Global reality series Survivor: Vanuatu drew 1.9 million viewers nationally in the 18- to 49-year old demo, making it the number-one show in Canada currently. Local markets saw Toronto earn a 12.1 rating and in Vancouver, the episode garnered a 17.8 rating, according to BBM people meter data.
In the top 20 programs for the 2+ demo nationally, based on preliminary schedules and AMA data for the week of Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, Survivor is followed by CTV’s CSI: New York, then CSI: Miami, and CSI. They are followed by CTV’s Law & Order franchise taking the next three rankings, with Law & Order: Criminal Intent in fifth place, as per BBM Canada Meter Service data.

Bell ExpressVu has given itself a makeover, from a new on-screen look and new programming packages to a state-of-the-art PVR (personal video recorder) that operates two televisions at one time. The new dual-tuner PVR provides two TVs in a household with usual watch and record capabilities and picture-in-picture viewing as well as a large storage capacity for 120 hours of recorded programming, call display and iTV compatibilities.
The on-screen guide has been redesigned to make it easier to find programming and customer resources such as guides to using the services and hardware. Themed channels have been regrouped into 11 programming categories and dedicated portals to iTV services have been added. Programming packages have also been revamped. ExpressVu’s new standard digital package offers more than 100 TV and audio channels and the Game Galaxy iTV portal. That service can be added to from a menu of 15 theme packages and a number of individual Pick and Pay channels.

Dave Chappelle’s offensive style of comedy, which begins its second season on Oct. 12 at 10:30 p.m. on The Comedy Network, seems to be securing itself a cult following. Nominated for three Emmy Awards, Chappelle’s Show has claimed the number one spot in its time slot on American TV among men aged 18 to 34.
Riding the wave of these high ratings, this relative new comer has also scored in the sales department with the series’ first season on DVD selling close to two million units (making it the most successful television DVD release of 2004 and the third best TV DVD seller of all time).
http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/chappellesshow/

Global launches its latest reality series The Biggest Loser on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. Hosted by comedian Caroline Rhea, the one-hour series follows 12 overweight participants as they receive an intensive non-surgical physical makeover. Viewers will be able to follow the participants as they reshape their bodies and lives.

One of TV’s all-time classic comedies is celebrated in The Seinfeld Story, a one-hour retrospective that will air Thursday, Nov. 5 on Global at 10 p.m. (Ontario/Quebec/British Columbia), 8 p.m. (Maritimes/Alberta) and 9 p.m. (Manitoba/Saskatchewan).
On top of showing vintage clips, the special, which targets the 18 to 49 year old demographic, will be hosted by star Jerry Seinfeld and includes interviews with fellow cast members Jason Alexander, Michael Richards and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Studio B and Classic Media will be producing and distributing a brand-new George of the Jungle flash animated series for Canadian animation broadcaster Teletoon.
Slated for broadcast in 2006, the new series will have 52 episodes (11 minutes each) and each show will find the coiffed hero, George protecting the jungle from the usual bad guys. It’s a veritable retro smorgasbord and likely to span a wide demo, including kids and parents who remember the original.

CBC TV has made a major pre-purchase for the new BBC Doctor Who series yesterday. The sci-fi property is due to air on CBC Television as well as on the BBC in 2005.
One of the world’s longest running sci-fi TV programs, there will be 13 new episodes in the first series, starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper. Doctor Who will join a number of BBC series already airing on CBC TV, including A year at Kew, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot, and upcoming programs Hiroshima and Eroica.