Hours before it revealed it is cutting 10% of its workforce and $40 million in programming costs, CBC on Monday also released the programming details of its 2024 winter lineup.
The broadcaster’s president, Catherine Tait, told employees the news during a town hall event yesterday, saying that the organization faces a $125 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year.
This makes the winter programming lineup perhaps the last of its kind for the foreseeable future, as next year’s programming will be implemented under the new regime.
Here’s the lineup of shows, films and docs set to premiere or return this winter.
Premieres
– One More Time (pictured): Starring comedian D.J. Demers, the 13 x 30-minute comedy series depicts the story of a second-hand sporting goods store manager who is hard of hearing. It will premiere on Jan. 9.
– Wild Cards: The 10 x 60-minute show follows a detective and a grifter as they work together to solve crimes by using each other’s skills. It will premiere on Jan. 10.
– Ghosting with Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan: Two actors visit Canada’s most haunted locations to determine if they are truly haunted. The eight x 30-minute series will premiere on Jan. 26.
– For The Culture with Amanda Parris: In the six x 60-minute documentary series, Parris travels to different locations to speak with cultural leaders, activists and academics about the lives of Black people. It will be available beginning Jan. 30.
– Allegiance: The 10x 60-minute drama series depicts the story of a young police officer as she performs her duties and seeks to clear her politician father’s name. It premieres on Feb. 7.
– The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down: The series is an adaptation of the British competition show The Great Pottery Throw Down and features 10 Canadian potters as they complete different creative challenges. The eight x 60-minute series will be available beginning Feb. 8.
Feature films and documentaries
– Satan Wants You: It shows the untold story of how the Satanic panic of the ’80s was sparked by the book Michelle Remembers, a creepy memoir by a psychiatrist and his patient. The 88-minute documentary will debut on Jan. 7.
– Malcom is Missing: Set to release on Jan. 14, the documentary is about a single mother from a small town in Canada who goes to Mexico to find her missing father and ends up dealing with a corrupt justice system.
– The Man Who Stole Einstein’s Brain: A doctor steals the brain from Albert Einstein’s corpse to become a scientific genius but that decision ends up ruining his life. It will premiere on Jan. 21.
– Coven: The 78-minute documentary will be available from Jan. 28 and follows the story of three millennial witches as they discover whether the rituals, tradition and sacred places of their ancestors can help them face their obstacles.
– Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella: It chronicles the life of Rosalie Abella, a former Supreme Court of Canada justice who championed many marginalized communities during her long legal career. The 80-minute documentary premieres on Feb. 4.
– Cynara: The film explores the trauma experienced by a family after a mother is put behind bars for murdering her disabled daughter.
– Skymaster Down: It is set to release on Feb. 25 and explores the mystery of a U.S. troop plane that disappeared in the Yukon with 44 people on board. It will be available from Feb 18.
– I am Sirat: The 87-minute concept follows the story of a transgender woman in New Delhi who has a double life having to act as a man in front of her family. It will premiere on March 3.
– Gangnam Project: Targeting kids, the 10 x 30-minute series tells the story of a Canadian/Korean teen who dreams of becoming a K-pop star. Her life takes a turn when she is accepted as a student at an elite K-pop training school. It will be available from March 8.
Returning series
– Best in Miniature: Ten artists from around the world compete by building a miniature house in this eight x 60-minute series. Season three will be available on Dec. 26.
– Murdoch Mysteries: The 24 x 60-minute drama premieres its 17the season on Jan. 1.
– Dragons’ Den: Canadian entrepreneurs pitch business and investment ideas to a panel of venture capitalists to secure funding and business partnerships. Season 18 of the 16 x 60-minute series will premiere on Jan. 4.
– The Nature of Things: From the search for other life in the universe to the psychology of babies, this 14 x 60-minute series features science achievements. Season 63 will be available on Jan. 4.
