Our Story

History and Background

WhistleStop Productions is a Canadian television production company founded in 1989 by producer and TV host David “Dave” Hatch​. Based in Prince Edward County, Ontario​, the company began with the creation of the motorcycle enthusiast series Motorcycle Experience and grew into a full-service broadcast production firm. Its mission from inception was to deliver “turnkey television properties of the highest quality,” including built-in product placements and sponsorships for broadcasters and advertisers​. WhistleStop initially focused on sports and hobbyist programming and over time expanded into lifestyle and documentary content, always leveraging cutting-edge formats (from early high-definition to 4K video)​. Over the decades, WhistleStop experienced steady growth. By the late 2010s it had produced over 50 original network series (totaling more than 700 hours of Canadian broadcast programming) for major networks​. Notably, this includes long-running staples like Motorcycle Experience, which aired continuously on TSN (The Sports Network) since 1989​. The company’s catalog broadened to include content for a range of channels in Canada and abroad. Its production slate culminated in over 60 series by 2024, with programming delivered to partners like Bell Media, Blue Ant Media, Smithsonian Channel, and even streaming platforms such as Netflix​. WhistleStop’s offices remain in rural Ontario, but its content has reached audiences internationally through syndication and distribution deals.

Key People

Dave Hatch – Founder and President of WhistleStop Productions. Hatch is a television producer and host with a background in motorsports. He launched the company to produce Motorcycle Experience in 1989​, and has since overseen WhistleStop’s expansion into various content genres. As Executive Producer, he has created hundreds of hours of programming for Canadian broadcasters and international outlets​. Hatch remains the host of Motorcycle Experience and is often the public face of the company at industry events. Under his leadership, WhistleStop has maintained a reputation for reliable, high-quality production values. In addition to running WhistleStop, Dave Hatch has been involved in broader media ventures (for example, acting as Chief Creative Officer in the OTT startup TableRock Media in 2015​, see Recent Developments).

Stacey Hatch – Partner and Executive Producer. Stacey (who is Dave’s wife) co-owns WhistleStop and has been integral to its operations and productions. She has co-executive-produced many of the company’s series alongside Dave. For instance, both Dave and Stacey are credited as executive producers on projects like Ultimate Superbike​, where they worked closely with network partners and sponsors. Stacey Hatch’s role encompasses production management and creative development, helping guide WhistleStop’s projects from concept to delivery. Her behind-the-scenes contributions have been noted in press releases, with colleagues acknowledging the team effort the Hatches bring to their productions​.

Other notable collaborators: WhistleStop often works with seasoned talent in its shows. Broadcaster and writer Rob Serediuk served as the realtor-host on What’s For Sale?, while rocker Kim Mitchell hosted Guitar Picks. The company has also partnered with acclaimed documentarians on recent projects (see Atomic Reaction in Recent Developments), reflecting a network of industry professionals that associate with WhistleStop on a project basis. However, as a private independent company, the core leadership is centered on Dave and Stacey Hatch.