Indigenous broadcaster APTN announced Tuesday its winter programming lineup will include two new documentary series and a new French-language comedy series, plus returning fan favourites.
Premiering Jan. 6 on APTN, Hoop Nations is a docuseries that follows indigenous basketball players as they showcase their talents at various tournaments, hoping to fulfil their dreams of making it to the next level. Comprising 13 30-minute episodes, the series is produced by High Five Productions Inc.
Debuting Jan. 7 on APTN, docuseries Searchers immerses viewers in real-life search and rescue missions through intimate interviews and cinematic reenactments. From the anxious first phone call to the dramatic outcome, the series “captures each search with gripping intensity and emotional depth”, according to a description of Searchers. Consisting of 13 half-hour episodes, the series is produced by Angel Entertainment.
Co-commissioned with Radio-Canada, Pitago Stop is a French-language comedy series (six episodes x 22 minutes) produced by Nish Media. Set to premiere on APTN on Jan. 9, Pitago Stop follows the chaotic daily lives of employees at a rest stop in the heart of a fictional Anishinaabe community. Filmed mockumentary-style, the series stars René Rousseau as Paul Pitagish, manager of the rest stop, who hires a film crew to document the success of his business — “but between his outlandish ideas, a moody accountant, a spirited new recruit and a political rival, nothing goes according to plan,” an English synopsis reads.
All of the new series will be available to stream next-day on APTN+ (formerly APTN lumi).
APTN and APTN Languages also announced the winter premiere dates for new seasons of returning series, including Season 5 of documentary series Taken (Jan. 7 in English on APTN and in Anishinaabemowin on APTN Languages), Season 3 of docuseries Sur le terrain (Jan. 7 in Innu on APTN Languages and Jan. 9 in French on APTN), Season 2 of docuseries Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready (Jan. 8 in English on APTN and in Nisga’a on APTN Languages), Season 2 of kids program Savoirs légendaires (Jan. 10 in French on APTN), Season 2 of docuseries Northwoods Survival (Jan. 11 in English on APTN), and Season 4 of comedy series Acting Good (March 17 in English on APTN).
Hockey Night in Canada in Cree and Inuktitut will also be returning to APTN and APTN Languages this winter. Three 2025-2026 season NHL games will be presented in Inuktitut and three in Plains Cree. Broadcast details have not yet been announced.
Photos from (l-r) Searchers, Pitago Stop and Hoop Nations courtesy of APTN
