After a couple of years on Global Television, the Gemini Awards show is moving back to its longtime home on CBC. And in a first, the 2007 event, slated for Oct. 28, will take place in Regina.

Global has broadcast the Canadian TV industry’s gala celebration the past two years, taking over from the Ceeb, which had aired it every year except for a one-off on CTV in 1989. After 2004, CBC executives felt that the pubcaster had done its share for the event, and insisted that the private broadcasters should have their turn at footing the bill.

CBC had been getting ratings between 200,000 and 300,000 for its most recent Gemini airings, and although there was hope that the move to a private caster would produce a bump in viewership, Global pulled in only 200,000 for each of its two shows, which were scheduled on Saturday nights against CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

Global remains involved, and will air live red-carpet pre-show coverage on a special ET Canada at the Geminis, to be followed by the live awards gala on CBC.

Last year saw the launch of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s road show that took the Geminis out of its Toronto home base into Vancouver. While that move did nothing to improve TV ratings outside of B.C., it was warmly embraced by the West Coast production community. Saskatchewan, where CTV’s Corner Gas shoots and CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie partially shoots, seemed like a natural next stop.

‘Saskatchewan’s television industry is firing on all cylinders and continues to attract major productions,’ said Academy chair and acting CEO Paul Gratton at a Regina media conference on Friday, also attended by Mayor Pat Fiacco and Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert. ‘You couldn’t ask for a better backdrop for an event that celebrates the best and brightest of Canada’s television industry.’

While details of the show have not been unveiled, it’s a safe bet that the two hit comedies will be integrated into the festivities.

‘When Canadians tune in to the Geminis this fall on CBC they will be treated to an event unlike any year before,’ said CBC exec director of network programming Kirstine Layfield, in a release.