Corus Entertainment Proudly Bolsters Its Diverse 2017/18 Programming Slate With New And Returning Canadian Original Productions

CORUS ENTERTAINMENT PROUDLY BOLSTERS ITS DIVERSE 2017/18 PROGRAMMING SLATE WITH NEW AND RETURNING CANADIAN ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS

Home to Win Season 3 Joins Global’s Schedule, Alongside Critically-Acclaimed Series Mary Kills People and Detective Drama Private Eyes

The Bachelor Canada Joins the Specialty Slate Along With All-New Homegrown Series Sarah Off The Grid, The Baker Sisters, Bud Dynasty, Hunting Nazi Treasure, and Mysticons, Plus New Seasons of Vikings, Travelers, Top Chef Canada, Bryan Inc., and More

Corus Studios and Nelvana Expand Their Slate of Proven Hits and Premium Animation for International Sale

“It’s very smart and utterly intriguing.” – The Globe and Mail on Mary Kills People

“It’s time to start watching Mary Kills People” – Vulture

“It’s a fast, fun hour that’s filmed — and most importantly, set — in Toronto and is an affectionate love letter to the city […] successfully marrying a procedural with a lighter family drama.”
– The Televixen on Private Eyes

“As designers and builders team up to complete the rooms, personalities will clash – but in an entertaining way, making it perfect for TV” – 24 Hours on Home to Win

“Gorgeously made and menacing in tone, [Travelers] is a portrait of our time, seen through the eyes of people in the future.” – The Globe and Mail

“It’s hard to find a fresh take on the time-travel conceit…but Travelers has some attention-grabbing flourishes and fine acting.” – The New York Times

“Almost everything about Vikings is bold and brawny…amid a wave of period dramas generally made possible by international production, few are as fully realized or consistently satisfying.”
– Variety

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For Immediate Release

TORONTO, June 5, 2017 – Corus Entertainment announced today its vast and versatile slate of new and returning Canadian content, showcasing exceptional storytelling, an amazing roster of homegrown talent, and original, high-quality productions. New season orders of outstanding established hits underscore Corus’ commitment to investing in Canadian content across its portfolio of brands, championing original series, and fostering Canadian talent, both in front of and behind the camera.

Additionally, with strategically curated programs featuring globally appealing themes and formats, Corus Entertainment’s Corus Studios and Nelvana have grown their slates of premium original content which are now available in more than 160 countries and territories around the world, supporting Corus’ goal of becoming Canada’s leading media and content company.

“Corus is extremely proud to work with our country’s most talented writers, artists, producers, and showrunners on first-rate productions for our scripted and unscripted slates,” said Barb Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Corus Entertainment. “This year’s lineup of exemplary original productions is bursting with homegrown personalities, exceptional narratives, compelling characters, and tried-and-true formats that further solidify our roster of powerful Canadian content.”

Global welcomes a new season of one of the most buzzed-about series on both sides of the border, its critically-acclaimed drama Mary Kills People – officially greenlit for six episodes with production beginning this summer in and around Toronto. Produced by Entertainment One (eOne) and Cameron Pictures, and starring Caroline Dhavernas as Dr. Mary Harris, an overworked single mother and ER doctor, the series follows Mary’s exploits as she balances the needs of her family and her day job with helping terminal patients end their lives on their terms – all while eluding the police, who are determined to bring her down. In summer 2018, Canada’s favourite detective duo Matt Shade (Jason Priestley) and Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson) return to the schedule with nine new episodes of Private Eyes. The dynamic duo have found their rhythm on and off the case, and the entire Everett Investigations team tackle new challenges while also facing old ones that have come back to test them. Then, original series Home to Win moves to Global, bringing the hit multiplatform series to a bigger platform and extending its reach to even more Canadians across the country. Produced by Architect Films, the roof-raising series returns for an epic, star-studded third season, featuring the best-known builders, designers, and real estate experts who transform an average house into a dream property for one lucky Canadian.

Showcase’s original time-travelling series and #1 new fall Specialty series* Travelers returns for a second season this fall. Produced by Peacock Alley Entertainment, the sci-fi drama features an all-Canadian cast led by Eric McCormack and created by Brad Wright. Plus, new this season, Canadian gem Enrico Colantoni joins as Vincent, a mysterious individual who may or may not be a friend of the travelers. Currently shooting in Vancouver, Season 2 picks up on the group’s haunting realization that their missions may have altered the future in ways they did not predict.

The #1 Specialty Entertainment program** and Canadian Screen Award-winner Vikings returns for Season 5 later this year on HISTORY. Produced by Take 5 Productions, this riveting season features Golden Globe^® winner Jonathan Rhys Meyers as a warrior bishop. Also debuting this fall are HISTORY’s two new original series: Screen Siren Pictures’ docu-series Bud Dynasty, which follows the lucrative pot industry in British Columbia, providing an all-access look into the legalized marijuana business, its big players, and the obstacles they face; and from Saloon Media, investigative series Hunting Nazi Treasure follows a team of experts around the world in search of objects and artwork worth billions stolen by the Nazis.

On W Network this fall, a handsome gent puts it all on the line for love in the hit franchise produced by Good Human Productions, The Bachelor Canada. W Network is also the home of enchanting scripted series including: Good Witch, featuring Noah Cappe (host of The Bachelor Canada) and returning with Season 4 this spring; family drama series Chesapeake Shores, filmed in British Columbia and starring Canadian Megan Ory; and new comedic series Date My Dad, shot in B.C. and starring Canadian Zenia Marshall.

Following the successful All-Stars edition, Canada’s most notable culinary competition Top Chef Canada returns in spring 2018 for a sixth season to Food Network Canada. Produced by Insight Productions, a new batch of the country’s most talented chefs compete in cutthroat culinary challenges and receive bold critiques from the esteemed judging panel. This fall, the network also serves up sweet new original dishes sure to satisfy audiences: from Alibi Entertainment, The Baker Sisters takes viewers on a guilt-free road trip to sample mouth-watering sweets from some of the best bakeries in North America; and from eOne, the one-hour special Bake It Possible! crowns the champion of Pillsbury and Betty Crocker’s epic baking contest. CSA-nominated celebrity chef Anna Olson showcases her baking mastery in new seasons of Bake with Anna Olson this fall and Inspired by Anna Olson in 2018, both produced by Peace Point Entertainment.

HGTV Canada welcomes two brand new Canadian original series and one Canadian co-production to its schedule this fall and spring, respectively: from Alibi Entertainment, Sarah Off the Grid follows notable interior designer Sarah Richardson as she builds a dream home for her family on a remote property; produced by Great Pacific Media, Worst to First features cutting-edge contractors Mickey Fabbiano and Sebastian Sevallo who transform drab dwellings in coveted neighbourhoods into magnificent sought-after homes; and in partnership with Scripps Networks Interactive, Buyers Bootcamp features Scott McGillivray as he offers real-life opportunities for aspiring real estate investors to partner with him. Fan-favourites Drew and Jonathan Scott of the Cineflix-produced series Property Brothers debut new episodes from Season 6 this fall, followed in early 2018 by a new season of CSA-nominated Masters of Flip from Rhino Content featuring dynamic super couple Dave and Kortney Wilson, and a brand new season of Bryan Inc. from Si Entertainment starring renovation expert Bryan Baeumler.

Since 2016, Corus Studios has been producing and distributing original lifestyle content globally. With multiple content deals completed worldwide this spring, breakout hit Masters of Flip is now available in 147 territories, Buying the View (HGTV Canada) in 65 territories, Home to Win in 44 territories, and Cheer Squad (ABC Spark) in eight territories. The Baker Sisters, $ave My Reno and Backyard Builds (both HGTV Canada) were also recently introduced to the international market at MIPTV 2017.

With offices in Toronto and Paris, Nelvana Enterprises, the global licensing and merchandising arm of Nelvana (Canada’s premier animation company and world-class producer and distributor of children’s content), continues to expand and strengthen its portfolio on an international scale, securing numerous global licensing deals including Nickelodeon (U.S.) for Mysticons, Disney Channel (U.S.) for Hotel Transylvania: The Series, Discovery Kids (Latin America) and Disney Channel (U.S.) deals for The ZhuZhus, and broadcast deals in France, Germany, Finland, and Australia for Ranger Rob.

The momentum across Corus’ Kids Networks is fuelled by the longstanding success, accomplished artists, and creative vision of Nelvana. With nearly 300 talented artists and animators working in its Toronto studio, Nelvana has 14 series in full production and more than 20 shows in development for 2017/18. Nelvana’s stellar original animated content joining Corus’ leading kids’ networks this year include the genre-defining action series Mysticons. Slated for YTV this fall, the contemporary series follows four girls who transform into legendary warriors and undertake a quest to find a magic tome. Produced in association with Sony Pictures Animation, and based on the blockbuster film franchise, Hotel Transylvania: The Series focuses on the teenage years of Dracula’s daughter, Mavis, and her three closest friends who put her brilliant ideas of how to run the Hotel into motion, and is set to premiere on TELETOON this fall. Produced by Nelvana in association with Kids Can Press, the charming short film The Most Magnificent Thing joins preschool network Treehouse in 2018. Based on Canadian author Ashley Spires’s bestselling picture book of the same name, the short film animates the tale of an unnamed girl, her furry best friend and their quest to make the most magnificent thing – even though creating it might not be that easy. Nelvana’s preschool adventure series Ranger Rob has been greenlit for a second season, and new episodes of the dynamic duo Max & Ruby return this fall on Treehouse.

The action continues as YTV also introduces new Canadian original series to its lineup, ReBoot: The Guardian Code. Reimagining the 1994 animated cult classic show ReBoot, the live-action/CG-animated hybrid series is set to debut in spring 2018. Produced by WOW! Unlimited Media’s Mainframe Studios, the series follows four teenagers selected to become the Next-Generation Guardians of cyberspace.

Sources:
* Numeris PPM Data, Total Canada FL’16 (Aug29/16 – Jan1/17) – confirmed data, Mo-Su 2a-2a, AMA (000), Canadian Commercial Specialty English, ex.Sports channels. A18-49 and A18-34, program rankers based on 3+ airings
** Numeris PPM Data, Total Canada, Broadcast YTD (8/29/2016 – 5/7/2017) – confirmed data, Mo-Su 2a-2a, AMA (000), Canadian Commercial Specialty English, ex.Sports. A25-54 and A18-49 unless otherwise noted, program rankers based on 3+ airings

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 About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that creates and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children’s book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

Corus Studios and Nelvana are divisions of Corus Entertainment

About Corus Studios
Corus Entertainment has a longstanding history of success in the children’s animated content category through its production and distribution giant Nelvana. Since 2016 Corus Studios has been producing and distributing original lifestyle content globally. From hit series Masters of Flip to Buying the View and Home to Win, Corus Studios’ series are now available in over 100 territories worldwide.

About Nelvana
Nelvana is Canada’s premier animation company and a world-leading producer and distributor of children’s content. Nelvana has delighted audiences around the globe for more than 40 years with a vast library of more than 4,000 episodes from original, award-winning series like Babar and Franklin. Nelvana’s content is distributed in more than 160 countries worldwide and broadcast across Corus Entertainment’s suite of leading kids networks. Nelvana Enterprises, the global licensing and merchandising arm of Nelvana, manages the organization’s portfolio of in-house and third party brands with offices in Toronto and Paris. Nelvana Studio, with offices in Toronto and Montreal, employs more than 300 Canadian artists working with local and international producers to create premium children’s content for a global stage.  For more information, visit www.nelvana.com.

For more information, please contact: 
Ashley Applebaum
Publicity Manager, Global Television
Corus Entertainment
416.860.4217
ashley.applebaum@corusent.com

Michelle McTeague
Publicity Manager, General Entertainment and Kids Content
Corus Entertainment
416.966.7724
michelle.mcteague@corusent.com

Catrina Jaricot
Publicity Manager, Women and Lifestyle Content
Corus Entertainment
416.479.6397
catrina.jaricot@corusent.com