W Network Announces Two New Original Series in May: Deal With It and Backyard Inventors

TORONTO, May 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment's W Network announced today the addition of two new original productions to the Wednesday night schedule; a hidden camera game show, Deal With It and entrepreneurial series Backyard Inventors starring innovation expert Doug Hall. On Wednesday, May 16 Deal With It premieres at 7:30 p.m., followed by the premiere of Backyard Inventors beginning at 9 p.m.

"We're thrilled to present the audience with two fresh and fun new series this spring," said Vibika Bianchi, Vice President, Original Programming, Lifestyle, Reality, Factual Entertainment, Corus Entertainment. "While very different shows, they both play on the theme that creativity mixed with bravery can lead to a windfall.  Backyard Inventors offers a chance to root for amateur inventors as they bring their ideas for everyday products to life and potential financial success. Deal With It challenges diners to a surprise game of outrageous gags for money while their unsuspecting dinner companion watches in awe."

In Backyard Inventors (14x30), innovation expert Doug Hall travels across Canada in search of everyday inventors with exceptional ideas. His mission is to find and mentor Canada's next great inventors, taking them on a journey of a lifetime, from the backyard to the boardroom. In each episode, Hall travels to backyards and basements in search of an inventor with an idea that has real potential. The inventor who impresses him the most will be invited to Eureka! Ranch where their invention will be re-worked, re-tooled and turned into a marketable product that they will ultimately pitch to a big business.

Hall heads up what is today known as "America's #1 Idea Team" at The Eureka! Ranch, which serves Fortune 500 clients and the average American home uses 18 products or services that he and his team have invented or reinvented. Produced by Gorilla Media in association with W Network, Backyard Inventors premieres Wednesday, May 16 at 9 p.m. Click here to view the series trailer.

Produced by Just For Laughs Television in association with W Network, Deal With It (10x30) is a half-hour hidden camera comedy game show where contestants are asked to perform an increasingly difficult and hilarious series of challenges to win cash, all without letting their dinner companion catch on. If they're found out, or quit before the exit point, they lose the game and the money. Hosted by Sandy Jobin-Bevans (Life With Boys) and Martin Roach, the series has no shortage of outrageous behaviour as ordinary people are tossed into extraordinary situations. The new series is based on the hit Israeli format created by Keshet Broadcasting and United Studios and has been produced in over 10 countries around the world including Finland, Denmark, Brazil, Germany and Greece. Click here to view the series trailer.

About W Network
Watched by over 10 million viewers in an average month, W Network delivers compelling entertainment for women, ranging from blockbuster movies to popular dramas and reality series. Its website, www.wnetwork.com offers in-depth show information featuring expert advice from hosts in addition to a popular games section and a rich online community. W has built a leadership position as "marketing to women experts" through its various research initiatives, including The Her Report.

About Corus Entertainment Inc. 
Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The Company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), ABC Spark, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), CosmoTV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

About Just For Laughs Television
Just For Laughs Television has produced stand-up and variety shows that have been seen around the world and has recently expanded into scripted and non-variety programming with the critically acclaimed series The Tournament which was seen on the CBC and Versus and later adapted for the BBC in the UK. Recently Just For Laughs Television completed principal photography on their new scripted action-comedy series for IFC (US) called Bullet in the Face.

About Gorilla Media Inc
Launched in November 2008, Gorilla Media Inc is a non-fiction production company headed up by Sean Connolly and Burak Ozgan. As an independent producer, Gorilla specializes in factual entertainment series and formats. Gorilla is a partnership between Connolly, Ozgan and Toronto-based drama producer The Nightingale Company.

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Netta Rondinelli
Corus Entertainment
416.479.6443
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Danielle Sefton
Corus Entertainment
416.479.6094
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