TORONTO — With the much-anticipated premiere of Star Trek: Picard scheduled for January 23 and the return of Doctor Who on New Year’s Day, CTV Sci-Fi Channel is giving viewers an early Christmas present with the launch of a nationwide freeview that starts December 19 and runs until January 30. CTV Sci-Fi Channel also has a number of blockbuster marathons scheduled to wrap up 2019.
The all-new Star Trek: Picard series will see Patrick Stewart reprise his iconic role as Jean-Luc Picard. During the 10-episode first season, Stewart will be joined by other familiar faces from the Star Trek franchise, including Brent Spiner (Lieutenant Commander Data), Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine) and Jonathan Del Arco (the Borg drone, Hugh). Fellow Star Trek: TNG alum Jonathan Frakes (Commander William Riker) and Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanne Troi) are also tapped to appear. CTV Sci-Fi Channel’s exclusive Canadian premiere of Star Trek: Picard is scheduled for Thursday, January 23 at 9 p.m. ET.
But before that, Jodie Whittaker will step back into the TARDIS for her second season as the Doctor, when Doctor Who returns for its 12th season on Wednesday, January 1 at 8 p.m. ET. Season 12 of Doctor Who introduces new monsters alongside the return of some familiar but not-so-friendly faces. Following the premiere, all-new episodes will air Sundays at 8 p.m. ET beginning January 5.
“We are excited to kick off the next decade as CTV Sci-Fi Channel and while our branding is new, our mandate to deliver the most sought-after sci-fi programs remains the same, including the premiere of Star Trek: Picard and the return of Doctor Who,” said Pat DiVittorio vice-president, programming, CTV and Specialty, in the news release. “These are two marquee series with iconic and revered characters that will surely make for appointment viewing, and we are thrilled to present both series during our nationwide freeview.”
Heading into the holidays, CTV Sci-Fi Channel has the following blockbuster marathons scheduled:
- Saturday, Dec. 21 – Monday, Dec. 23 — Keanu Reeves Marathon
- Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Friday, Dec. 27 — Marvel Movie Marathon
- Friday, Dec. 27 – Saturday, Dec. 28 — It’s the End of the World Marathon
- Saturday, Dec. 28 — Jurassic Park Marathon
- Sunday, Dec. 29 — Indiana Jones Marathon
- Monday, Dec. 30 — The Mummy Marathon
- Tuesday, Dec. 31 – Thursday, Jan. 2 — Harry Potter Marathon
- Friday, Jan. 3 – Sunday, Jan. 5 — Tom Cruise Marathon
For the full CTV Sci-Fi marathon programming details, click here.
The CTV Sci-Fi Channel nationwide freeview is available through participating television service providers across the country, including but not limited to Bell, Bell Aliant, BellMTS, Telus, Cogeco, Eastlink, Rogers, SaskTel and participating members of the CCSA. Subscribers and non-subscribers alike can sample select CTV Sci-Fi Channel programming during the freeview at ctvscifi.ca and on demand via set-top box with participating TV providers.
