TORONTO – CBC announced its 2019-20 programming slate Wednesday that includes a mix of drama, comedy, factual, arts, music, kids, sports, news and documentary storytelling across its television, radio and streaming platforms.
New original scripted series include spy drama Fortunate Son, Canada/New Zealand thriller The Sounds, sketch comedy Tallboyz, and darkly humorous coming-of-age story The Trickster, which is based on Eden Robinson’s award-winning novels. New factual entertainment includes time-travelling adventure Back In Time For Winter, original CBC format Fridge Wars, and high-stakes drama at sea High Arctic Haulers.
The ‘pubcaster also announced that Hockey Night in Canada’s Ron MacLean will be returning to his role as host for the upcoming season of competition series Battle Of The Blades with Canadian and World champion figure skater Kurt Browning also back as head judge. A Canadian version of popular game show Family Feud is also in the works and will be hosted by actor and comedian Gerry Dee (Mr. D).
A CBC Kids News weekly news show is among new content coming to the linear service and streamer CBC Gem part of the plan to broaden and double the amount of available kids’ content over the next year, CBC added.
The sophomore season of Diggstown, as well as This Hour Has 22 Minutes and season 4 of Workin’ Moms are among 32 returning series.
“As Canada’s public broadcaster, we are committed to building stronger relationships with Canadians of all ages by providing them with relevant and engaging content across all genres and platforms,” said EVP English Services Barbara Williams, in the announcement. “It is more important than ever that we better reflect more of the country we serve and connect a broader range of Canadians to their communities, their country and the rest of the world.”
Click here for the full news release.
