Everything about Murdoch Mysteries, eh?

CBC unveils 2023-24 programming slate featuring over 40 original series from Canadian storytellers

From a media release:

CBC today announced its 2023-24 programming slate for CBC TV and CBC Gem, featuring over 40 new and returning original series from Canadian creators, producers and storytellers and more than 4000 hours of new programming spanning all genres.

“As we announce our new slate of remarkable storytelling, we remain focused on serving Canadians on the platform of their choice and offering what no other media company in this country can: the essential information audiences rely on each and every day, and authentic entertainment that reflects the changing face of Canada,” said Barbara Williams, Executive Vice-President, CBC. “We’re different. We stand apart from others, just as strong and just as significant. We want all Canadians to see CBC as their thing – as a Canada thing that makes everyone feel they belong, regardless of their age, background or location.”

NEW STREAMING CHANNELS

Building on the launch of CBC NEWS EXPLORE, CBC will launch new free 24/7 ad-supported streaming (FAST) channels this fall including CBC COMEDY and local news channels starting with CBC NEWS BC, offering even more content to digital and streaming audiences on connected TVs and CBC Gem. CBC COMEDY will feature hit CBC comedy series and the best in Canadian sketch comedy and stand up specials. Building on CBC’s strength in the genre, the channel will include current CBC shows including RUN THE BURBS, SON OF A CRITCH and SORT OF, as well as recent favourites like KIM’S CONVENIENCE and SCHITT’S CREEK, sketch comedy classics such as BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW and TALLBOYZ, as well as extensive standup specials featuring favourite comedians. CBC NEWS BC will offer local news on the biggest stories of the day from the west coast of the country, and kicks off additional local CBC News streaming channels that will be available on connected TVs, the CBC News App and CBC Gem.

CBC NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

From breaking stories to in-depth coverage, CBC News delivers trusted 24-hour news and information on CBC News Network, CBCNews.ca and the CBC News App. 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.

Beginning this fall, the best of free streaming channel CBC NEWS EXPLORE will broadcast on CBC including ABOUT THAT, ADRIENNE ARSENAULT REPORTS, PLANET WONDER, and THIS WEEK IN CANADA, as well as BIG: CBC News Explore Original Documentary series. Also this fall, CANADA TONIGHT sees the return of host Ginella Massa in October, as she continues to highlight the stories beyond the headlines.

  • THE FIFTH ESTATE (Season 49 premieres Fall 2023; 15×60)
  • MARKETPLACE (Season 51 premieres Fall 2023; 17×30)
  • THE NATIONAL (Weeknights and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
  • POWER & POLITICS (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
  • CANADA TONIGHT WITH DWIGHT DRUMMOND (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
  • 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 and CBC Gem will continue to be the home for fresh original Canadian comedy, with new workplace series ONE MORE TIME from comedian D.J. Demers joining the lineup alongside authentic comedies SORT OF, RUN THE BURBS and SON OF A CRITCH, and the best in Canadian sketch and standup comedy with THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES and THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP.

New Original Comedy Series

  • ONE MORE TIME (Premieres Winter 2024; 13×30; Counterfeit Pictures)

From creator and standup comedian D.J. Demers (The Tonight Show, Conan) and showrunner Jessie Gabe (Workin’ Moms, Mr. D), ONE MORE TIME is a workplace comedy about a fictionalized and heightened version of D.J. (played by Demers) as the hearing-impaired manager of a second-hand sporting goods store, and the team of “hard-working” employees he leads. D.J.’s optimistic, community-oriented outlook on life is challenged at every turn, as he and his team struggle to keep the small independent shop alive.

Returning Original Comedies & Festivals

  • THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (Seasons 2 and 3 premiere Fall 2023; 8×30; Just For Laughs TV)
  • SORT OF (Season 3 premieres Fall 2023; 8×30; Sphere Media’s Sienna Films)
  • THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (Season 31 premieres Fall 2023; 24×30; IoM Media)
  • RUN THE BURBS (Season 3 premieres Winter 2024; 13×30; Pier 21 Films)
  • SON OF A CRITCH (Season 3 premieres Winter 2024; 13×30; Project 10 Productions)

ORIGINAL DRAMA SLATE

The east coast family drama continues this summer with a new season of MOONSHINE, while the fall sees the debut of Marie Clements’ multi-generational epic of Indigenous resilience, BONES OF CROWS, and an extended version of Matt Johnson’s slice of Canadian tech history, BLACKBERRY, as well as the return of audience favourites HEARTLAND, MURDOCH MYSTERIES and SKYMED. This winter, new thoughtful drama ALLEGIANCE explores the Canadian justice system from multiple perspectives, while the odd couple of a grizzled cop and a spirited con woman are forced to work together in new comedic procedural WILD CARDS.

New Original Drama Series

  • BLACKBERRY (Premieres Fall 2023, 3×60, Rhombus Media and Zapruder Films)

Directed by Matt Johnson (Nirvanna the Band the Show), BLACKBERRY follows the story of Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, the two men who charted the course of the spectacular rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone. Seemingly overnight, the duo revolutionized the way people work, communicate and connect, with millions of people around the world addicted to their BlackBerrys and the company completely dominating the market. That is, until some shady business dealings, personal grievances, and, perhaps most dangerously, the iPhone, devastated the company’s incredible success. Co-written by Matt Johnson and Matthew Miller and adapted from the book Losing the Signal by Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff. BLACKBERRY originated at CBC, where Losing the Signal was optioned and developed over the course of four years as a feature film and extended three-part series that includes exclusive never-before-seen footage. The series stars Jay Baruchel (This Is The End, Knocked Up) as Mike, Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, A.P. Bio) as Jim, and Johnson as Mike’s friend and business partner Doug.

  • BONES OF CROWS (Premieres Fall 2023, 5×60, Marie Clements Media, Screen Siren Pictures and Grana Productions)

Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, Cree musical prodigy Aline Spears (played throughout her life by Summer Testawich; Grace Dove, Monkey Beach; and Carla Rae, Rutherford Falls) and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival. Written, directed and produced by Marie Clements (Red Snow), BONES OF CROWS is Aline’s journey from child to matriarch, a moving multi-generational epic of resilience, survival and the pursuit of justice.

  • ALLEGIANCE (Premieres Winter 2024, 10×60, Lark Productions)

Star rookie cop Sabrina Singh is proud to uphold her family’s tradition of serving in the police and military. But when her father, the Minister of Public Safety, is arrested on terror charges, Sabrina finds herself caught between her loyalties to her job, her family and her country. Gripping and smart, ALLEGIANCE is a character-driven police procedural about identity and belonging, policing and politics, and finding new paths to truth and justice. From creator Anar Ali (Transplant), showrunners Mark Ellis & Stephanie Morgenstern (Flashpoint, X Company), and Lark Productions (Family Law, Motive) and international distributor Universal International Studios.

  • WILD CARDS (Premieres Winter 2024, 10×60, piller/segan, Blink 49 and Front Street Pictures) is a crime-solving procedural with a comedic twist that follows the unlikely duo of a gruff, sardonic cop and a bubbly, clever con woman. Ellis, a demoted detective, has unfortunately spent the last year on Vancouver’s marine unit (i.e., he’s now a “water cop”), while Toni has been living a transient life elaborately scamming everyone she meets. But when Toni gets arrested and ends up helping Ellis solve a local crime, the two are offered the opportunity to redeem themselves, with Ellis going back to detective and Toni staying out of jail. The catch? They have to work together, with each using their unique skills to solve crimes. For Ellis, that means hard-boiled shoe leather police work; for Toni, it means accents, schemes, and generally befriending everyone in sight (while driving Ellis absolutely nuts). Against the backdrop of beautiful Vancouver — with all its unique, charming, and even contradictory neighbourhoods and subcultures — the two will have to learn what it means to trust another person and maybe actually become partners. The creative team includes Michael Konyves (Creator/Executive Producer), Shawn Piller (Executive Producer), Noelle Carbone (Head Writer/Executive Producer) and James Genn (Pilot Director/Executive Producer).

Returning Original Dramas

  • MOONSHINE (Season 3 premieres Sunday, July 16 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; 8×60, Six Eleven Media and eOne)
  • HEARTLAND (Season 17 premieres Fall 2023; 10×60; Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films)
  • MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Season 17 premieres Fall 2023; 24×60; Shaftesbury)
  • SKYMED (Season 2 premieres Fall 2023; 9×60, Piazza Entertainment)

FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT

CBC’s factual entertainment slate reflects people and communities from all regions of Canada with unique skills and interests who are in pursuit of their personal best, led by new series THE GREAT CANADIAN POTTERY THROW DOWN featuring ten of Canada’s top potters competing to be crowned best at the wheel. Returning series showcasing Canadians striving for excellence from coast to coast to coast include summer favourite RACE AGAINST THE TIDE. BEST IN MINIATURE, DRAGONS’ DEN, FAMILY FEUD CANADA, THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW and STILL STANDING continue to bring the positive vibes this fall, while the winter brings the return of BOLLYWED and the Singh family in a celebration of the South Asian community, and PUSH’s Wheelie Peeps take on new personal challenges and successes. Later next year, STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE unearths more impolite history, and CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE brings more thrills at Canada’s most picturesque locations.

New Original Factual Series

  • THE GREAT CANADIAN POTTERY THROW DOWN (Premieres Winter 2024; 8×60; Frantic Films)

Ten of Canada’s most talented potters compete to be crowned best at the wheel. THE GREAT CANADIAN POTTERY THROW DOWN is a naturally upbeat, open-hearted competition series that revels in the remarkable creativity of Canada’s top potters, featuring clever challenges, beautiful creations and personal stories between layers of humour and discovery. The Great Pottery Throw Down is an original British format created and owned by Love Productions, who also devised and produce the global smash-hit The Great British Baking Show. Five seasons of The Great Pottery Throw Down have aired in the UK on BBC and Channel 4, consistently performing above the timeslot average.

Returning Factual Formats & Series:

  • RACE AGAINST THE TIDE (Season 3 premieres Sunday, July 16 at 8:30 p.m. (9 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; 10×30; marblemedia)
  • DRAGONS’ DEN (Season 18 premieres Fall 2023; 16×60)
  • FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Season 5 premieres Fall 2023; 102×30; Zone 3/Fremantle)
  • THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Season 7 premieres Fall 2023; 9×60; Proper Television/Love Productions)
  • STILL STANDING (Season 9 premieres Fall 2023; 10×30; Frantic Films)
  • BEST IN MINIATURE (Season 3 premieres Fall 2023; 8×60; marblemedia)
  • BOLLYWED (Season 2 premieres Winter 2024; 10×30; HeartHat Entertainment)
  • PUSH (Season 2 premieres Winter 2024, 8×30, Fenix Film & Television and Small Army Entertainment)
  • CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE (Season 2 premieres 2024; 7×60; Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker Company) and The Gurin Company)
  • STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE (Season 2 premieres 2024; 8×30; Wooden Horse, WildBear Entertainment and Cream Productions)

DOCUMENTARIES

CBC commissions an average of 80 documentaries each year for CBC, CBC Gem and documentary Channel, with CBC Gem now offering a library of over 800 documentaries, available to stream for free anytime. THE PASSIONATE EYE returns this fall with a new slate of original documentaries that drop audiences into a broad range of cultural conversations, from the nationwide battle being waged over our public statues and symbols, to a double take on the doppelgänger phenomenon, to an Inuit lawyer’s highly personal journey to bring her colonizers to justice.

New original doc series this upcoming year include:

  • BLACK LIFE: UNTOLD STORIES (Premieres Fall 2023, 8×60, Studio 112 in association with Northwood Entertainment, and Ugly Duck Productions) is an eight-part documentary series that reframes the rich and complex histories of Black experiences in Canada, dispelling commonly accepted myths and celebrating the many contributions of Black Canadians. The executive producers are the Emmy Award-winning Leslie Norville, P.K. Subban, Miranda de Pencier, and Nelson George; Sandy Hudson serves as co-executive producer. Consulting producers are the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Shadrach Kabango, Dr. Rinaldo Walcott, and Ravyn Wngz.
  • SWAN SONG (Premieres Fall 2023, 4×60, Visitor Media, Mercury Films Inc. and Quiet Ghost)

SWAN SONG is an immersive, character-driven series following Karen Kain’s final year with the National Ballet of Canada, as she steps into the role of director for the first time with a monumental new production of Swan Lake. Following Kain and a diverse group of dancers from the rehearsal room to intimate moments at home to the backstage chaos of the highest-stakes opening night in the company’s 70-year history, SWAN SONG cuts through the pristine images projected by the world of ballet to reveal the human stories, sacrifices, conflicts and triumphs that drive the dazzling artistry.

  • TELLING OUR STORY (Premieres Fall 2023 on CBC Gem; 4×60; Terre Innue)

The 11 First Peoples in Quebec, Canada—Abenaki, Anishnabe, Atikamekw, Cree of Eeyou Istchee, Innu, Inuit, Mi’gmaq, Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk), Naskapi, Wendat, and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet)—are telling us who they are, in their own way and from their point of view: their worldview, their connection to the Territory, their spirituality, their values, their history going back thousands of years, their wounds, their struggles, their victories, and their hopes. Their stories give depth to our great collective narrative, decolonize history and minds, and honour the Ancestors and Mother Earth. Commissioned by CBC/Radio-Canada, TELLING OUR STORY is a celebration of our resistance, resilience, and revival. From award-winning Abenaki director Kim O’Bomsawin (Call Me Human, Quiet Killing) and a production team primarily made up of members of the First Peoples in all key positions, and offering on-set mentorship opportunities for Indigenous individuals.

  • FOR THE CULTURE WITH AMANDA PARRIS (Premieres Winter 2024 on CBC Gem, 6×60)

In this documentary series, award-winning writer, executive producer and host Amanda Parris leaves the wars raging on social media to create space for urgent and provocative conversations that centre Blackness and Black folks. Travelling to where the stories are, she’ll talk with cultural leaders, activists, scholars and everyday people – including writer and producer Larry Wilmore, best-selling author Bolu Babalola, comedian Gina Yashere and the “Robin Hood of Restitution” Mwazulu Diyabanza – about topics such as reparations, Black maternal health, the business of Black hair and more. Each episode will make transnational connections and push the conversation beyond the hashtags. Mixing travel, in-depth interviews and abbreviated history lessons, For the Culture will bring the conversations that have been taking place in the margins, and centre them in an insightful and entertaining way.

Returning Documentary Formats & Series:

  • THE PASSIONATE EYE (Premieres Fall 2023; 9×60 (+1×120 premiere))
  • THE NATURE OF THINGS (Season 63 premieres Winter 2024; 14×60)

CBC GEM ORIGINALS

  • THE BANNOCKING (Premieres Fall 2023 on CBC Gem; 6×10, Bad Bannock Productions)

A journalism student, Ellen Bear, returns home to uncover the truth about the abandoned residential school, but chaos ensues when residents of Bent Creek First Nations begin to show bizarre and violent behaviour, leaving everyone to ask: “What’s in the bannock?”

  • HOW TO FAIL AS A POPSTAR (Premieres Fall 2023 on CBC Gem; 8×15, Sphere Media)

What happens when a star isn’t born? An adaptation of Vivek Shraya’s hit play and subsequent book, How To Fail as a Popstar answers this question with hilarity, vulnerability, a healthy dose of imagination, and of course, music. The series tracks the journey of Vivek, a young queer brown boy, growing up in Edmonton trying to achieve pop stardom and what went right and wrong along the way – from the perspective of the now 40-something trans feminine multidisciplinary artist that boy became. Starring Shraya, Adrian Pavone (Star Trek: Discovery), and Chris D’Silva (The Handmaid’s Tale). Written by Shraya and directed by Vanessa Matsui (Son of a Critch) with Shraya co-directing one episode.

  • I HATE PEOPLE, PEOPLE HATE ME (Premieres Fall 2023 on CBC Gem; 6×15, LoCo Motion Pictures)

Perpetually disturbed by the world around them, two friends navigate their lives as outliers in Toronto’s queer community. This offbeat comedy explores queer identity in a time when queerness has not only been mainstreamed, but commodified. Creator and writer Bobbi Summers poses the question – who wants to fit in with society anyway? The series stars Bobbi Summers and Lily Kazimiera.

  • ZARQA (Season 2 premieres Fall 2023 on CBC Gem; 6×11, FUNdamentalist Films)
  • FARM CRIME (Season 3 premieres 2024 on CBC Gem; 6×20; Big Cedar Films)

CBC KIDS

Building on CBC’s ongoing commitment to inspire, entertain and inform young audiences, CBC Kids will continue to share new programming for kids and tweens across all platforms this upcoming year, including over 500 hours of ad-free programming on CBC Gem. New live-action series for preschoolers include BESTEST DAY EVER WITH MY BEST FRIEND! (Monday, July 31 on CBC and CBC Gem; 20×7; Lopii Productions), celebrating the cherished relationships children have with their pets, and AUNTY B’S HOUSE (Fall 2023; 20×7; Headspinner Productions), about a foster home full of heart, humour, music and unconditional love. Cuteness overload MITTENS & PANTS (Monday, July 3 on CBC and CBC Gem; 42×7; Windy Isle Entertainment) returns for a second season this summer, continuing the adventures of the Mittens, the kitten, and Pants, the puppy, and their friends in Kibble Corners.

New animated series for preschoolers include CBC/Radio-Canada original MINI-JON AND MINI-MAPLE (Monday, July 31 on CBC and CBC Gem; 24×3.5; Happy Camper Media), based on the books by popular author and cartoonist Alex A. and a sibling series to Super Agent Jon Le Bon!, featuring a mini-clone of Jon Le Bon living in a top-secret spy agency and embarking on adventures with his best friend Mini-Maple, and DYLAN’S PLAYTIME ADVENTURES (Spring 2024; 52×11; 9 Story Media Group/Brown Bag Films), about a stripey dog who takes on a new pretend career in each episode and invites his friends and viewers to play along with him.

CBC SPORTS

Looking ahead to the Paris 2024 Olympic (July 26 – Aug. 11, 2024) and Paralympic (Aug. 28 – Sept. 8, 2024) Games, CBC SPORTS will continue to keep Canadians connected to the world of high-performance sport through coverage on CBC TV and CBC Gem, as well as live streams of key competitions and supporting digital content on cbcsports.ca and the CBC Sports app. Upcoming featured events include: World Aquatic Championships – Fukuoka 2023 (Japan, July 14 – 30); World Athletic Championships Budapest 2023 (Hungary, Aug. 19 – 27); 2023 Rugby Americas North Sevens – Olympic qualifier (Langford, B.C., Aug. 19 – 20); Artistic Gymnastics World Championships (Antwerp, Belgium, Oct. 1 – 8); and the Pan American Games (Santiago, Chile, Oct. 20 – Nov. 5). As Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic Network for the next decade, CBC will continue to offer high-quality storytelling that allows audiences to follow the journey of the athletes between Games, all the way to the podium.

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Production begins on new tween Murdoch Mysteries spinoff Macy Murdoch for CBC Gem

From a media release:

Shaftesbury announced today that production is now underway on Macy Murdoch (8×11), a new CBC Gem original tween series that follows the adventures of Detective William Murdoch’s time-travelling great-great-great-granddaughter. A spinoff of Shaftesbury and CBC’s hit long-running drama Murdoch Mysteries based on novels written by Maureen Jennings, the series is currently shooting in Toronto and will debut on CBC Gem in spring 2023.

Sixteen-year-old Macy is a forensic wunderkind who unravels a century-old mystery with the help of her two friends Zane and Billie. When a villain uses a time machine to frame famous Edwardian-era Detective William Murdoch for murder, Macy and her friends travel back in time to find the real perpetrator of the crime. Not only are the teens trying to crack a difficult case, but the trio are undercover, trying to solve a mystery in 1910 without the help of modern technology.

Macy Murdoch captures the playful, mystery-loving spirit of Murdoch Mysteries with Canadian Screen Award-winner Shailyn Pierre-Dixon (Pretty Hard Cases, The Book of Negroes) co-leading the series with Beau Han Bridge who plays Zane, and Raffa Virago as Billie. The series will have a special guest appearance by Spencer West, while Shanice Banton (“Mrs. Violet Hart”) and Lachlan Murdoch (“Constable Henry Higgins-Newsome”) from the beloved CBC series will appear in the series as guides to help the young detectives absolve Murdoch of a crime he did not commit.

The digital series is directed by Laurie Lynd with showrunner Jennifer Kassabian and Co-EP Robina Lord Stafford.  The series was initially developed by JP Larocque and Jessica Meya. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports; Marie McCann is Senior Director, Children’s Content, CBC Kids; and Lisa Cinelli is Executive in Charge of Production, Children’s and Youth Programming.

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CBC announces fall 2022 premiere dates for new and returning series

From a media release:

CBC today announced broadcast and streaming premiere dates for its fall 2022 slate of new and returning programming, including 26 original series and specials from Canadian creators, producers, and storytellers reflecting people, places and perspectives from across the country. The new fall primetime schedule launches Monday, September 12 on CBC TV and CBC Gem.

CBC and CBC Gem Fall 2022 Primetime Schedule launching Monday, September 12:
All following times are local. For Newfoundland and Labrador, please add half an hour to all times.

MONDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4 (104×30) Mondays to Thursdays; premieres the week of September 12
8 PM – MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 16 (24×60) premieres September 12
9 PM – THE NORTH WATER (6×60) premieres September 12
9 PM – RIDLEY ROAD (4×60) premieres October 24
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

TUESDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4 (104×30) Mondays to Thursdays; premieres the week of September 12
8 PM – THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 30 (24×30) premieres September 13
8:30 PM – STRAYS Season 2 (10×30) premieres September 13
9 PM – COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER (8×60) premieres September 13
9 PM – SORT OF Season 2 (8×30) premieres November 15 with back-to-back episodes
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

WEDNESDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4 (104×30) Mondays to Thursdays; premieres the week of September 12
8 PM – SUMMIT ‘72 (4×60) premieres September 14
8 PM – DIGGSTOWN Season 4 (6×60) premieres October 12
9 PM – WAR OF THE WORLDS Season 3 (8×60) premieres September 14
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

THURSDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4 (104×30) Mondays to Thursdays; premieres the week of September 12
8 PM – DRAGONS’ DEN Season 17 (10×60) premieres September 15
9 PM – THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 48 (16×60) premieres September 29
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

FRIDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
8 PM – THE PASSIONATE EYE (9×60, 1×120) premieres September 16 with Jennifer Baichwal’s INTO THE WEEDS before moving to its regular 9 PM timeslot
8 PM – MARKETPLACE Season 50 (16×30, 1×60) premieres October 7 with a one-hour 50th anniversary special
8:30 PM – TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN… (8×30) premieres October 14
9 PM – THE PASSIONATE EYE (9×60, 1×120) continues September 23 in its regular 9 PM timeslot
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

SATURDAYS
Afternoons – CBC SPORTS
Evenings – Canadian feature films continue
Evenings – HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA beginning in October

SUNDAYS
7 PM – HEARTLAND Season 16 (15×60) premieres October 2
8 PM – THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW Season 6 (9×60) premieres October 2
9 PM – MOONSHINE Season 2 (8×60) premieres October 2
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

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CBC unveils 2022-23 programming slate

From a media release:

CBC today announced its 2022-23 programming slate for CBC TV and CBC Gem, featuring over 40 new and returning original series and specials from Canadian creators, producers and storytellers across all genres.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Coroner and Tallboyz have not been renewed.]

ENTERTAINMENT, FACTUAL AND SPORTS

ORIGINAL COMEDY SLATE

CBC and CBC Gem will continue to offer the best original comedy in Canada, including the second seasons of authentic comedies SORT OF, STRAYS, RUN THE BURBS, and SON OF A CRITCH – alongside returning favourite WORKIN’ MOMS and the 30th anniversary of THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES. New shows include COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER and CBC Gem original FAKES, offering an unconventional rollercoaster ride of teen drama.

New Original Comedy Series

COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER (Premieres Fall 2022; 8×60; Just For Laughs TV and Counterfeit Pictures) is a Canadian comedy event to remember, composed of eight unforgettable one-hour specials presented by legendary comedy icon and TV personality, Rick Mercer. Featuring an incredible lineup of the country’s new and notable comedians, including stand-up performances from Mercer himself, the series will also feature never-before-seen conversations between Mercer and some of today’s most impressive Canadian comedy talent, including Sophie Buddle, D.J. Demers, Dakota Ray Hebert and Dave Merheje, among others.

FAKES (Premieres Fall 2022 on CBC Gem; 10×30; Reality Distortion Field), created by David Turko and a co-production with Netflix, follows two best friends who accidentally build one of the largest fake ID empires in North America. Before they even graduate high school, Zoe and Rebecca move into a sick penthouse, earn more cash than they know what to do with, and then get raided by the feds. This is the story of their ultimate betrayal, told from each of their unreliable POVs as they compete for the last word. Starring Emilija Baranac (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), Jennifer Tong (Grand Army), and Richard Harmon (The 100).

Returning Original Comedies & Festivals

SORT OF (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 8×30; Sphere Media’s Sienna Films)

STRAYS (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 10×30; Thunderbird Entertainment)

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (Season 30 premieres Fall 2022; 24×30; IoM Media) celebrating its 30th anniversary season.

THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 4×30; Just For Laughs TV)

RUN THE BURBS (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Pier 21 Films)

SON OF A CRITCH (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Project 10 Productions)

WORKIN’ MOMS (Season 7 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Wolf + Rabbit Entertainment)

ORIGINAL DRAMA SLATE

This summer brings the adventure of new medical drama SKYMED, while the fall sees the return of audience favourites HEARTLAND and MURDOCH MYSTERIES, and east coast tales MOONSHINE and DIGGSTOWN, as well as a treacherous journey to the Arctic in THE NORTH WATER. New family drama ESSEX COUNTY joins the winter lineup alongside a new English-language adaptation of Radio-Canada series PLAN B; and critically acclaimed female-driven procedural PRETTY HARD CASES returns for a third season.

New Original Drama Series

SKYMED (Premieres in Canada beginning Sunday, July 10 at 9 p.m. [9:30 NT] on CBC and CBC Gem; 9×60; Piazza Entertainment) Life, death, and drama at 20,000 feet, SKYMED is a drama wrapped in high-stakes medical adventure. The series weaves compelling stories around a diverse ensemble of young First Responders in the remote North, where help – and survival – are literally thousands of miles away. Over the course of the season, the trials, triumphs, hookups and heartbreaks of a perilous job in an unforgiving setting will challenge each of them to face their fears and grow up. Created by Julie Puckrin (X Company, Transplant, Nurses, Killjoys, Mad Men), the one-hour drama features an ensemble cast of young Canadian talent including Natasha Calis (Nurses), Morgan Holmstrom (Siberia), Ace (Aason) Nadjiwon (Batwoman), Praneet Akilla (Nancy Drew), Mercedes Morris (Between), Thomas Elms (The Order), Kheon Clarke (Riverdale), and Rebecca Kwan (Taken).

THE NORTH WATER (Premieres Fall 2022; 6×60; Rhombus Media and See-Saw Films) In 1859, Patrick Sumner (BAFTA winner Jack O’Connell, Seberg, Godless) joins The Volunteer as a ship’s surgeon, hoping to lose himself in the tough physicality of an Arctic whaling trip. But the ferocity of the elements is matched by the violence of his crew mates, with harpooner Drax (Golden Globe™ winner Colin Farrell, In Bruges, The Batman) a distinctly brutal force of nature. As the true purpose of the expedition becomes clear, confrontation between the two men erupts, taking them on a journey far from solid ground and way beyond the safe moorings of civilization.

ESSEX COUNTY (Premieres Winter 2023; 5×60; First Generation Films) is a five-part limited series based on the brilliant graphic novel trilogy by Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Moon Knight). A redemptive tale of family, ESSEX COUNTY tells the story of four disparate characters linked together through bloodlines. From old Uncle Lou, to young Lester, to Anne the country nurse and Ken, the stoic farmer, the four lead characters ebb and flow into each other’s lives, slowly weaving connections between them that ultimately save and redeem them.

PLAN B (Premieres Winter 2023; 6×60; KOTV) Adapted from the Radio-Canada French-language drama created by Jean-François Asselin and Jacques Drolet and set in Montreal, this high-concept, gripping and intimate psychological drama from Asselin, Drolet and Lynne Kamm follows a man on a desperate and relentless quest to save his relationship – and by extension, his whole world. Who has not at one time wanted to go back and change the course of events? And what if you were given a second chance, a Plan B? The day when Philip (Patrick J. Adams, Suits) discovers the possibility of going back in time, he does not hesitate. Since Evelyn (Karine Vanasse, Cardinal), the love of his life and companion for the past six years, has left him, his life has lost its meaning. With the tremendous power he wields thanks to Plan B, he attempts to save his relationship, his law firm and his dysfunctional family. But Philip soon realizes that even the smallest choice has repercussions – as uncontrollable as they are unexpected – on his life and the lives of others. And even though he can stop tragic events before they happen, Philip cannot erase the memories and the emotions associated with them. Nothing will ever be without consequence again.

BONES OF CROWS (Premieres 2023-24; 5×60; Marie Clements Media, Screen Siren Pictures and Grana Productions) is a five-part hour-long drama told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch, Aline Spears (played throughout her life by Summer Testawich; Grace Dove, Monkey Beach; and Carla Rae, Rutherford Falls), as she survives Canada’s residential school system to continue her family’s generational fight in the face of systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse. The series is an expanded story from the feature film version; a truly epic tale that spans over a hundred years and multiple generations of the Spears family, the series connects and deepens the events of the past with a cumulative force that propels us into the future with power. Commissioned by CBC/Radio-Canada in association with APTN and created by Marie Clements (Red Snow), BONES OF CROWS the series will debut on CBC and Radio-Canada in 2023-24. BONES OF CROWS the feature film, which focuses specifically on Aline Spears as she confronts her traumatic past, will be released theatrically in 2022-23.

Returning Original Dramas

DIGGSTOWN (Season 4 premieres Fall 2022; 6×60; Circle Blue Entertainment, Freddie Films Inc. and Waterstar Entertainment Inc.)

HEARTLAND (Season 16 premieres Fall 2022; 15×60; Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films)

MOONSHINE (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 8×60, Six Eleven Media and eOne)

MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Season 16 premieres Fall 2022; 24×60; Shaftesbury)

PRETTY HARD CASES (Season 3 premieres Winter 2023; 10×60; Cameron Pictures)

FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT

CBC’s factual entertainment slate features even more people and places across the country this year including Canadians and communities in pursuit of their personal best, with RACE AGAINST THE TIDE with host Maestro Fresh Wes making waves this summer, favourites DRAGONS’ DEN, FAMILY FEUD CANADA and THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW returning this fall, and BEST IN MINIATURE and STILL STANDING with Jonny Harris warming up the winter schedule. Joining the lineup is BOLLYWED featuring the Singh family of Toronto’s Little India, thrilling competition series CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE; and podcast adaptation STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE. The fall also brings the inaugural edition of THE LEGACY AWARDS from The Black Academy, as well as a variety show like no other – CBC Gem original LIDO TV hosted by Colombian-Canadian musician and artist Lido Pimienta.

New Original Factual Series & Specials

THE LEGACY AWARDS (September 25, 2022 at 8 p.m. (9 AT/9:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker Company) and Bay Mills Studios)

The inaugural edition of The Black Academy’s award show, The Legacy Awards, is the first major Canadian award show to celebrate and showcase Black talent and will be broadcast from Live Nation Canada’s newest entertainment venue HISTORY, in Toronto’s east end. The live 90-minute telecast will feature performances, award presentations, and tributes honouring both established and emerging Black Canadian talent. The Black Academy is co-founded by Scarborough natives Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4) and Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk).

LIDO TV (Premieres Fall 2022 on CBC Gem; 6×20; Lido Pimienta TV/Visitor Media) is a variety show with a mission: to help people cope with life in a world that sometimes feels like it’s falling apart, filled with hilarious sketches, inspiring interviews, immersive documentaries, surreal animations, and puppets. At the centre of it all is host Lido Pimienta, the award-winning Colombian-Canadian musician, artist and mother whose hilarious, curious, and tender personality drives the action. The series tackles themes ranging from feminism and privilege to colonialism and success, and features appearances by Nelly Furtado; musicians Shad and Kittie; writer Sarah Hagi; NorBlack NorWhite co-founder Mriga Kapadiya; and artists jes sachse and Jessica Karuhanga.

BOLLYWED (Premieres Winter 2023; 10×30; HeartHat Entertainment) is a heartwarming factual series centred around the Singh family, who have been operating the iconic bridal shop, Chandan Fashion, in Toronto’s Little India for the last 37 years. The series shines a fascinating light on the booming and glamorous world of Bollywood culture and fashion, and offers an authentic glimpse into an intergenerationally run business lead by patriarch Cookie Singh, his wife Sarah, and their two children Chandan and Chandni. There’s plenty of old-school-meets-new-school drama and laughs as two generations take on the ever-changing and extravagant world of Indian weddings.

CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE (Premieres Winter 2023; 8×60; Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker Company) and The Gurin Company) is a competition reality format that turns the entire country into a giant obstacle course. Six extraordinary coaches will guide and mentor teams of everyday Canadians at site-specific physical and mental challenges in a unique competition structure. The coaches include: sprinting legend and two-time Olympic champion, Donovan Bailey; Mohawk Olympian in water polo and advocate for Indigenous sport, Waneek Horn-Miller; six-time Olympic medallist in cycling and speed skating, Clara Hughes; three-time Olympic speed skater Gilmore Junio; former captain of Canada’s Olympic bronze medal-winning rugby sevens team, Jen Kish; and NFL Super Bowl Champion and competitive cyclist, Luke Willson.

Each episode will take place at an iconic Canadian location where the teams will compete in spectacular Solo, Tandem or Team challenges that test them physically and mentally. Throughout the eight-episode series, the superstar Canadian coaches will make strategic decisions and motivate their players to victory. In the end, only one team will win CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE.

STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE (Premieres Winter 2023; 6×30; Wooden Horse, WildBear Entertainment and Cream Productions) is a new six-part series for the ABC and CBC based on award-winning journalist Marc Fennell’s acclaimed, chart-topping ABC Podcast, also launched by CBC Podcasts in fall 2021. Throughout its reign, the British Empire stole a lot of stuff. Today those objects are housed in genteel institutions across the U.K. and the world. They usually come with polite plaques. This is a series about the not-so-polite history behind those objects.

Returning Factual Formats & Series:

RACE AGAINST THE TIDE (Season 2 premieres Sunday, July 10 at 8:30 p.m. (9 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; 10×30; marblemedia) with new host Maestro Fresh Wes

DRAGONS’ DEN (Season 17 premieres Fall 2022; 10×60) featuring returning Dragon Robert Herjavec after a decade away from The Den.

FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Season 4 premieres Fall 2022; 104×30; Zone 3/Fremantle)

THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Season 6 premieres Fall 2022; 9×60; Proper Television/Love Productions)

BEST IN MINIATURE (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 8×60; marblemedia)

STILL STANDING (Season 8 premieres Winter 2023; 10×30; Frantic Films)

DOCUMENTARIES

CBC commissions an average of 80 documentaries each year for CBC, CBC Gem and documentary Channel, with CBC Gem now offering a library of over 800 documentaries, available to stream for free anytime. THE PASSIONATE EYE returns this fall with a new slate of original documentaries that drop audiences into a broad range of cultural conversations, from our fascination with word puzzles, to what it means to be Indigenous, and to a new generation of stock market disruptors.

THE PASSIONATE EYE’s two-hour season premiere will feature Hot Docs 2022 Opening Night selection, INTO THE WEEDS, telling the powerful story of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, a former Bay Area groundskeeper who takes on a multinational agrochemical corporation after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal (Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, Long Time Running), the film follows Johnson through his battle, setting his personal journey against a global environmental crisis.

New original doc series this upcoming year include:

SUMMIT ‘72 (Premieres Fall 2022; 4×60; Mercury Films and Impossible Objects) This timely documentary series will tell the definitive story of the legendary 1972 Canada-USSR Summit Series of Hockey upon its 50th anniversary, and through a modern lens explore its legacy and lasting influence on Canadian national identity, framing it against the political and cultural climate of the times in both countries, and around the world. With never-before-seen 16mm archival footage restored in stunning 4k, and exclusive interviews with key players, SUMMIT ‘72 will bring an unforgettable moment in Canadian history to life on screen as never seen before. Audiences will relive—or experience for the first time—the adrenaline-fuelled, edge-of-your-seat drama of one of the most monumental cultural proxy battles of the Cold War, and trace its many reverberations in the zeitgeist right up to the present day.

STAY TOONED (Premieres Winter 2023 on CBC Gem; 6×22; Fathom Film Group) Eric Bauza – the Canadian who voices legendary characters from Bugs Bunny to Luke Skywalker – takes us on a deep dive through our favourite cartoons to see how they shaped us into who we are today. In each episode, he meets with friends and experts to explore villains, race, sexuality, and so much more. Featuring Ben Schwartz, Lake Bell, Ken Jeong, Bobby Moynihan, Tara Strong, Lamorne Morris, Cree Summer, and James Adomian, among others.

Returning Documentary Formats & Series:

THE PASSIONATE EYE (Premieres Fall 2022; 9×60 (+1×120 premiere))

THE NATURE OF THINGS (Season 62 premieres Winter 2023; 13×60)

CBC KIDS

Building on CBC’s ongoing commitment to inspire, entertain and inform young audiences, CBC Kids will continue to share new programming for kids and tweens across all platforms this upcoming year, including over 500 hours of ad-free programming on CBC Gem. New titles for preschoolers include JEREMY AND JAZZY (Fall 2022; 27×2 and 1×11; Vérité Films Inc.), an animated musical adventure series about song and story creation, starring award-winning musicians Jeremy Fisher (as Jeremy) and Aiza Ntibarikure (as Jazzy), plus celebrity musical guests. MITTENS AND PANTS (Fall 2022; 39×7, Windy Isle Productions and Thunderbird Entertainment) is cuteness overload for preschoolers, featuring the town of Kibble Corners with real puppies, kittens, chicks, piglets and more, voiced by kids.

CBC SPORTS

Coming off of an unprecedented year featuring two Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022, CBC SPORTS will continue to keep Canadians connected to the world of high-performance sport through coverage on CBC TV and CBC Gem, as well as live streams of key competitions on cbcsports.ca and the CBC Sports app. Upcoming featured events include: 2022 World Athletics Championships (USA, July 15 – 24); Commonwealth Games (England, July 28 – Aug. 8); FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship (Location TBC, Aug. 26 – Sept. 11); Rugby Sevens World Cup (South Africa, Sept. 9-11); FIG Rhythmic World Championship (Bulgaria, Sept. 14 – 18); and FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship (Poland and The Netherlands, Sept. 23 – Oct. 15). As Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic Network for the next decade, CBC will continue to offer high-quality storytelling that allows audiences to follow the journey of the athletes between Games, all the way to the podium.

CBC NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

From breaking stories to in-depth coverage, CBC News delivers trusted 24-hour news and information on CBC News Network, CBCNews.ca and the CBC News App. 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, including the 50th anniversary of MARKETPLACE, celebrating five decades as Canada’s investigative consumer watchdog.

THE FIFTH ESTATE (Season 48 premieres Fall 2022; 16×60)

MARKETPLACE (Season 50 premieres Fall 2022; 23×30) celebrating its 50th anniversary season

THE NATIONAL (Weeknights and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

POWER & POLITICS WITH VASSY KAPELOS (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

CBC RUNDOWN (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

CANADA TONIGHT WITH GINELLA MASSA (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

FALL 2022 SCHEDULE – CBC TV and CBC GEM

For Newfoundland and Labrador, please add a half hour for all times

MONDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4

8 PM – MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 16

9 PM – THE NORTH WATER New Series / RIDLEY ROAD New Series

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

TUESDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA

8 PM – THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 30

8:30 PM – STRAYS Season 2

9 PM – COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER New Series / SORT OF Season 2

9:30 PM – SORT OF Season 2

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

WEDNESDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA

8 PM – SUMMIT ‘72 New Series / DIGGSTOWN Season 4

9 PM – WAR OF THE WORLDS Season 3

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

THURSDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA

8 PM – DRAGONS’ DEN Season 17

9 PM – THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 48

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

FRIDAYS

7:30 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)

8 PM – MARKETPLACE Season 50

8:30 PM – TRAVEL MAN

9 PM – THE PASSIONATE EYE

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

SATURDAYS

Afternoon – CBC SPORTS

SUNDAYS

Afternoon – CBC SPORTS

7 PM – HEARTLAND Season 16

8 PM – THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW Season 6

9 PM – MOONSHINE Season 2

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

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The world of Murdoch Mysteries expands with live tour experience

From a media release:

Canadian production company Shaftesbury has announced the launch of a new in-person tour experience for fans of the hit show Murdoch Mysteries. The first of its kind in Canada, the Murdoch Mysteries live tour will bring a group of fans from around the world on a 7-day luxury coach tour of Toronto and parts of Southern Ontario, allowing them to experience the historical locations and beautiful settings in Ontario that have played a part in the beloved series. The tour will run September 26th – October 2nd.

In partnership with U.K based Transcendent Travel, the guided tour will take fans from Toronto to locations including Kingston, Dundas, and Peterborough, and includes luxury accommodations and dining, a behind the scenes look at the show being filmed, and a chance to meet the cast of Murdoch Mysteries while taking in some of the best scenic destinations that Ontario has to offer.

With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting travel plans for the last few years, this Murdoch Mysteries live tour represents a return to the exciting in-person events that have been so sorely missed. As Canada’s longest running drama series, Murdoch Mysteries has a devoted international fanbase who will be able to purchase tickets starting today, to take part in this exciting experience.

What:   Murdoch Mysteries Tour of Ontario

When:  September 26th – October 2nd, 2022 (Tickets on sale starting today)

Where: Toronto and surrounding areas

Who:    Shaftesbury, in partnership with Transcendent Travel

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