TORONTO – Anchored by Canadian content, CBC’s 2016–17 television lineup will include 9 new original series and 25 returning titles.
New primetime series include crime-thriller Shoot The Messenger (8×60), focused on the complicated relationships between crime reporters and the police, and miniseries Pure (6×60) about Mennonites who control one of the most efficient drug-trafficking operations in North America. New comedy shows include Kim’s Convenience (13×30) and Workin’ Moms (13×30), while new factual series include This Is High School (6×60), featuring real life at a British Columbia high school, and docu-series True North Calling (7×30), which follows a group of young Canadians as they carve out lives at the edge of the Arctic.
The ‘pubcaster is also readying a new one-hour weekday daytime lifestyle series (title TBA) hosted by a team including personalities Steven Sabados and Jessi Cruickshank scheduled to debut on October 3.
Returning drama, comedy, factual and arts series include Coronation Street (season 18), Dragons’ Den (season 11), Heartland (season 10), Just For Laughs: Galas, Mr. D (season 6), Murdoch Mysteries (season 10), The Romeo Section (season 2), Schitt’s Creek (season 3), This Hour Has 22 Minutes (season 24), and X Company (season 3).
CBC added that it is also investing in its largest slate of digital original programming to date, which will include comedies at CBC Comedy, a slate of short-form digital documentaries at cbc.ca/shortdocs, and arts titles for CBC Arts.
“No other media company can match the depth and breadth of the CBC when it comes to distinctly Canadian storytelling,” said EVP of English Services Heather Conway, in the news release. “This season, we are building on our commitment to invest in more original, premium content by offering our most ambitious, diverse programming slate ever, focused on authentic voices, unique perspectives and character-driven stories that inspire, challenge, empower and entertain on all our platforms.”
