History®'s Top Drama Vikings Returns for Epic Fourth Season with Engaging Digital Extension, Companion Series, Behind-the-Scenes Content and New Canadian Cast
Network Increases Original 16 Episode Order with
Additional Four Episodes – New Season Premieres February 18th
Immersive Digital Experience 'Vikings: A World Revealed' Launches January 28th
on history.ca
Documentary Companion Series Real Vikings Transports Fans into Viking
Civilization This February
Vikings: Behind the Shield Wall with ET Canada Features Exclusive Interviews
and Footage – Airs February 13th on HISTORY and
February 17th on Global
Watch Previous Seasons of Vikings on shomi, iTunes, HISTORY on Demand,
history.ca, and the HISTORY Go app Over the Holidays
For additional photography and press kit material visit: http://www.shawmedia.ca/Media and follow us on Twitter at @shawmediaTV_PR
NEW YORK and TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2015 /CNW/ - HISTORY's hit drama series Vikings returns for a gripping fourth season on Thursday, February 18th at 10pm ET/PT. The network has added four episodes to its initial 16 episode order and is rolling out an epic fan experience extending far beyond the new season.
Beginning February 18th, a new episode will air every Thursday for ten weeks with the remaining episodes to air later in the year. Brand new this season is the innovative online destination, 'Vikings: A World Revealed', that takes fans on an interactive journey into the making of Vikings, guided by the stars of the show. Also new is Real Vikings, a four-part documentary series that draws on recent discoveries, leading experts, and the cast of Vikings to offer fans a compelling window into Viking civilization. In the week leading up to the premiere, ET Canada takes viewers behind-the-scenes of Vikings in Vikings: Behind the Shield Wall with ET Canada featuring exclusive, on-set interviews with the cast and a sneak peek of the new season.
"Vikings is a powerful, international sensation with a massive and loyal fan following," says Christine Shipton, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Shaw Media. "With our audience top of mind, we've created the ultimate fan experience surrounding the new season. Through the immersive digital destination and never-before-seen content, Vikings season four crosses multiple platforms. It's a grand experience to match the epic scale of the series."
In the upcoming season of Vikings, betrayal is everywhere as the powers begin to shift. Following the Vikings' successful raid of Paris in season three, Ragnar is the most feared and respected leader in the Western World. However, his victory is short-lived as he is surrounded by those who seek his undoing. Joining the stellar cast this season is Canadian Dianne Doan (Descendants) as "Yidu," a completely different character within the world of the Vikings who fascinates Ragnar. Doan is joined by Peter Franzén (The Gunman) as "King Harold Finehair," a complex character who seeks to be King of Norway and a potential threat to Ragnar; and Jasper Pääkkönen (Jet Trash) as "Halfdan The Black," King Harold's violent younger brother. In an exciting first in the series' history, the new season of Vikings will feature scenes filmed in Canada, on location in Sault Ste. Marie.
Launching January 28th on history.ca, 'Vikings: A World Revealed' is the ultimate online destination for all things Vikings, with a wide breadth of exclusive, behind-the-scenes content and insight into the production of the show. The interactive experience invites audiences to explore the set of Vikings as virtually guided in real time by five key actors: Travis Fimmel (Ragnar), Linus Roache (King Ecbert), Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha), Moe Dunford (Aethelwulf) and Alyssa Sutherland (Queen Aslaug). Users can also access short video vignettes shot on-set that lift the veil on the series' costume design and wardrobe, props, battle equipment and more. In addition to interactive video, the experience will feature 360-degree photo content and will all be shareable on social networks.
Answering the burning questions of ardent Vikings fans, the companion documentary series Real Vikings digs deep into a mine of facts and history. Framed by insights from Vikings creator Michael Hirst, the series transports viewers to key sites like the remote Jarrow monastery that was plundered when Vikings first attacked Britain; a massive Great Hall built by a powerful Earl in Borg, Norway; and Rollo's tomb in Rouen, France. Interspersing clips from the dramatic series with scenes of the latest Viking research and excavations, the documentary features popular cast members including Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen and Alyssa Sutherland who accompany contemporary researchers on their journeys. Real Vikings premieres this February on HISTORY.
Giving fans an all-access look at Vikings from the stunning set in Ireland, Vikings: Behind the Shield Wall with ET Canada premieres February 13th at 10pm ET/PT on HISTORY, immediately following a season three marathon. The special will air again on February 17th at 9:30pm ET/PT on Global following the season premiere of Survivor. Hosted by Rick Campanelli, the half-hour special features exclusive interviews with the stars of the series, behind-the-scenes set tours and a sneak peak of the new season.
Vikings has been the #1 Canadian specialty program among multiple key demos for three consecutive seasons and is the #1 program on HISTORY*. Fans can spend the holidays catching up on the exciting first three seasons of Vikings on shomi and iTunes, and the third season will be available on HISTORY on Demand, history.ca, and the HISTORY Go app beginning December 21st. Leading up to the season four premiere, a Vikings season three marathon will air on Saturday, February 13th on HISTORY.
Vikings is the critically acclaimed series from creator and sole writer Michael Hirst (Academy Award® winning film Elizabeth and the Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated series The Tudors) and is a family saga that tells the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages. Hirst serves as executive producer along with Morgan O'Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; The Tudors), Sheila Hockin (The Tudors, The Borgias), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors, The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer and James Flynn (The Tudors, The Borgias).
Vikings is an international Irish/Canadian co-production being co-produced by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. HISTORY broadcasts both domestically in Canada and in the U.S. MGM Television is the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada. Vikings is produced in association with Shaw Media.
| * Source: Numeris (BBM Canada) PPM Data, (WinSpr12'13: 12/31/12-5/26/13), (WinSpr13'14: 12/30/13-6/1/14), (WinSpr'15: 1/5/15-5/31/15), Total Canada. |
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter: @HistoryTVCanada | #Vikings
Facebook: facebook.com/HistoryCanada
HISTORY is a Shaw Media Network.
About Shaw Communications
Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications and media company. Shaw serves 3.2 million consumers and businesses through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw provides consumers with broadband Internet, WiFi, Digital Phone and Video services. Shaw Business provides businesses with Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, Video and fleet tracking services, and ViaWest provides collocation, cloud and managed services. Shaw Media provides Canadians with engaging programming content through one of Canada's largest conventional television networks, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks, including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY® and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.
SOURCE Shaw Media
Cathy Kurzbock, Shaw Media, 416-966-7507, [email protected]; Greg Fast, Shaw Media, 416-966-7747, [email protected]
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