowly over the past 24 months, but Stockman and Bell President Sean Cohan are aiming for bigger and better things.
“Crave is doing well, but we think it could do better, which was Sean’s statement,” said Stockman. “This is a growing country and there’s lots of opportunity. We are a country on the rise so how do we tap into that new market as well. We continue to roll out original content, lock in the deals we have,...
In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Bell Media VP, Content Development & Programming Justin Stockman outlined a “multi-pronged, multi-year” plan to break into the top three by subscriber numbers, which is currently occupied by Disney+, Prime Video and Netflix. Crave has around 3.1 million subs at the moment, which has ticked up slowly over the past 24 months, but Stockman and Bell President Sean Cohan are aiming for bigger and better things.
“Crave is doing well, but we think it could do better, which was Sean’s statement,” said Stockman. “This is a growing country and there’s lots of opportunity. We are a country on the rise so how do we tap into that new market as well. We continue to roll out original content, lock in the deals we have,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Canadian streamer Crave has acquired BBC drama Dope Girls.
The Bad Wolf-produced series was one of the buzziest at the recent LA Screenings, where a full episode was on show, and Bell Media-owned streamer Crave has now swooped to take local rights from distributor Sony Pictures Television.
It will be unveiled as part of Bell’s Upfront in a few minutes, we hear, along with other U.S. and international acquisitions and a swathe of original and returning programs for Crave, CTV and Bell’s other English- and French-language networks.
Revealed by Deadline last year, Dope Girls delves into the history of the inter-war Soho criminal underworld and is inspired by Marek Kohn’s Dope Girls: The Birth of the British Drug Underground non-fiction book.Set in the early 20th century, it follows a time when female gangs ran the clubs, drugs and moonshine distribution. It will launch...
The Bad Wolf-produced series was one of the buzziest at the recent LA Screenings, where a full episode was on show, and Bell Media-owned streamer Crave has now swooped to take local rights from distributor Sony Pictures Television.
It will be unveiled as part of Bell’s Upfront in a few minutes, we hear, along with other U.S. and international acquisitions and a swathe of original and returning programs for Crave, CTV and Bell’s other English- and French-language networks.
Revealed by Deadline last year, Dope Girls delves into the history of the inter-war Soho criminal underworld and is inspired by Marek Kohn’s Dope Girls: The Birth of the British Drug Underground non-fiction book.Set in the early 20th century, it follows a time when female gangs ran the clubs, drugs and moonshine distribution. It will launch...
- 6/6/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu has announced that Shoresy Season 3 will debut on Friday, June 21, 2024. All six new episodes will be available on that day on Hulu in the U.S. The first two seasons are streaming now.
Created by and starring Jared Keeso, Shoresy sees the foul-mouthed, chirp-serving, mother-loving, fan-favorite character, Shoresy (Keeso) and the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs of the Northern Ontario Senior Hockey Organization (The Nosho) continue their quest never to lose again.
Shoresy Season 3
The returning cast members for Shoresy Season 3 include Tasya Teles (The 100) as Nat; Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat (Prey) as Sanguinet; Blair Lamora (Paranormal Nightshift) as Ziigwan; and Keilani Rose (Flimsy) as Miigwan.
From Montréal, QC, rapper Jonathan-Ismael Diaby stars as Dolo, and former NHL player, author, and actor Terry Ryan stars as Hitch. Ryan McDonell (The Crossing) stars as Michaels; Max Bouffard (Letterkenny) is JJ Frankie JJ, and former Kahnawake Condor and Mma fighter Andrew “The Canon” Antsanen returns as Goody.
Created by and starring Jared Keeso, Shoresy sees the foul-mouthed, chirp-serving, mother-loving, fan-favorite character, Shoresy (Keeso) and the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs of the Northern Ontario Senior Hockey Organization (The Nosho) continue their quest never to lose again.
Shoresy Season 3
The returning cast members for Shoresy Season 3 include Tasya Teles (The 100) as Nat; Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat (Prey) as Sanguinet; Blair Lamora (Paranormal Nightshift) as Ziigwan; and Keilani Rose (Flimsy) as Miigwan.
From Montréal, QC, rapper Jonathan-Ismael Diaby stars as Dolo, and former NHL player, author, and actor Terry Ryan stars as Hitch. Ryan McDonell (The Crossing) stars as Michaels; Max Bouffard (Letterkenny) is JJ Frankie JJ, and former Kahnawake Condor and Mma fighter Andrew “The Canon” Antsanen returns as Goody.
- 4/23/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Exclusive: Will Arnett is helping to assemble Super Team Canada.
The Bojack Horseman and Arrested Development star’s production house, Electric Avenue is co-producing the animated show alongside Thunderbird Entertainment’s Atomic Cartoons in association with Bell Media’s streamer Crave.
Robert Cohen and his brother, The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live‘s Joel H. Cohen are the creators of the comic superhero series.
We can reveal the 10-episode, half-hour animated comedy is currently in production ahead of a premiere date in 2025. It will be Crave’s first adult animation. Voice cast details are being kept under wraps for now, so we don’t yet know if Arnett, who voiced Batman in the Lego movies and the title character in Netflix’s Bojack Horseman, will feature.
The series will focus on the exploits of six little-known Canadian superheroes trying to save the world from evil giant robots,...
The Bojack Horseman and Arrested Development star’s production house, Electric Avenue is co-producing the animated show alongside Thunderbird Entertainment’s Atomic Cartoons in association with Bell Media’s streamer Crave.
Robert Cohen and his brother, The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live‘s Joel H. Cohen are the creators of the comic superhero series.
We can reveal the 10-episode, half-hour animated comedy is currently in production ahead of a premiere date in 2025. It will be Crave’s first adult animation. Voice cast details are being kept under wraps for now, so we don’t yet know if Arnett, who voiced Batman in the Lego movies and the title character in Netflix’s Bojack Horseman, will feature.
The series will focus on the exploits of six little-known Canadian superheroes trying to save the world from evil giant robots,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
No one knew how many difficulties existed in the fictional town of Letterkenny when the show revolving around small-town hicks, hockey players and skids launched on Super Bowl Sunday 2016. As it turns out, there were enough “Letterkenny Problems” not only to change the lives of all those involved, but to transform the Canadian TV landscape.
When “Letterkenny” cracks open its final six-pack of episodes Dec. 25 on the Canadian streaming service Crave (and on Dec. 26 on Hulu), it ends an era that includes 74 episodes, seven specials, five live tours, branded clothing and booze, Canadian Screen Awards victories, and a spinoff, “Shoresy,” which wraps filming on its third season in Sudbury, Ont. this month.
The most impressive feat, however, may be in how a show with such specificity, from the vernacular to the sets, catapulted into mainstream pop culture and amassed loyal fanbases across Canada and the U.S.
“The more specific you get,...
When “Letterkenny” cracks open its final six-pack of episodes Dec. 25 on the Canadian streaming service Crave (and on Dec. 26 on Hulu), it ends an era that includes 74 episodes, seven specials, five live tours, branded clothing and booze, Canadian Screen Awards victories, and a spinoff, “Shoresy,” which wraps filming on its third season in Sudbury, Ont. this month.
The most impressive feat, however, may be in how a show with such specificity, from the vernacular to the sets, catapulted into mainstream pop culture and amassed loyal fanbases across Canada and the U.S.
“The more specific you get,...
- 12/23/2023
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The creator of Canadian smash Letterkenny has struck a multi-year content deal with streamer Crave and New Metric Media that Crave’s programing boss says is a first of its kind.
With Letterkenny’s 12th and final season dropping on Boxing Day, Jared Keeso will subsequently make 49 episodes of Letterkenny spin-offs including Shoresy and other potential shows across several years.
Unveiling the news to Deadline, Crave VP Content Development & Programming Justin Stockman said “this is probably the only deal that has ever been done like this in Canada.” The deal does not prevent Keeso from making shows for other platforms, eschewing the golden handcuffs approach taken by some of the major Hollywood players.
“There is not a lot of pre-committing in Canadian content so this is pretty unique but shows our belief in Jared and the show, and in other shows that don’t exist yet,” added Stockman. “This...
With Letterkenny’s 12th and final season dropping on Boxing Day, Jared Keeso will subsequently make 49 episodes of Letterkenny spin-offs including Shoresy and other potential shows across several years.
Unveiling the news to Deadline, Crave VP Content Development & Programming Justin Stockman said “this is probably the only deal that has ever been done like this in Canada.” The deal does not prevent Keeso from making shows for other platforms, eschewing the golden handcuffs approach taken by some of the major Hollywood players.
“There is not a lot of pre-committing in Canadian content so this is pretty unique but shows our belief in Jared and the show, and in other shows that don’t exist yet,” added Stockman. “This...
- 12/6/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Canadian streamer Crave has cast Lauren Collins and Megan Follows to lead a six-part short-form comedy, My Dead Mom.
The series follow Emmy, a woman questioning her life choices three years after her mother’s passing. It explores the complicated nature of grief through the filter of mothers and daughters.
Production has begun in production in Toronto, with Follows and Collins starring. Rounding out the cast are Rainbow Sun Francks (High Fidelity), David Reale (The Boys), Daniel Maslany (Murdoch Mysteries), Daniel Kash (Slasher) and guest star Matt Murray (In the Dark).
Synopsis reads: “Emmy wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail after her mother died, she was just really busy. But three years on now, her grief is catching up with her. As she questions her lipstick and life choices, her dead mother, Fern, pops into her life...
The series follow Emmy, a woman questioning her life choices three years after her mother’s passing. It explores the complicated nature of grief through the filter of mothers and daughters.
Production has begun in production in Toronto, with Follows and Collins starring. Rounding out the cast are Rainbow Sun Francks (High Fidelity), David Reale (The Boys), Daniel Maslany (Murdoch Mysteries), Daniel Kash (Slasher) and guest star Matt Murray (In the Dark).
Synopsis reads: “Emmy wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail after her mother died, she was just really busy. But three years on now, her grief is catching up with her. As she questions her lipstick and life choices, her dead mother, Fern, pops into her life...
- 11/9/2023
- by Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Letterkenny‘s 12th season will be its last.
The comedy series will conclude following its next batch of six episodes, which drops Monday, Dec. 25 (aka Christmas Day) on Canadian streaming service Crave, and Tuesday, Dec. 26 on Hulu.
More from TVLineAmy Schumer’s <em>Life & Beth</em> Gets Season 2 Release Date at Hulu<em><em>Futurama</em></em> Revival Renewed for Two Additional Seasons at HuluHulu's Acotar Series Is 'Still in Development,' Ronald D. Moore Says - But How Far Along Are They?
“Letterkenny is a pop culture, Canadian TV phenomenon, and while we’re sad to see Wayne and his buds leave our screens, we...
The comedy series will conclude following its next batch of six episodes, which drops Monday, Dec. 25 (aka Christmas Day) on Canadian streaming service Crave, and Tuesday, Dec. 26 on Hulu.
More from TVLineAmy Schumer’s <em>Life & Beth</em> Gets Season 2 Release Date at Hulu<em><em>Futurama</em></em> Revival Renewed for Two Additional Seasons at HuluHulu's Acotar Series Is 'Still in Development,' Ronald D. Moore Says - But How Far Along Are They?
“Letterkenny is a pop culture, Canadian TV phenomenon, and while we’re sad to see Wayne and his buds leave our screens, we...
- 11/2/2023
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Fox Entertainment Global, the nascent international distribution arm of the U.S. network, has unveiled a licensing and distribution deal with Canada’s Bell Media.
The Canadian company and Fox will partner on local originals for Bell Media’s CTV network and Crave streaming platform that in turn will land on the Fox network in the U.S. market. Fox Entertainment Global, which oversees all international distribution and production partnerships at Fox Entertainment and was launched a year ago, will handle global distribution for the Canadian originals.
The deal covers English-language scripted drama and comedies, unscripted reality competition series and docuseries. The partnership will see joint series produced in Canada by Neshama Entertainment, which is behind the Hallmark original series The Way Home and with whom Fox Entertainment Global unveiled a separate distribution agreement in July 2019.
The licensing and distribution pact will allow Fox and Bell Media to share the...
The Canadian company and Fox will partner on local originals for Bell Media’s CTV network and Crave streaming platform that in turn will land on the Fox network in the U.S. market. Fox Entertainment Global, which oversees all international distribution and production partnerships at Fox Entertainment and was launched a year ago, will handle global distribution for the Canadian originals.
The deal covers English-language scripted drama and comedies, unscripted reality competition series and docuseries. The partnership will see joint series produced in Canada by Neshama Entertainment, which is behind the Hallmark original series The Way Home and with whom Fox Entertainment Global unveiled a separate distribution agreement in July 2019.
The licensing and distribution pact will allow Fox and Bell Media to share the...
- 10/27/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Fox’s international expansion has taken another step forwards following a deal with Canada’s Bell Media.
The pair will forge shows for Fox in the U.S. and Bell platforms CTV and streamer Crave in Canada, with nascent sales house Fox Entertainment Global (Feg) handling international sales.
The deal encompasses English-language scripted drama and comedies, unscripted competition and docuseries. CTV and Crave will act as commissioning broadcasters. The shows will initially be produced by Canadian The Way Home producer Neshama Entertainment, which counts Fox-backed MarVista Entertainment as minority shareholder and has a deal in place with Feg.
Fox Scripted President Michael Thorn said the “bold partnership harnesses our companies’ rich source of creativity and enviable independence.”
“The high-level of world-class talent in Canada makes this pact even more attractive, and Neshama and Bell shepherding these projects through the country’s proven production community allows Canadian content to have scale both locally and globally,...
The pair will forge shows for Fox in the U.S. and Bell platforms CTV and streamer Crave in Canada, with nascent sales house Fox Entertainment Global (Feg) handling international sales.
The deal encompasses English-language scripted drama and comedies, unscripted competition and docuseries. CTV and Crave will act as commissioning broadcasters. The shows will initially be produced by Canadian The Way Home producer Neshama Entertainment, which counts Fox-backed MarVista Entertainment as minority shareholder and has a deal in place with Feg.
Fox Scripted President Michael Thorn said the “bold partnership harnesses our companies’ rich source of creativity and enviable independence.”
“The high-level of world-class talent in Canada makes this pact even more attractive, and Neshama and Bell shepherding these projects through the country’s proven production community allows Canadian content to have scale both locally and globally,...
- 10/27/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
As the WGA strike continues, Canadian broadcasters are conducting business as usual—at least in front of the cameras.
Bell Media and Corus Entertainment launched upfront presentations for advertisers and media buyers in Toronto last week, while Rogers Sports & Media opted for a virtual presentation.
Over the week, company leaders laid out 2023-24 broadcast schedules anchored by American acquisition programming. They boasted Canadian originals and specialty content. Rogers announced the buzzy new “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.” Bell Media upped its original library to more than 1,000 hours and revealed the upcoming launch of ad tiers to its streaming service, Crave. And Corus confirmed 25 new and returning original titles.
The events were notably less focused on the traditional fall schedules than in previous years as the companies flew fewer talent in to promote acquisitions. That didn’t stop Canadian execs from snatching up content from American studios at the L.
Bell Media and Corus Entertainment launched upfront presentations for advertisers and media buyers in Toronto last week, while Rogers Sports & Media opted for a virtual presentation.
Over the week, company leaders laid out 2023-24 broadcast schedules anchored by American acquisition programming. They boasted Canadian originals and specialty content. Rogers announced the buzzy new “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.” Bell Media upped its original library to more than 1,000 hours and revealed the upcoming launch of ad tiers to its streaming service, Crave. And Corus confirmed 25 new and returning original titles.
The events were notably less focused on the traditional fall schedules than in previous years as the companies flew fewer talent in to promote acquisitions. That didn’t stop Canadian execs from snatching up content from American studios at the L.
- 6/12/2023
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
Canadian streaming service Crave has partnered with Pier 21 Films on eight-part series “Late Bloomer,” created by and starring Jasmeet Singh Raina, also known as Jus Reign.
The series is inspired by Raina’s life as a Punjabi Sikh millennial and online celebrity. The show follows burgeoning content creator Jasmeet Dutta as he tries to balance his ambitions for success with his commitment to his family, community and culture. Production is underway in Toronto and Hamilton.
As Jus Reign, Raina is a global social media star and was one of Much Digital Studios’ first content creators in 2015. Raina became known for his deadpan comedic style and commentary on race and pop culture and is part of a group of storytellers who charted the way for increased South Asian representation in mainstream media.
The series features an ensemble cast including Baljinder Singh Atwal, Sandeep Bali, Ashley Ganger, Sugenja Sri, Sachin Mahashi and Ahamed Weinberg.
The series is inspired by Raina’s life as a Punjabi Sikh millennial and online celebrity. The show follows burgeoning content creator Jasmeet Dutta as he tries to balance his ambitions for success with his commitment to his family, community and culture. Production is underway in Toronto and Hamilton.
As Jus Reign, Raina is a global social media star and was one of Much Digital Studios’ first content creators in 2015. Raina became known for his deadpan comedic style and commentary on race and pop culture and is part of a group of storytellers who charted the way for increased South Asian representation in mainstream media.
The series features an ensemble cast including Baljinder Singh Atwal, Sandeep Bali, Ashley Ganger, Sugenja Sri, Sachin Mahashi and Ahamed Weinberg.
- 4/21/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Alex Wolff will play Leonard Cohen in a new series about the Canadian icon and his muse Marianne Ihlen.
Thea Sofie Loch Næss will portray Ihlen in the show, which is called “So Long, Marianne” — the title of one of Cohen’s songs about his partner. Other cast members include Anna Torv as Charmian Clift and Noah Taylor as George Johnston.
The show is a co-production between Norwegian broadcaster Nrk and Canada’s Crave, the streaming service owned by Bell Media. Cineflix Rights is distributing the series globally.
Principal photography on the show began on March 24, with shooting taking place on the Greek island of Hydra — where Cohen first met Ihlen — as well as Ihlen’s home country of Norway, and the late singer’s hometown of Montreal, Canada.
“So Long, Marianne” is billed as an “intimate tale of two, lonely people falling in love, during a period of their...
Thea Sofie Loch Næss will portray Ihlen in the show, which is called “So Long, Marianne” — the title of one of Cohen’s songs about his partner. Other cast members include Anna Torv as Charmian Clift and Noah Taylor as George Johnston.
The show is a co-production between Norwegian broadcaster Nrk and Canada’s Crave, the streaming service owned by Bell Media. Cineflix Rights is distributing the series globally.
Principal photography on the show began on March 24, with shooting taking place on the Greek island of Hydra — where Cohen first met Ihlen — as well as Ihlen’s home country of Norway, and the late singer’s hometown of Montreal, Canada.
“So Long, Marianne” is billed as an “intimate tale of two, lonely people falling in love, during a period of their...
- 4/13/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Alex Wolff has been cast as legendary singer Leonard Cohen in So Long, Marianne, the Nrk drama series we first revealed last year.
Thea Sofie Loch Næss will play Canadian musician Cohen’s muse Marianne Ihlen. Anna Torv has also been cast Charmian Clift and Noah Taylor is George Johnston.
Wolff appeared opposite Joachim Phoenix in indie flick Pig and has been cast in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Before that, he reteams with Pig filmmaker Michael Sarnoski on Paramount Pictures’ A Quiet Place: Day One alongside Lupita Nyong’o in 2024.
In further developments, Canadian streamer Crave has boarded So Long, Marianne, which began principal photography on March 24 and is shooting in multiple locations including the Greek island of Hydra, Oslo in Norway,...
Thea Sofie Loch Næss will play Canadian musician Cohen’s muse Marianne Ihlen. Anna Torv has also been cast Charmian Clift and Noah Taylor is George Johnston.
Wolff appeared opposite Joachim Phoenix in indie flick Pig and has been cast in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Before that, he reteams with Pig filmmaker Michael Sarnoski on Paramount Pictures’ A Quiet Place: Day One alongside Lupita Nyong’o in 2024.
In further developments, Canadian streamer Crave has boarded So Long, Marianne, which began principal photography on March 24 and is shooting in multiple locations including the Greek island of Hydra, Oslo in Norway,...
- 4/13/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
When Canadian specialty station MuchMusic launched in August 1984, founders John Martin and Moses Znaimer had about two hours of planned content to fill six hours of airtime. Their strategy? Pack the place with notable faces, create a party atmosphere in the control room “stage,” and let inaugural VJs Christopher Ward and J.D. Roberts figure out the rest as they went along.
Thus, the iconic “Nation’s Music Station” was born.
It was a scrappy, wild atmosphere in which inexperienced but music-loving kids stepped in front of the cameras with free reign to experiment and play the videos they loved. There were no rules and even less structure, but it worked. At the height of its popularity, MuchMusic was the global destination for artists of all genres. And it was led by a diverse and history-making group of hosts who connected those artists with fans in a new way—through the legendary studios at 299 Queen St.
Thus, the iconic “Nation’s Music Station” was born.
It was a scrappy, wild atmosphere in which inexperienced but music-loving kids stepped in front of the cameras with free reign to experiment and play the videos they loved. There were no rules and even less structure, but it worked. At the height of its popularity, MuchMusic was the global destination for artists of all genres. And it was led by a diverse and history-making group of hosts who connected those artists with fans in a new way—through the legendary studios at 299 Queen St.
- 3/13/2023
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
As the online landscape continues to shift and evolve in the screen sector, so too do the conversations surrounding streaming legislation in Canada. The current iteration of that dialogue, Bill C-11, is in the final stages of voting at the Senate this week. It is expected to be passed back to the Commons for a final vote and eventual passage into law in the coming days.
Just as decision-makers wrapped that bill’s third reading on Feb. 2, Canadian screen leaders took the stage at the Canadian Media Producers Association’s (Cmpa) annual Prime Time event in Ottawa. There, they discussed media policy and potential changes to the industry in the years ahead.
Unsurprisingly, most of that discussion revolved around the concerns some of the 26 amendments to the 56-page bill have raised. (The bill is the longest study ever conducted at a Senate committee.) While the heart of the bill is...
Just as decision-makers wrapped that bill’s third reading on Feb. 2, Canadian screen leaders took the stage at the Canadian Media Producers Association’s (Cmpa) annual Prime Time event in Ottawa. There, they discussed media policy and potential changes to the industry in the years ahead.
Unsurprisingly, most of that discussion revolved around the concerns some of the 26 amendments to the 56-page bill have raised. (The bill is the longest study ever conducted at a Senate committee.) While the heart of the bill is...
- 2/2/2023
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
When Mary Berg’s photo came across the “MasterChef Canada” casting table in 2015, executive producer Cathie James knew she had the look of a TV star. The 26-year-old insurance broker had red hair, bangs, glasses, and a beautiful smile.
“Her features looked almost animated,” the Proper Television co-president recalls. “I remember the casting director telling me they were really excited about her. I said, ‘Wow, she sounds amazing. I really hope she can cook.’”
Fast forward to the end of 2022 and Berg has starred in two Bell Media cooking shows, “Mary’s Kitchen Crush” and “Mary Makes It Easy,” which was picked up for two seasons by the Food Network in the U.S. Berg has also authored two cookbooks, won four Canadian Screen Awards, guest-starred on the Bell Media comedy “Children Ruin Everything,” and appears on lifestyle shows across the country as a food expert.
On Dec. 15 she makes...
“Her features looked almost animated,” the Proper Television co-president recalls. “I remember the casting director telling me they were really excited about her. I said, ‘Wow, she sounds amazing. I really hope she can cook.’”
Fast forward to the end of 2022 and Berg has starred in two Bell Media cooking shows, “Mary’s Kitchen Crush” and “Mary Makes It Easy,” which was picked up for two seasons by the Food Network in the U.S. Berg has also authored two cookbooks, won four Canadian Screen Awards, guest-starred on the Bell Media comedy “Children Ruin Everything,” and appears on lifestyle shows across the country as a food expert.
On Dec. 15 she makes...
- 12/13/2022
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Lea Thompson (Back to the Future) and Stacey Farber will play mother and daughter in CTV and eOne’s lighthearted Canadian procedural series The Spencer Sisters.
Created by Alan McCullough, the 10-episode series centers on hot-headed former police officer Darby Spencer (Farber) and her estranged, internationally renowned, mystery novelist mother Victoria Spencer (Thompson).
They have opposite personalities, differing sensibilities and a complicated history but still embark on the unlikeliest of ventures: becoming partners in a private detective agency.
Production begins next month in Winnipeg, with broadcast slated for 2023 on Canadian channel CTV. More details will follow at a later date. McCullough and Jenn Engels (Sort Of) are executive producers and co-showrunners.
“We look forward to kicking off production next month in Winnipeg, and working alongside our partners at eOne to bring this creative and clever new series to CTV,...
Created by Alan McCullough, the 10-episode series centers on hot-headed former police officer Darby Spencer (Farber) and her estranged, internationally renowned, mystery novelist mother Victoria Spencer (Thompson).
They have opposite personalities, differing sensibilities and a complicated history but still embark on the unlikeliest of ventures: becoming partners in a private detective agency.
Production begins next month in Winnipeg, with broadcast slated for 2023 on Canadian channel CTV. More details will follow at a later date. McCullough and Jenn Engels (Sort Of) are executive producers and co-showrunners.
“We look forward to kicking off production next month in Winnipeg, and working alongside our partners at eOne to bring this creative and clever new series to CTV,...
- 7/22/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Canadian YouTuber and former late night star Lilly Singh has partnered with Blink49 Studios and Bell Media on a unique first-look global scripted and second-look unscripted deal under her Unicorn Island Productions banner.
Under the deal, Singh and Unicorn’s head of development, Polly Auritt, will focus on creating and producing television content that showcases underrepresented communities. Projects created under the pact will be executive produced by Singh and Auritt along with Carolyn Newman, executive VP of global scripted at Bell Media, and Virginia Rankin, executive producer for Blink49 Studios.
Singh, a Scarborough, Ont. native, is also known by her YouTube name Superwoman and has more than 38 million followers across her social media platforms. She is a judge on Rogers Media’s “Canada’s Got Talent,” and is coming off two seasons of her late night series, “A Little Late With Lilly Singh,” which aired until summer 2021 on NBC. Up...
Under the deal, Singh and Unicorn’s head of development, Polly Auritt, will focus on creating and producing television content that showcases underrepresented communities. Projects created under the pact will be executive produced by Singh and Auritt along with Carolyn Newman, executive VP of global scripted at Bell Media, and Virginia Rankin, executive producer for Blink49 Studios.
Singh, a Scarborough, Ont. native, is also known by her YouTube name Superwoman and has more than 38 million followers across her social media platforms. She is a judge on Rogers Media’s “Canada’s Got Talent,” and is coming off two seasons of her late night series, “A Little Late With Lilly Singh,” which aired until summer 2021 on NBC. Up...
- 7/20/2022
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: CTV’s Canadian sitcom Shelved has found its leads.
Lyndie Greenwood will be joined by Paul Braunstein (Baroness Van Sketch), Dakota Ray Hebert (Run Woman Run) and Chris Sandiford (What We Do In The Shadows) in the Anthony Q. Farrell single-cam comedy about employees and patrons at the Jameson Public Library in Parkdale.
See above for the first shots of them in role.
Taylor Love (Most Dangerous Game), Varun Saranga (Wyonna Earp) and Robin Duke (Schitt’s Creek) round out the ensemble cast.
Greenwood stars as Wendy, Head of the library’s Jameson Branch and an energetic dreamer who always sees the best in people and cares passionately about her library and the community of Parkdale. Her staff includes the fastidious and judgmental Howard (Sandiford), who begrudgingly joins after a transfer from a prestigious Midtown branch; social rights activist Jaq (Hebert), who is obsessed with dystopian...
Lyndie Greenwood will be joined by Paul Braunstein (Baroness Van Sketch), Dakota Ray Hebert (Run Woman Run) and Chris Sandiford (What We Do In The Shadows) in the Anthony Q. Farrell single-cam comedy about employees and patrons at the Jameson Public Library in Parkdale.
See above for the first shots of them in role.
Taylor Love (Most Dangerous Game), Varun Saranga (Wyonna Earp) and Robin Duke (Schitt’s Creek) round out the ensemble cast.
Greenwood stars as Wendy, Head of the library’s Jameson Branch and an energetic dreamer who always sees the best in people and cares passionately about her library and the community of Parkdale. Her staff includes the fastidious and judgmental Howard (Sandiford), who begrudgingly joins after a transfer from a prestigious Midtown branch; social rights activist Jaq (Hebert), who is obsessed with dystopian...
- 6/29/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Canada’s Bell Media has acquired more than 1,000 hours of content including Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, Ex Machina and Boyhood from FilmRise.
The deal also includes movies such as Steve Carell-starring Foxcatcher and multiple factual shows like Unsolved Mysteries and Kitchen Nightmares for Canadian studio Bell’s digital channels CTV Throwback and CTV Movies.
Additional content will be added over the coming months.
The announcement was made jointly today by FilmRise CEO Danny Fisher and Justin Stockman, Vice-President, Content Development & Programming at Bell Media.
“This partnership allows us to deepen our content offering on CTV Throwback and CTV Movies, delivering more titles and more choice for viewers,” added Stockman.
The deal was brokered by Michael L. Smith of Warbun Consulting Inc.
The deal also includes movies such as Steve Carell-starring Foxcatcher and multiple factual shows like Unsolved Mysteries and Kitchen Nightmares for Canadian studio Bell’s digital channels CTV Throwback and CTV Movies.
Additional content will be added over the coming months.
The announcement was made jointly today by FilmRise CEO Danny Fisher and Justin Stockman, Vice-President, Content Development & Programming at Bell Media.
“This partnership allows us to deepen our content offering on CTV Throwback and CTV Movies, delivering more titles and more choice for viewers,” added Stockman.
The deal was brokered by Michael L. Smith of Warbun Consulting Inc.
- 6/8/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Canada’s most-watched drama series Transplant has been picked up for a third season just weeks before its second season premieres stateside. Season 2 of the medical drama is currently airing on CTV in Canada and will arrive in the U.S. on NBC on March 6 at 10 p.m. Et. The series was initially acquired by NBC in early 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic delayed a number of U.S. productions. The first season made its U.S. debut in fall 2020 and performed well, ranking as the #2 new drama in the fourth quarter. “Viewers around the world have embraced Transplant, and we look forward to bringing this exceptional cast back as we continue to tell the stories of York Memorial Hospital,” said Justin Stockman (via Variety), VP of content development and programming at Bell Media. Created by Joseph Kay, Transplant revolves around Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq), a doctor from Syria who...
- 2/18/2022
- TV Insider
Series
“Transplant,” Canada’s most-watched drama series, will be back for a third season at CTV, produced by Sphere Media in association with CTV and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Season 3 will shoot in Montréal, with Hamza Haq returning as protagonist Dr. Bashir Hamed, a Syrian refugee who fled to Canada where he now practices medicine. The show, currently airing its second season on CTV, CTV.ca and on the CTV app, is the country’s most-watched drama series at an average of 1.1 million viewers. The show has also done well abroad, airing on NBC in the U.S. with Season 2 scheduled to premiere March 6.
“Viewers around the world have embraced ‘Transplant,’ and we look forward to bringing this exceptional cast back as we continue to tell the stories of York Memorial Hospital,” said Justin Stockman, VP of content development and programming at Bell Media. “With our...
“Transplant,” Canada’s most-watched drama series, will be back for a third season at CTV, produced by Sphere Media in association with CTV and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Season 3 will shoot in Montréal, with Hamza Haq returning as protagonist Dr. Bashir Hamed, a Syrian refugee who fled to Canada where he now practices medicine. The show, currently airing its second season on CTV, CTV.ca and on the CTV app, is the country’s most-watched drama series at an average of 1.1 million viewers. The show has also done well abroad, airing on NBC in the U.S. with Season 2 scheduled to premiere March 6.
“Viewers around the world have embraced ‘Transplant,’ and we look forward to bringing this exceptional cast back as we continue to tell the stories of York Memorial Hospital,” said Justin Stockman, VP of content development and programming at Bell Media. “With our...
- 2/18/2022
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Comedy series Children Ruin Everything, from Schitt’s Creek’s Kurt Smeaton, has been renewed for a second season at Canadian broadcaster CTV.
The series, which stars Meaghan Rath and Aaron Abrams, will return for a second season with 16 half-hours, up from the eight episodes ordered for the first season.
Production will begin later this spring and the first season of the series will air on Roku in the U.S. later this year.
The half-hour comedy about living with children follows Astrid, played by Rath, and James, played by Abrams, who struggle to find a balance between being mom and dad to two kids and being who they were before offspring. It explores the ways kids can tear down your life and, if you’re lucky, replace it with something you have to admit is pretty okay, too.
The cast also includes Ennis Esmer and Nazneen Contractor. Chuck Tatham, whose...
The series, which stars Meaghan Rath and Aaron Abrams, will return for a second season with 16 half-hours, up from the eight episodes ordered for the first season.
Production will begin later this spring and the first season of the series will air on Roku in the U.S. later this year.
The half-hour comedy about living with children follows Astrid, played by Rath, and James, played by Abrams, who struggle to find a balance between being mom and dad to two kids and being who they were before offspring. It explores the ways kids can tear down your life and, if you’re lucky, replace it with something you have to admit is pretty okay, too.
The cast also includes Ennis Esmer and Nazneen Contractor. Chuck Tatham, whose...
- 2/4/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Home Reno Star Mike Holmes Seals Bell Media Partnership With Super Bowl ‘Holmes Family Effect’ Debut
Mike Holmes is making it right on his biggest scale yet.
The Canadian contractor and TV personality, whose personal motto promises to “make it right,” is preparing to unveil his latest renovation series, “Holmes Family Effect,” on Feb. 7 in the coveted post-Super Bowl timeslot. But it’s the platform his series is debuting on that has media watchers readjusting their own tool belts.
“Holmes Family Effect,” which debuts on Fox later this spring, marks Holmes’ debut on Canadian broadcaster CTV. Parent company Bell Media has been plotting Holmes’ splashy debut since 2019, when it announced the new partnership at its June upfront presentation. The alliance marked Holmes’ first break from HGTV Canada (owned by Bell Media competitor Corus Media) in 16 years. He first debuted on HGTV in 2003 with “Holmes on Homes.”
At HGTV Canada, Holmes starred in nine Canadian original series and specials, amassing more than 21 million Canadian viewers and solidifying...
The Canadian contractor and TV personality, whose personal motto promises to “make it right,” is preparing to unveil his latest renovation series, “Holmes Family Effect,” on Feb. 7 in the coveted post-Super Bowl timeslot. But it’s the platform his series is debuting on that has media watchers readjusting their own tool belts.
“Holmes Family Effect,” which debuts on Fox later this spring, marks Holmes’ debut on Canadian broadcaster CTV. Parent company Bell Media has been plotting Holmes’ splashy debut since 2019, when it announced the new partnership at its June upfront presentation. The alliance marked Holmes’ first break from HGTV Canada (owned by Bell Media competitor Corus Media) in 16 years. He first debuted on HGTV in 2003 with “Holmes on Homes.”
At HGTV Canada, Holmes starred in nine Canadian original series and specials, amassing more than 21 million Canadian viewers and solidifying...
- 2/5/2021
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
Wrestling docu-series Dark Side of the Ring is coming back for a second season after Viceland renewed the series. Production is underway for the second run, which will see Canada’s Crave come on board as a co-producer.
The news was revealed by Viceland president Guy Slattery at the TCA press tour.
The show has been handed a supersized episode order, almost double its initial run with ten-hour long episodes looking at the collision of fantasy and reality and the stars’ larger-than-life characters in and out of the ring.
Dark Side of the Ring has become Viceland’s best premiere ratings in 18-49 and total viewers in the channel’s three-year history and has received support from the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The show is exec produced by producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener with Vice Studios producing for Viceland and Canada’s Bell Media for its Crave platform.
The news was revealed by Viceland president Guy Slattery at the TCA press tour.
The show has been handed a supersized episode order, almost double its initial run with ten-hour long episodes looking at the collision of fantasy and reality and the stars’ larger-than-life characters in and out of the ring.
Dark Side of the Ring has become Viceland’s best premiere ratings in 18-49 and total viewers in the channel’s three-year history and has received support from the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The show is exec produced by producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener with Vice Studios producing for Viceland and Canada’s Bell Media for its Crave platform.
- 7/23/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Viceland has renewed its pro-wrestling docuseries “Dark Side of the Ring” for a supersized second season, the network’s president, Guy Slattery, announced during the Television Critics Association press tour Tuesday.
Season 2 of the series will have “almost double the initial episode order, with 10 hour-long examinations of the collision of fantasy and reality and the stars’ larger-than-life characters in and out of the ring from returning executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener,” per the Vice Media and A&e-owned network.
Production has already begun on the second season, which is now a Crave Original, with Season 1 set to have its Canadian premiere this fall on Bell Media’s Crave.
Also Read: 'Dark Side of the Ring' Producer Says They Got 'So Lucky' Finding Body Doubles for Wrestler Reenactments
“We were thrilled with the positive response to Dark Side when it debuted,” Slattery said. “The enthusiasm from fans and non-fans alike was contagious.
Season 2 of the series will have “almost double the initial episode order, with 10 hour-long examinations of the collision of fantasy and reality and the stars’ larger-than-life characters in and out of the ring from returning executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener,” per the Vice Media and A&e-owned network.
Production has already begun on the second season, which is now a Crave Original, with Season 1 set to have its Canadian premiere this fall on Bell Media’s Crave.
Also Read: 'Dark Side of the Ring' Producer Says They Got 'So Lucky' Finding Body Doubles for Wrestler Reenactments
“We were thrilled with the positive response to Dark Side when it debuted,” Slattery said. “The enthusiasm from fans and non-fans alike was contagious.
- 7/23/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.