News round-up: CBC investigates ghostly series; Roku lands ‘Spiderwick Chronicles’; ViX shows head to Portugal

Ghosting With Luke Hutchie And Matthew Finlan

CBC investigates ghostly series

Canadian broadcaster CBC has greenlit unscripted comedy series Ghosting With Luke Hutchie And Matthew Finlan.

The 8 x 30-minute show from Blue Ant Studios follows the two actors on a quest to discover if Canada’s most haunted places are truly haunted

The paranormal series filmed this summer in reportedly haunted locales around Ontario and will launch on the CBC Gem in winter 2024.

In each episode, the amateur ghost-wrangling duo are joined by celebrity guests, to meet locals who claim to have experienced a real-life haunting.

Roku lands ‘Spiderwick Chronicles’

Roku has acquired the US rights to The Spiderwick Chronicles, the TV adaptation of the book series, from Paramount Television Studios & 20th Television.

The eight-part series will debut on The Roku Channel in early 2024.

The Spiderwick Chronicles follows the coming-of-age story of the Grace Family, as they move from New York to Michigan and into their family’s ancestral home. Upon arrival, the family not only uncovers mysteries hidden inside their great grandfather’s Spiderwick Estate, but also discovers a secret, fantastical world around them.

“It is an honor to bring The Spiderwick Chronicles, a spectacular adventure-filled story led by the incredible Christian Slater and Joy Bryant, exclusively to The Roku Channel,” said Brian Tannenbaum, head of originals, Roku Media.

ViX shows head to Portugal

Portuguese broadcasters RTP and SIC have acquired ViX original series in a deal with Spanish-language firm TelevisaUnivision.

Romantic series Travesuras De Le Nina Mala (Bad Girl), based on the novel by Mario Vargas Llosa, and biographical show Maria Félix are headed to RTP, while young adult thriller Marea Alta (High Tide) has been acquired by SIC.