Bell Media applauds its production partners, internal team members, talent, and all those involved in the creation of productions nominated for the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards. Announced earlier today, Bell Media garnered 229 total nominations, comprising 142 television and digital nominations and 85 nominations for Bell Media-supported films, as well as the two previously announced Special Awards for Crave and Anton Koschany. CTV is the proud Premium Partner of the Canadian Screen Awards, and the title sponsor of the Non-Fiction Programming and Creative Fiction Storytelling galas on March 23 and 24.
“A standing ovation to all the talented creators nominated this year, including the 229 nominations represented by Bell Media productions,” said Randy Lennox, President, Bell Media. “While we strive to support and celebrate Canadian content every day, being recognized by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television is testimony to the unwavering passion for your work which year after year raises the bar for not only the industry in Canada, but around the world.”
Bell Media received nominations across all genres of its programming:
- CTV’s critically acclaimed and beloved original series CARDINAL receives 14 nominations, including Best Drama Series, as well as Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress for Billy Campbell and Karine Vanasse.
- CTV’s smash-hit original Comedy JANN, the most-watched new Canadian comedy of 2019, is recognized for Best Comedy Series, Best Lead Actress (Jann Arden), and Best Guest Performance (Rick Mercer).
- Canada’s must-watch summer competition series THE AMAZING RACE CANADA secures eight nominations including Best Host for a Factual or Reality/Competition program (Jon Montgomery), while the country’s favourite chefs also earn nods in hosting categories for MASTERCHEF CANADA (Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, Claudio Aprile) and MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH (Mary Berg).
- CTV Comedy Channel’s CORNER GAS ANIMATED garnered six nods, in addition to two nominations for the original stand-up special TREVOR NOAH @ JFL – VOLUME II. CTV Drama Channel’s CARTER receives two nominations, including Best Lead Actor (Jerry O’Connell).
- The final season of CTV Sci-Fi Channel’s fan-favourite KILLJOYS receives five nominations, including Best Supporting Actor (Thom Allison) and Supporting Actress (Kelly McCormack) in a Drama Series.
- Crave scores 17 nominations for its original productions with LETTERKENNY securing 10 nominations including its fourth nomination for Best Comedy Series, while made-for-TV movies THICKER THAN WATER and MEAN QUEEN score three each, and I’M GOING TO BREAK YOUR HEART receives a nod for Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series.
- Bell Media Studios series and specials are nominated for 24 awards, 11 more than last year, with ETALK leading the way with eight, including Best Entertainment News Program or Series. Four nods were given to THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW including Best Talk Program or Series; two for CTV Life Channel’s WHERE TO I DO?; YOUR MORNING for Best Morning Show; and Best Host (Jess Allen, Danielle Graham and Lainey Lui) for the inaugural season of LOVE ISLAND AFTERSUN. Bell Media Studios’ successful international franchise DISASTERS AT SEA garnered a coveted nomination for Best Factual Series. Additionally, the digital special, #BellLetsTalk Live, received two nominations including Best Live Production, Social Media, and a nod for Melissa Grelo for Best Host, Web Program or Series.
- CTV News received an impressive 20 nominations, including CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LISA LAFLAMME for Best National Newscast; Best News Anchor, National for Chief News Anchor Lisa LaFlamme; and Best National Reporter for Omar Sachedina and Paul Workman. CTV News has also been recognized in the Best Live News Special category for D-DAY REMEMBERED: THE 75th ANNIVERSARY.
- CTV News’ W5, North America’s longest-running documentary series, more than doubled its nomination count this year, being recognized 11 times including Best News or Information Series, Best Host or Interviewer, News or Information for Avery Haines. QUESTION PERIOD receives two nods including for Best Talk Program or Series, and Evan Solomon for Best Host, Talk Show or Entertainment News; Toronto’s CTV NEWS AT SIX anchor Michelle Dubé and her longtime co-anchor Ken Shaw are recognized in the Best Anchor, Local category – a prize won by Dubé at last year’s Canadian Screen Awards; and CP24 BREAKFAST has been nominated for Best Morning Show.
- Continuing to lead the charge on live sports coverage and feature programming, TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader, received 19 nominations, leading all sports broadcasters combined. TSN’s coverage of FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2019 receives four nominations, including Best Sports Host for Kate Beirness and Best Sports Analyst for Carmelina Moscato. TSN’s coverage of the 2018 GREY CUP and 2019 NBA FINALS GAME 6 each received three nods. TSN’s original docuseries ENGRAVED ON A NATION receives four nominations, including Best Biography or Arts Documentary and Best Direction. TSN’s James Duthie, who took home the prize for Best Sports Host for FREE AGENT FRENZY in 2019, has once again been nominated for his work on the same program.
- Discovery enjoyed a banner year with its original productions scoring 14 nominations, including MAKE IT TO THE MOON and 9/11: CLEARED FOR CHAOS for Best History Documentary Program or Series.
- Bell Media supported features receive 85 nods, including an outstanding nine nominations for the Crave Original Film The Song of Names from Serendipity Point produced in association with Bell Media Studios, which leads all film categories. TIFF 2019 Opening Night Gala film Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band receives a nod for Best Editing in a Feature Length Documentary, while And the Birds Rained Down I Il pleuvait des oiseaux scores five nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Special Award recipients for 2020, each of whom will be honoured at the CTV Galas during Canadian Screen Week, include Bell Media’s premium streaming service Crave (Industry Leadership Award), for its innovation and leadership in Canada’s media industry; and Anton Koschany, Executive Producer of CTV News’ acclaimed documentary program W5 (Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism), for his exceptional body of work in television journalism.
CTV is the proud Premium Partner of the Canadian Screen Awards, and the title sponsor of the Non-Fiction Programming and Creative Fiction Storytelling galas. The Canadian Screen Awards take place during Canadian Screen Week (March 23-29), with the CTV Gala Honouring Non-Fiction Programming on March 23, and the CTV Gala Honouring Creative Fiction Storytelling on March 24.