TORONTO — During its virtual upfront this afternoon, Bell Media announced the new and returning original series, documentaries and specials that are being produced in partnership with independent production partners for its English-language specialty services.
“While these are certainly unprecedented times for producers, we thank our invaluable production partners, as well as funding agencies, guilds, and unions, as we all work tirelessly to ensure we return to set safely, and once again deliver an incredibly strong roster of original programming for Canadian viewers,” said Randy Lennox, president of Bell Media, in the news release. “Recent events have also allowed us to re-examine and take action as we work diligently to increase the representation of diverse voices in front of and behind-the-scenes in the content we create.”
Bell Media’s CTV announced today, along with NBCUniversal International Studios, that season two of Canadian medical drama Transplant is currently underway. The first season of the Sphere Media co-produced series was recently purchased by NBC for broadcast in the United States.
CTV also announced the comedy series Jann, starring Jann Arden, has been renewed for a third season ahead of its second season premiere this fall on CTV.
(CTV revealed its fall 2020 schedule this morning in a separate announcement.)
Other CTV Original co-productions confirmed today include: Children Ruin Everything, a new half-hour comedy from the producers of Letterkenny; the new paranormal series The Surrealtor, from the producers of Spinning Out and Vagrant Queen; new music documentary series This Is Pop, recounting the most pivotal moments in pop music history; and the brand-new (and newly retitled) series Holmes Family Effect, featuring Canadian TV icon and professional contractor Mike Holmes, along with his daughter Sherry and son Michael. Also confirmed for production are new seasons of Corner Gas Animated, The Amazing Race Canada and Wynonna Earp, as well as a special all-star edition of Masterchef Canada: Back to Win.
Bell Media also announced the following Discovery Networks original co-productions: Mud Mountain Haulers (working title) from the producers of returning hit series Highway Thru Hell and Heavy Rescue 401; new high-stakes fishing series Chasing Monsters, hosted by extreme angler and adventurer Cyril Chauquet; and season two of returning series Disasters at Sea.
Over at Crave, the hit original series Letterkenny is returning for a ninth season. In addition, Bell Media announced a number of CTV and Crave Original documentaries, including: Buffy Sainte Marie: Power in the Blood; Howie Mandel: But, Enough About Me; Inconvenient Indian, based on the national bestseller by Thomas King; The Grizzly Truth, about the former NBA team the Vancouver Grizzlies; and The New Corporation, an unfortunately necessary sequel to 2003’s The Corporation.
For more information, please see the news release.
