In addition to an expanding international tour, a feature film and licensing deals, The Next Step can add a fifth season to its lengthy list of accomplishments.

DHX Television’s Family Channel and Radical Sheep Productions have started production in Toronto on season five of the tween dance series. The new season is set to premiere on Family Channel in 2017.

The 20-episode order marks the first time DHX has commissioned a fifth season of an original production, said Michael Goldsmith, VP original production at DHX Television, in a release.

The Next Step is produced by Radical Sheep Productions, a division of Boat Rocker Studios, in association with Family Channel.

After Boat Rocker Media acquired Radical Sheep in March, the new division became home to all of Boat Rocker’s kids and family content, including The Next Step. Prior to the acquisition, The Next Step was produced by Boat Rocker Studios’ scripted and unscripted division, Temple Street.

Executive producers on the series are Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier, Michelle Melanson Cuperus, Rachael Schaefer, Karen McClellan and series creator Frank van Keeken. The series is produced with the participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund, Canada Media Fund and CBBC. International rights are handled by BBC Worldwide.