Global Original Big Brother Canada Greenlit For Season 9; Arisa Cox Named Executive Producer

GLOBAL ORIGINAL BIG BROTHER CANADA GREENLIT FOR SEASON 9; HOST ARISA COX NAMED EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Produced by Insight Productions, Big Brother Canada Season 9 Debuts Spring 2021 on Global

Stream Past Seasons Anytime with the Global TV App

For additional photography, please visit the Corus Media Centre
Follow us on Twitter at @GlobalTV_PR

To share this release: https://bit.ly/2CtfJol

For Immediate Release

TORONTO, July 13, 2020 – Global, a Corus Entertainment network, and Insight Productions announced today the greenlight for Season 9 of Big Brother Canada, and the promotion of series Host Arisa Cox to Executive Producer. Commissioned by Corus Entertainment for Global, Big Brother Canada is produced by Insight Productions and helmed by Showrunner and EP Erin Brock.

“We have reached a turning point in history and as the fight against racism and issues facing Black, Indigenous and people of colour around the world have been pulled into the spotlight, Big Brother Canada is seizing this moment to become a leader in the reality TV world,” said Arisa Cox, Host and Executive Producer, Big Brother Canada. “Our top priority is bold, lasting change by embracing the rich diversity of Canada in front of and behind the camera. Both are vital. And as one of the biggest and best reality TV shows in the country, we have both the ability and the responsibility to do just that. I’m thrilled to join Erin and the producing team, and work together to ensure Big Brother Canada meets this moment.”

As an Executive Producer, Arisa now plays a critical role in all storytelling aspects of Big Brother Canada.  In partnership with Erin and the EPs, Arisa’s responsibilities now include key creative input on the show’s real-time storylines, casting and outreach, and increasing BIPOC representation across the board, among others. Global and Insight Productions are working together to implement anti-racism policies and procedures that foster a creative environment where equity, inclusion, and diversity can flourish on and off camera.

“Arisa Cox has been an integral part of Big Brother Canada, always armed with an arsenal of bold and bright ideas, thoughtful insights, and a deep passion for the show,” said Erin Brock Showrunner and Executive Producer, Big Brother Canada/Insight Productions. “We’re passionately committed to leading thought-provoking conversations, telling uniquely Canadian stories, and reflecting the diverse culture of Canada. Arisa has always demonstrated a fierce commitment to these ideals and I’m excited to elevate our partnership and to continue to make trailblazing content.”

“Big Brother Canada is an original production like no other and we are so proud of its unprecedented success across platforms. It is the ultimate social experiment and, oftentimes, a microcosm of our own society,” said Lisa Godfrey, Vice President, Original Content, Corus Entertainment. “As producers of original content in Canada, we are dedicated to paving new paths for creators to thrive in all aspects of storytelling, and are honoured to recognize Arisa Cox’s longstanding success as a Canadian storyteller in her new role as Executive Producer.”

Set to debut on Global in spring 2021, Big Brother Canada is one of the most internationally revered iterations of the Endemol Shine format. Pre-production for Season 9 includes a thorough review of current production practices and the development of new ones, anti-racism personnel policies, racial-equity training, and more. Additional announcements regarding Season 9, including casting opportunities, will be made at a later date.

Commissioned by Corus Entertainment, Season 9 of Big Brother Canada is produced by Insight Productions Ltd. in association with Corus Entertainment and Endemol Shine. Executive Producers are John Brunton, Erin Brock, Eric Abboud, Trevor Boris, and Arisa Cox.

Corus Entertainment’s Original Content team driving its slate of unscripted series is helmed by industry executive Lisa Godfrey as VP Original Content and supported by long-time TV veterans Krista Look (Director of Lifestyle) and Lynne Carter (Production Executive).

Stream past season of Big Brother Canada on the Global TV App available on iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku streaming players, Roku TV™ models and at watch.globaltv.com.

Global is a Corus Entertainment Network and is available through all major TV distributors, including: Shaw, Shaw Direct, Rogers, Bell, Videotron, Telus, Cogeco, Eastlink, SaskTel and the new STACKTV, streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video Channels.

– 30 –

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter:
@GlobalTV
@GlobalTV_PR
@CorusPR

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/GlobalTV/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/globaltv/

About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that develops and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world.  Engaging audiences since 1999, the company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompass 34 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a suite of digital assets, animation software, technology and media services. Corus is an established creator of globally distributed content through Nelvana animation studio, Corus Studios, and children’s book publishing house Kids Can Press. The company also owns innovative full-service social digital agency so.da, and lifestyle entertainment company Kin Canada. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, Adult Swim, National Geographic, Disney Channel Canada, YTV, Global News, Globalnews.ca, Q107, Country 105, and CFOX. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

About Insight Productions Ltd.
Insight Productions, known for its award-winning ratings juggernauts, is Canada’s most established content producer and an industry leader in the development, financing, and production of hit programming, both scripted and unscripted, as well as digital content.  Insight Senior Vice President Erin Brock serves as Executive Producer along with Insight’s Chairman, CEO and Executive Producer, John Brunton, on BIG BROTHER CANADA.  Insight recently produced STRONGER TOGETHER/TOUS ENSEMBLE to support our country during the COVID-19 crisis and it was the 2nd highest rated program ever broadcast on Canadian television as well as raising over $8 million for Food Banks Canada.  With thousands of hours of programming under its belt, the company has created some of the most dynamic and top-rated programs in the world including – THE JUNO AWARDS Canada’s national music award show, CANADA’S NEW YEAR’S EVE: COUNTDOWN which was the highest rated show on the CBC in both 2018 and 2019, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA – the most watched Canadian series on record, ratings hit – BIG BROTHER CANADA, TOP CHEF CANADA, INTERVENTION and original formats BATTLE OF THE BLADES, I DO, REDO & WALL OF CHEFS. Insight’s scripted programming includes award-winning READY OR NOT, FALCON BEACH, HATCHING, MATCHING & DISPATCHING, A CHRISTMAS FURY, BUT I’M CHRIS JERICHO! and THE JON DORE TELEVISION SHOW along with award-winning feature documentaries HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD and GORDON LIGHTFOOT: IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND. In 2017, Insight produced THE TRAGICALLY HIP: A NATIONAL CELEBRATION, a live concert special watched by one in three Canadians. Insight Productions was founded in 1979 and has since created thousands of hours of ground-breaking content.

For more information on Insight Productions:
Website – www.insighttv.com
Twitter – @insightprod
Facebook – www.facebook.com/InsightProductions
Instagram – @insight.productions

About Endemol Shine
Endemol Shine Group creates world class content for all platforms.

Last year Endemol Shine Group travelled formats originating from 12 countries, these included global ‘superbrands’ MasterChef which enjoyed its biggest year to date in 2019 and Big Brother, which in its 20^th anniversary year has seen returns in eight countries.

Streamer commissions include Quibi’s first ever commission in the UK (Elba Vs Block) and Amazon’s first non-scripted original in Italy (Celebrity Hunted). 2020 has to date seen the return of timeless classics Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Biggest Loser in the US and Ready Steady Cook in the UK along with further adaptations of industry leaders All Together Now and The Wall and long-running favourites such as Deal or No Deal. Whilst Mr Bean and Simon’s Cat lead a digital network which boasts over 3 billion monthly views.

A diverse portfolio of drama includes recent successful launches Deadwater Fell and Calpihate, high profile returners including Grantchester and Tin Star, and popular global scripted titles which include Bron (Sweden/Denmark) which has now been adapted in nine territories, Penoza (Netherlands), Fifty (Israel), La Catedral del Mar (Spain), Nicky Jam: El Ganador (LatAm) and Beforeigners (Norway).

In July 2020 Endemol Shine Group was acquired by Banijay, creating the world’s largest international content producer and distributor spanning 22 territories with over 120 production companies and a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 88,000 hours of original standout programming.

For media inquiries, contact:
Michelle McTeague
Senior Publicity Manager, Global Television
416.966.7724
michelle.mcteague@corusent.com