Our Story
Double Black Diamond Productions began its 25 year run as a premiere independent Canadian TV and video production company with the acquisition of Ski Base TV show from CKVR Television in Barrie, Ontario. Chris Robinson, a former World Cup Freestyle skier, launched DBD in 1993 after working under contract to CKVR in multiple roles including sponsorship sales, field producer and on-camera show host for Ski Base.
Ski Base began in 1979 as a regional TV program about skiing in the Barrie and Collingwood regions of Ontario, expanding over 10 years to become an award winning national program syndicated on 32 stations across Canada. Despite its success, in the early `90’s CKVR was reducing its compliment of locally produced programming and considered cancelling the show. Given the national scope that Ski Base had achieved, the station reached agreement with Robinson to acquire the show and ensure its continuation. The move allowed for changes to occur for the program to become a viable stand alone business enterprise.
Robinson immediately moved the show out of syndication to TSN where a consistent weekly schedule and single broadcast partner provided the platform for growth and attracting new sponsors. General Motors was secured as title sponsor and the show became Pontiac World of Skiing which would continue for 16 consecutive years. Following the financial and auto industry crisis of 2008, GM remained committed to the show for two more years under the GMC truck brand as GMC World Of Skiing, when in 2010 another re-branding occurred with the show becoming known as ‘Ski Television’.
In 1998 the show moved from TSN to the newly launched Sportsnet channels.
In 2002, Pontiac World of Skiing was awarded the North American Ski Journalist’s Association, Harold S. Hirsch Award for Excellence in TV Broadcasting.
Over the years the show also grew to be distributed internationally under title Skiers’ World, at different times being aired in the United States, Europe and Asia.
With the venerable skiing series as its flagship production, Double Black Diamond Productions diversified over the years becoming a full service TV and video production company. Noted for expertise in both live TV and post produced programming while working in winter and mountain environments, DBD became a ‘go-to’ production company for snowsports events, commercial and feature content.
In 2010 DBD co-founded Snowsports Media Incorporated (S-Media), a multi-plaform media company with television, print and digital products focused on skiing. Chris Robinson served as S-Media's President for 6 years when in 2016 he sold DBD's interest in the company to the partnership group. Ski Television remained with S-Media allowing DBD to move forward focusing on its event production business and consulting services.
DBD’s attention to detail and client service has attracted many customers within the ski industry and beyond. Our ‘Productions' page provides examples of DBD’s scope of experience over the past 25 years.