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Closure is Not an Option: Production Underway on Discovery’s New Series HEAVY RESCUE: 401 From Producers of Top-Rated HIGHWAY THRU HELL
– Production is now underway as the new original Canadian series takes on the many twists and turns of operating heavy rescue across the Greater Toronto Area’s 400-series highways –
TORONTO (March 21, 2016) – Discovery announced today that production is underway on HEAVY RESCUE: 401, a new original Canadian series set to debut in 2017 based on the network’s hit series HIGHWAY THRU HELL. With the support of the OPP, Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, York Regional police, maintenance contractors, and several other organizations, the new documentary series follows the men and women who keep Ontario’s 400-series highways operating at any cost.
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch a brand new series from the producers of Discovery’s hit original series HIGHWAY THRU HELL,” said Ken MacDonald, Vice-President and General Manager, Discovery. “HIGHWAY THRU HELL ranks among the Top 5 programs on Discovery and the Top 10 programs on entertainment specialty television this broadcast year to date. It is this strong performance that compelled us to expand the series to a new location with a new cast of heavy rescue crew.”
Spanning the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario, HEAVY RESCUE: 401 follows multiple major tow operators, rescue, and maintenance crews day and night along North America’s most intense stretch of highway. From Sarnia eastbound to Toronto and north to Barrie, the cast of heroes work diligently to keep Canada’s most important and busiest series of highways open through any weather condition. From monster snow storms creating kilometers of mayhem to trucks spilling their loads, these efforts safeguard the country’s most important trade route with the U.S. from grinding to a crippling halt through the worst of the winter driving season.
“Ontario’s 401 is considered an engineering marvel,” said Mark Miller, Executive Producer, Great Pacific TV. There are thousands of people working to keep it open and safe. Whether it’s clearing snow or big wrecks, it all requires technology and smarts. This is going to be a remarkable documentary series that will truly reveal what it takes to run one of the busiest highways in North America.”
Source: Numeris
– DISCOVERY –
HEAVY RESCUE: 401 is produced by Great Pacific TV in association with Discovery Canada. Executive Producer is Mark Miller. The series producer is Todd Serotiuk. For Discovery, Bruce Glawson is Executive Producer. Ken MacDonald is Vice-President and General Manager, Discovery. Tracey Pearce is Senior Vice-President, Specialty and Pay, Bell Media.
About Bell Media Independent Production:
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada’s most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit series commissioned by CTV include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, MOTIVE, the record-breaking THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, MASTERCHEF CANADA, and the upcoming drama CARDINAL. Among the original scripted series on Bell Media pay, specialty, and streaming platforms are the internationally acclaimed ORPHAN BLACK, the smash-hit thriller BITTEN, Space’s most-watched original series KILLJOYS, Bravo’s most-watched original drama 19-2, award-winning dramedy SENSITIVE SKIN, CraveTV’s first original series LETTERKENNY, and Discovery’s upcoming drama FRONTIER. Discovery is also home to Bell Media’s hit factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL, COLD WATER COWBOYS, and CANADA’S WORST DRIVER, among others.
About Discovery:
With compelling real-life programming that inspires and entertains, Discovery reveals the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. Discovery ranks as the #1 Canadian entertainment specialty network in primetime among total viewers and all the adult demos. Discovery offers a signature mix of adrenaline-charged stories, larger-than-life personalities and vivid imagery for viewers with curious minds. With the best non-fiction programming from Canada and around the world, Discovery captures the excitement of a passion for life – one lived fully and at its most extreme. With exceptional and immersive storytelling, the channel offers in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the extraordinary people and places that shape our world. Launched in Canada in 1995, Discovery is now available in more than eight million Canadian homes. Discovery Canada is a joint venture between Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company, and Discovery Communications Inc. Find more information and interactive online features at Discovery.ca.
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