W Network partners with Mark Burnett, United Artists Media Group, Highway Entertainment and Insight Productions on New Series Pilot, Destination Detour

TORONTO, July 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment's W Network announced today an agreement with Mark Burnett, United Artists Media Group, Omnicom Canada Corp.'s Highway Entertainment and Insight Productions to develop a new series format and pilot episode of the travel-reality series, Destination Detour (working title). The format is being developed for Canadian and international markets and will air on W Network in 2016.  Production of the one-hour pilot, begins in August in Ontario, Canada.

"With an innovative format and a production partnership with visionary television producer, Mark Burnett, we are thrilled to work on this new project," said John MacDonald, Vice President, Television, Head of Corus Women & Family, Corus Entertainment. "This project continues our strategy to develop new unscripted-reality series and strengthen our relationships with other best-in-class producers to develop content that engages audiences in Canada and viewers around the world."

"Destination Detour is a unique and fun format that takes people out of their comfort zone and reminds us that trying new things can be a real eye opening experience," said executive producer Mark Burnett.  "We have been looking for the opportunity to expand our Canadian production relationship and working with the teams at Corus, Highway and Insight Productions made this a very easy project to say yes to."

"Highway Entertainment is thrilled to be expanding its relationship with UAMG to Corus Entertainment and Insight Productions," said Adam Ivers, Highway's President and CEO. "With Destination Detour, we have another really exciting format from the mind of Mark Burnett to hone in Canada with a roster of great Canadian partners."

"We are looking forward to working together with UAMG, Highway and Corus on Destination Detour," said John Brunton, Executive Producer, Insight Production Company Ltd. "This is a really challenging and engaging fish out of water format and we see this as an incredible opportunity to create and produce a brand new show alongside format icon Mark Burnett. With Insight's track record of producing numerous successful formats in Canada, we are thrilled to be a part of this team."

Destination Detour takes three couples on what they expect will be their own meticulously planned, once in a lifetime dream vacation but throws a major curveball into their plans. The three couples from vastly different walks of life, personal interests and temperaments must face this massive detour head-on. The couples will be immersed in worlds they never dreamed of entering and face challenges that will scare, excite and ultimately redefine them. Only time will tell if the couples embrace this Destination Detour or if it will turn out to be a holiday from hell.

W Network is Canada's number one specialty channel for women, with an unparalleled slate of original Canadian lifestyle reality series and talent that are enjoying international success including Property Brothers, Brother vs. Brother, Property Brothers – Buying + Selling, Property Brothers at Home, the Love It of List It franchise, and new series formats Game of Homes and Masters of Flip. Destination Detour joins W Network's growing development slate of series that include the recently announced Million Dollar View and new seasons of Hockey Wives and Say Yes to the Dress Canada.

About W Network
W Network is the leading destination for Canadian women delivering with a range of compelling entertainment from original programming to lifestyle series, blockbuster movies and popular dramas. W Network's online offerings include WNetwork.com, W Dish and W View. With its extensive research capabilities and consumer insights, W Network is recognized as a leading expert in marketing to women. W Network is owned by Canadian-based media and entertainment company Corus Entertainment. For more information, visit WNetwork.com and corusent.com.

About United Artists Media Group
United Artists Media Group (UAMG) is a joint venture among MGM, Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and Hearst Corporation, focused on developing, producing and financing premium content across all platforms, including scripted and non-scripted television programs, motion pictures and digital content. 

About Highway Entertainment
Highway Entertainment is a division of Omnicom Canada Corp., part of The Omnicom Media Group. Highway Entertainment was founded in 1996 to create programming opportunities. Highway Entertainment operates in the areas of program development, financing, production and distribution.

About Omnicom Media Group
Omnicom Media Group (OMG) is the media services division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), the leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company, providing services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries. Omnicom Media Group includes the full service media networks OMD and PHD as well as a number of specialty media communications companies.

About Insight Production Company Ltd.
Insight Productions – producers of The Amazing Race Canada, the most watched Canadian show on record and Big Brother Canada, the most watched reality program across specialty channels in Canada – is Canada's most-established content producer.  Headed by John Brunton & Barbara Bowlby, Insight is an industry leader in the development, financing, and production of hit programming and multiplatform content for the global market in every genre.  In 2015, Insight celebrates 35 years of outstanding storytelling, award-winning programming, and an unparalleled reputation.  In recognition of its achievements, Insight received the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television's inaugural Icon Award.  Recent hits include The Amazing Race Canada; Big Brother Canada; Top Chef Canada; Battle of the Blades; The JUNO Awards; Canada's Walk of Fame; Falcon Beach; and The Jon Dore Television Show.  How To Change The World, co-produced with MET Films, had its world premiere in the documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2015, where it won two awards.

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Danielle Sefton, Corus Entertainment, 416.479.6094, [email protected]; Owen McCorquodale, Corus Entertainment, 416.479.6068, [email protected]