A contemporary lifestyle network aimed at a “new generation” of Canadians is set to debut in September.
Shaw Media, which runs Global Television as well as a raft of specialty channels including HGTV Canada and Food Network, will launch a new network called FYI on Sept. 1.
The channel, which is a rebranding of Shaw’s Twist network, will be home to new series Epic Meal Empire, created by the Canadian viral comedy troupe behind the hit Epic Meal Time YouTube videos.
Led by Montreal’s Harley Morenstein, the adventurous kitchen crew will cook up more stomach-churning versions of high-calorie comfort food, from pizza cupcakes to bacon cheeseburger ravioli, on Monday nights.
FYI’s Tuesday night line-up will feature B.O.R.N. To Style, a fashion makeover program led by Jonathan Bodrick and set in his eclectic Harlem-based boutique, and Married at First Sight, an “extreme social experiment” that follows six singles who agree to legally marry a mate selected for them by a team of experts.
Other FYI series include The Feed, featuring debate on culinary subjects between food expert Gail Simmons, chef Marcus Samuelsson and comedian Max Silvestri, and Red Hot Design, which follows interior designer Shasta Smith as she turns vintage artifacts into home fixtures.
Shaw Media said in a release that FYI is “creating inspired entertainment with a younger, more modern sensibility.”
“Adding FYI to our portfolio cements Shaw Media’s stronghold on female viewers, especially those captivated by contemporary lifestyle programming,” said senior vice-president of content Barbara Williams.
“With its non-prescriptive and social format, FYI brings viewers big personalities and buzzed about series, a perfect blend for exciting on-air entertainment and engaging online conversation.”
Williams announced at the Shaw Media upfront in June that two specialty channels were being rebranded: Twist is becoming FYI, and Mystery is becoming Crime + Investigation.
FYI will be available on a Rogers Free Preview from Sept. 1 to 30. Viewers can check local listings for more information.
