Earlier this week, CBC announced the addition of 10 bold new original productions along with the renewal of 14 series. The schedule to date includes a diverse slate of new premium dramas (THE ROMEO SECTION, NEW ADDRESS, SHOOT THE MESSENGER), single-camera comedies (KIM’S CONVENIENCE and Bruce McCulloch’s YOUNG DRUNK PUNK), factual programming with both heart and humour (HELLO GOODBYE and STILL STANDING with Jonny Harris) as well as returning favourites. Additional announcements regarding documentary and arts programming, acquisitions, and specials will be made at a later date.
“I’m thrilled to welcome back to the CBC some of the finest creators in the country and to be working with extraordinarily talented voices, new to the CBC, whose stories will resonate with Canadian audiences,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Programming, CBC Television. “I’m equally proud of our factual slate that connects and engages audiences across the country by showcasing personal, poignant and humourous moments in Canadians’ lives.”
CBC’s programming for 2015-2016 to date includes the following titles:
DRAMA
NEW ADDRESS (Sphère Média Plus) New
10 x 60 (Fall 2015)
The English adaptation of the hit Radio-Canada series NOUVELLE ADRESSE (previously announced).
THE ROMEO SECTION (Haddock Entertainment) New
10 x 60 (Fall 2015)
Acclaimed showrunner Chris Haddock (Da Vinci’s Inquest; Intelligence) returns to CBC with a Vancouver-based contemporary espionage thriller that centres on a veteran agent who sets out to recruit a high-value informant.
SHOOT THE MESSENGER (Hungry Eyes Entertainment) New
8 x 60 (2016)
This suspenseful drama by talented team Sudz Sutherland & Jennifer Holness follows a young journalist who, while working on her first murder case, becomes embroiled in a web of urban gangs, the political class, corporate powerbrokers and the police.
HEARTLAND (Seven24 Films and Dynamo Films)Returning
18 x 60 (Fall 2015)
MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Shaftesbury Films) Returning
18 x 60 (Fall 2015)
X COMPANY (Flashbang Productions, Temple Street Productions, & Ostar Enterprises) Returning
10 x 60 (2016)
COMEDY
KIM’S CONVENIENCE (Thunderbird Films & Soulpepper Theatre) New
13 x 30 (2016)
This adaptation of Ins Choi’s award-winning Canadian play, co-written by Choi and Kevin White, features a fiery patriarch struggling with changes within his business, family and their Toronto community of Regent Park.
BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW (Frantic Films) New
6 x 30 (2016)
A subversive, all-female ensemble that features some of Canada’s best sketch comedians as they take aim right down the barrel of contemporary social trends, targeting passive-aggressive parenting, hipster culture and office politics.
YOUNG DRUNK PUNK (Accent Entertainment & Seven24 Films) New
13 x 30 (Fall 2015)
Inspired by Bruce McCulloch’s stage show of the same name, this semi-autobiographical series follows two recent high school graduates as they set out on a mission of self-discovery. This is a Rogers-CBC partnership.
MICHAEL: TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS (Rhombus Media) Returning
6 x 30 (2016)
This acclaimed and beloved series by Bob Martin and Don McKellar is back on the CBC. Season Two picks up five years later with Michael well established in his new city, and David struggling to continue his practice without the comfort of his twice weekly sessions with Michael.
SCHITT’S CREEK (Not a Real Company Productions) Returning
13 x 30 (2016)
MR. D (Topsail Productions & Gerard ADHD Entertainment) Returning
13 x 30 (2016)
RICK MERCER REPORT (Island Edge Inc.) Returning
19 x 30 (Fall 2015)
THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (DHX Media) Returning
19 x 30 (Fall 2015)
JUST FOR LAUGHS (Juste Pour Rire TV Inc.) Returning
4 X 60 (2015-16)
HALIFAX COMEDY FESTIVAL (Pilot Light Productions) Returning
6 X 30 (2015-16)
WINNIPEG COMEDY FESTIVAL (Frantic Films) Returning
5 x 50 (2015-16)
FACTUAL
KEEPING CANADA ALIVE (Force Four Productions Ltd.) New
6 x 60 (Fall 2015)
In this highly ambitious and compelling series, 60 cameras across the country will film a single day in the life of our healthcare system, capturing all aspects of it from coast to coast to coast. What if we could see everything the healthcare system does in 24 hours? How would we feel?
HELLO GOODBYE (Pivotal Media) New
10 X 30 (2016)
In this series, a host draws out emotional stories from people in a vibrant Canadian airport. It reveals themes of love, family bonds, friendships, immigration, grief and joyful reunion.HELLO GOODBYE presents a window into our most emotional moments.
FOOL CANADA (Shaftesbury Films) New
10 X 30 (Summer 2015)
FOOL CANADA, hosted by comedic talent Will Sasso (MADtv), is a fun and witty social experiment that tests Canadians’ notorious politeness, patience and gullibility. Armed with a truckload of hidden cameras and devious disguises, Sasso and a team of comedians poke fun at what it means to be Canadian (previously announced).
STILL STANDING (Frantic Films) New
13 x 30 (Summer 2015)
STILL STANDING (a working title) is an irreverent and affectionate adventure through small-town Canada and a celebration of the people who live there. The show follows Jonny Harris as he visits small towns on the ropes, immersing himself in the lives of local residents and mining enough material to put on an original stand-up comedy routine for the locals (previously announced).
CANADA’S SMARTEST PERSON (Media Headquarters) Returning
8 Total (1 x 120min & 7 x 60min) (Fall 2015)
DRAGONS’ DENReturning
20 x 60 (Fall 2015)
STEVEN AND CHRIS Returning
130 x 60 (Fall 2015)
