TV & Film News – YES TV and Crossroads Christian Communications establish new hub

YES TV has announced it has acquired the Burlington, ON building originally built and established by its sister organization, Crossroads Christian Communications. The building is poised to serve as a central hub for YES TV and Crossroads. Featuring three cutting-edge studios, meeting rooms, a 7,500 sq. ft ballroom, 8,000 sq. ft atrium, over 50 offices and co-working spaces, and a commercial kitchen, YES TV says the building will cater to both production and broadcasting needs, in addition to providing space for external productions seeking studio and event rental facilities.

Netflix has announced the first greenlight under its creative partnership with Montreal-based Attraction – an untitled documentary film exploring the setbacks that led to the departure of the Expos from Montreal in 2004, and how it continues to spark debate 20 years later. The doc is set to be directed by Jean-François Poisson with Marie-Christine Pouliot and Richard Speer serving as executive producers.

Boat Rocker will serve as executive producers on the third season of the recently renewed Invasion, the science fiction drama series from producers Simon Kinberg (X-Men, Deadpool, The Martian) and David Weil (Hunters). The third season of Invasion is set to go into production later this month with the first and second seasons now streaming globally on Apple TV+.

CBC Kids and 9 Story Media Group have begun production on Let’s Go, Bananas! (26 x 22 min), a new animated comedy described as “Modern Family” for the preschool set. The series was commissioned by CBC Kids, pre-bought by Sky Kids, and will premiere this spring on CBC and CBC Gem in Canada. Created by award-winning writer and producer Tim Bain, creator of Kangaroo Beach and writer on hit children’s series including Bluey, PJ Masks, Thomas the Tank Engine and Aardman’s Epic Adventures of Morph, the series is inspired by Bain’s own family, featuring a community of animal families.

Elvis Stojko has made a cameo on CBC original comedy series One More Time (13×30) from stand-up comedian D.J. Demers (The Tonight Show, Conan) and showrunner Jessie Gabe (Workin’ Moms, Mr. D). Stojko – one of Canada’s most decorated male figure skaters, having won back-to-back Olympic silver medals at Lillehammer 1994 and Nagano 1998 to go with his three world titles and seven national titles – plays himself in the seventh episode of the series, entitled “Lazer Blade.” 

APTN Investigates and CBC’s The Fifth Estate air a joint investigation this Friday, Feb. 23, speaking with industry leaders and Canadian families, farmers and food producers to understand the reasons behind soaring food prices, including a look at what needs to happen to protect food security in the North. The collaboration follows a 2022 APTN and CBC/Radio-Canada memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the creation of more Indigenous content, particularly news and information. 

TrillerTV FAST channel FITE by Triller 24/7 has been added to The Roku Channel in Canada. The 24-hour ad-supported channel has been available on The Roku Channel in the U.S. since late 2022, featuring boxing, pro wrestling, MMA, and other entertainment.