The CBC is postponing the Oct. 15 live launch of Battle of the Blades after a member of the production team tested positive for COVID-19.

The pubcaster and producer Insight Productions said all training and pre-production has been temporarily halted to ensure the safety of cast and crew. The series was scheduled to shoot from Oct. 15 to Nov. 24, according to ACTRA.

With the situation still developing, CBC has not given a rescheduled timeline for season-six premiere.

For both producers and broadcasters, the threat of production delays and stoppages related to COVID-19 has been a constant issue since the onset of the pandemic in March.

Insight felt this acutely in March as the shutdown of the economy meant that the Juno Awards, originally scheduled to take place in March, was cancelled just days ahead of the show. As well, in late March, Insight ended production on season eight of Big Brother Canada as the coronavirus pandemic sent large parts of the country into lockdown. It should be noted that in both instances, no members of the cast or crew tested positive for COVID-19.

For broadcasters, meanwhile, the loss of a soon-to-air prime time series means having to scramble to find a replacement. For its part, CBC said it will provide additional scheduling updates as soon as possible.

The series, which is filmed at CAA Centre in Brampton, ON, is executive produced by Insight’s John Brunton, Lindsay Cox, Erin Brock and Mark Lysakowski and co-created and executive produced by Sandra Bezic.