CBC fall scheduling details

From a media release:

CBC-TV SERVES UP GREAT ENTERTAINMENT THIS FALL: NEW COMEDY, RETURNING HITS AND THE HOTTEST COMPETITION ON ICE

CBC Television today showcases highlights from its Fall 2009 Entertainment schedule, including two new series. The Ron James Show (pictured) features the uniquely funny insights into modern life from one of Canada’s favourite comedians, taped before a live audience at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto. Two worlds collide in Battle of the Blades when eight hockey legends and eight figure skating stars compete live in front of fans at the historic Maple Leaf Gardens.

These great new shows join returning favourites Rick Mercer Report, Little Mosque on the Prairie, Being Erica, Heartland and 22 Minutes, now entering its 17th season, along with the intense, provocative drama of The Tudors and The Border and the ever-surprising inventions pitched on the entrepreneurial reality series Dragons’ Den.

“Even as other networks see their audiences shrinking, CBC is the only conventional Canadian network whose audience share has grown consistently over the past four seasons,” said Kirstine Stewart, CBC Television’s general manager, English Services. “Viewers will find even more to enjoy this season with our most dynamic lineup ever. With hockey and figure skating coming together in Battle of the Blades and the brilliant comedy of The Ron James Show, more and more Canadians will continue to tune in to CBC Television for the best in homegrown entertainment.”

Sundays

7:00 pm: Heartland (18×60) – Season three debuts October 4

After images of Amy (Amber Marshall) demonstrating her amazing gifts as a horse-whisperer spread across the internet, she will have to come to terms with her destiny and her newfound fame. The popular Sunday night family-audience hit also features Graham Wardle, Shaun Johnston and Michelle Morgan.

8:00 pm: Battle of the Blades – First live performance show premieres October 4

Ron MacLean and Kurt Browning host this elimination-style competition of grace and drama as Canada’s top figure skaters team with hockey’s biggest stars to compete each week in a pairs figure skating showdown.

Mondays

8:00 pm: Battle of the Blades – First live results show airs Oct. 5

8:30 pm: Little Mosque on the Prairie (18×30) – Season four premieres Sept. 24

When the charismatic Reverend Thorne (Brandon Firla) blows into town on a mission to rebuild the congregation of Mercy Anglican, he finds himself up against Amaar (Zaib Shaikh) and the eccentric cast of locals (Carlo Rota, Sheila McCarthy, Deb McGrath and Sitara Hewitt).

Tuesdays

8:00 pm: Rick Mercer Report (19×60) – Season seven debuts September 29

Last year he made millions of Canadians laugh when he took zero gravity training with the Canadian Space Agency and he took a meeting with the Prime Minister. So fasten your seat belts because the Rose d’Or Award-winning Rick Mercer Report is back for its seventh spectacular season, with all his popular weekly features– his roving rant, his Front Page poke at newsmakers, his irreverent TV commercial spoofs, and more.

8:30 pm: 22 Minutes (18×60) – Season 17 debuts September 29

Unfair and Unbalanced. Armed with political satire, sketch comedy and parody the multi-award winning, 22 Minutes returns to CBC Television with audience favorites Mark Critch, Gavin Crawford, Geri Hall and Cathy Jones among others.

9:00 pm: Being Erica (12×60) – Season two debuts September 22

The multiple Gemini Award-nominated series is back with star Erin Karpluk as the engaging Erica Strange on her quest to come to terms with life and relationships – in the past and the present. It’s a season full of surprises and secrets revealed as Erica continues her very special brand of therapy, and learns more about the mysterious Dr. Tom (Michael Riley).

Wednesdays

8:00 pm: Dragons’ Den (11×60) – Season four debuts September 30

Bigger deals, bolder pitchers, the Dragons are back for season four. And this time, these self-made Canadian business moguls Arlene Dickinson, Robert Herjavec, Kevin O’Leary, Jim Treliving and W. Brett Wilson have dropped more than $15 million dollars in the den–the biggest total yet. Dianne Buckner returns as the host.

9:00 pm: The Tudors (8×60) – Season three debuts September 30

The multiple Emmy Award-winning 16th Century prime-time soap starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers returns for another season of sex, romance, intrigue and bloody revenge in the sensationalized telling of the life of Henry VIII with guest stars Joss Stone and Max Von Sydow, along with Canadians Alan Van Sprang and stage legend Colm Wilkinson.

Thursdays

9:00 pm: The Border (12×60) – Season three debuts October 8

The most explosive season yet! Following the firefight, Kessler (James McGowan) is critically wounded. Deemed a rogue cop, Gray (Graham Abbey) is suspended. Liz Carver (Grace Park) is fighting for her life. Politicos want to disband the ICS, and language specialist Kahlida Massi (Athena Karkanis) joins the Squad.

Fridays

8:00 pm: The Ron James Show (10×30) – Season one premieres September 25

The Ron James Show, taped in front of a live audience in CBC’s Studio 41, showcases the talent of critically acclaimed comedian Ron James and his poetically charged observations about surviving life in the new millennium. Anchored by Ron’s razor-sharp stand-up, the show will also feature an eclectic mix of in-studio and on-location-sketches as well as a weekly installment of “L’il Ronnie”, an animated look at Ron’s early childhood in coal town Cape Breton.

Weekdays

11:00 pm: The Hour – Hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos, Canada’s only late night talk show, The Hour is unlike any other program on television. It delivers an unconventional, never predictable connection to the world and those making the headlines – all served up in George’s unique style. The Hour has featured some of the most influential newsmakers and hottest celebrities. Season six continues to feature must-see interviews- opening with an intimate hour long special with Michael J. Fox.

The network will announce its Winter 2010 schedule in November.