Family Channel greenlights fourth season of fan-favourite original series The Next Step

"THIS DRAMA SET BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE FICTIONAL NEXT STEP DANCE STUDIO RANKS AMONG THE VERY BEST SHOWS CURRENTLY AIRING ON CANADIAN TELEVISION"
– ANDY RYAN, THE GLOBE AND MAIL

"THE CAST IS YOUNG AND TALENTED, WHICH IS INSPIRING A TON OF KIDS"
– ROBIN STEVENSON, CANADIAN LIVING

"VIEWERS CAN'T GET ENOUGH" – MICHAEL KORB, STARWEEK

TORONTO, April 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Following last week's DHX Television rebranding announcement, which emphasizes a mandate to build on the success of the company's strong original production slate, Family Channel has revealed its plans for a fourth season of the popular tween drama The Next Step. The commissioning decision for the series, which currently ranks as the #1 kids television series airing across all Canadian kids networks¹, follows the mid-season finale of the third season and the conclusion of the sold-out two-month, cross-country The Next Step Live on Stage tour. Production on the season four order, from Temple Street Productions, is set to begin this summer in Toronto.

"With each new season, it's remarkable to see the unwavering loyalty our viewers pledge to the series' relatable characters, compelling storylines and extraordinary dancing. Plus, the opportunity to bring The Next Step to fans across Canada with the Live On Stage tour only further confirms just how well this series resonates with our audience," said Michael Goldsmith, Director, Original Programming, DHX Television. "After watching The Next Step transform from a homegrown hit into a worldwide phenomenon, we are thrilled to work with Temple Street again to make more episodes of what has proudly become our flagship show."

Since its premiere in March, season three of The Next Step drew in an impressive average audience of 281,400 viewers², weeknights at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, making it the #1 series across all specialty networks for the three weeks of premiere episodes, with its target demos of kids 7-11, 6-12 and kids 8-14.³ On average, 479,000 unique viewers tuned-in to The Next Step each weeknight, and the third season has reached over 1.8 million Canadians to date.⁴

"To get picked up for a fourth season is a milestone achievement and is a true testament to the quality of the series and we couldn't be more proud of our team and the talented cast and crew," said David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, Executive Producers and Co-Presidents of Temple Street Productions. "We're looking forward to continuing this journey with creator, Frank van Keeken and Family Channel and to delivering more compelling episodes of The Next Step."

The Next Step follows the lives of an elite group of dancers who train at The Next Step studio. The first half of season three saw the dancers compete against rival studio, Elite, and each other, in order to secure a spot on the Internationals team. Thursday night's finale brought even more twists and turns as viewers were introduced to Ella (Ella Gilling), a mischievous exchange program dancer from England, and Amanda (Logan Fabbro) was sent packing. Episodes of The Next Step currently air Fridays at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Family.

Commissioned by Family Channel, The Next Step is produced by Temple Street Productions and is executive produced by Frank van Keeken (Wingin' It, Kids in the Hall, Billable Hours), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Orphan Black, Being Erica, Wingin' It). BBC Worldwide has acquired international distribution rights. The Next Step is also produced with financial assistance from The Shaw Rocket Fund.

About Temple Street Productions
Temple Street Productions is a leading producer of television, film and digital media content based in Toronto and Los Angeles. A selection of Temple Street's past and present projects include, Orphan Black (BBC AMERICA, Space), X Company (CBC) Being Erica (CBC, SOAPnet), The Next Step (Family Channel), Wingin' It (Family Channel), Say Yes to the Dress Canada (W), Million Dollar Critic (W, BBC America), Cook'd (YTV), Over the Rainbow (CBC), Recipe to Riches (CBC, Food Network, Global), Cover Me Canada (CBC), Billable Hours (Global, Showcase), Canada's Next Top Model (CTV), How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? (CBC), Queer as Folk (Showtime, Showcase), and Darcy's Wild Life (NBC, Discovery Kids, Family Channel). For more company information www.templestreetproductions.com twitter @TempleStreet or connect with us on Facebook.

Family Channel offers the best in family television entertainment in a premium, commercial-free environment. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a daily vacation for children and their families, Family airs a unique mix of top-rated Canadian and Disney series, movies and specials. Family Channel subscribers also have access to Family OnDemand and Family OnLine at no additional cost, to see hit movies and series when they want them, where they want them. Visit us at Family.ca.

About DHX Television
DHX Television is comprised of Family Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior (English & French) and is part of DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Media Ltd. markets and distributes its library of more than 11,000 half-hours of entertainment programming worldwide, and licenses its owned properties through its dedicated consumer products business. DHX Media Ltd.'s full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media Ltd. has offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Halifax, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam.

Source:

1. Numeris (BBM Canada) Family Channel Competitive Program Ranker/Total Canada/Family, YTV, Teletoon/AMA(000)/BY1415 STD:Sep.1/14-Apr.13/15, confirmed data up to Apr.5/15, 2+ airings, excludes: specials, movies. K7-11, K6-11, K6-12, K8-14, Ind.2+
2. Numeris (BBM Canada)/Total Canada/Family Channel's The Next Step – M-F 7:30pm-8:00pm (14 airings of Season 3 new episodes only), Ind.2+ AMA(000), DlyRch(000), CumRch(000)/ Mar.16-Apr.2/15, confirmed up to Mar.22/15 (contains same day playback only for Apr.2^nd).
3. Numeris (BBM Canada)/Total Canada/All Specialty Stations Program Ranker/M-Su 2a-2a/K7-11, K6-12, K8-14 AMA(000)/Mar.16-Apr.2/15, confirmed up to Mar.22/15(contains same day playback only for Apr.2^nd), 2+ airings, excludes movies.
4. Numeris (BBM Canada)/Total Canada/Family Channel's The Next Step – M-F 7:30pm-8:00pm (14 airings of Season 3 new episodes only), Ind.2+ AMA(000), DlyRch(000), CumRch(000)/ Mar.16-Apr.2/15, confirmed up to Mar.22/15 (contains same day playback only for Apr.2^nd).

SOURCE Family Channel

Joanna Landsberg, Publicist - DHX Television, [email protected], 416.977.7458