Latest NewsCTV brings Canada's 'first Black family reality show' to national audience

CTV brings Canada’s ‘first Black family reality show’ to national audience

CTV is set to bring what Bell Media is calling the country’s “first Black family reality show” to a national audience, starting July 25 on the network.

Auntie Jillian stars Ajax, ON-based YouTube vlogger and social media personality Jillian Danford, her husband Warren, grown children Myles and Milan, and an extended cast of friends and family.

The Danfords are already familiar to Bell Fibe TV audiences where the show has been airing for one season, with production on a second season indefinitely delayed due to COVID-19. They also appeared as a competing family on CBC’s reboot of Family Feud earlier this year. The network version of their show will see an inaugural six-episode season broadcast on CTV and its platforms over three weeks.

“It’s a first for Black reality content on a major National TV Network!!! I worked hard for this, I took chances, I kept building my brand & being myself got me to where I am today,” said Danford in an Instagram post. “This is a huge step for not only myself & my family @playdemusic @0nlymilan @abillionmyles, we are also setting the pace for diversity in television.”

 

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It’s a first for Black reality content on a major National TV Network!!! I worked hard for this, I took chances, I kept building my brand & being myself got me to where I am today. This is a huge step for not only myself & my family @playdemusic @0nlymilan @abillionmyles, we are also setting the pace for diversity in television. Thank you to @randylennox7117 @bellmediapr @CTV for making me feel like a champion!! Enjoy our summer special Canada & the world, it’s only the beginning and finally ALL of you can watch!!! CHECK OUT THE NEXT POST FOR WHERE TO WATCH & WHO TO TAG. Let’s go @fkbmedia #itsarealting #canadasfirst #realitytv #postivevibes #blacklivesmatter #canadiancontent #ctv #greatcontent #season1 @ctv_pr @randy.lennox7117 @bellmediapr ✊🏽

A post shared by Jillian D (@askauntiejillian) on

Jillian Danford originally hails from Trinidad, while Warren – who owns the FNG Hot Sauce brand – is from Jamaica. The show promises to follow the family’s adventures, while “celebrating their Caribbean roots and embracing Canadian culture.”

Danford’s YouTube channel, AskAuntieJillian, boasts 13 million views and more than 105,000 subscribers. She’s also a regular contributor to CTV News Channel’s ‘Mind the Gap’ panel which pits millennials against boomers on hot button topics.


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Connie Thiessen
Connie Thiessenhttps://broadcastdialogue.com
Connie has worked coast-to-coast as a reporter, editor, anchor and host at CKNW and News 1130 in Vancouver, News 95.7 and CBC in Halifax, and CFCW Edmonton, among other stations. With a passion for music, film and community service, she led News 95.7 to a 2013 Atlantic Journalism Award and regional RTDNA award for Best Radio Newscast. More recently, she was nominated for Music Journalist of the Year at Canadian Music Week 2019. To report a typo or error please email - corrections@broadcastdialogue.com

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