Canadian networks seek this year’s hits
Canada’s private TV networks will gamble about $700 million in Los Angeles this month as they try to import the next big hit TV series.
ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and The CW will showcase their new wares at their annual “upfronts” to advertisers beginning the week of May 15.
The networks will show off new series starring the likes of Carol Burnett, Felicity Huffman, Jon Cryer, Eva Longoria, David Boreanaz and Lauren Graham. Colm Feore, Emily VanCamp and Bruce Greenwood are among the Canadian-born stars hoping their show is the next big thing.
There are fewer remakes this year, although NBC is bringing back Will & Grace and The CW is re-booting Dynasty. The superhero trend has also cooled, with Marvel’s Inhumans being one exception.
Among the imports guaranteed to return is No. 1 draw The Big Bang Theory, which has already been renewed by CBS for two more seasons. In addition, the spinoff Young Sheldon, featuring Jim Parsons as narrator, was ordered straight-toseries without a test pilot episode.
NBC’s The Voice also has a two-year renewal, as does its rookie drama This Is Us.
The CW has been a dependable supplier to Canadian programmers. One bonus is that so much CW content is shot north of the border.
Already renewed for next season are Vancouver productions Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl and Supernatural. Toronto-based CW shows Beauty and the Beast and Reign will not return.
Several of TV’s longest-running shows have been renewed, including Survivor, Grey’s Anatomy and The Simpsons (back for at least two more seasons).
Less certain are renewals for more recent fare such as Quantico, Gotham, Sleepy Hollow and Blindspot. Other American shows “on the bubble” for renewal are Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Code Black, Elementary, Prison Break and the Vancouver-produced Timeless.
At the end of the month and into June, Canadian networks will present their new shows to advertisers in Toronto.
CBC announces its plans on May 24 and has by far the deepest bench of homegrown fare.
New to CBC will be Alias Grace, a six-hour miniseries inspired by the story of Grace Marks, a young Irish immigrant and maid convicted of murder in Upper Canada in 1843. She was exonerated after about 30 years behind bars. Sarah Polley is writer/producer. Frankie Drake stars Lauren Lee Smith (The Listener) as Toronto’s only female private investigator.
The Great Canadian Baking Show will bring bakers across Canada together in a series of culinary challenges. The comedy Crawford, from the creator of Trailer Park Boys, features an unconventional family with a raccoon problem. Jill Hennessy (Crossing Jordan) is among the two-legged stars.