About Us

Innovation. Inspiration. Insight. When television networks seek out production partners, they seek out Insight first. From comedy and variety, to drama, music, documentaries and sports, for decades Insight Productions has demonstrated the acute ability to read the zeitgeist of the timeand respond with television programs that capture the current cultural climate. At a difficult time in the industry, Insight remains on solid ground, firmly established as one of Canada’s foremost production companies, and has worked with some of the most talented personalities in the world.
Insight is at the forefront of international television programming, and most recently responsible for such successful formats as Big Brother Canada, Never Ever Do This at Home, Canada’s Got Talent, Canadian Idol, Project Runway Canada, Deal or No Deal Canada, Intervention Canada, How To Look Good Naked Canada, Top Chef Canada and Are You Smarter Than a Canadian 5th Grader?

Since 1979, Insight has become an industry leader in the creative development, financing and production of television programs in every genre. Recognized internationally and with the hardware to back it up, Insight has the big shows, the big stars and the big ideas that allow it to remain dynamic year after year.  The company has created thousands of hours of groundbreaking television entertainment and continues to broadcast over major television networks worldwide.

Insight has produced TV for major Canadian networks; CTV, Global, CBC, CityTV, TSN, Discovery Channel, Comedy, Slice, W Network, SunTV, Food Network Canada & MuchMusic, and have broadcast partners in the United States, which include NBC, ABC, CBS, HBO, Showtime, A&E, IFC, Disney Channel, ESPN, ABC Family and MTVN.

In Canada, Insight Productions is recognized for developing a Canadian “star system” through television programs and specials that showcase and celebrate Canadian talent.  Mike Myers was only one example of new talent discovered by Insight in It’s Only Rock n’ Roll. Further, Canadian Idol, Canada’s homegrown version of the hugely successful international format, became Canada’s most-watched series of all time in 2003, and then season after season continued to surpass the record-breaking debut. Insight Productions is also credited with revamping Canada’s national music awards show, THE JUNO AWARDS. By moving theshowfrom a soft-seat theatre to an arena-rock setting and ultimately taking the show on the road to cities across the country, they were able to bring the music directly to the fans. In 2007 & 2008, Insight produced a successful & award winning version of the hit reality series Project Runway Canada, which was hosted by International Supermodel Iman. The success of the first season lead to the decision to migrate the show from cable to the main network for it’s second season; and the MuchMusic VJ Search: The Series, was a nationwide search for Canada’s newest VJ at MuchMusic. 

Insight is well known for their youth programming.  The Truth About Alex revealed a pre-Aids look at a homosexual boy’s high school experience.  This groundbreaking drama for HBO won a Cable Ace Award.  Ready or Not was an adolescent series seen in over 40 countries, winning several awards.  Insight has also worked closely with the Walt Disney Organization and ABC, launching Disney World’s theme park The Animal Kingdomhosted by Drew Carrey and Falcon Beach, an hour long drama series about the freedom of summer on ABC Family & Global.  Falcon Beach has been sold by FremantleMedia International and seen in over 100 different countries worldwide.

Additionally, Insight is recognized for producing Canada’s first, successful, late-night talk show, Open Mike With Mike Bullard, for six years. The award-winning series was the first to provide a nightly showcase for international talent coast to coast.  In 2006, Insight launched it’s first original format on the Discovery Channel with Star Racer which took the production team on the hunt for the next Paul Tracy, Jacques Villenueve or Danica Patrick, offering the chance of a lifetime to one extraordinary driver.  In 2009, Insight created another original format called Battle of the Blades, which premiered on CBC to an audience of 2 million viewers and a sold out crowd at historic Maple Leaf Gardens.  The show pairs World & Olympic figure skating champions with NHL alumni in a pairs figure skating competition for charity, like no other.  It is quintessentially Canadian.  Insight recently wrapped production on its second season of another original format titled Canada Sings. 

Insight’s vision, passion and prescience are driven by Canada’s leading executive producer, John Brunton. Now celebrating over thirty years as Chairman & CEO, Brunton joined Insight in 1976, and bought the company in 1979. Brunton is noted for his ability to recognize current trends, source ideas and then transform them into extraordinary television by creating production teams comprised of some of the most talented people in the industry. The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, noted that “John Brunton has airwaves between his ears” and that he is “always thinking about television, moving through ideas like water.” 

The driving force behind Insight’s business affairs is President & COO, Barbara Bowlby. Bowlby joined Insight in 1984 and has been instrumental in developing innovative business strategies and managing the company’s growth. Bowlby acts as Executive Producer on Insight’s extensive roster of productions. Insight’s Senior Management team includes Julia Hope, Lindsay Cox, Shannon Farr, John Murray, Mark Lysakowski, Sue Brophey, Jane Rimer, Merina Crowe and Erin Brock.

Insight is presently producing and developing numerous television shows, including a mini-series Greenpeace: Making Waves based on the novel Greenpeace to Amchitka and To Save a Whale written by Greenpeace founder and President Robert Hunter

John Brunton is also one of the founding partners and Chairman of the board at Insight Sports Ltd.  For more information please visit www.insightsports.com.

Insight Productions has been recognized for its reputation for quality as the recipient of multiple Gemini Awards, four Emmy nominations, two Cable Ace awards, six American Film Festival ribbons, an Academy Award nomination and numerous other film and television awards.