Corus Entertainment Reveals Its Outstanding Roster Of New And Returning Canadian Original Programming For 2018/2019
June 4, 2018
CORUS ENTERTAINMENT REVEALS ITS OUTSTANDING ROSTER OF NEW AND RETURNING CANADIAN ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING FOR 2018/2019
Global Greenlights New Seasons of Big Brother Canada, Mary Kills People,
Private Eyes, Border Security and Entertainment Tonight Canada
Allez Cuisine! Food Network Canada Inks Deal for New Series Iron Chef Canada, Greenlights New Corus Studios Series
Fire Masters and Ultimate Food Bucket List with Host John Catucci
Corus’ Kids Networks and Nelvana Announce 11 New Original Series Including
Esme & Roy, Bravest Warriors, Corn & Peg and Miss Persona
17 Canadian Smash Hit Series Return Including: Vikings, Top Chef Canada,
Sarah Off The Grid, Holmes + Holmes and More
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For Immediate Release
TORONTO, June 4, 2018 – Corus Entertainment announced today its powerhouse programming lineup of bold, new and returning Canadian original hits for its 2018/2019 schedule. Commissioning more than 37 series this year, Corus is dedicated to developing extraordinary content across its suite of premium networks, emphasizing outstanding, Canadian original productions and building an unrivalled roster of Canadian talent.
Globally, Corus Studios continues to broaden its footprint with sales of original series in more than 150 territories to date. This year, Corus Studios introduces a diverse range of programming including docu-series, fashion, home renovation, and competition series that make up six new Canadian productions and three returning series. In the kids space, Nelvana, Canada’s world-leading producer and distributor of children’s content and premier animation company, ushers in four new original series and one returning show, which are set to premiere on Corus’ kids networks in 2018/2019 and are available for international sale.
“Corus is dedicated to investing in outstanding scripted and unscripted Canadian content through collaboration with the country’s most talented production partners.” said Lisa Godfrey, Vice President of Original Content, Corus Entertainment. “Our all-encompassing slate of Canadian productions showcases exceptional storytelling, stellar Canadian personalities, and innovative formats that resonate with viewers across the country, while also delivering global appeal.”
Below is a breakdown of Corus’ new and returning original series:
GLOBAL
Global renews seasons of the Canadian Screen Award-winning series Mary Kills People, juggernaut reality series Big Brother Canada, and more for the 2018-2019 season. Additional announcements regarding Global’s new originals slate will be revealed at a later date.
Mary Kills People – Season 3 (6×60) – NEW SEASON
Returning for its third and final chapter airing in spring 2019, Mary Kills People follows Dr. Mary Harris (Caroline Dhavernas) and her exploits as she balances her family and her day job while also helping terminal patients end their lives on their own terms (produced by Entertainment One (eOne) and Cameron Pictures Inc.).
Big Brother Canada – Season 7 (30×60) – NEW SEASON
On the heels of a successful Season 6 which grew its audiences year-over-year***, the smash hit reality series hosted by Arisa Cox is back for another season in 2019. As a Top 10 performer across key demos***, Season 7 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).
Entertainment Tonight Canada – Season 14 (260×30) – NEW SEASON
Returning for another star-studded season is the nation’s entertainment powerhouse, ET Canada delivering 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 Reporters Sangita Patel and Carlos Bustamante. (Produced by Corus Entertainment for Global Television in association with Paramount Domestic Television).
Previously announced series include:
Private Eyes – Season 3 (12×60) – NEW SEASON
In Season 3 of Private Eyes, Shade (Jason Priestley) and Everett (Cindy Sampson) become more intertwined into the antic adventures of their world, taking on Toronto’s most difficult and unusual cases. Multi-platinum, award-winning singer-songwriter Jann Arden guest stars, making a special cameo appearance in the first episode (produced by eOne).
Border Security: America’s Front Line – Season 2 (10×30 – winter 2019, 10×30 – winter 2020) – NEW SEASON
Securing the longest border in the world is the work of the men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Season 2 of Border Security: America’s Front Line follows CBP officers as they search for illegal travelers, weapons, and contraband (produced by eOne in association with Netflix).
LIFESTYLE
Food Network Canada takes culinary competitions to the next level as it serves up the first-ever Iron Chef Canada, along with the blazing grilling competition series Fire Masters. Comedian John Catucci returns to the network as host of the all-new food adventure series Ultimate Food Bucket List (wt).
Iron Chef Canada – Season 1 (10×60 – fall 2018, 10×60 – fall 2019) – NEW SERIES
This fall, Food Network Canada brings the world’s biggest, boldest food competition series north of the border for its own homegrown edition of Iron Chef Canada. In this Canadian version, renowned chefs from across the country face off against celebrated Canadian Iron Chefs in epic culinary battles. Each chef has 60 minutes to prepare five dishes using a featured “secret ingredient”. Their dishes are judged on taste, presentation and originality by a panel of culinary experts and industry professionals. The chef with the highest score wins that battle and supreme bragging rights. Cast will be announced at a later date (produced by Proper Television).
Fire Masters – Season 1 (10×60 – spring 2019, 10×60 – spring 2020) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
Debuting in spring, new food competition series Fire Masters puts teams of open-flame fanatics in a battle for fire supremacy and a cash prize. In every episode, three teams of chefs face off in three culinary challenges, pushing their talents to the limit to cook up mouth-watering flame-kissed dishes. One team is eliminated in each of the first two rounds and the last team standing faces an epic throw-down with a Fire Master’s judge. The final team has a chance to walk away with $10,000 and the coveted Fire Master title (produced by Architect Films).
Ultimate Food Bucket List (wt) – Season 1 (14×30) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
In Ultimate Food Bucket List, host John Catucci (You Gotta Eat Here!) takes viewers on one-of-a-kind food adventures across North America, as he checks off the most drool-worthy dishes and must-see culinary stops along the way. The new series premieres spring 2019 (produced by Lone Eagle Entertainment).
Top Chef Canada – Season 7 (8×60) – NEW SEASON
Canada’s most esteemed culinary competition and Canadian Screen Award-nominated series, Top Chef Canada returns for its seventh season off the heels of earning the title of Food Network Canada’s #1 show this spring ** (produced by Insight Productions).
Previously announced series include:
Carnival Eats – Season 5 (13×30) – NEW SEASON
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).
HGTV Canada builds on the best in home renovation and design programming this fall with returning fan-favourites and heavy-hitting personalities including Sarah Off The Grid and Holmes and Holmes. This winter, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler take audiences to Bahamas as the family sets out to turn a rundown resort into a new business in new original series Island of Bryan.
Sarah Off The Grid – Season 2 (6×60) – NEW SEASON
In the first season of Sarah Off The Grid, Sarah Richardson and her husband Alex took on their biggest project yet – a 5,000 square-foot off-the-grid house – and became HGTV Canada’s #1 program this fall*. Now they’re taking on a brand new challenge in Season 2 as Sarah plans to convert a 19th century historic home in the charming small town of Creemore into a seasonal off-the-grid rental property (produced by Alibi Entertainment).
Holmes + Holmes – Season 2 (12×60) – NEW SEASON
Kicking off fall is dynamic father-and-son duo Mike Holmes and Mike Holmes Jr., who are on a mission to renovate homes and ‘make it right’. In the second season of Holmes + Holmes, the pair go into business together, testing their relationship as they buy, renovate, and re-sell three houses for profit (produced by The Holmes Group).
Previously announced series include:
Island of Bryan – Season 1 (13×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
Coming off of a successful second season of Bryan Inc. – the #1 specialty entertainment program on HGTV Canada this winter** – fan-favourite contractor Bryan Baeumler, his wife and designer, Sarah Baeumler and their family return with a new adventure in Island of Bryan as they head to the Bahamas to overhaul a rundown beachfront resort and turn it into a booming business (produced by Si Entertainment).
Backyard Builds – Season 2 (14×30) (Corus Studios) – NEW SEASON
Backyard Builds showcases the endless opportunities outdoor areas can provide. Contractor Brian McCourt and designer Sarah Keenleyside work with homeowners to extend their living spaces and maximize their backyard’s potential by creating one-of-a-kind structures and clever designs (produced by Frantic Films).
Love It or List It Vancouver – Season 5 (26×60) – NEW SEASON
Love It or List It Vancouver is the home renovation series with the eternal question: “should I stay or should I go?” Each episode features a family in B.C. who is struggling with a home that no longer suits their needs. Interior designer Jillian Harris is pitted against west coast realtor Todd Talbot as they each present their plans to solve the homeowner’s dilemma (produced by Big Coat Media).
Property Brothers – Season 6E (10×60) and Season 7 (18×60) – NEW SEASONS
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).
Property Brothers: Buying and Selling – Season 6 (8×60) – NEW SEASON
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).
$ave My Reno – Season 2 (14×30) (Corus Studios) – NEW SEASON
Cash-conscious homeowners catch a break when Sebastian Clovis, the savvy contractor, and Sabrina Smelko, the resourceful designer, toss out overpriced reno quotes and make dreams come true through smart spends, upcycling, DIY and a little bit of elbow grease from the homeowners themselves (produced by Great Pacific Media).
Worst to First – Season 2 (10×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SEASON
Worst to First sees best friends, professional contractors and family members Sebastian and Mickey take on the challenge of transforming the most undesirable house on the block into a stunning forever home (produced by Great Pacific Media).
HISTORY® introduces four new Canadian original productions including the recently announced series below and welcomes the return of an epic new season of historical drama and Top 5 entertainment specialty program*, Vikings, later this fall.
Rust Valley Restorers – Season 1 (8×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
Debuting this fall, Rust Valley Restorers follows a unique Rocky Mountain garage with a team of charismatic car-lovers as they transform abandoned heaps of rust into collectible classics to sell, trade or ride (produced by Mayhem Entertainment).
Big Rig Warriors – Season 1 (10×30) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
A new docu-series coming this winter, Big Rig Warriors, follows five dynamic truckers and the families and friends who support them during the exciting racing season on their quest to cross the finish line and be crowned the “fastest”. They all share a common obsession: They race big trucks and they race them fast (produced by Attraction Images).
History Erased (formerly World Without) – Season 1 (8×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
Coming this winter, History Erased examines the world without a specific country in order to highlight its contributions to global culture and human history (produced by Cream Productions).
100 Days to Victory – (2×60) – NEW SPECIAL
As part of HISTORY’s Days of Remembrance programming in November, the two-part special 100 Days to Victory, tells the gripping story of the Allies’ collaborative efforts to end the First World War and Canada’s crucial role within those victories (produced by Bristow Global Media and Electric Pictures).
Vikings – Season 5B (10×60) – NEW SEASON
Multiple Canadian Screen Award-winning series Vikings returns with the highly-anticipated second part of Season 5 coming later this year (Canada/Ireland co-production by Take 5 Productions and TM Productions Limited).
Slice™ continues to deliver jaw-dropping moments, big personalities and high-stakes situations, upping the ante with previously announced original fashion competition series STITCHED this fall.
STITCHED – Season 1 (12×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
STITCHED is the fierce new original fashion competition series where designers go thread-to-thread in epic high-stakes-meets-high-style challenges under tight deadlines for a $10,000 cash prize. Set to debut this September, the series features host and fashion model Kim Cloutier alongside and resident judges, style expert Joe Zee and ELLE Canada’s Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Craft (produced by FORTÉ Entertainment).
KIDS
Family-friendly powerhouse network YTV welcomes two new original series and one returning this fall.
Star Falls – Season 1 (20×30) – NEW SERIES
Premiering in September, Star Falls is a single camera family comedy set in an idyllic small town. The show revolves around a mom and daughter who are best friends, but whose lives are upended when a big Hollywood movie shoots in their quaint town and the daughter schemes to create a romance between her mom and the film’s superstar male lead. Only the daughter’s plan works a little too well and suddenly she’s forced to share a house with not only the actor, but his three celebrity children as well! (produced by Breakthrough Entertainment in association with Nickelodeon).
Go Away Unicorn – Season 1 (52×11) – NEW SERIES
Slated this fall, Go Away Unicorn follows the adventures of a little girl named Alice as she tries to avoid an unwanted unicorn that simply won’t go away (produced by Nelvana for Sonar Entertainment in association with Disney).
This fall, TELETOON brings best-in-class animation with the premiere of four new original animated series.
Cupcake & Dino: General Services – Season 1 (52×11) – NEW SERIES
Debuting this September, Cupcake and Dino are two bros trying to make a name for themselves in the super competitive general services business in the big city (produced by eOne in association with Netflix).
Total DramaRama – Season 1 (52×11) – NEW SERIES
This October, Total DramaRama is the outrageous, unexpected and totally random prequel to Total Drama Island that everyone’s been waiting for. You thought the teens were manipulative? Meet the toddlers (produced by Fresh TV in association with Cartoon Network).
Chop Chop Ninja – Season 1 (20×30) – NEW SERIES
In October, Iro, an exuberant young ninja, along with his three friends – fellow classmates at the Ninja Academy – protect his island home from a steady onslaught of treacherous and not so treacherous villains, in hopes of proving that he deserves the legendary title of Chop Chop Ninja (produced by Sardine Productions).
Spaceman & Robotron – Season 1 (2×11) – NEW SERIES
Coming this November to TELETOON and Télétoon, Spaceman and Robotron is a crazy adventure in space and time that follows the flight of a bickering duo paired against their will: Spaceman, a human kidnapped by aliens, and Robotron, his “smart” bionic spacesuit (produced by Luckas Cardona).
Previously announced series include:
Bravest Warriors – Season 1 (26×30) (Nelvana) – NEW SERIES
Scheduled for September, Bravest Warriors is set in the year 3085 and follows four teenage heroes-for-hire as they warp through the universe to save adorable aliens and their worlds using the power of their emotions (produced by Nelvana and Frederator).
Preschool network Treehouse, is delighted to debut three brand new original series plus a new season of the lovable bunny siblings, Max & Ruby.
Snow Snaps – Season 1 (26×11 & 52×5) – NEW SERIES
Premiering in September, Snow Snaps takes four very different little kids, opens the gate to the great outdoors, covers everything with snow, and let’s ‘em go! (produced by Carpe Diem).
Miss Persona – Season 1 (52×3) (Nelvana) – NEW SERIES
This October, Miss Persona is a wonderful live-action pre-school show about an industrious little lady with a big imagination who encounters tricky problems that she solves through imaginative dress-up role playing (produced by Nelvana).
Corn & Peg – Season 1 (40×11) (Nelvana) – NEW SERIES
Slated for later this year, the hilarious adventures of Corn & Peg follows inseparable best friends, a young Unicorn and Pegasus sharing an unbridled excitement and enthusiasm to help make their community of Galloping Grove a better place (produced by Nelvana in association with Nickelodeon).
Max & Ruby – Season 7 (52×11) (Nelvana) – NEW SEASON
This fall, with an ever growing family in an ever changing world, Max and Ruby celebrates the biggest and littlest challenges in a preschooler’s life! (produced by Nelvana).
Previously announced series include:
Esme & Roy – Season 1 (52×11) (Nelvana) – NEW SERIES
Esme & Roy are best friends – and the best monster-sitters! This pre-school series brings little viewers along on relatable monster adventures and is packed with playful learning, humor, heart, and musical monster-y fun (produced by Nelvana in association with Sesame Workshop).
Sources:
*Source: Numeris PPM Data, Total Canada, FL17 (Aug28-Dec31/17), AMA(000), Rankers based on: CDN SPEC DIG COMM ENG – excluding sports stns, 4+ airings, A25-54 & W25-54 unless otherwise noted
**Source: Numeris PPM Data, Total Canada, SP18 (Jan1–Feb8/2018, Feb26-May13/2018 -excludes Olympic dates), AMA(000), Rankers based on: CDN SPEC DIG COMM ENG – excluding sports stns, 4+ airings, A25-54 & W25-54 unless otherwise noted
***Source: Numeris PPM data, Total Canada, SP18 (Jan1–Feb8/2018, Feb26-May13/2018 -excludes Olympic dates), Ranker based on: National Cdn Conv Eng stns, 4+ airings, excludes playoffs, AMA(000, A25-54, W25-54, A18-34 unless otherwise noted / AMA growth based on: BB Canada S6 (Jan1-May13/2018) vs. BB Canada S5 (Jan2-May21/2017)
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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 44 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
Established in 2015, Corus Studios, a division of Corus Entertainment, is a premium content studio that develops, produces and distributes a wide array of original lifestyle, unscripted and factual content globally. Offering dynamic programming that entertains, informs and drives audiences across platforms, Corus Studios content is featured across Corus’ suite of channels, including HGTV Canada, HISTORY®, Food Network Canada, and SLICE™. To date, Corus Studios content has been sold in over 150 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:
Jacqui VanSickle
Senior Publicist, Global Television
Corus Entertainment
416.860.4224
jacqui.vansickle@corusent.com
Michelle McTeague
Publicity Manager, Kids, Drama, and Nelvana
Corus Entertainment
416.966.7724
michelle.mcteague@corusent.com
Catrina Jaricot
Publicity Manager, Lifestyle Content
Corus Entertainment
416.479.6397
catrina.jaricot@corusent.com
