TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Featured, Saint-Pierre

CBC sets Winter & Spring Premiere Dates before and after Milano Cortina 2026 for over 20 Original Canadian Series

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From a media release:

CBC today announced streaming and broadcast premiere dates for its winter and spring 2026 slate of new and returning programming on CBC Gem and CBC TV, including more than 20 original series from Canadian creators, producers, and storytellers. The first episode of all series will be available to stream on CBC Gem starting at 9 a.m. ET on their premiere dates noted below, with a new episode available weekly at the same time unless otherwise specified. CBC TV local broadcast times are noted in parentheses. For Newfoundland and Labrador, please add half an hour to all times. Holiday and New Year’s Eve programming will be announced separately.

Winter & Spring 2026 Series

  • Coronation Street (Weekdays at 7 p.m.)
  • Family Feud Canada Season 7 (64×30) (Four nights a week, Monday to Thursday, at 7:30 p.m.)
  • Murdoch Mysteries Season 19 (21×60) – Continues Monday, January 5 (8 p.m.)
  • Saint-Pierre Season 2 (12×60) – Premieres Monday, January 5 (9 p.m.)
  • This Hour Has 22 Minutes Season 33 (21×30) – Continues Tuesday, January 6 (8 p.m.)
  • Still Standing Season 11 (8×30) – Premieres Tuesday, January 6 (8:30 p.m.) Season 11 visits Osoyoos, BC; Glace Bay, NS; Arnprior, ON; Grand Manan Island, NB; Acton, ON; Lennox Island, PEI; Flin Flon, MB and St. Thomas, ON.
  • Small Achievable Goals Season 2 (8×30) – Premieres Tuesday, January 6 (9 p.m.)
  • Wild Cards Season 3 (10×60) – Premieres Wednesday, January 7 (8 p.m.)
  • Allegiance Season 3 (10×60) – Premieres Wednesday, January 7 (9 p.m.)
  • Dragons’ Den Season 20 (16×60) – Continues Thursday, January 8 (8 p.m.)
  • The Nature of Things Season 65 (10×60) – Continues Thursday, January 8 (9 p.m.) The season continues with engaging and timely topics including Proof: The New Science of Alcohol (Dec. 30 on CBC Gem and Jan. 8 on CBC TV); Survival of the Slowest (Jan 15) and Can Dogs Talk? (Jan 22).
  • Cirque Life New Documentary Series (5×60) – Premieres Thursday, March 19 (8 p.m.)
    Cirque Life pulls back the curtain on Cirque du Soleil and reveals an unprecedented look at the smash hit LUZIA. The cast and crew return home to Montreal 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. 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.
  • Just For Laughs Galas Season 21 (4×60) – Premieres Tuesday, March 24 (9 p.m.)
  • Must Love Dogs New Factual Series (10×30) – Premieres Monday, April 20 on CBC Gem
    This heart-warming new series follows the fascinating lives of CFL All-Star 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 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.

CBC News

  • About That With Andrew Chang (19×30) – Continues Friday, January 9 at 8:30 p.m. on CBC TV (Weekday mornings on the CBC News streaming channel and available now on CBC Gem)
  • Marketplace Season 53 (15×30) – Continues Friday, January 16 (8 p.m.)
  • The Fifth Estate Season 51 (14×60) – Continues Friday, January 16 (9 p.m.)
  • The National (Live at 10 p.m. weekdays and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC Gem)
    CBC’s flagship national newscast with Chief Correspondent Adrienne Arsenault (Monday – Thursday) and Ian Hanomansing (Sunday).
  • CBC Morning Live (Weekday mornings on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
    New host David Common joins CBC News’ national morning show beginning Monday, February 2.
  • Power & Politics With David Cochrane (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
  • Hanomansing Tonight (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
  • Rosemary Barton Live (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

CBC Sports

  • CBC Sports Presents (Saturday and Sunday afternoons on CBC TV and CBC Gem)
  • CBC Sports Primetime (Sunday evenings on CBC TV and CBC Gem beginning January 11)
    CBC Sports has the biggest competitions from the world of high performance sports including Alpine Skiing World Cups, Freestyle Skiing World Cups, Long Track Speed Skating World Cups, Snowboard World Cups, and the Canadian National Figure Skating Championship (Jan. 6-11 in Gatineau, Québec). Plus, the new PWHL season begins Saturday, November 29, with weekly games through March. Visit cbcsports.ca for the full schedule.
  • Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026
    As Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic Network, CBC will bring audiences across the country all of the excitement of the Olympic Winter Games (February 6-22) and Paralympic Winter Games (March 6-16) in Milano Cortina, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action. CBC’s extensive English-language coverage of the Olympic Winter Games will feature live broadcasts from every venue and include every Canadian medal-winning moment, totalling more than 2,000 hours of live content across its multiple platforms. Details about CBC’s Olympic Winter Games coverage plans and broadcast team were recently announced, with details on the Paralympic Winter Games to come soon.

CBC Kids

  • Hey Joojo! (Weekday mornings on CBC TV and available on CBC Gem)
  • It’s Andrew! (Wednesday and Friday mornings on CBC TV as of Dec. 10 and available on CBC Gem starting Dec. 5)
  • Dino Ranch: Island Explorers (Saturday mornings on CBC TV and available on CBC Gem)
  • Toopy & Binoo – Fabulous Adventures (Saturday mornings on CBC TV and available on CBC Gem)
  • Go Togo (Weekday mornings on CBC TV and available on CBC Gem and the CBC Kids streaming channel)
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Acting Good, Featured

Paul Rabliauskas on Acting Good Season 4, and the surprises of making a TV show

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By Scott Campbell

Paul Rabliauskas says the long, hard work of making a television sitcom like CTV’s Acting Good did surprise him.

But with 40 episodes out for viewers to watch at the end of this season, he feels that is an accomplishment.

“Not every show gets four seasons,” Rabliauskas said during a phone interview.

“There’s a feeling of being grateful to be a part of it, and honestly, we worked so hard on it. There’s no time to reflect because we are always go, go, go. We get a month and a half off between seasons before we are writing again and editing.”

Viewers may have come across some stand-up comedy done by Rablauskas. He is a member of the Poplar River First Nation. The sitcom films on location in Winnipeg and Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, which then puts on screens the ups and downs of reserve life at the fictional Grouse Lake First Nation.

Along with being in the cast, he is also the co-creator of Acting Good along with Amber-Sekowan Daniels, Eric Toth and Pat Thornton. Rablauskas also outlines the stories for each season, which writers would come in and flesh out.

“I was obsessed with television,” said Rablauskas. “I was kind of a chubby kid who didn’t want to go outside. We lived in the bush, and all my brothers and cousins would go swimming and go play. I wanted to stay home and watch Married with Children.”

“I just wanted to watch sitcoms all day. I kind of studied sitcoms and comedy, it was like comfort food to me to be around comedy … when I was 16, I had hosted a show on APTN called Cool Jobs for three seasons. I had the ability to be funny on camera even at a young age.”

“So, I always fantasize about having a show, that didn’t mean I didn’t think I would get into acting … then the stand-up thing happened and met Pat Thornton at a show, he said, ‘Hey man, your story about being from the rez that’s pretty unique.’ And that’s all it took…”

For being a stacked Indigenous show on television, says Rablauskas, the process of making a season is a long one. The writing process starts in January, and with the season presently airing on television, work continues until December.

The cast of Acting Good

Rablauskas gives much credit to the team that put together the show, including the directors, such as Michael Greyeyes, who also plays Cousin Leon, and the cast and crew.

On the acting front, there’s trying to remember the line and making sure you hit your mark, as well as being aware of your eyeline. However, the hardest work is maintaining the energy. That scene, he said, which you shot at 8 a.m., has to have the same energy when you shoot at 10 p.m.

“I wasn’t prepared for (the work and time),” he said. “Michael said you’ll come home and cry, and there’s no reason for it. And I’ve done that eight times since he said it, because I’m so exhausted.”

“I think what makes it worthwhile is all the Native kids that message me,” said Rablauskas, “And pitching show ideas, they want me to add characters. All the kids on the rez want to be included. I think the fact that so many young kids on my reserve are excited about it, I think that’s my favourite part of it.”

Another cool aspect of the show, although sometimes overwhelming, is the fan reaction. Rablauskas can see the trajectory of the fans’ investment in the show. During the first season, they went from asking, “Aren’t you that guy?” To now, asking what’s going to happen to characters.

“I can talk to them as a fan myself, which I love to do,” he said.  “I would not trade any of this for stand-up comedy. This is such a cool world to be a part of; the fact that we get to keep doing this means so much. The stand-up is always there. It’s not like I’m going to forget how to be funny or perform … I couldn’t ask to be in a better place right now.”

Acting Good airs Mondays at 10:30 p.m.on CTV Comedy Channel, CTV.ca and the CTV app and streams next day on Crave.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Bold breakouts and familiar favourites: This winter on APTN

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From a media release:

This winter, APTN and APTN Languages are delivering a lineup packed with must-watch new shows and returning fan favourites — all showcasing the depth and spirit of Indigenous storytelling. From hilarious small-town antics to emotional searches for missing people, this season of programming captures the full spectrum of human experiences.

FRESH NEW STORIES

Searchers — Documentary Series
Experience real-life search and rescue missions through intimate interviews and cinematic reenactments.
APTN premiere: January 7 (English)

Pitago Stop — Comedy
Step into the chaotic daily lives of employees at a rest stop in a fictional Anishinaabe community.
APTN premiere: January 9 (French)

Hoop Nations — Documentary Series
Follow Indigenous basketball players as they showcase their talents at various tournaments.
APTN premiere: January 6 (English)

BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER

Hockey Night in Canada in Cree and Inuktitut (2025-2026 season) — Sports
The crew is back with six more action-packed NHL games: three in Inuktitut and three in Plains Cree. Stay tuned for the APTN and APTN Languages broadcast schedules!

Acting Good (Season 4) — Comedy
APTN premiere: March 17 (English)

Northwoods Survival (Season 2) — Documentary Series
APTN premiere: January 11 (English)

Taken (Season 5) — Documentary Series
APTN premiere: January 7 (English)
APTN Languages premiere: January 7 (Anishinaabemowin)

Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready (Season 2) — Documentary Series
APTN premiere: January 8 (English)
APTN Languages premiere: January 8 (Nisga’a)

Sur le terrain (Season 3) — Documentary Series
APTN premiere: January 9 (French)
APTN Languages premiere: January 7 (Innu)

Savoirs légendaires (Season 2) — Kids
APTN premiere: January 10 (French)

Stream all the above programs next-day on APTN+ (formerly APTN lumi), with the exception of Hockey Night in Canada in Cree and Inuktitut. Catch these and many more this winter on APTN and APTN Languages! Visit aptntv.ca for full broadcast details.

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Featured, The Office Movers

Crave original comedy series The Office Movers lands early renewal ahead of Season 2 premiere

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From a media release:

Crave announced today that its award-winning, original comedy series THE OFFICE MOVERS is returning for a third season. The news comes as Season 2 drops tomorrow, with all six episodes available at once.

The series is distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus.

Created by and starring comedic writer-producer duo Jermaine “Jae” and Trevaunn “Trey” Richards, THE OFFICE MOVERS follows two brothers navigating Toronto’s commercial office moving industry, and features the trademark Toronto slang the Richards brothers are famous for. Season 2 also features special appearances by Jae and Trey’s longtime friend and collaborator, Drake (pictured above).

“THE OFFICE MOVERS is a hilarious slapstick comedy that also has some heart,” said Justin Stockman, Vice President, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media. “Jae and Trey’s sharp, culture-savvy comedy keeps the show perfectly tuned to the pulse of the moment, and we’re ecstatic they’ve landed a special appearance by one of Canada’s most iconic cultural ambassadors.”

The series is produced by Counterfeit Pictures in association with Crave. The series is created by brothers Jermaine and Trevaunn Richards, who also serve as executive producers through their creative studio, Random Order Studios, along with Clara Altimas and Counterfeit’s Dan Bennett, Shane Corkery, and Anton Leo. Sebastian Cluer and Clara Altimas serve as directors. Chantal Kemp and Counterfeit’s Chris Kelley are producers.

For Bell Media, Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development, Original Programming; ; Alexis McLaren is Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production, Original Programming; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; Justin Stockman is Vice-President, Content Development & Programming.

Jermaine and Trevaunn Richards are represented by Odd Projects and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.

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Featured, Rookie Blue, Saving Hope

Peter Mooney continues to solve crimes—and celebrate the holidays—in Season 2 of Mistletoe Murders

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Peter Mooney fought to keep the streets of Toronto safe for close to 50 episodes of Rookie Blue as Officer Nick Collins.

Now he’s back on the beat, albeit in a very different setting.

Returning for the second season of Hallmark’s Mistletoe Murders as Detective Sam Wilner, Mooney (Saving Hope) is fighting crime while juggling romance, espionage and decorating the Christmas tree.

Mistletoe Murders, airing Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on W Network and StackTV, is based on the Audible podcast of the same name. Created by Ken Cuperus (Hudson & Rex), the six-episode season follows Emily Lane (Sarah Drew), the owner of Under the Mistletoe, a year-round Christmas-themed store. When she’s not running the shop, Emily is solving crimes and keeping a secret: she is a former spy who has been given a new name and started a new life in the small town of Fletcher’s Grove.

During the course of Season 1, Emily and Sam tackled whodunnits, got close and, ultimately (spoiler alert), kissed. The season finale’s smooch was followed by an awkward conversation. Sam asked Emily to reveal her secret, and she refused, leaving a cliffhanger that could have been the series’ final scene if Mistletoe Murders wasn’t renewed.

“It is a gamble,” Mooney admits about the cliffhanger. “The way these stories are written, with a self-contained mystery over two episodes, there is the bigger overarching mystery of, ‘Who is Emily Lane?’ And the reality, with what Ken has cooked up in his head, is going to take a while to figure out. We knew we were gambling on a Season 2 and, luckily, it went our way.”

When we catch up with Emily and Sam on Friday’s return, that conversation continues, seemingly giving closure—for now—on their budding relationship while kicking off a new mystery. Fans begging for more of Emily’s backstory rejoice: Friday’s return peeks back at her first days as a young student. As for Sam, Season 2 finds him continuing the adventure that is raising teenage daughter Violet (Sierra Marilyn Riley) while not letting Emily’s reluctance to answer his questions stop him from doing digging of his own.

Filmed on location in Toronto and on the former small-town set built for Season 1 of Reacher, Mistletoe Murders is the perfect blend of cozy crime drama, made popular by Midsomer Murders, Grantchester and Father Brown, and the Hallmark holiday movie genre filled with baubles, bows, candy canes and cookies that has become a seasonal (and year-round for some) sensation.

“It does really feel like a family,” Mooney says of being in the Hallmark stable of talent. “So many of the people have longstanding relationships with Hallmark and know and have worked with each other. It’s a really lovely and inclusive bunch of people.”

Mistletoe Murders airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on W Network and StackTV.

Images courtesy of Corus.

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