MEDIA ALERT:
OMNI TELEVISION USHERS IN THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON WITH EXCLUSIVE CHINESE NEW YEAR PROGRAMMING, JAN. 21 TO FEB. 4
- Celebrate Chinese New Year with National Specials from OMNI News: Cantonese and Mandarin Editions - - OMNI Television brings viewers three exclusive, national, Chinese New Year movie presentations - - Watch the highlights of renowned Vancouver Chinatown New Year Parade with the OMNI BC Year of the Dragon Celebration Special - - Enjoy the most anticipated Chinese New Year show in China with the national broadcast of CCTV Beijing Chinese New Year Gala -
(Toronto – January 19, 2012) As the Year of the Dragon approaches, OMNI Television continues to be the leader in Cantonese and Mandarin programming as the trusted OMNI News team brings viewers entertaining and informative coverage of Chinese New Year traditions across the country. Beginning Saturday, Jan. 21, OMNI News: National Mandarin and Cantonese Editions will feature a daily report on the Chinese New Year, showcasing community news stories and events from Ontario, Alberta and B.C. Complementing the extensive news coverage, viewers can tune in for a variety of movies, compelling specials, and highlights from the favourite annual Vancouver Chinatown New Year’s Parade. Below is a chronological list of OMNI Television’s Chinese New Year programming from January 21 to February 4. Greeting the Lunar New Year Saturday, Jan. 21 at 10:30 pm ET on OMNI.2 in Ontario, 6:30 pm MT on OMNI Alberta and 7:30 pm PT on OMNI BC This one-hour documentary about the meaning of Chinese New Year focuses on how essential rituals, food and customs are observed in the Chinese culture.
OMNI Television Presents: National Mandarin New Year Special Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6pm ET on OMNI. 2 in Ontario, 5pm MT on OMNI Alberta and 8pm PT on OMNI BC Hosted by OMNI News: Mandarin Edition’s Grant Guo, this one-hour special features traditional folklore surrounding the Year of the Dragon, predictions for the New Year, cooking demonstrations of traditional Chinese New Year dishes, and a look at Chinese cultural customs in Canada. Plus, reporter Jack Wang meets with Chinese consumers and shop owners to learn what they buy and sell in preparation of Chinese New Year.
OMNI Television Presents: National Cantonese New Year Special Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7pm ET on OMNI.2 in Ontario, 9pm MT/PT on OMNI Alberta and OMNI BC Hosted by OMNI News anchor Stanley So and OMNI News: Cantonese Edition personalities Jason Leung, Kenneth Li, Alex Chum, Tina Tse and Catherine Chan, this one-hour special highlights exciting Chinese New Year celebrations in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. OMNI.2 in Ontario will feature experts speaking about the meaning behind the year of dragon; OMNI Alberta will host community leaders sharing their personal traditions; and OMNI BC will explore the bustling flower market in Vancouver. The special will also showcase delicious Chinese New Year cuisine, including a 10-course menu with each dish’s good luck meaning explained. National Cantonese New Year Special will also feature special greetings from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, B.C. Premier Christy Clark, and Alberta Premier Alison Redford among other government and community representatives.
Chinese New Year Movie Presentation: The Way We Were Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8pm ET on OMNI.2 in Ontario and 11pm MT/PT on OMNI Alberta and OMNI BC Cheong Kwai (Liu Kai Chi) is a middle-aged man unable to forget the 15 minutes of fame he enjoyed 20 years ago as a minor character in the hit film, The Bund. Now working in a convenience store, he clings to a dream of making it big as an actor, despite the fact that his obsession has already torn apart his family. After unexpected good fortune brings him a considerable sum of money, Cheong Kwai decides to produce his own remake of The Bund to re-launch his career.
CCTV Beijing Chinese New Year Gala Saturday, Jan. 28 at 5pm ET/MT on OMNI.2 in Ontario, 5pm MT on OMNI Alberta and 6pm PT on OMNI BC The most anticipated New Year Show in China, this five-hour CCTV Beijing Chinese New Year Gala will feature the most famous stars and beloved artists from China and Taiwan. The gala also includes various dramatic and comedic skits, as well as song and dance performances direct from Beijing.
Chinese New Year Movie Presentation: All’s Well, Ends Well Too 2011 Saturday, Jan. 28 at 8pm ET on OMNI.2 in Ontario and 11pm MT/PT in OMNI Alberta and OMNI BC After spending a decade honing her ceremonial skills in the Midland China, Princess Pearl (Angela Yeung Wing) of Flowerland begins her journey home. Along the way she meets General Wing (Ronald Cheng), a strong leader in the Midland Army, who joins her on her travels. But when the princess suffers a terrible accident, General Wing must try to save his true love.
Chinese New Year Special Taiwan Musical Sunday, Jan. 29 at 8pm ET/MT/PT on OMNI.2 in Ontario, OMNI Alberta and OMNI BC A love story about chance encounters, life struggles and relationship complications, this two-hour romantic picture follows the love story of Fang Zhen Dong (Liu Ye) and Li Pei Ru (Shu Qi) as destiny and fate bring them together.
Chinese New Year Movie Presentation: I Love Hong Kong Saturday, Feb. 4 at 8pm ET on OMNI.2 in Ontario and 11pm MT/PT in OMNI Alberta and OMNI BC Shun (Tony Leung Ka-Fai) grew up in public housing before making it big with his own toy manufacturing business. But when the financial crisis impacts Shun’s business, he is forced to move his family of five into Shun’s old family apartment with his father (Stanley Fung). Amidst this crisis, Shun is further tested by the return of old friend Lung (Eric Tsang) who once betrayed the community. Will Shun forgive his old pal in time for the upcoming mid-autumn festival?
OMNI BC Year of the Dragon Celebration Special Saturday Feb. 4 at 10pm ET on OMNI.2 in Ontario and 7:30pm MT/PT on OMNI Alberta and OMNI BC The Year of the Dragon symbolizing power, strength, and good luck is celebrated with a colourful parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Join OMNI News anchor Lisa Wu and reporter Otto Tang on-location as they bring viewer’s off-the-beat stories and alluring characters that make this event unique. The special will also showcase Chinese New Year - highlighting traditional lion dancing, firecrackers, and revelry from the parade.
About OMNI Television OMNI™ is a free, over-the-air multilingual/multicultural television system committed to positive portrayal and broadcast reflection of Canada’s diversity through the airing of inclusive and accessible programming. With five television stations – in BC; Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) and Ontario (OMNI.1 and OMNI.2) – OMNI is available to 16.5 million households in major market areas. As well as specializing in Canadian multilingual/ multicultural programming, OMNI carries well-known International series and films – including East Asian Super Cinema and South Asian Bollywood Freetime Movies. OMNI Television is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited., a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information visit www.OMNItv.ca - 30 -
Media Contact: Meghan Hardy, OMNI Television, 416-764-3197, [email protected] Sónia Brum, OMNI Television, 416-764-3194, [email protected]