Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc (TSX-V:TBRD, OTCQX:THBRF) said Bell Media has ordered new seasons of popular factual television programs Highway Thru Hell, Heavy Rescue: 401 and Mud Mountain Haulers, through Thunderbird’s unscripted division Great Pacific Media.
The renewals were previously announced at the Bell Media Upfront, where each series is consistently among the most watched series on Discovery and its digital platforms, CTV.ca and the CTV app.
Vancouver-based Thunderbird noted the three programs, “represent nearly a decade of ground-breaking, adrenaline-filled Great Pacific Media content to air on the network”.
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“Great Pacific Media is proud of the enduring legacy of Highway Thru Hell and its spinoffs Heavy Rescue: 401 and Mud Mountain Haulers – and we are thrilled to bring them all back for new seasons on Discovery,” David Way, President of Great Pacific Media said in the statement.
Way went on to say: “All three series demonstrate the strength, determination and resilience of men and women facing mother nature, and we are honored that viewers across Canada – and around the world – continue to embrace these powerful and impactful stories. We are also thankful to the creative, talented teams behind these series at GPM and Discovery, as these renewals would not be possible without dedicated personnel over the seasons, and for the continued support and fantastic partnerships with Bell Media and the CMF.”
Launched in 2012, Highway Thru Hell showcases the heroic teams of heavy equipment operators, who put their lives on the line to keep vital freight moving and communities connected across southern British Columbia.
The upcoming season will air Monday, Sept, 6 at 10pm ET on Discovery and features 18 brand-new episodes.
“Last season, Highway Thru Hell was a top three Canadian series across all Entertainment Specialty networks in the key A25-54 demographic,” read the release.
In 2016, spinoff Heavy Rescue: 401 aired. It follows the efforts of tow truck drivers, emergency workers and police officers who work tirelessly to keep Ontario’s famous 400-series highway network open for business.
Mud Mountain Haulers is the newest of the three launching in 2021. The second spin-off from the original Highway Thru Hell series features the LeBeau brothers and their third-generation family logging business in British Columbia’s Cariboo Region.
According to Thunderbird, Mud Mountain Haulers' inaugural season was the number three Canadian program on Discovery for the A25-54 demographic.
Additionally, Mud Mountain Haulers has also been sold to international markets by Bell Media. Season One aired in the US on The Weather Channel earlier this year, with the network committing to air the second season, and it will air on lifestyle channel DMAX in Germany.
“We are excited to strengthen our long time, successful partnership with Great Pacific Media, to deliver another round of fan-favourite Discovery originals Highway Thru Hell, Heavy Rescue: 401, and Mud Mountain Haulers,” said Justin Stockman Vice President of Content Development and Programming at Bell Media.
He added: “Consistently top performers, these tentpole factual series are a constant source of thrills and inspiration for Discovery viewers, and we look forward to their return to the schedule for the 2021/22 broadcast season.”
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