TORONTO – Citytv appeared to spare no expense at its annual programming shopping spree in Los Angeles. The Rogers-owned network announced Monday that its new 2011-12 primetime schedule will include six new dramas, five new comedies, and four newly acquired series, as well as two brand new Canadian series, Canada’s Got Talent and Secret Millionaire Canada.
The new dramas include Terra Nova, The Playboy Club, Revenge, and Person of Interest that showcase writing and producing from industry heavyweights like Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams and Jonathan Nolan. The new comedies include 2 Broke Girls, New Girl, Suburgatory, and Last Man Standing, while series new to the Citytv are Private Practice, Shameless, Raising Hope, The Middle and midseason series Alcatraz, Scandal and Apartment 23.
The Canadian version of the Got Talent franchise will see top acts compete to impress an expert panel of judges to move on to the next round. Following the format of the British series that launched in 2007 and discovered stars like Susan Boyle and Paul Potts, the Canadian version will be co-produced by Rogers and Insight Productions and will debut next spring. The host, judging panel and the nationwide audition process will be revealed shortly. Details on Secret Millionaire Canada were not available at press time.
The schedule also includes the return of popular shows such as Body of Proof, Fringe, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother and a new season of the Canadian series Murdoch Mysteries.
Rogers Media said that it will leverage its television, radio, publishing, digital, and wireless platforms to promote and broadcast the new series.
“Rogers Media has the unique ability to reach Canadians across all platforms, and what is really exciting about the Citytv schedule is that we have acquired the rights to make these new series available on all screens," said Keith Pelley, president of Rogers Media, in the announcement. “Bringing together our resources across all media, our continued investment in seamless integration and distinctive, destination content positions Rogers as innovative, entertaining, informative and bold."
