CBC Piling on the Imports

CBC-TV is turning to British, Australian and U.S. series to bolster its summer, fall and winter lineups.

The public broadcaster will be airing a slew of foreign shows including the Hallmark Channel period drama When Calls the Heart, the recently cancelled BBC2 drama Banished, the British comedy Raised by Wolves and the British drama Jekyll and Hyde, starring Richard E. Grant.

Australian pickups include the ’60s-set drama Love Child and the comedy Please Like Me.

CBC programming boss Sally Catto says it’s all part of a bid to showcase distinctive series viewers won’t see on the private networks.

The slate also features 11 original productions, including previously announced serialized dramas Romeo Factor and This Life, and 14 returning shows including Schitt’s Creek, X Company, Mr. D and Murdoch Mysteries, with a guest appearance by William Shatner. Bell Media, Shaw Media and Rogers Media are set to announce their upcoming TV schedules next week.

Catto says the cash-strapped CBC is focusing on character-driven serialized dramas and more single-camera comedies. She says the imports fit well within the broadcaster’s mandate and don’t detract from its mission to serve Canadians.

“Our focus is really best of the world,” she said.

The CBC’s new lineups were built without the backing of NHL broadcast revenues.

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