When I first connected with Madison Walsh and Michael Musi, it was to chat about Season 1 of Something Undone.
The CBC Gem series was filmed during the first wave of COVID-19, meaning a stripped-down tale of Jo (Walsh), a foley artist and her partner, Farid (Musi), who are putting the finishing touches on a true-crime podcast about the murder of the Chaffey family. While Farid was in Newfoundland chasing down leads on the case, Jo was sequestered in her late mother’s home in Ontario, sorting through her things while working on the podcast. Season 1 of Something Undone is a psychological scare-fest full of odd sounds and intense feelings of loss and isolation.
Now, in Season 2, we get Farid’s side of the story. With production expanding to include guest cast and on-location filming, Something Undone goes all-in on the new six instalments. In Episode 1, we catch up with Farid, who is in Briddus, Newfoundland, investigating the Chaffey murders. There he uncovers shocking truths about the case, persevering despite threats from townsfolk and Jo’s stresses in Ontario. With an all-star cast consisting of Mary Walsh, Nicole Power, Shaun Majumder, Shawn Doyle and Tom Power, and directed by Hannah Cheesman, Something Undone is simply fabulous.
We spoke to Madison Walsh and Michael Musi about the second season.
Had you planned at telling Farid’s side of the story in Season 2? Michael Musi: No. I know that when we did Season 1, we never thought really much past that while we were in production. But I do remember at some point while shooting, we said, ‘Is this good? Is this special?’ We couldn’t tell if we were onto something and then we started, while shooting, talking about other ideas. And I remember I said something like, ‘It’d be really cool to see what Farid is doing.’
And then CBC said, ‘Have you guys thought about Season 2?’ And said, ‘Of course, we’ve thought about it.’ We never dreamed the show would live on when we were creating the first season, but after winning an award over the summer we started secretly hoping they’d be interested in more.
Madison Walsh: So they came to us and they said, ‘Hey, if we did a Season 2, can you get started now?’ And we just smiled and said, ‘Yeah, for sure.’ And our producers obviously screamed and they got going. Tricky thing was, I was shooting a horror film in Calgary called Dark Nature and Mike was in Toronto but we weren’t going to pass this up so we ended up writing it almost entirely over the phone.
MM: We wrote the first draft of all six episodes of Season 2 over Zoom. And then I flew out to Calgary and we had about four days of eating and of finessing the scripts and interviewing directors.
MW: When we were writing Season 1, it was really important for us to flesh out what was happening to Farid on the other side even though it didn’t really play a huge storyline, it was important that it tracked. So not only were we writing the mystery of what happened in the house, but we also had to design what happened to the Chaffey’s so that was already kind of done, which was really helpful, and then it all came together. Even though we really loved what organically came of Season 1, that it was a psychological horror-thriller, we thought, ‘OK, let’s try not, with this short amount of time, to recreate the same kind of thing.’ Let’s give ourselves the flexible freedom to make this more of a detective mystery, more of noir. That freedom allowed us to work quickly rather than really trying to risk doing something bad that we had gotten right the first time.
Nicole Power in Season 2 of Something Undone
And, unlike Season 1, you were juggling location shoots and other actors. MM: Season 2 was really, really tricky. We had a ton of locations. We had a ton of actors. It was so much bigger. And we had the same time and we had a bigger budget, but it was nowhere near as much as we needed to feel really comfy. We really stretched ourselves out thin.
MW: But what really helped in Newfoundland was, miraculously, our second AD in Toronto, Liz, is actually from Petty Harbour, which was the tiny town that we chose, we had gone and scouted and found this amazing little town that was perfect for it. And it just so happened she was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m from there.’ So we flew her out and then we got together a small Newfoundland crew.
And also working with three hours of daylight in Newfoundland at the time. It was freezing. All the locals kept apologizing. They were like, ‘It’s never this cold.’ Yeah, it was wild.
Looking at the cast, Shawn Doyle, Nicole Power, Mary Walsh and Shaun Majumder. How did you land all of this talent? MM: When we went into this, we said, ‘We keep shooting for the stars on so many different levels on this and things have been working out for us, we’re going to get the best Newfoundland actors out there.’ That was our dream list and everyone said yes. Nicole Power had no choice, she’s one of our best friends, but Shaun Majumder, Shawn Doyle, Mary Walsh, Tom Power, everyone said, ‘Absolutely.’ It was cuckoo.
MW: I think they are A), really great actors who I think are doing things not for the money but for the time. But also maybe part of it was because they’re Newfoundlanders who just are, ‘Why not?’ people. They’re so hospitable and so wonderful and so easygoing; they were OK to work on a small set, small budget, for one day. We tried to write each person a character that even though they were on screen for just a short amount of time, was meaningful. They all were ready to play and it was intense. Our days were really fast. It was hard for our director, Hannah Cheesman, to tell Mary Walsh, ‘I’m sorry, you get two takes.’ Which she didn’t need.
She aced it right off the bat. They had to come in and work on these sets where we were getting two giant scenes done in half a day. And it was really stressful. After we finish, every time we finish a shoot, when we’re in it, we’re like, ‘What are we doing? Why are we doing this?’ And then when you’re done and it comes together in some miracle way and you get to work with somebody like Mary Walsh, you say, ‘Oh God, I could do this forever.’
In the first season, the focus is on Jo. It’s different in Season 2. Michael, what was it like doing the heavy lifting when it came to the acting this time? MM: It was really scary stepping into it because I got so comfortable with Maddie having to do it. And I remember a week before I thought, ‘I don’t want to do this.’ I felt like, ‘Yeah, this is a horrible decision. I’m going to let people down.’ Season 1 was so good and I just started feeling really insecure about it. But when you have these incredible actors that you get to act with they just make you feel so comfortable.
Are you working on Season 3? And if so, can you give any details? MM: I don’t think we can give you story details, but what we can say is that we don’t have a third season green-lit, but we definitely want to be prepared if that happens.We can certainly say that it would be a continuation of the story so we’re not going back in time. It would be after all this happened. It would be in a completely different part of Canada and it would be Jo and Farid together.
MW: Our goal from the beginning, we said it as a joke because obviously, we were like, ‘We’re not getting a Season 3,’ just like we thought we weren’t going to get a Season 2. Anything can happen, but we said, ‘We’re setting it in summer and it’s the Sunshine Coast.’ A setting so uniquely Canadian and I think it would be the perfect place for Farid and Jo to go to get better. But meanwhile, things are only going to get worse.
This week, Greg and Amy go through debuts and returns on the Canadian TV calendar.
Then, we cover the latest Canadian TV news, including Global greenlighting Season 3 of Family Law, Screen Nova Scotia’s 2022 award nominees and CBC’s Race Against the Tide returning with a totally hip new host. Then, in a new segment in class Canadian TV, we look back on the success of Orphan Black.
This episode is brought to you by Pimm’s and Canada Dry ginger ale.
Building on a hugely successful season where its top Canadian series captured the hearts of the nation, Citytv’s 2022/23 original programming slate promises to bring even more jaw-dropping and inspiring moments, loads of suspense, and of course… double the drama!
A new addition to Citytv’s strong original programming slate is Wong & Winchester, a female-driven buddy detective procedural, in partnership with Pixcom. Production starts this Summer in Montreal with the series premiering mid-season. Lionsgate will distribute the program throughout the world, outside of Canada.
Citytv doubles down on its investment in global hit franchises Got Talent and Bachelor, with the return of Canada’s Got Talent in partnership with Fremantle, SYCO Entertainment, and McGillivray Entertainment Media Inc., along with Bachelor in Paradise Canada in partnership with Good Human Productions.
Having returned to Citytv after 10 years, Canada’s Got Talent reminded the world that this country is bursting with incredible performers from coast to coast to coast. As Citytv’s most-viewed original series in over a decade, Canada’s Got Talent reached 1.4M Canadians each episode throughout the season. Plus, #CGT proved to be a viral hit on social with its engaging content garnering 356M impressions across @CanGotTalent platforms and more than 1M hours of watch-time on YouTube.Canada’s Got Talent Season 2 begins production this Fall in Niagara Falls, ON, and premieres in Spring 2023. Auditions for Season 2 are now open on Citytv.com.
Joining as new host of Bachelor in Paradise Canada in Season 2 is Sharleen Joynt alongside returning resident bartender Kevin Wendt. Decorated Soprano by day, Bachelor alum and long-time franchise recapper by night, Joynt is the utmost authority on all things Bachelor. Joynt is famously known from The Bachelor (Juan Pablo, Season 18), where this charismatic, fan-favourite Canadian, made her initial mark on Bachelor Nation and then continued to cover the franchise thereafter, most recently on the podcast “Dear Shandy.”
Returning mid-season to Citytv, Bachelor in Paradise Canada promises to bring another steamy season filled with OMG plot twists, juicy drama, and passionate romances.
Winning over the hearts of Canadians week after week, Citytv’s #1 original scripted hit series Hudson & Rex returns this Fall with a 20-episode order for its fifth season. Airing on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the beloved series is currently in production in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and will also feature a two-episode story arc set in Northern Ontario.
Returning this year is Level UP, a four-week mentoring initiative between Reelworld and Rogers Sports & Media, that provides on-the-ground experience to emerging Canadian directors and writers who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour. Program sponsors for 2022 are Citytv and Hudson & Rex producers, Shaftesbury and Pope Productions. Applications are open now until June 21 at www.reelworld.ca.
Citytv’s homegrown success continues in daytime with its in-house productions – Breakfast Television and Cityline – which have both experienced tremendous audience growth in 2022**. Breakfast Television has risen to the top among its competitors, making it the #1 morning television show in Ontario. Hosted by Tracy Moore, Cityline grew national audiences by +32% in Q1’22***, while also expanding its roster of original digital content through YouTube series like Face it with Tracy P and Deepa Does It.
*Source: Numeris PPM, Total Canada A2+ (Mar 22nd – May 25th, 2022)
** Source: Numeris PPM, AMA (000), Ontario A25-54, M-F 6a-9a (Jan 1st – Apr 29th, 2022)
*** Source: Numeris PPM, AMA (000), Total Canada A25-54, M-F 10a-11a (Jan 1st – Mar 31st, 2022)
******************
Citytv’s New Series Description – Mid-Season
WONG & WINCHESTER
Wong & Winchester is a one-hour light and fun female-driven buddy detective procedural. It’s the story of the unlikely partnership between Marissa Wong (Grace Lynn Kung) – a bitter ex-cop turned private investigator – and Sarah Winchester (Sofia Banzhaf) – a former career student with the naivety to prove it. Working side-by-side, the mismatched duo, despite their generation gap and their vastly different approaches to work, life, food, fun, society and even their own gender, somehow manage to always get the job done of solving perplexing cases and odd mysteries.
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Pixcom
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Nicola Merola & Charles Lafortune; Showrunner is Chris Pozzebon; Creator and Co-Showrunner is Hollis Ludlow-Carroll; Producer is Nathalie Cecyre
CAST: Grace Lynn Kung (Transplant, Fahrenheit 451), Sofia Banzhaf (Closet Monster, Splinters), Joe Cobden (The Sinner, This Life), and Anthony Lemke (The Hardy Boys)
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)
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)
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.)
On-demand sports streaming platform fuboTV has obtained exclusive broadcast rights of the English Premier League (EPL) in Canada for the next three years. DAZN’s current deal expires at the end of the 2021/22 EPL season, with Canadians having to switch subscription plans to get access to all 380 EPL games next season. The EPL is one of the most covered competitions in world sport. As such, it’s also one of the most popular events for sports bettors, specifically those who receive sign-up offers from reputable sportsbooks, attributed as a reward for using their services for the first time. The final day of the 2021/22 EPL season is one of multiple events that bettors will watch and wager on this month, alongside the likes of the French Open tennis and golf’s US PGA Championship.
In Canada, the EPL is certainly one of the most popular soccer leagues among viewers, encouraging fuboTV to land its highest-profile media rights acquisition yet. The financial terms of the deal have not been publicly disclosed. The EPL’s media rights in the US would be an interesting comparison. NBC landed the current broadcasting rights of the EPL for the next six seasons at the cost of over $2.7 billion, according to The Associated Press.
fuboTV’s soccer coverage for 2022/23 In August 2021, fuboTV’s Canadian subscribers benefitted from an exciting media rights deal when it landed the English-speaking rights to the Italian Serie A in Canada, as well as the nation’s premier cup competition, the Coppa Italia. It has also tested the water with other major European leagues, notably the French Ligue 1, due to its partnership with OneSoccer. FuboTV is also the number-one port of call for soccer fans to catch a glimpse of Canada’s very own Premier League, which was only recently established in 2019.
Following the announcement of fuboTV’s EPL rights acquisition, its head of content strategy and acquisition, Ben Grad, labelled the move “fair value” for what the platform believes is “great property” for its loyal subscriber base. The platform’s co-founder and chief executive, David Gandler, also said this latest partnership gives Canadian soccer fans “another reason to cut the cord.”
FuboTV’s aggregated platform of broadcasters also includes BeIN Sports and Benfica TV, as well as OneSoccer, ensuring its subscribers will be able to catch every kick from the EPL, as well as the Canadian Premier League, the French Ligue 1 and all of Benfica’s Portuguese Primeira Liga games in 2022/23.
The platform has been on a steady upward curve since its owners’ decision to go public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021. Outside of Canada, it landed media rights to broadcast all South American 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to its US-based subscribers.
Looking deeper into its financial credentials, fuboTV anticipates having over 1.1 million active subscribers by the end of its latest financial year. Meanwhile, its revenue forecasts for the same period have also been revised upwards to a projection between $617m and $627m.
Photo by Adrian Curiel on Unsplash.
What’s next for DAZN? DAZN’s Canada subsidiary still retains exclusive media rights for many of the biggest sporting events in North America and beyond. It still covers every play of the NFL, as well as Europe’s biggest soccer club competition, the UEFA Champions League. Norm Lem, senior vice president of revenue at DAZN Canada, says the platform is “continuously exploring opportunities” to add greater value to its sports streaming portal.
DAZN has had bigger fish to fry in recent months too, as it’s secured a new multi-year broadcast arrangement with Red Bull TV. The distribution deal gives DAZN freedom to stream the Red Bull TV channel to its subscribers, bringing Red Bull’s unique brand of sport and daredevil entertainment content to streamers worldwide. Red Bull’s extreme sports events like the Cliff Diving World Series and the Drift Masters European Championship will now be aired to DAZN subscribers.
This is a big deal for DAZN and a major pick-me-up for the brand overall after missing out on the chance to acquire British broadcaster BT Sport.
