Blue Ant Media Bolsters Original Content Slate

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TORONTO: Blue Ant Media has unveiled 21 new and returning original productions, including Colin & Justin's Cabin Pressure, Thrift Hunters and Brojects, which are slated for broadcast on the company's various specialty channels in 2014 and 2015.

Among the new series for Cottage Life is Backroad Bounty, centered on two pickers as they search for hidden treasures in cottage country. The show, which is due to debut in September 2014, comes from Our House Media. Also premiering in September will be General Purpose Pictures' Dining INNvasion, which looks on as Chef Victor Barry and event planner Rebecca Wise give struggling resorts a makeover. Another new title headed to the network is Cabin Truckers, which follows the business of relocating cottages across Western Canada. The Windfall Productions program will begin airing in January 2015. Returning titles for Cottage Life include My Retreat, Selling Big, Fishing Adventurer, Collin & Justin's Cabin Pressure, Brojects, Decks, Docks & Gazebos and What's for Sale.

Travel+Escape is getting the new series Paranormal Survivor, which debuts in January 2015. The Our House Media production tells the real-life stories of supernatural encounters. The channel is also bringing back Bad Trips Abroad and Thrift Hunters.

New programming for Oasis will include Digital Crossing's Nomads of the Serengeti (September 2014) and Lewa (Winter 2015). The former documents migrating African wildebeest, while the latter examines the Lewa Game reserve in Kenya. Another new title for the network is Parallax's Bahama Blue (January 2015), which zeroes in on nature and wildlife in the Bahamas. Returning to Oasis will be Cosmic Vistas and Hope for Wildlife.

Smithsonian Channel is scheduled to premiere the new series Missing Evidence in February 2015. The Blink Films-produced show will discuss such unsolved mysteries as the Loch Ness monster and Jack the Ripper. The channel has also renewed Canada Over the Edge.

This September, HiFi will begin airing the new series Mystery Cars (Whistlestop), which investigates what happened to concept cars of the past.

"Blue Ant Media's lineup of original programming this season showcases the diversity of projects we are bringing to our audiences and our commitment to exclusive original content for our eight television services," stated Vanessa Case, the executive VP of programming and production for Blue Ant Media. "The success of our original content last year allowed us to bring back so many audience and advertiser favorites, such as Brojects, Decks, Docks & Gazebos and Colin and Justin's Cabin Pressure."