Based on John Green’s award-winning novel of the same name, young adult drama LOOKING FOR ALASKA premieres exclusively in Canada on CBC Gem Friday, April 17.
CBC partners with Bell Media and Global Citizen to bring Canadians the historic ONE WORLD: TOGETHER AT HOME concert this Saturday, April 18 on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC Music and CBC Listen at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. MT
CBC Celebrates National Canadian Film Day on Wednesday, April 22 with Rob Stewart’s documentary REVOLUTION on CBC TV and a special curated collection of Canadian films on CBC Gem.
HOT DOCS AT HOME ON CBC continues Thursday, April 23 with the exclusive Canadian premiere of 9/11 KIDS from the postponed 2020 Hot Docs Festival on CBC TV, CBC Gem and documentary Channel.
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New from CBC Podcasts: SECRET LIFE OF CANADA – Season 3
In the first full episode of season three, “Sasquatch in the Gift Shop,” Falen and Leah-Simone look into two legendary creatures of land and sea, Sasquatch and Ogopogo, and how they went from being deeply rooted in Indigenous oral history and culture, to selling everything from hot sauce to beard oil as dopey-looking mascots. Available now on CBC Listen or wherever podcasts are available.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 17
LOOKING FOR ALASKA (Young Adult Drama, 8×60, Paramount Television Studios, United States)
*Exclusive Canadian Premiere* Limited series begins streaming Friday on CBC Gem
LOOKING FOR ALASKA thrusts us into the perspective of Miles “Pudge” Halter (Charlie Plummer, All the Money in the World, Lean on Pete) who is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (gaining his inspiration from Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young (Kristine Froseth, Junior, The Society). The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then, after, nothing is ever the same…
ANAANA’S TENT (Kids, 13×22, Taqqut Productions, Canada)
Begins streaming Friday on CBC Gem, with versions available in English and Inuktitut
This kids’ variety series combines live-action, puppets and animation to celebrate Inuit identity. In a very special tent in the Arctic, Rita Claire and her husky Qimmiq learn new songs, words and stories with the help of some animated friends and Inuit performers.
TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE (2003, Canadian animated film, directed by Sylvain Chomet)
Begins streaming Friday on CBC Gem
When her grandson is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her beloved pooch Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters – an aged song-and-dance team from the days of Fred Astaire – to rescue him.
Leading up to Earth Day this month, CBC Gem’s Earth Day Collection continues to grow:
MY FAMILY AND THE GALAPAGOS (Factual, 4×60, Seadog Television and Film Productions, United Kingdom)
Season 2 begins streaming Friday on CBC Gem
As the Halls family settle into their new home, they quickly realise that the Galapagos islands are like nowhere else on Earth, a place where the remarkable wildlife views them as just another animal.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 18
ROAD TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES Olympic Games Replay: Rio 2016 Track and Field
Saturday at 1 p.m. (2 AT, 2:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem
Hosts Scott Rusell and Andi Petrillo look back at women’s soccer from Rio 2016. Sweden upset USA, and Canada defeated home team Brazil, taking home the bronze medal for the second consecutive year. ROAD TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES is also available at cbcsports.ca and on the CBC Sports app.
CBC NEWS: COPING WITH COVID
Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET (6 NT) on CBC News Network, CBC Gem, and the CBC News App
The National’s Adrienne Arsenault and Andrew Chang bring you the best stories from across CBC News, to help you navigate our new reality. This week’s theme, Helping Hands, highlights neighbours and strangers who are finding ways to help each other.
CBC NEWS: FROM THE FRONTLINES
Saturday at 7:30 pm ET on CBC News Network, CBC Gem, and the CBC News App
With rare access inside a Toronto hospital, The National’s Adrienne Arsenault visits the frontline of the fight against COVID-19 and takes you into the epicentre of care.
ONE WORLD: TOGETHER AT HOME
Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC Music and CBC Listen
7 p.m. CT(MB), 9 p.m. AT/MT/CT(SK) 9:30 p.m. NT
CBC, in partnership with Bell Media and Global Citizen, will broadcast the historic ONE WORLD: TOGETHER AT HOME concert in support of the global fight to end COVID-19. Featuring healthcare workers and families around the world in addition to a lineup of performances and appearances by superstars including Alicia Keys, Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney,Taylor Swift and Canadians Céline Dion, Shawn Mendes, Jessie Reyez, Lilly Singh, Michael Bublé, P.K. Subban and many more.
MOVIE NIGHT IN CANADA
Back-to-back Canadian films on CBC TV. Stream now on CBC Gem.
THE BREADWINNER (2017, animated drama, directed by Nora Twomey)
Saturday at 10 p.m. ET (11 AT, 11:30 NT, 9 CT, 7 MT, 10:30 PT) on CBC TV
A headstrong young girl in Afghanistan disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family.
MAUDIE (2016, drama, directed by Aisling Walsh)
Sunday at 12 a.m. ET (1 AT, 1:30 NT, 12 MT in Alberta/North, 12:30 PT; Saturday at 11 CT, 11 MT in Saskatchewan) on CBC TV
An arthritic Nova Scotia woman works as a housekeeper while she hones her skills as an artist and eventually becomes a beloved figure in the community.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 19
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WHAT’RE YOU AT? WITH TOM POWER
New episode on CBC Gem and CBC TV at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT)
Tom Power welcomes audiences into his home each Sunday as he catches up with Canadians across the country for an uplifting mix of interviews, storytelling, musical performances and shared perspectives from the week.
Guests for April 19: Rick Mercer, Margaret Atwood and frontline workers from across the country.
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MONDAY, APRIL 20
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BAGHDAD CENTRAL (Drama, 6×60, Euston Films, United Kingdom)
New episode Monday at 7 p.m. ET on CBC Gem and 8 p.m. on CBC TV (timing differs in Newfoundland and Labrador, contact CBC PR for more information)
“A thrilling drama that puts Iraqi lives front and centre.” – The Guardian
“A nerve-shredding thriller…” – The Telegraph
Set in Baghdad in 2003 after the fall of Saddam Hussein, former police inspector Muhsin al-Khafaji (Waleed Zuaiter) searches for one of the few things remaining in his life, his missing daughter. Written by Stephen Butchard (The Last Kingdom).
FORTITUDE (Drama, 12×60, Fifty Fathoms, United Kingdom)
All Season 1 episodes now streaming on CBC Gem. New episode Monday at 9 p.m. on CBC TV
(timing differs in Newfoundland and Labrador, contact CBC PR for more information)
“A hot-blooded murder mystery set in the cold of the Artic Circle, Fortitude has an impressive cast headed up by Stanley Tucci and Michael Gambon, and an atmosphere that draws you in immediately.” – Yahoo! TV
“Because the world of Fortitude (the town, but also the show) is so interesting, the inevitable red herrings on the way to discovering the murderer are side trips worth taking.” – Vox
Set in a remote Arctic Circle mining town rocked by a shocking murder, this gripping drama stars Stanley Tucci, Michael Gambon, Sofie Gråbøl and Richard Dormer.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
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REVOLUTION (2012, documentary, directed by Rob Stewart) *NATIONAL CANADIAN FILM DAY Selection*
Wednesday at 4 p.m. (2 MT in the North, 3:30 NT) on CBC TV
In this highly anticipated follow-up to the hit Sharkwater, late filmmaker Rob Stewart brings us on an adventure 3.5 billion years in the making – from the evolution of life to the revolution underway to save us. Filmed over four years in 15 countries, Revolution captures some of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles ever recorded, and gives audiences a firsthand look into the biggest battle ever fought.
EARTH: ONE AMAZING DAY (2017, documentary, directed by Richard Dale, Lixin Fan, Peter Webber)
Wednesday at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC TV
Embark on an astonishing journey that reveals the awesome power of the natural world,
tracking the sun from the highest mountains to the remotest islands to exotic jungles, over the
course of one single day. It’s an adventure told with humor, intimacy and jaw-dropping
cinematic splendor. You’ll get up close to a cast of unforgettable characters, from towering
giraffes to flitting hummingbirds. Discover more everyday wonders than you could possibly
imagine—until now. Narrated by Robert Redford.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 23
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A festival-at-home experience providing Canadians with front-row access to exclusive, first-run premieres from the postponed 2020 Hot Docs Festival weekly on Thursday nights.
9/11 KIDS
(Canada, documentary Channel Original, directed by Elizabeth St. Philip)
CBC and CBC Gem at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) and documentary Channel at 9 p.m. ET/PT
It’s the most famous whisper in American history. President Bush learns of the 9/11 attacks while sitting in front of 16 schoolchildren. Today those kids are in their mid-20s and offer a fascinating window into post 9/11 America.
