Page 1 of 3

Battle of the Blades returning but will now start on Oct. 22nd, 2020

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 3:42 pm
by Elizabeth
No details yet but it was just posted on Twitter:
Battle is back this fall on @CBCTelevision and @CBC Gem!
Image

Re: Battle of the Blades returning in Fall 2020!

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 3:58 pm
by Elizabeth
The follow-up tweet:
We're still working on the details but #BOTB Season 6 will happen with some adaptations to make sure we all stay safe. Stay tuned for more info!

Re: Battle of the Blades returning in Fall 2020!

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 3:59 pm
by Elizabeth
Twitter comment from Sandra Bezic:
We are back for Season 6!! Our first priority is to stay safe, and I can’t wait to watch our @CBCbattle hockey and figure skating stars compete live across Canada all for charity!

Re: Battle of the Blades returning in Fall 2020!

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 4:37 pm
by Elizabeth
According to the full CBC announcement of Fall and Winter programming, Blades will air on Thursdays: https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-re ... ew-hours-f

Re: Battle of the Blades returning in Fall 2020!

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 4:40 pm
by Elizabeth
In sort-of related news, it was announced today that Sheldon Kennedy will be going into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame in the 2020/2021 "class" in the "Builder - Ice Hockey" category. You will recall that he and Kaitlyn Weaver were the winners of Season 5 :)


Image

Re: Battle of the Blades returning in Fall 2020!

Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 12:28 pm
by happyheini
Yeah! Yeah! and Yeah....good news and something to look forward to.

Re: Battle of the Blades returning in Fall 2020!

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:08 pm
by Elizabeth
Mark you calendars!!! The premiere episode will be 2 hours on October 15th with 1-hour episodes every Thursday through November 26th.

There will be no live audience but there will be a "virtual" audience of superfans projected on the walls of the arena.

You might even have a chance to be selected as one of the virtual superfans!! See: https://www.cbc.ca/television/battleoft ... -1.5716352

Re: Battle of the Blades returning in Fall 2020!

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:07 pm
by happyheini
Can't wait to find out who will be competing.Marked in my calendar.

Re: Battle of the Blades returning October 15, 2020!

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:16 pm
by Elizabeth
Meet the skaters: https://www.cbc.ca/television/battleoft ... -1.5736962

Image

This year it will be Kaitlyn vs Andrew again but also Meagan vs Eric :D

They are also promoting diversity in their choices of both skaters & judges this season: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/battle-of-the ... -1.5738832

Re: Battle of the Blades returning October 15, 2020!

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 8:32 pm
by fred
Violetta Afanisieva (spelling?) will be partnered with Anthony Stewart and their training looks to be coming along very well.
If it's going to be on Gem, (I think I read that somewhere), does that mean I get to watch in online? Or at least the following morning?

Re: Battle of the Blades returning October 15, 2020!

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 9:42 pm
by Elizabeth
fred wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 8:32 pm Violetta Afanisieva (spelling?) will be partnered with Anthony Stewart and their training looks to be coming along very well.
If it's going to be on Gem, (I think I read that somewhere), does that mean I get to watch in online? Or at least the following morning?
It is being advertised as being on both CBC and GEM, Fred.

Re: Battle of the Blades returning October 15, 2020!

Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2020 8:13 am
by fred
Thanks.

Re: Battle of the Blades returning October 15, 2020!

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:10 pm
by Elizabeth

Re: Battle of the Blades returning October 15, 2020!

Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2020 3:40 pm
by Elizabeth
From Meagan on Twitter:
Normally we battle together but I’m excited to go to battle AGAINST @Rad85E on October 15th with @CBCbattle
Thanks to our new partners for having our backs!
Eric's reply:
Bring...it...ON!!
Image

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but postponed from planned Oct. 15th, 2020!

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 11:21 am
by Elizabeth
From Battle of the Blade on Facebook today (Oct. 7th):
**Important Update**
The skaters have been working hard in preparation for the new season and it's exciting to see their chemistry develop.
However, an individual on the Battle of the Blades production team recently tested positive for COVID-19 and so we are temporarily halting all training to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.
As a result, the October 15th live premiere of Battle of the Blades Season 6 has been postponed. We'll let you know as soon as there's an update.

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but postponed from planned Oct. 15th, 2020!

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 2:10 pm
by happyheini
Oh dear, that could be weeks. I was really looking forward to it, but in retrospect was very surprised that it was actually planned and started during this pandemic. Patience, girl, patience.

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but postponed from planned Oct. 15th, 2020!

Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 2:33 pm
by fred
They should have it in Halifax, Saint John N.B. There's hardly any Covid-19 here.
I wonder if it's called cheating if they practice at a local rink with just the couple & their coach. (???)

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but postponed from planned Oct. 15th, 2020!

Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:34 am
by Elizabeth
More on the positive test result, etc. https://www.newsoptimist.ca/battle-of-t ... 1.24216510

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but postponed from planned Oct. 15th, 2020!

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2020 9:17 pm
by fred
With the skater showing no symptoms, I wonder if the test gave a false positive. Presumably they've repeated the test to double check that, though. It's good they are taking these precautions. Wishing everybody there, and here on the Board, the best of health. I think masks, distancing and hand washing are all part of a great health plan for these times.
I imagine all the obsessive-compulsive hand washers are saying, "See! We told you so!" ;) :lol: :lol:

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but postponed from planned Oct. 15th, 2020!

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2020 9:22 pm
by Elizabeth
fred wrote: Sun Oct 11, 2020 9:17 pm With the skater showing no symptoms, I wonder if the test gave a false positive. Presumably they've repeated the test to double check that, though. It's good they are taking these precautions. Wishing everybody there, and here on the Board, the best of health. I think masks, distancing and hand washing are all part of a great health plan for these times.
I imagine all the obsessive-compulsive hand washers are saying, "See! We told you so!" ;) :lol: :lol:
Fred - it was not a SKATER but a member of the production crew.

Given the influenza season, masks, hand washing & distancing are definitely a good idea. You can protect yourself and be kind in protecting others, in case you might be asymptomatic.

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but postponed from planned Oct. 15th, 2020!

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 4:07 pm
by Elizabeth
Behind the scenes - some information on two of the couples from Hello Magazine: https://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebritie ... akim-aliu/

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but will now start on Oct. 22nd, 2020

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:23 pm
by Elizabeth
News about the delayed restart: https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-re ... -keshia-ch

The charities being supported by each couple are also identified.

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but will now start on Oct. 22nd, 2020

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:28 am
by Elizabeth
The rationale behind the female hockey players participating :)

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/battle ... -1.5753171

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but will now start on Oct. 22nd, 2020

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 11:27 am
by Elizabeth
News from PJ Kwong (and her dog Garth):
On Thursdays after Battle of the Blades at 10pm ET we're going to meet in my virtual living room on my YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to talk all about it - new and fun guests every week!

Re: Battle of the Blades returning but will now start on Oct. 22nd, 2020

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2020 12:01 pm
by Elizabeth
A couple of articles as we get ready to watch the first episode tomorrow evening:

https://www.cbc.ca/television/battleoft ... -1.5769128

https://www.ifsmagazine.com/vanessa-jam ... or-battle/