CHCH-TV, CHEK announce 4th annual live New Year’s Eve special, featuring Sloan and Big Wreck

December 10, 2025 – On New Year’s Eve, CHCH-TV and CHEK are bringing a star-studded party to Canadian living rooms once again with their fourth annual live New Year’s special, The Countdown to 2026.

Hosted by award-winning media personality George Stroumboulopoulos, the show will feature live performances by two iconic Canadian rock bands: Sloan and Big Wreck.

This year’s edition of the program will air live for broadcast and streaming audiences on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 10:00 P.M. ET (7:00 P.M. PT), promising to be 2.5 hours of electrifying live music, culminating in a live and uniquely Canadian countdown to midnight.

The Countdown to 2026 is the fourth annual special of its kind from CHCH-TV and CHEK, aiming to raise the bar set by each of its past broadcasts.

The show will be filmed in front of a live studio audience, adding an extra layer of dynamic excitement and energy to ring in the new year.

At-home viewers in Ontario can watch The Countdown to 2026 live on CHCH-TV at 10:00 P.M. ET on conventional TV and streaming for a national audience at chch.com, Parrot TV, and YouTube.

CHEK will carry the broadcast live for the BC audience at 7:00 P.M. PT and again at 10:00 P.M. PT, through conventional TV and streaming for a national audience on CHEK+.

George Stroumboulopoulos will host The Countdown for the second straight year, bringing his seasoned and well-respected music storytelling to the table and adding his perspective on what lies ahead for the Canadian creative arts scene in 2026.

“To me, the key to a great New Year’s Eve is good people, and better music,” says George. “A show like this combines both, so I’m very excited to ring in the new year with the live energy of a crowd and some great Canadian tunes.”

Halifax-based rock band Sloan continues to demonstrate their enduring creativity, even after more than 30 years together. The group, formed in 1991, released their 14th studio album this year, “Based on the Bestseller”, featuring all four original members – Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson, Patrick Pentland, and Andrew Scott – still writing, singing, and performing as a unit. Between 1996 and 2016, Sloan was among the top 75 best-selling Canadian artists in Canada and among the top 25 best-selling Canadian bands in Canada.

Joining them is Big Wreck, a Canadian-American rock band formed in 1994 at Berklee College of Music by Ian Thornley, Brian Doherty, Dave Henning, and Forrest Williams. Known for their blues and progressive rock sound, Big Wreck is famous for Canadian chart-topping singles like “The Oaf,” “That Song,” “Blown Wide Open,” and “Albatross.” Across eight studio albums, they’ve won Juno Awards for Best Rock Album (Grace Street, 2017) and Best Rock Group (Ghosts, 2013). They also won Best Rock Album at Canadian Music Week (Albatross, 2017) and were nominated for the Best Rock Album Juno in 2020 (Albatross).

For more information, please contact:

Nick Bannard
Marketing Manager, Channel Zero Inc.
416-492-1595 x 249
nick.bannard@chz.com

About CHCH-TV:

CHCH-TV started broadcasting in 1954 and is proud to be the news leader for Hamilton and the surrounding Halton and Niagara regions. CHCH produces over 24 hours of original local news
programming each week. With a primetime line-up anchored by movies, news magazine shows, and hit dramas, CHCH is available to over 92% of Ontario households and is viewed by millions nationally each week. CHCH News is produced daily out of its broadcast studio located in Hamilton, Ontario.

About CHEK Media:

CHEK is a pioneering television broadcaster based in Victoria, British Columbia, with a remarkable history spanning nearly seven decades. In 2009, CHEK made history by becoming the only employee-owned TV station in North America when employees, community investors, and the local union joined forces to purchase the station, saving it from potential closure by its previous corporate owners. This transformative moment established CHEK’s unique ownership model, preserving its local character and editorial independence. As a multi-media company, CHEK has navigated the evolving media landscape by maintaining a strong commitment to local storytelling and community engagement across traditional broadcast, digital platforms, and its innovative CHEK+ streaming service. This distinctive approach has allowed CHEK to develop a trusted reputation for authentic, locally-focused content that resonates with viewers and reflects the unique perspectives of its region.

About Department 86 Productions:

Dept. 86 Productions is a Toronto-based independent production company specializing in live and factual television. Known for its commitment to excellence, Dept. 86 transforms bold concepts into seamless, engaging, and high-quality broadcasts that connect with audiences.
Partnering with leading broadcasters, Dept. 86 creates bespoke content tailored to resonate with each partner’s target viewers. From multi-season successes like the iconic Tiny Talent Time to the high-energy live event The Countdown, the company’s diverse slate highlights its versatility and expertise across genres and formats.