MONTREAL — Videotron’s community TV channel MAtv announced its fall lineup of diverse and hyperlocal shows reflecting Montrealers’ lifestyles, with new English shows joining returning programs that focus on topics of local interest.
An exclusive service for Videotron customers, the MAtv community TV channel carries mainly citizen-developed projects and 20% of its programming is in English.
Among the new English shows scheduled to premiere on MAtv this fall is the Montreal Docs series (Tuesdays, 9:00 p.m.), produced by the Montreal International History Film Festival, which presents documentary films about various aspects of the history of Montreal, mostly from the National Film Board of Canada.
Another new English show, Urban Boxing (Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m.), created and hosted by Claudia Diaz and Ghislain Maduma, will tackle the prejudices surrounding the sport by taking viewers behind the scenes at boxing gyms in the Montreal area.
The third English-language show set to premiere on MAtv, Rockin’ Ages (Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.), will dismantle prejudices about aging. Series creator Wilma Magonet and her granddaughter Charlotte will explore the myriad hotspots and activities for Montrealers over 50 with a zest for life.
Some of the news and public affairs programs returning to MAtv this fall include CityLife and 514 Undiscovered. Richard Dagenais will be back as host of CityLife for a seventh season. Twice a week (Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m., repeated at 11:00 p.m. and again on Wednesdays and Thursdays at the same time), Dagenais and his team of experts delve into the big stories happening in Montreal and the big issues affecting Montrealers’ daily lives.
Each week on 514 Undiscovered (Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m.), hosts Giordano Cescutti and Alexa Everett immerse themselves in two of Montreal’s more obscure communities to capture a behind-the-scenes look and dispel common misconceptions.
“What makes MAtv different is its unique local character and its close connection to viewers,” said Steve Desgagné, senior director of MAtv, in a news release. “The people with big ideas who submit program concepts to MAtv and work on-air or behind the camera to bring them to fruition are the driving force behind our programming. We also keep abreast of emerging talent and the latest trends, so that we can provide a showcase for the people who are shaping our community.”
MAtv is broadcast on channel 9 (Helix and illico) and on channel 609 in HD (illico). It is also available on channel 900 (video on demand), on the Web (illico.tv) and on mobile (with the illico app).
