Television - Astral

Astral

A long-term commitment to support our culture

Culture is expressed in various art forms that all have the ability to touch both our hearts and minds. Television, film, and music are the forms of artistic expression preferred by the most creative talent.

Since its beginnings in the media industry, and thanks to solid financial backing, Astral has enabled the best ideas to take shape, the most ambitious projects to launch, and music notes to fall into rhythm.

Astral supports hundreds of independent producers, creators, and artists with whom we have established close ties. Major investments in original content commissioned by Astral Television have allowed us to feature numerous documentaries, youth programs, magazines, dramatic series, films, and variety shows on the small screen. Thus new talent develops, and our television creators and artists achieve the success that brings them attention.

Today, Astral is a key player in the television landscape and enjoys a combined market share of 25% in Québec. Moreover, the popular channels Super Écran and The Movie Network alone attract over 1.8 million subscribers—a sure sign that consumers' interest in Astral's quality programming is growing.
Airoldi pour une sortie - Canal Vie
Hosted by designer Jean Airoldi and produced by Zone 3, this popular show is in its fourth season. This year, by popular request, Jean and his team are opening up the show to everyone who is at a crossroads in his or her life and wants to mark the event with a beauty makeover. There's only one criteria: You have to be two! The host shares his beauty and fashion finds with viewers.
6TEEN - TÉLÉTOON

6TEEN is an animated series that follows the lives of six 16-year-old friends as they try to navigate their first part-time jobs and life as a teen. The Nelvana-produced series has been in the TELETOON line-up since 2004.
Ni plus ni moi - Séries+

An original production by Sphère Media, Ni plus ni moi stars Emmanuel Bilodeau in the role of Marc-Antoine, a preppy marketing consultant who's been living happily with his girlfriend of the past eleven years and has a nice career until he learns that his job is in jeopardy. Since its premiere in January 2010, Ni plus ni moi has become a favourite among many Québecers.
Les rois de la patate - Historia
In spring 2010, Historia enjoyed unparalleled success with the airing of the documentary series Les rois de la patate, which reveals Québec's love affair with poutine. Viewers and website visitors were invited to vote for the favourite French fry restaurant in Québec. The series was produced by ORBI-XXI.
Une grenade avec ça? - VRAK.TV

On air since 2002, the very popular teen show Une grenade avec ça? is produced by Zone 3. Already in its ninth season, it has the highest ratings on the network. The series stars several talented actors, including Yan England, Michel Laperrière, and Catherine Proulx-Lemay.
La revanche des nerdZ - Ztélé

On air since 2000, La revanche des nerdZ is the tech show to watch. Produced by Pixcom, it stars host François-Étienne Paré and reporters Pascal Forget and François Dominic Laramée.
J'ai frôlé la mort ! - Canal D

Thanks to their courage, tenacity, and bravery, these men and women have saved themselves from certain death. How did they react? How did this experience change their lives? J'ai frôlé la mort !—a documentary series produced by La Presse Télé— features heart-wrenching stories about people who have a very powerful survival instinct.
Stella and Sacha - Disney Junior
An original series is gracing Disney Junior in English and French, which offer exclusive programs and popular Canadian series that focus on the development of children aged 2 to 6. Based on the famous children's books by Québec author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay, the series features Stella, a young girl with a fertile imagination who drags her little brother Sacha, a curious little boy, into hair-raising adventures.
Benezra reçoit - MusiMax
Celebrity host and interviewer Sonia Benezra is back on MusiMax. She is at the helm of Benezra reçoit, a daily 60-minute show presenting intimate interviews for which she alone has the secret with public personalities from all spheres of society—arts, sports or politics.
Rock n' Road 2 - MusiquePlus

For a second consecutive year, Rémi-Pierre Paquin and his new musicians have scouted the best bars in Québec. Over 14 weeks, the talent and fighting spirit of the 12 singers, guitarists, bassists, and drummers were seriously tested during many challenges. Produced in Québec by Bubbles Television, Rock n' Road is a wild, exciting, and musical reality TV show that was awarded a Gémeaux Award for the Best Reality TV Show in 2010.
Good Dog - The Movie Network
Good Dog (Shaftesbury Films) is a new, 13-part half-hour Canadian original production written, directed, executive produced by and starring Ken Finkleman. The series evolves around the neurotic adventures of George, a self-absorbed TV producer, who, after hooking up with Claire (Lauren Lee Smith), a gorgeous model half his age, exploits his new dating situation by pitching a reality show about his high-concept, highly coveted, seriously volatile life.
Less Than Kind - The Movie Network
The half-hour, award-winning comedy from Breakthrough Film and Television and Buffalo Gal Pictures, is currently in production for a third season in Winnipeg. Helmed by executive producer, writer and showrunner Mark McKinney, the series follows the darkly comedic growing pains of Winnipeg teenager Sheldon Blecher and his dysfunctional family. Season 3 will premiere in early 2012.
Call Me Fitz - The Movie Network
From E1 Entertainment, Amaze Film + Television and Big Motion Pictures, Call Me Fitz is a no-holds-barred half-hour comedy starring Jason Priestley as used-car salesman Richard “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, who torments his naive co-workers, sleeps with any woman who has a pulse, and thinks his life is perfect. Season 1 premiered in September 2010 on HBO Canada, and production has wrapped on Season 2.
The Yard - The Movie Network
A six-part, half-hour mock-umentary series produced in association with Whizbang Films Inc., is set in an urban elementary school, and follows the story of three brothers fighting their rivals for schoolyard supremacy. The series, directed by award-winning mockumentarian Michael Mabbott, was shot over the summer of 2010, and will premiere later this year.
Skins - The Movie Network
This remake of the original British cult hit is about, a group of teens trying to grow up and learn about love and life, with little adult supervision. From TMN, Entertainment One, Company Picture and MTV.
Living in Your Car - The Movie Network
The second season from producers Debbie Nightingale, Dani Romain, George F. Walker, and David Steinberg was over last fall and will air later this year on HBO Canada. The series follows disgraced corporate exec Steve Unger who struggles to reinvent himself from the last vestige of his former success—a luxury sedan.
Wingin' It - Family
Family Channel commissioned a second season of Wingin' It in 2010. From Temple Street Productions, the series follows 16-year-old angel-in-training Porter Jackson. In order to get his angel's wings, Porter has been assigned the task of transforming 15-year-old Carl Montclaire into the most popular student at Bennett High. Porter finds his task to be trickier than he first imagined because not only is Carl incredibly unlucky, but he also isn't keen on having an angel meddle in his life. The new season premiered on Family in January 2011.
Overruled! - Family
The Family Channel original series, Overruled! received the 2010 Gemini Award for Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series. The series produced by Shaftesbury Films, follows the trials of Jared “Coop” Cooper, a 15-year-old whose cool, fun and smooth-talking attitude lead him to become a lawyer in Banting High's Teen Court. Season three of the series will premiere on Family in fall 2011.
Connor Undercover - Family
When a president's beautiful teen daughter is sent to live with Connor Heath's family, fifteen-year-old Connor tackles the world of helicopters, double agents, and triple crosses in Connor Undercover. The action-packed series from Shaftesbury Films premiered on Family in September 2010.