By Connie Thiessen
Bell Media’s 2026/27 original content slate includes reboots of some classic Canadiana, with new adaptations of The Littlest Hobo and Meatballs, and the revival of Big Brother Canada.
The network’s original English content slate features 62 titles, alongside 56 French-language projects.
The Littlest Hobo reboot is the first project from Bell Media’s previously announced development and production agreement with Lionsgateand Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Point Grey Pictures. The iconic series, following the adventures an ownerless German Shepherd, first aired from 1963 to 1965 in syndication and later had a six-season run on CTV from 1979-85.
Crave is also planning a comedy series adaptation based on Ivan Reitman’s 1979 cult classic film, Meatballs, starring Canadian actor and singer Robbie G.K. (Heated Rivalry), produced by Blink49 Studios and Incendo.
Also from Crave is new original comedy, Bulges, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar, based on the special of the same name, that follows the staff at a not-so-family friendly, all-male restaurant in Niagara Falls, ON; Balls Deep, a new unscripted series set against Miami’s world of elite sports; and the streamer’s latest collaboration with Jared Keeso, Cats in the Plateau, a comedy about two Montréal garbage men who start a gang.
Jennifer Podemski, Amber Daniels, and Sherry Mckay also have a new Crave original comedy series in the works. I Can’t Save You follows a down-on-her-luck single mom who stumbles into stand-up comedy.
Original docuseries include Nose Deep, exploring the story of disgraced former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding; Dead of Winter on the still-unsolved murders of Barry and Honey Sherman; Dark Horse on the rise and fall of Canadian Olympian Eric Lamazel; and Epstein: A Case for Murder.
With Sullivan’s Crossing greenlit for Season 5, Bell Media and Reel World Management Canada are also adapting another Robyn Carr novel, romance mystery Thunder Point.
Other new projects include an adaptation of André Alexis’ novel, The Hidden Keys, from showrunner Jeremy Boxen, about a master thief forges an unexpected bond with his wealthy, drug-addicted client; and Anna Pigeon, Bell Media’s first co-commission with Versant’s USA Network, starring Tracy Spiridakosas as a former city slicker who became a park ranger after a devasting loss changed the trajectory of her life.
With the runaway success of Heated Rivalry, Crave is also doubling down on its hockey content, including Jay Baruchel’s Blood on the Ice about fighting in hockey; a documentary on NHL’er Jonathan Toews; reality series Puck Parents (working title), following Canadian families immersed in the world of youth hockey; docuseries Canada Cup ’87: The Cold War on Ice; and If Stanley Could Talk, an adventurous look at one of the most coveted trophies in sports. The Rebuild: Inside The Montreal Canadiens will also return for a third season.
Read more about Bell Media’s new and returning series here.
