Corus Dominates Specialty With Unrivalled 2016/2017 Schedule

Boasts the Best Original Unscripted Series Headlined by:
Top Chef Canada All-Stars, The Bachelorette Canada, Home to Win and Real Housewives of Toronto

Bold New Scripted Series Coming to Specialty Include: SIX, Knightfall, Incorporated, My So Called Wife and New Original Series Travelers

Corus Continues to Deliver Families the Best in Kids Entertainment with a Strong Slate of New Series Across the Kids Portfolio

TORONTO, June 7, 2016  /CNW/ - Today Corus Entertainment announced its massive 2016/2017 programming lineup across its powerful Specialty portfolio. Home to six of the top 10 Specialty networks* - HISTORY®, Showcase, HGTV Canada, W Network, Food Network Canada, and YTV – Corus leads the industry in unscripted and scripted content. It's the undisputed leader in women's and kids' programming with the top 5 women's channels and the top 5 kids' channels*. This year's formidable schedule of can't-miss entertainment features new, scripted series from high-profile Hollywood producers, first-rate unscripted content, and a standout slate of upcoming Canadian original series featuring homegrown talent.     

"Corus is at the forefront of Specialty entertainment with a powerhouse portfolio of 45 Specialty brands full of celebrated original content, critically acclaimed dramas, fascinating unscripted series, and unmatched kids programming," said Barb Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Corus Entertainment. "With an upcoming slate of some of the most highly anticipated new and returning series, Corus maintains its position as the go-to destination for entertainment in Canada."

UNSCRIPTED

In the ultra-popular unscripted realm, Corus continues to be a leading tastemaker, producing standout Canadian original content with successful franchises and innovative new formats. Top Chef Canada, the adrenaline-pumping, heart-pounding series from Food Network Canada, makes its hotly anticipated return in the fiercest culinary battle to date with an All-Stars edition slated for early 2017. The nation's largest city welcomes the most buzzed about Canadian lifestyle series with the green light of Real Housewives of Toronto. The new series promises an intimate look at the luxurious lives of the city's wealthiest women, from their extravagant day-to-day escapades in Toronto to grandiose getaways at their exclusive colossal cottages in Muskoka, Canada's playground for the rich and famous. A different kind of haute couture – but equally as addictive – continues in the new Slice™ original Style Factory with a behind-the-scenes look at how fashion and beauty products are made. W Network, the #1 network among women**, is set to launch the first ever version of The Bachelorette Canada this Fall from the perennially successful franchise. HGTV Canada fans' hearts will throb as the triple threat of Bryan Baeumler, Scott McGillivray, and Mike Holmes all return with new series this Fall. Bryan Inc., Moving the McGillivrays, and Holmes and Holmes each give a deeper look into the personal and professional lives of the network's biggest stars.

Rounding out Corus' 2016/2017 new unscripted programming is an array of original, unscripted factual programs that are sure to fascinate curious minds and entertain with nail-biting suspense. HISTORY, the go-to destination for captivating characters and extraordinary stories, welcomes an army of new originals to its lineup. HISTORY treks north to Edmonton International Airport in the new, original series Airport: Below Zero. The series takes Canadians behind-the-scenes at North America's most northerly big city airport. Joining HISTORY in Spring 2017, a team of crack investigators search for billions of dollars worth of treasures stolen by the Nazis in Nazi Treasure Hunters. Finally, CMT (Canada) brings its treasured host Billy Bretherton north of the 49^th parallel in the original series Billy Goes North. The series chronicles Billy's adventure with Canadian pests, critters, and gnarly animals other exterminators can't handle alone.

Corus is bringing back brand-new seasons of unscripted lifestyle series that Canadians can't get enough of. Home to Win returns to HGTV Canada in 2017 with an extraordinary second season that will give Canadians the opportunity to compete for a home renovated by the country's best builders and designers. It's joined by new seasons of fan-favourite originals Leave It To Bryan, Timber Kings, as well as Tiny House Hunters. The iconic Canadian duo Drew and Jonathan Scott return to W Network for new seasons of the Emmy^®-nominated series Property Brothers and Buying and Selling with the Property Brothers. Food Network Canada sizzles with a new season of Chopped Canada and new episodes of You Gotta Eat Here! Hungry for more dating and drama, Slice orders up a second date with the sensational original First Dates while the sassy ladies of Real Housewives of Atlanta and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills carry on with their fabulous lives. For the bold and adventurous, HISTORY adds new seasons of factual favourites Forged in Fire, Ice Road Truckers, Mountain Men, and Yukon Gold.

SCRIPTED

This year's hottest, most compelling, new scripted series live on HISTORY, Showcase, and W Network with a juggernaut lineup of captivating dramas and thrilling sci-fi series. HISTORY, the #1 Entertainment Specialty channel for Adults**, introduces SIX, a drama written by William Broyles (Castaway, Apollo 13, Jarhead). Inspired by the real missions of SEAL Team Six, the series traces the 2014 mission to eliminate a Taliban leader that uncovers a U.S. citizen working with the terrorists. Also joining the HISTORY lineup in 2016/2017 is Knightfall, the executive produced series from Oscar^® and Golden Globe^®nominee Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker, American Hustle) that chronicles the mysterious but true accounts of the Knights Templar. Sci-fi fans can rejoice with two all-new series on Showcase featuring major star power. Incorporated, a futuristic thriller from executive producers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, stars Sean Teale (Reign) as a young executive who conceals his true identity to infiltrate a very dangerous corporate world to save the woman he loves. The series also stars Eddie Ramos (Teen Wolf), Golden Globe^® nominee Dennis Haysbert (24), and Emmy^® Award-winner Julia Ormond (Mad Men). The new, original time-traveling sci-fi series Travelers jumps hundreds of years into the future to a world where the last surviving humans discover the means of sending consciousness back through time. The series is shot in Vancouver and stars a wealth of Canadian stars including Eric McCormack (Will & Grace), Mackenzie Porter (Hell on Wheels), and Patrick Gilmore (Gracepoint). The dark comedy My So Called Wife (working title) injects some laughter into the schedule on W Network. The story centres on Maddie, a master-of-disguise con artist who gets men and women to fall in love with her, marries them and then disappears with their money. My So Called Wife stars Inbar Lavi (The Last Witch Hunter), Rob Heaps (Frankenstein and the Vampyre: A Dark and Stormy Night), Parker Young (Suburgatory), and Stephen Bishop (Being Mary Jane).

Corus' scripted mega-hits make their eagerly awaited return, beginning with Showcase's Golden Globe^® Award-winning series Mr. Robot on July 13. The Golden Globe^®-nominated series Outlander is also set to return for "Book Three" and "Book Four" from Diana Gabaldson's international bestselling book series. Supergirl flies on to the already stellar Showcase schedule for its sophomore season. Melissa Benoist reprises her role as the title character in this hit action-adventure drama along with returning cast members Mehcad Brooks (Necessary Roughness), Chyler Leigh (Grey's Anatomy), and Calista Flockhart (Ally McBeal). Canadians can continue to follow their favourite crew of motley warriors in the #1 Specialty drama series Vikings***. Season four continues later this year on HISTORY with a gripping new season coming in 2017. W Network keeps the magic flowing into 2017 with a new season of the spellbinding series Good Witch featuring everyone's favourite enchantress, Catherine Bell (Army Wives, JAG) as Cassie Nightingale.

KIDS

Corus Kids Networks continue to be the #1 destination for Kids programming in Canada and offer distinct brands that kids and families love. Fun family viewing continues this Fall over on YTV, the #1 channel for kids aged 6-11****, with two new Canadian original series. Drive Me Crazy is a reality series that sees unlicensed teen drivers – and the parents that teach them – to work together to pass the ultimate driver's test and Ride follows the adventures of Katherine "Kit" Bridges as she moves to England for her Dad's new job at Covington Academy, an elite equestrian boarding school. YTV also welcomes back Game Shakers and Stanley Dynamic for brand new seasons as well as new episodes of top-rated series SpongeBob Squarepants. Superpowers and superheroes take over TELETOON with a new trio of series. Atomic Puppet, a Canadian original animated series, is a story of an ordinary kid and his extraordinary transformation from superfan to superhero. In Supernoobs, best friends are accidently recruited by an intergalactic alliance to help stop an evil space virus from spreading across the galaxy. Completing the trio is Counterfeit Cat, a story about a nine-year-old alien with uncontrollable superpowers who is destined to save the universe. Disney Channel introduces new, animated series Elena of Avalor, which follows the bold, caring and clever, 16-year-old Princess Elena (voiced by Aimee Carrero) who is set to take the throne in the fairytale kingdom of Avalor. Anchored by returning hit series Little Charmers, Trucktown and Max & Ruby, Canada's #1 channel for kids aged 2-5****, Treehouse, also offers new original series that focus on discovery and exploration with Ranger Rob and Rusty Rivets. Produced by Nelvana, Ranger Rob showcases the adventurous hero as he zip-lines, vine-swings and even snowboards his way around, discovering new and exciting places in his own big backyard. In Rusty Rivets, Rusty gets out of jams by repurposing parts and objects into the wildest, coolest contraptions ever.

MEDIA NOTE: For more information and select broadcast dates for Corus Specialty channels, please click the following links: Women & Lifestyle, General Entertainment and Kids.

Sources:
* Numeris PPM data, Total Canada, SP'16 (Jan 4 to may 8/16) confirmed data, Canadian Specialty channels ex. Sports channels, Mo–Su 2a-2a, AMA (000) (1) A25-­54, (2) F25-­54, (3) K 2-­11.
** Numeris PPM data, Total Canada, SP'16 (Jan 4 – May 8/16) confirmed data, Canadian Specialty channels ex. Sports channels, Mo–Su 2a-2a, AMA (000). 
*** Numeris PPM data, Total Canada, 1/4/2016 to 5/8/2016, confirmed data, Canadian Specialty channels ex. Sports channels. A25-54.
**** Numeris PPM data, Total Canada, SP'16 (Jan 4 – May 8/16) confirmed data, Canadian Specialty channels ex. Sports channels, Mo–Su 2a-2a, AMA (000). 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter: @CorusPR | #powerofcorus

About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that creates and delivers igh quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children's book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus' roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic Channel, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.

Cathy Kurzbock, Publicity Manager, Women and Lifestyle, 416.966.7507, [email protected]; Michelle McTeague, Publicity Manager, General Entertainment and Kids, 416.966.7724, [email protected]