From a media release:
CBC today announced its 2025-26 programming slate, featuring over 50 new and returning original series from Canadian creators, producers and storytellers.
“For generations, CBC has been here for Canada – woven into the very fabric of our lives, our culture and the moments that matter most. And right now, being there for Canada has never been more important,” said Barbara Williams, Executive Vice-President, CBC. “Our new slate of storytelling across news and entertainment showcases an incredible range of people and perspectives from communities across Canada, as we deepen our commitment to connect with audiences who have not always been reflected by traditional media.”
CBC NEWS
From breaking stories to in-depth coverage, CBC News delivers trusted 24-hour news and information on 15 CBC News streaming channels, CBCNews.ca, the CBC News App and the #1 Canadian news channel CBC News Network. CBC News continues to bring audiences the latest news from across Canada and around the world, in addition to an award-winning slate of current affairs, investigative and primetime and weekend news programs available to broadcast and stream, live and on-demand, across multiple CBC platforms.
● THE FIFTH ESTATE (Season 51 premieres Fall 2025, 14×60)
● MARKETPLACE (Season 53 premieres Fall 2025, 15×30)
● THE NATIONAL (Weeknights and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
● POWER & POLITICS (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
● HANOMANSING TONIGHT (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
● ABOUT THAT WITH ANDREW CHANG (Weekdays on CBC News streaming channel)
● ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
ENTERTAINMENT, FACTUAL AND SPORTS ORIGINAL COMEDY SLATE
This upcoming broadcast and streaming year, CBC offers new seasons of popular original series that have garnered attention and generated conversations in Canada and beyond, including: Nunavut-set NORTH OF NORTH, continuing the journey of Siaja, a young Inuk mother in a small Arctic town where everybody knows your business; SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS, about a workplace odd couple bonded by their personal experiences with menopause and middle age; last season’s most-watched Canadian comedy THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES, offering a satirical take on the week’s news; and #1 Canadian sitcom SON OF A CRITCH, as Mark continues his journey through high school.
Returning Original Comedies & Festivals
● NORTH OF NORTH (Season 2 premieres Winter/Spring 2026, 8×30, Red Marrow Media and Northwood Entertainment)
● SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS (Season 2 premieres Winter 2026, 8×30, Sphere Media)
● SON OF A CRITCH (Season 5 premieres Winter 2026, 12×30, Project 10 Productions and Hawco Productions in association with Lionsgate Television)
● THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (Season 33 premieres Fall 2025, 21×30, IoM Media)
● HALIFAX COMEDY FEST (Season 28 premieres 2025/26, 6×30, Pilot Light Productions)
● JUST FOR LAUGHS GALAS (2025/26, 4×60, Just For Laughs)
● WINNIPEG COMEDY FESTIVAL (Season 24 premieres 2025/26, 5×60, Frantic Films)
● THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (Season 6 premieres 2025/26, 4×30, Just For Laughs and Northwest Comedy)
ORIGINAL DRAMA SLATE
CBC’s most-watched new series SAINT-PIERRE returns for a second season investigating unique and exciting crimes in the French territory of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. Season 3 of time-travel anthology series and Radio-Canada adaptation PLAN B stars Carolina Bartczak as the host of a top morning TV show who turns to the Plan B Agency in an effort to alter the past following the tragic death of her daughter. The drama continues with new seasons of Surrey-set character-driven procedural ALLEGIANCE and Vancouver-set blue sky procedural with a comedic twist WILD CARDS, as well as audience favourites HEARTLAND and MURDOCH MYSTERIES.
Returning Original Dramas
● ALLEGIANCE (Season 3 premieres Winter 2026, 10×60, Lark Productions in association with Universal International Studios)
● HEARTLAND (Season 19 premieres Fall 2025, 10×60, Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films)
● MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Season 19 premieres Fall 2025, 21×60, Shaftesbury in association with ITV Studios and UKTV and distributed by Shaftesbury Sales Company and ITV Studios)
● PLAN B (Season 3, all episodes premiere Friday, August 8 on CBC Gem, 6×60, KOTV)
● SAINT-PIERRE (Season 2 premieres Winter 2026, 12×60, Hawco Productions and distributed by FIFTH SEASON)
● WILD CARDS (Season 3 premieres Winter 2026, 10×60, Blink49 Studios, Front Street Pictures and Piller/Segan distributed by FIFTH SEASON)
FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT
CBC’s factual entertainment slate reflects a range of voices and communities from across the country. Hit international format THE ASSEMBLY encourages authentic and surprising conversations between Canadian celebrities and a group of interviewers on the autism spectrum, while MUST LOVE DOGS follows a CFL All-Star and a rescue influencer as they dedicate their time – and hearts – to saving dogs in need across Manitoba. LOCALS WELCOME celebrates the hidden gem food places that make up the fabric of Canada’s rich communities by whisking together a love of people, place and culture. Returning series showcasing Canadians who are striving for personal excellence include FAMILY FEUD CANADA, THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW, STILL STANDING and DRAGONS’ DEN, which celebrates its 20th anniversary season of elevating Canadian entrepreneurs and welcomes Celebrity Guest Dragon, Property Brother and Co-Founder of Scott Brothers Global, Drew Scott.
New Original Factual Series
● THE ASSEMBLY (Fall 2025, 6×30, Small Army Entertainment)
In each episode of this unique entertainment series, one of Canada’s most popular celebrities and public figures faces a group of 30 atypical interviewers, all on the autism spectrum. Featured celebrity guests include Jann Arden, Allan Hawco, Howie Mandel, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, with more to be announced. THE ASSEMBLY is a global sensation that delivers profound revelation, authentic conversations, and a lot of laughs. The show’s format is an adaptation of French series Les Rencontres du Papotin, which launched in 2022 on France 2 with guests including Killing Eve star Camille Cottin and President Emmanuel Macron. Now a global hit, THE ASSEMBLY has also featured Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Sam Neil and other major international stars. Executive producers are Sean De Vries and Stephen Sawchuk.
○ Radio-Canada has also greenlit a new French-language adaptation of the format, FACTEUR A, premiering in 2025-26.
● LOCALS WELCOME (Premieres Fall 2025, 10×30, Artifactual Media)
LOCALS WELCOME, hosted and executive produced by OG food writer and expert Suresh Doss, is a celebration of the lesser-known food places that make up the fabric of our rich communities. Exploring the spaces and menu items that you never knew existed, the series marries a love of people, place, and culture, with our love of discovering the hidden gems… right in our own backyard. LOCALS WELCOME is a format created by one of the producers of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.
● MUST LOVE DOGS (Premieres 2026, 10×30, Omnifilm Entertainment)
Get ready for a new heartwarming series following the fascinating lives of CFL All-Star and two-time Grey Cup winner Brady Oliveira and realtor-rescue influencer Alex Blumberg. Together with the dedicated volunteers of K9 Advocacy, they rescue and find forever homes for dogs in need across Manitoba. MUST LOVE DOGS offers an intimate look at how this Winnipeg power couple navigates high-stakes rescues, Brady’s drive to win another championship for the Blue Bombers, and their race to rehome as many dogs as possible before a brutal winter sets in. It’s a love story—between two people, their hometown, and every four-legged soul that steals their hearts.
MUST LOVE DOGS is produced by Omnifilm Entertainment, Executive Produced by Brian Hamilton, Gabriela Schonbach, Cathy Schoch, Daniel Wan, John Hall, Kayvon Saremi, and Farzin Toussi, and Series Produced by Cheryl Binning.
Returning Factual Formats & Series:
● DRAGONS’ DEN (Season 20 premieres Fall 2025, 16×60)
● FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Season 7 premieres Fall 2025, 64×30, Zone 3/Fremantle)
● THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Season 9 premieres Fall 2025, 8×60, Proper Television)
● STILL STANDING (Season 11 premieres Fall 2025, 8×30, Frantic Films)
DOCUMENTARIES
Last year, CBC commissioned more than 50 documentaries for CBC, CBC Gem and documentary Channel, with CBC Gem offering a library of over 800 documentaries, available to stream for free anytime. The season also features THE OZEMPIC EFFECT: BEYOND THE WAISTLINE (Paul Kemp Productions), about the cultural impact of the meteoric rise in the drug’s popularity and DON’T COME UPSTAIRS (produced by Joe Kicak from Brain Upside Down Films and Alona Metzer from Good Pal Productions), a personal story from Mike Lobel (Degrassi: The Next Generation) about the secrets his family kept for 30 years.
CBC’s flagship science and nature series THE NATURE OF THINGS heads into an awe-inspiring 65th season, as hosts Anthony Morgan and Sarika Cullis-Suzuki continue to spark curiosity and a sense of wonder about the living world. Join Canadian researchers on an annual bat-a-thon in Belize in a special episode timed for Halloween, EMPIRE OF BATS (Primitive Entertainment); cheer for nature’s underdogs, including sloths and snails, in SURVIVAL OF THE SLOWEST (Megafun Productions Inc.); and partake in a spirited debate over a hot-button health topic in THE DRINKING GAME (Noble Television).
New original doc series this upcoming year include:
● DIAMONDS & PLASTIC (Premieres Fall 2025, 4×60, Pixcom)
DIAMONDS & PLASTIC plunges boldly into the secret sisterhood of Maria Meriano—one of the top Tupperware product sellers on the planet—as she fights to keep her empire alive during the iconic brand’s most uncertain chapter yet: bankruptcy. Commanding thousands of sales consultants, her loyal “Diamonds,” from her homebase in Montreal, Maria has spent over 40 years creating more than just a sales team; she’s cultivated a fiercely ambitious subculture — a glittering universe where status, sales, and survival collide. From nostalgic Tupperware home parties to glamorous Jubilee ceremonies attended by thousands, Maria and her team shatter every stereotype, proudly redefining what it means to succeed in a universe many overlook but few truly understand. The series is directed by Nathalie Bibeau, produced by Alexandra Cliche-Rivard, with Nicola Merola and Charles Lafortune serving as Executive Producers.
● CIRQUE LIFE (Premieres Winter 2026, 5×60, Cineflix Productions)
CIRQUE LIFE is the new docuseries that pulls back the curtain on Cirque du Soleil and reveals an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at one of the greatest shows on Earth. The series follows the cast and crew of the smash hit LUZIA as they return home to Montréal—for the first time since the show’s 2016 premiere—for an unforgettable summer under the big top. Amid roaring crowds and rising expectations, cameras capture every triumph and challenge as they grapple with up to ten performances a week during an epic four-month run.
Continuously fine-tuning their routines, there’s no margin for error as this committed troupe keeps up with jaw-dropping acrobatics, life in the limelight, and a gruelling non-stop pace.
From the hoop diver captain and veteran contortionist to the band leader and pole soloist, it’s an immersive, heartwarming, and exhilarating experience that celebrates the human spirit—and reveals the exceptional talent, commitment, and courage it takes to be part of the team. Cirque Life is produced by Cineflix Productions, with international distribution by Cineflix Rights. The Executive Producers include Tanya Blake and J.C. Mills for Cineflix; and Richard Lowell and Susan Levison for Cirque du Soleil.
● RUNNING SMOKE (Premieres 2026, 3×60, Muse Entertainment in association with Campside Media)
A new three-part docuseries, RUNNING SMOKE is the thrilling true story about a NASCAR driver, the biggest tobacco-smuggling bust in North American history, and quite possibly the future of Indigenous rights.
Derek White, a Mohawk from Kahnawake was the first Indigenous driver to compete in NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Series. Less than a year later, Derek’s dream disintegrates after he was arrested in the largest cross border police sting of its kind. He was charged with smuggling and defrauding the government and indefinitely suspended from NASCAR. Derek is faced with an existential choice: take a plea deal or fight the charges and the constitution. Contemplating the rich history of his people and the future of his family, Derek makes a daring decision to risk it all.
RUNNING SMOKE is directed by award-winning filmmaker Alexandra Lazarowich. Producers include Lazarowich, Chad Charlie, Kaniehtiio Horn, Michael Kronish, Jonas Prupas and Joe Tuck. Produced by Muse Entertainment in association with Campside Media.
Returning Documentary Formats & Series:
● FOR THE CULTURE WITH AMANDA PARRIS (Season 2 premieres Fall 2025, 6×60, CBC with OYA Media Group and Noble Television)
● THE PASSIONATE EYE (Premieres Fall 2025, 9×60 + 1×120)
● THE NATURE OF THINGS (Season 65 premieres Fall 2025, 14×60)
AWARD SHOWS AND SPECIALS
Shining a spotlight on Canadian talent and achievement, award shows and specials include:
● INDSPIRE AWARDS (Saturday, June 21 at 7 p.m. (7:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem) – A celebration honouring the remarkable achievements and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada.
● CANADA’S WALK OF FAME (Tuesday, July 1 at 7 pm. (7:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem) – Broadcasting nationwide as part of CBC’s robust Canada Day offering, the 2025 Canada’s Walk of Fame Induction Gala features performances, heartfelt tributes and powerful stories that celebrate and honour Canada’s great achievers.
● CANADA READS – The 25th season of the great Canadian book debate, looking for the one book all of Canada should read.
● THE CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS – Honouring the best in Canadian film, television and digital media.
● THE GILLER PRIZE – A prize dedicated to celebrating the best in Canadian fiction each year and bringing the long-listed books to the attention of Canadians.
● THE JUNO AWARDS – Live from Hamilton, The 55th annual JUNO awards showcase Canada’s biggest night in music, honouring artists across all genres.
● THE LEGACY AWARDS – From The Black Academy, the fourth edition of the awards will honour established and emerging Black Canadian talent.
● POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE – Each year, the prize honours artists who produce Canadian music albums of distinction without regard to musical genre or commercial popularity.
KIDS & TWEENS
Building on the national public broadcaster’s ongoing commitment to inspire, entertain and inform young audiences, CBC will continue to share new programming for kids and tweens across all platforms this upcoming year, including over 700 hours of ad-free programming on CBC Gem. CBC KIDS READS also returns this fall to share the love of books with young audiences across Canada.
● HEY JOOJO! (Fall 2025, CBC Kids Studios)
A brand new live-action short-format series for kids aged 4-6 that peeks into the everyday adventures of Joojo (Joojo Paintsil), his cousin Gary the Unicorn, and their friendly neighbours in their funky apartment home. Join Joojo and Gary from wake-up to storytime as they prepare young viewers for learning with music, heart and fun.
● THE ADVENTURES OF TOOPY & BINOO (Fall 2025, 39×7, Echo Media and Huminah Animation)
A reboot of the iconic Canadian preschool buddy comedy brings back the delightful duo of Toopy, the clumsy mouse, and Binoo, the quiet cat. This 2D-animated series will introduce new imaginative stories and whimsical adventures to a fresh generation of viewers, continuing the legacy of the original.
● THE UNSTOPPABLE JENNY GARCIA (Fall 2025, 8×12, Apartment 11 and Avenida Productions)
Written by Catherine Hernandez (novel Scarborough and its film adaptation) for a tween audience, THE UNSTOPPABLE JENNY GARCIA follows a 13-year-old hip-hop dancer as her life is disrupted by the news that she has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and she must navigate a new path full of treatments and hospital stays while trying to make room for friends and fun.
● DINO RANCH: ISLAND ADVENTURES (Fall 2025, 26×22, Industrial Brothers)
This DINO RANCH spinoff sees the Cassidy Kids, also known as The Dino Ranchers, embark on the adventure of a lifetime on legendary Dino Island, a lost world teeming with undiscovered dinosaurs and mysterious locations.
● ANDREW THE BIG BIG UNICORN (Fall 2025, 40×7, Pirate Size Productions, Mainframe Studios and Infinite Studios production for the ABC and CBC/Radio-Canada)
This new animated series follows Andrew, a wide-eyed, joyful young rhino bursting with creativity as he navigates life as a big BIG unicorn in the ever-surprising world of Hornsby Downs.
Returning kids series:
● MINI-JON AND MINI-MAPLE (Fall 2025; 36×4, Happy Camper Media)
● JEREMY & JAZZY (Fall 2025, 22×2, Verite Films)
● PLAYING WITH STU (Fall 2025, 11×1, Verite Films)
● GO TOGO Season 2 (Fall 2025, 31×5, Gazelle Automations)
CBC SPORTS AND MILANO CORTINA 2026
More than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries will compete for 195 medals across 16 Olympic disciplines and six Paralympic sports with beautiful Italian landscapes as the backdrop. These Games are considered the most widespread ever with venues located in Anterselva/Antholz, Bormio, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, Milano, Predazzo, Tesero and Verona. The Olympic Winter Games run February 6-22, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6 – 15.
CBC Sports brings audiences all the action from the world of high performance sport year round with key competitions and Olympic qualifying events including: the Beach Volleyball World Championships, Vanier Cup and several FIS World Cups in the leadup to the Games. Plus, the public broadcaster will continue to showcase its commitment to women’s sports with coverage of the PWHL regular season and the Northern Super League championship.
PODCASTS
CBC offers a richly diverse collection of award-winning podcasts that engage, enlighten and entertain. CBC is the #1 Canadian podcaster, reaching more Canadians than any other podcast publisher with millions of downloads each month and more than 45 series in genres such as true crime, comedy, human interest and audio fiction.
This fall, two new seasons of UNCOVER, featuring the best in true crime, are set to launch wherever podcasts are available. Tribeca Festival selection DIRTBAG CLIMBER is a five-part murder mystery hosted by Steven Chua and investigating the unsolved 2017 homicide of “Jesse James,” a rock climber and enigmatic con artist found dead in Squamish, British Columbia. UNBRANDED: THE ALLISON MACK STORY returns to the NXIVM cult to tell the story of Allison Mack, former Smallville actress, high-ranking NXIVM member, and convicted felon. With exclusive access to Mack following her release from prison after three years, this six-part series follows her journey from Hollywood stardom to cult complicity, and asks, is she a victim, a villain—or both?
In FORGED, a new six-part series from CBC and ABC Australia, host Adrian Stimson, an artist from the Siksika Nation, tells the unfolding story of legendary Anishinaabe artist Norval Morrisseau and how criminal fraudsters copied his work in a scheme that has become the largest art fraud in the world.
Eight-part CBC News podcast SEE YOU IN COURT dives into the messy and memorable battles that shaped how Canadians live today, one court case at a time. Each week, host Falen Johnson teams up with a journalist to tell the stories of the people who challenged the law, and won — or at least put up one hell of a fight.
INTERNATIONAL SERIES
CBC and CBC Gem will continue to offer audiences a curated selection of acclaimed series from around the world. Premium titles coming to CBC Gem later in 2025 include period drama RISE OF THE RAVEN (WT) (10×60) about the Battle of Belgrade, which put an end to the Ottoman Empire’s invasion and reshaped the history of Europe; Season 2 of COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS (8×30), the romantic comedy following the all-too-relatable chaos of Ashley and Gordon, who return with more relationship mishaps; and the exclusive Canadian premiere of THE GOLD Season 2 (6×60), based on true events and following the conviction of those involved in the theft and handling of the
Brink’s-Mat gold. Realizing that the criminals only had half the gold, the police embark on dramatic manhunts as they desperately try to solve the longest and most expensive investigation in the history of the Metropolitan Police. Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) and Tom Cullen (Knightfall) return for Season 2.
