TORONTO – Budget-strained CBC unveiled its 2014–15 television broadcast schedule Thursday, which includes a number of new series, six returning hits, and perhaps its last crack at big time sports with next month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.
The public broadcaster is bringing back primetime favourites such as Dragons’ Den, Mr. D., Murdoch Mysteries and Heartland, but said that the Newfoundland-shot Republic Of Doyle will wrap up after this season. Original series Rick Mercer Report, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Marketplace, The Fifth Estate and Doc Zone are also returning.
New programming includes:
– Miniseries The Book of Negroes, based on the Giller-winning novel by Lawrence Hill and starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Louis Gossett Jr.;
– Schitt’s Creek, with former SCTV team Eugene Levy, Dan Levy and Catherine O’Hara;
– Strange Empire, a western whose heroes are women;
– CAMP X, an emotionally driven character drama, set in the dangerous world of WWII espionage and covert operations; and
– The Honourable Woman, the story of one woman’s personal journey to right the wrongs conducted in the past, in the midst of government paranoia and espionage, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal.
The beautiful game returns to CBC/Radio-Canada with multi-platform coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil from June 12 – July 13. This fall will see coverage of ISU Figure Skating, FIS Alpine Skiing, ISU Long & Short Track Speed Skating, among other sports.
“I'm really impressed with the level of creativity brought to the new shows we're rolling out next season – we’re trying different ideas in all of our content areas,” said Heather Conway, EVP CBC English Services, in the news release. “I’m also optimistic about where CBC is headed, and excited about our prospects of what I believe can make for a compelling future.”
