Rachael Neumann
CTV – CTV2 – CTV Life Channel – CTV Comedy Channel – CTV Drama Channel – CTV Sci-Fi Channel
Crave Original Documentary 299 QUEEN STREET WEST Dives into the Heart of MuchMusic’s Trailblazing Origins
– Directed by Sean Menard (The Carter Effect), the feature doc dives into the storied MuchMusic archives with interviews from ground-breaking VJs who helped shape the brand and inspire generations of music fans –
– Streaming on Crave later this year, the origin story of the foundational brand gets worldwide debut at SXSW next month –
– Streaming on Crave later this year, the origin story of the foundational brand gets worldwide debut at SXSW next month –
(TORONTO) February 28, 2023 – Ahead of the worldwide debut at SXSW 2023, Crave confirmed today that it’s original documentary feature, 299 QUEEN STREET WEST, is coming to the streamer later this year. Directed by Sean Menard, and with unprecedented access to the MuchMusic archives, the two-hour feature tells the origin story and meteoric rise of the seminal music and pop culture brand, highlighting its beginnings as a scrappy Canadian television upstart.
“Celebrating the meteoric success of MuchMusic, this film also highlights that moment when Canada’s authentic and diverse young voices became some of the most revered across the airwaves,” said Justin Stockman, Vice-President, Content & Programming, Bell Media. “From Erica Ehm’s infamous one-on-one with Kurt Cobain, to the channel’s unyielding advocacy for rap and hip-hop, we’re excited for Crave viewers, and audiences around the world to revel in the nostalgia, and for MuchMusic’s millions of next-gen followers to be inspired by the enduring DIY spirit of the brand.”
299 QUEEN STREET WEST is narrated by some of the original trailblazing VJ’s, who at the time had no prior TV hosting experience, received no direction, no scripts, and broadcasted live across the country. The film showcases how MuchMusic’s rise in popularity intersected with rap music entering the mainstream, the birth of grunge and alternative rock, and pop stars caused teenage hysteria at the iconic street level studio. VJ’s and iconic personalities featured include Steve Anthony, Rick Campanelli, Monika Deol, Denise Donlon, Erica Ehm, Namugenyi Kiwanuka, Sook-Yin Lee, George Stroumboulopoulos, Bill Welychka, and Michael Williams.
299 QUEEN STREET WEST director, Sean Menard, edits, and is co-producer with Molly Ye. For Bell Media, Natalie Igelfeld is Senior Manager, Program Acquisitions, Crave; Jonah Zalken is Senior Manager, Programming Planning, Crave; Tory Jennings is Director, Content, Crave. Justin Stockman, Vice-President, Content & Programming, Bell Media. Karine Moses is Senior Vice-President, Content Development & News, Bell Media and Vice Chair, Québec, Bell.
About Crave
Crave is Canada’s prestige entertainment offering, delivering more Oscar®-nominated and Emmy® Award-winning programming than any other service, with HBO, HBO Max Originals, SHOWTIME®, STARZ, Hollywood-hit movies, and boasts a robust slate of English and French original series. It is a bilingual TV and streaming service, with thousands of hours of exclusive French-language content. Crave is available directly to all Canadians with access to the Internet at Crave.ca, via iOS and Android, and other platforms such as Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, select LG Smart TVs, PlayStation, Roku, select Samsung Smart TVs, and Xbox One, and through participating service providers across ten, 24-hour High Definition linear and on demand channels.
About Bell Media Original Programming
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 #1 Canadian drama TRANSPLANT; record-breaking Canadian format THE AMAZING RACE CANADA; comedy series CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING; new dramas THE SPENCER SISTERS and SULLIVAN’S CROSSING; competition series CROSS COUNTRY CAKE OFF; and the upcoming unscripted dating series FARMING FOR LOVE. Among the original series on Bell Media specialty and streaming platforms are CTV Life Channel’s culinary series MARY MAKES IT EASY with Mary Berg, and the upcoming food, travel, and adventure series EVOLVING VEGAN; CTV Comedy Channel’s ROAST BATTLE CANADA and the scripted series ACTING GOOD. Crave Originals include hit series LETTERKENNY and its official spinoff series SHORESY, CANADA’S DRAG RACE, and WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE (EVEN JAY BARUCHEL), and the upcoming LITTLE BIRD; docuseries DARK SIDE OF THE RING; and acclaimed documentaries including KINGS OF COKE. Discovery is home to Bell Media’s hit factual series and franchises HIGHWAY THRU HELL, HEAVY RESCUE: 401, the upcoming EAST HARBOUR HEROES, and Animal Planet’s PETS & PICKERS. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. Learn more at www.BellMedia.ca.
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