OMNI Television honours the Year of the Horse with festival coverage that captures the essence of Chinese New Year celebrations. Beginning Friday, Jan. 31, viewers can catch two weekends of special event coverage with original features, movie presentations, and festivities at home and abroad.
Below is a chronological listing of detailed programming for OMNI Television’s Chinese New Year schedule for January 31 to February 9 (all times subject to change; check local listings).
OMNI News: Mandarin Edition
Friday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. ET on OMNI 2, 4 p.m. PT on OMNI BC, 9 p.m. MT on OMNI AB
This special edition of the Mandarin news will be broadcast from Market Village in Markham, ON, on Chinese New Year’s Day. Ushering in the Year of the Horse with numerous festival goers, the newscast will cover the day’s headlines, stories relevant to the Chinese community in Canada, and highlight Chinese New Year celebrations locally, in China, and Taiwan.
OMNI News: Cantonese Edition
Friday, Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m. ET on OMNI 2, 4:30 p.m. PT on OMNI BC, 9:30 p.m. MT on OMNI AB
This special edition of the Cantonese news will be broadcast from Market Village in Markham, ON, on Chinese New Year’s Day. Ushering in the Year of the Horse with numerous festival goers, the newscast will cover the day’s headlines, stories relevant to the Chinese community in Canada, and highlight Chinese New Year celebrations locally, in China, and Taiwan.
National Mandarin New Year Special
Saturday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. ET/PT/MT
**One-hour Special**
This Mandarin special explains the Year of the Horse’s significance, forecasts the year’s outlook with interviews from zodiac experts and fortune tellers, and features a cooking demonstration. Plus, the special follows a Chinese family of three generations, their experiences immigrating to a new country, and what challenges and successes they expect to face in the New Year.
National Cantonese New Year Special
Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. ET/PT/MT
**One-hour Special**
Highlighting special New Year cuisine, a horseback riding demonstration, and flower market visit. Plus, viewers will see celebrations from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, and the Dragon Ball in Toronto.
OMNI BC Lunar New Year Special
Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT/MT
**Half-hour Special**
Hosts Tina Song and Otto Tang highlight British Columbians celebrating Chinese New Year, how wine has emerged as a popular celebratory beverage, and businesses embracing Chinese New Year as a new shopping season.
Movie Presentation: All’s Well, End’s Well 2012
Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT/MT
**Two-and-a-half-hour Movie Presentation**
Told through four separate vignettes tied together by a common theme, this film is a comedy of errors about four men attempting to win the love of a woman.
Travelling in the Chinese New Years
Saturday, Feb. 1 at 11 p.m. ET/PT/MT
**Two-hour Special**
Exploring the rituals, foods, and customs of ethnic minority groups in celebration of Chinese New Year festival in Yunnan.
CCTV Beijing Chinese New Year Gala
Sunday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. ET/PT/MT
**Five–hour Special**
This annual show features some of China’s biggest stars and spectacular performances – all leading up to the midnight countdown.
CNY Specials: Bells Ringing in the Wild Pagoda & Blessing the Five Continents
Saturday, Feb. 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT/MT
**Three-hour Special**
This award-winning variety show boasts an array of different acts from five continents, and features a year-end retrospective.
Year of the Horse, Community Celebration
Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT/CT
**Half-hour Special**
This original OMNI News special focuses on local community celebrations and customs surrounding gift giving and family traditions.
Movie Presentation: Magic to Win
Saturday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT/MT
**Two and a half-hour Movie Presentation**
A magical professor loses his powers when they are transferred to his student, Cheng Meisi. Meisi uses her new ability to change her luck – at school, on the volleyball court, and in life. But her powers land her into trouble as a war of wizardry threatens her safety.
Phoenix TV Grand Festive Music Concert
Saturday, Feb. 8 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT/MT
**Three-hour Special**
From the National Centre for the Performing Arts in China comes a celebratory night of music. Featuring the China NCPA Orchestra, this year’s performance will combine instruments and musical styles from Eastern and Western influences, and include a special performance from a nine-year-old piano prodigy.
Greeting The Lunar New Year
Sunday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. ET on OMNI 2, 8 p.m. PT on OMNI BC, 6 p.m. MT on OMNI AB
**One-hour Special**
A documentary film about Chinese New Year customs and traditions and its impact on younger generations living around the world.
CNY Special Taiwan Gala
Sunday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on OMNI 2, 9 p.m. PT on OMNI BC, 7 p.m. MT on OMNI AB
**Two-hour Special**
This two-hour New Year special features celebrations from Taiwan.
