It seems like Sanctuary will air in Canada on TMN and Movie Central, the same time as Sci-Fi network.
TORONTO, Feb. 4, 2008 (Canada NewsWire via
COMTEX) -- Astral Media's The Movie Network (eastern Canada) and Corus
Entertainment's Movie Central (western Canada) have commissioned
13-episodes of one of the first television series ever to be conceived
from an Internet-based concept. Initially developed as eight
broadcast-quality webisodes from the creative talent behind Stargate:
SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis, Sanctuary is an original drama series that
is also the first to be shot entirely on green screen.
Commissioned
by and airing on The Movie Network and Movie Central, the series has
also been green lit by the SCI FI Channel in the U.S. which will
broadcast the series day and date with the Canadian broadcasters in
fall 2008.
Using next-generation visual effects through 3-D
green-screen technology, the series is set in a mysterious and
supernatural world and follows the adventures of Dr. Helen Magnus
(Amanda Tapping), her reluctant protégé Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne)
and her fearless and somewhat reckless daughter Ashley (Emilie
Ullerup), as they study and try to help the strange, terrifying and
monstrous creatures that populate their world.
"We are thrilled
to be a part of this true multi-platform project that is breaking new
ground on numerous fronts - from its unique conception to its
distinctive graphic novel look and feel this series will be the first
of its kind on Canadian television," said Michelle Marion, Director,
Canadian Independent Production, The Movie Network. "Together with
Sanctuary's powerfully likeable characters, rich and compelling
storytelling and dramatic visual style, our subscribers will have
access to a series unlike anything seen before on television and one
that has already built a huge following online."
Currently in
production by Vancouver-based Stage 3 Media Inc. and distributed by
Tricon Films and Television, the series will be shot in high definition
and will be helmed by the creative team responsible for Sanctuary,
including creator and executive producer Damian Kindler (Stargate:
SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis), executive producer and lead actor Amanda
Tapping (Stargate: SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis), executive producer and
director Martin Wood (Stargate: SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis), executive
producer and writer Sam Egan (Jeremiah, The Outer Limits); and
executive producer John Smith (Stargate: SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis).
"Movie
Central subscribers love the Stargate franchise, and with many of the
same members of the strong creative team from Stargate involved in this
new sci-fi production, we are confident that Sanctuary will really
appeal to our audience," said Erica Benson, Vice President Programming,
Movie Central. "We're also proud to be supporting a technologically
innovative western-Canadian production - that's a win-win for both our
partners and our subscribers."
"The Movie Network and Movie
Central are the perfect fit for Sanctuary. These Canadian networks
championed this project from the beginning and recognized Sanctuary as
one of the most ambitious home-grown Canadian projects to date. We
couldn't be more thrilled about working together and bringing this
extraordinary series to the channels' subscribers," said Carrie Mudd,
Vice President, International Sales & Development, Tricon Films
& Television.
The Movie Network is an Astral Media network
available in eastern Canada. With premiere access to Hollywood hit
movies, critically-acclaimed HBO and Showtime series and first-rate
Canadian programming, this pay-television service presents Canadians
with some of the best television entertainment available. The Movie
Network service includes five 24-hour multiplex channels - M, MMore,
MExcess, MFun! and MFest - which deliver diverse and entertaining
programs in an uncut and commercial-free television environment. The
Movie Network also offers The Movie Network HD and MMore HD, two
dedicated high-definition channels providing hundreds of titles in HD;
and The Movie Network OnDemand, a Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD)
service, available in select areas across eastern Canada. As a major
supporter of Canadian original programming, The Movie Network has
contributed over $350 million toward Canadian content since the launch
of the channel in 1983. For more information, please visit
www.themovienetwork.ca.
Astral Media is a leading Canadian media
company, active in specialty, pay and pay-per-view television, radio,
outdoor advertising and iMedia. Astral Media's solid and dynamic
presence in the country's major markets rests on its commitment to
offer a unique combination of high-quality, targeted media for all its
audiences.
Movie Central is a 24-hour-a-day, commercial-free
premium pay TV service available to Western Canadians. Exclusive
multi-year output agreements with major Hollywood studios ensure that
Movie Central is the preferred destination for box office titles. In
addition to being the first window, Canadian home to the best of HBO
and Showtime, through its investments, pre-buys and licence fees for
Canadian feature films and original series, Movie Central is recognized
as a major force in the Canadian independent film and television
production industry. The launch of Movie Central On Demand and Movie
Central High Definition demonstrates that Movie Central remains
committed to being first with innovations that enhance the viewing
experience. Visit the Movie Central website at www.moviecentral.ca.
Movie
Central is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media
and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty
television and radio with additional assets in pay television,
advertising and digital audio services, television broadcasting,
children's book publishing and children's animation. The company's
multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, W Network,
Movie Central, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including
CKNW, CKOI and Q107. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment
experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly
traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR: 47.66, +1.66, +3.60%) exchanges. Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.
SOURCE: The Movie Network
SOURCE: Movie Central
Media contact: The Movie Network (eastern Canada), Roopa Shah, (416) 956-8584,
rshah@tv.astral.com; Movie Central (western Canada), Lindsay Smith, (416) 530-2248,
Lindsay.smith@corusent.com
Copyright © 2008 CNW Group. All rights reserved.