2020-2021 initial original slate includes three new commissioned series and three renewals, including a new season of the #1 hit series Hotel Paranormal
(Toronto, ON – August 10, 2020) – As production across the country begins to ramp up, Blue Ant Media announces today its initial 2020-2021 slate of new and returning Canadian original productions with paranormal programming, compelling documentaries and wild weather series dominating the schedule. From encounters with otherworldly visitors to unravelling secrets held by the world’s largest cities and crossing paths with natural disasters, Blue Ant Media’s original programming slate promises to amaze, inspire and have audiences on the edge of their seats. Overseen by Sam Linton, Head of Original Content, Blue Ant Media, the new and returning series hitting TV screens will include world broadcast premieres with several series available for licensing globally by Blue Ant International.
“During these unprecedented times we’ve seen record audiences get hooked on our passion-focused, distinct programming they can’t find anywhere else” says Jamie Schouela, President, Canadian Media, Blue Ant Media. “As production resumes, Blue Ant remains committed to strengthening our Canadian original programming with fresh, new content packed with entertaining storylines and characters that we know will resonate with audiences across the country.”
No stranger to spine-tingling originals, Blue Ant Media is bringing ghostly-encounters to life with a trio of new and returning paranormal series coming to T+E in spring 2021. The all-new series, Paranormal Hotline (Season 1, Canadian Broadcast Premiere), sees each episode begin with an eerie phone call that takes viewers on a ride into a stranger-than-fiction story told by those who have had run-ins with spirits from the great beyond. Returning fan-favourites include T+E’s number one original series, Hotel Paranormal (Season 2; World Broadcast Premiere), which checks-in for a second installment following a hit first season narrated by Canadian icon, Dan Aykroyd. Finally, to keep up with the paranormal demand, Haunted Hospitals (Season 3; Canadian Broadcast Premiere), returns for a third installment following a successful second season that saw growing audience numbers tune-in to follow terrifying tales of paranormal activity inside hospitals, nursing homes and morgues.
On Smithsonian Channel Canada, the all-new documentary series, Secret Cities (Canadian Broadcast Premiere), takes viewers on a journey to unlock the best kept secrets of the world’s most iconic cities. Often these secrets are hidden in plain-sight, but once exposed, become a lens through which to view a city’s rich and illustrious history. Also new is Impossible Repairs (Canadian Broadcast Premiere), a series that sees host Mike Davidson lift the lid on the inner-workings of some of the most advanced engineering in the world, from hulking helicopters and monstrous trains, to the most amazing ships on the planet.
New on Cottage Life, The Weather Files returns for a second installment under the title Weather Files: Total Impact (Season 2; World Broadcast Premiere). Each episode begins with adrenaline-fuelled true stories told by survivors of extreme weather disasters, followed by an in-depth scientific look at how these storms shape and impact the planet as a whole.
Additional original commissions will be announced by Blue Ant Media in the coming months.
For a full list of programming highlights, please see below.
T+E
New Original Series
Paranormal Hotline (8×60’; HD)
Scheduled for Spring 2021 • Canadian Broadcast Premiere
Each episode begins with someone calling in to report some unusual activity. The voice on the line wants you to listen carefully as they’re about to tell you a story of the evil spirits they witnessed that are so frightening and gripping, you won’t want to hang up. The series uses different artistic and visual techniques to recreate these stranger-than-fiction stories of real people and their encounters with the unknown. Produced by Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Studios company, in partnership with the U.S.-based MY Entertainment. Distributed by Blue Ant International.
Returning Series
Hotel Paranormal (Season 2; 10×60’; HD)
Scheduled for Spring 2021 • World Broadcast Premiere
Real-life accounts, dramatic recreations and expert insight bring encounters with ghosts to life in the hit series, Hotel Paranormal. Every year, millions of people book into hotel rooms, but some never check out. Get shivers as guests and staff alike recall their spooky occurrences on camera. Produced by Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Studios company. Distributed by Blue Ant International.
Haunted Hospitals (Season 3; 13×60’; HD)
Scheduled for Spring 2021 • Canadian Broadcast Premiere
Back by popular demand, Haunted Hospitals recounts the chilling stories of paranormal activity inside hospitals, nursing homes and morgues. In each episode, doctors, nurses and patients give first-hand accounts of the supernatural, such as deceased patients who come back from the grave, dead doctors who insist on tending to their patients and spirits who stalk corridors to warn of impending danger. As the personal stories unfold, the mysteries behind the troubled souls and hauntings become more alive than ever. Produced by Bristow Global Media.
COTTAGE LIFE
Returning Original Series
Weather Files: Total Impact (Season 2; 8×60’; HD)
Scheduled for Early 2021 • World Broadcast Premiere
Weather Files: Total Impact puts the most extreme weather conditions under a scientific lens to examine the knock-on effects these natural disasters have on the rest of the planet. First-person testimony and actual footage combined with scientific insight give viewers an in-depth, up-close and personal look at the dangers of extreme and unusual weather. Produced by Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Studios company. Distributed by Blue Ant International.
SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL CANADA
New Original Series
Secret Cities (6×60’; HD)
Scheduled for Spring/Summer 2021 • Canadian Broadcast Premiere
Secret Cities offers a glimpse inside the forces that shaped iconic cities across the globe. Using the latest technology, CGI and revealing archives, their best kept secrets and hidden treasures are exposed in spectacular detail. From New York’s most iconic buildings to London’s River Thames and the changing face of Berlin’s monuments, the secrets uncovered become a lens through which to view the history of the city and the country as a whole. Co-produced by Bigger Bang and Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Studios company.
Impossible Repairs (6×60’; HD)
Scheduled for Fall 2020 • Canadian Broadcast Premiere
Impossible Repairs takes viewers deep inside the impossible engineering of the world’s biggest machines with the heroes – the mechanics, engineers and technicians – who keep them moving. Each episode of Impossible Repairs sees host Mike Davidson explore the never-before-seen inner-workings of incredible machines, while shining a light on how simple mechanical fixes can result in great catastrophes if executed incorrectly. Produced by Attraction Images.
@blueantmedia @TEonTV @cottagelife
Source: Numeris; All data among total viewers 2+
Haunted Hospitals Season 1 – 2018-10-12 – 2019-01-18, Season 2 – 2020-01-01 – 2020-03-25
Hotel Paranormal – average of season 1 2020-05-15 – 2020-07-10
Blue Ant Media is an international producer, distributor, channel operator and gaming video content company. We own and operate numerous production companies in North America and Asia-Pacific under the Blue Ant Studios banner, creating content for broadcasters and streaming platforms in multiple genres including factual entertainment, natural history, documentary, adult animation and drama. Our distribution business, Blue Ant International, offers a substantial catalogue of content, including one of the world’s largest 4K natural history offerings. Blue Ant Media operates channels on multiple continents under 14 brands including Love Nature, Smithsonian Channel Canada, BBC Earth (Canada), ZooMoo, Arcade Cloud and more. Omnia Media, our gaming video content company, has the largest gamer talent network in the world. It creates and distributes gaming video content and podcast shows across digital and OTT platforms such as YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, and more. Blue Ant Media is headquartered in Toronto, with eight international offices in Los Angeles, Singapore, London, Dunedin, Washington DC, Sydney, Beijing and Taipei. Blueantmedia.com
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