CTV announced its fall 2009 programming lineup and schedule today, including two new series for the conventional network plus five new programs for the growing A Channel. The announcement by Susanne Boyce, president, creative, content and channels, also includes a confirmation of two new 13-part comedy series that are on the production slate for the 2010/11 season.
A new daytime series sees resident health expert on the Oprah Winfrey Show Dr. Mehmet C. Oz pull a Dr. Phil by moving to his own syndicated talk show, The Dr. Oz Show (Monday through Friday, 5 pm). Co-produced by Oprah’s Harpo Productions and Sony Pictures Television, the talk show offers info on health and wellness, inspiring stories and branded elements – all from Dr. Oz’s Oprah-approved point of view.
A new Thursday night drama that may feed on Twilight fame is The Vampire Diaries (7 pm), starring Toronto’s own Nina Dobrev (Degrassi: The Next Generation). The novel-based series is about a high school student’s struggle to take care of her brother after the tragic death of her parents. She meets a mysterious new kid at school, who unbeknownst to her is a vampire constantly resisting the urge to taste her blood.
A, which this season experienced an audience growth of 30%, sees five new programs including Flash Forward, which stars Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love). Added to the Thursday night 8 pm time slot, Flash Forward should attract the sci-fi crowd with its glimpse into the future and mysterious global black out.
Two new comedy series will air back-to-back on Wednesdays at 8 and 8:30 pm, the first being Hank, starring Kelsey Grammer (Frasier), about an industry titan and absent father who suddenly finds himself out of work and back in the small town of his first business success. Middle is also about a family that faces challenges in a tough economic climate starring Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond).
Ashton Kutcher returns as producer of a new series, The Beautiful Life (Wednesdays, 9 pm), about two teenaged models who discover the cut-throat world of high fashion. The CW series stars Mischa Barton (The OC) and Sara Paxton (Summerland).
Mystical drama Eastwick may induce Charmed flashbacks – the show, which will also air Wednesdays at 10 pm, is about three young witches whose power is awakened when a mysterious man, Canada’s own superstar Paul Gross (Men with Brooms), is introduced into their lives.
Projects on the broadcaster’s production slate for the 2010/11 season, also announced today, include two new comedy series drawing from Corner Gas alumni. Hiccups, a 13-ep series created, exec-produced and written by Corner Gas creator and star Brent Butt, stars Corner Gas‘ Nancy Robertson as a children’s author with anger issues, with Butt as her hapless ‘life coach.’
Dan for Mayor stars Corner Gas‘s Fred Ewanuick as a 30-something bartender who runs for mayor of his hometown. The 13-part series is written by Canadian bigwigs Mark Farrell, Paul Mather and Kevin White.
Also coming to CTV, but not until mid-season, is the original series The Bridge. ‘In yet another tumultuous year, we’ve remained focused on creativity,’ said Boyce, in a release. ‘Staying #1 requires stability, flexibility and surprise.’
Stay tuned to MiC for more information on returning series and scheduling shakeups.
