Intervention Gets Canadian Treatment

TORONTO: A Canadian version of the A&E series Intervention has been prepped for Slice by Shaw Media in association with Open Door Co. and Insight Productions.

Intervention Canada launches on Slice on September 9, taking a Friday slot at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. The one-hour doc series, set for a 13-episode first season, explores the reality of Canadians whose addiction to drugs, alcohol or other compulsive behavior is threatening their lives and destroying their families.

“Intervention is a powerful series that sheds much light on how individuals and families cope in the face of addiction,” said Barbara Williams, the senior VP of content at Shaw Media. “The Canadian edition enables us to share with our viewers impactful true stories from across our country, exposing a far too common reality yet also sharing a vital message of hope.”

"There are very few opportunities in this business to truly change the course of someone’s life—this is one of them,” added Tom Powers, Open Door’s executive producer. “Intervention fits perfectly into the kind of content we strive to produce and we are very proud to be bringing this series to Canada along with our partners Insight Productions, Shaw Media and A&E."

“My family and I have watched the U.S. show since its first season," commented John Brunton, executive producer for Insight Production Company. "I think it’s one of the hardest hitting, most powerful shows on television because the stakes and stories are absolutely real. You do shows for different reasons. We wanted to make this one because it’s an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. It’s literally life and death. It doesn’t get any more dramatic than this.”

“We are very pleased to partner with Open Door, Insight, and Shaw Media on the production of Intervention Canada,” said Ellen Lovejoy, the senior director of international content distribution at A+E Networks. “Intervention has truly resonated with television audiences in the U.S. Since its premiere in March 2005, the series has conducted 202 interventions, with 158 individuals currently sober. We hope Intervention Canada has the same impact in Canada.”