Corus Entertainment held its Upfront presentation this Monday, unveiling its 2025-26 programming lineup and outlining the strategic vision behind it.
Troy Reeb, co-CEO and EVP of networks and content at Corus Entertainment, told MiC that the lineup showcases the network’s commitment to local, including Canadian content featuring Canadian talent, alongside popular international series such as Peacock’s The Copenhagen Test and The Paper (pictured), a comedy spin-off from The Office.
“Going forward, what we’re really looking to do is to lean into our Canadian identity, which has never been more important than it is right now, given everything that’s happened in the U.S.,” he says, adding that the broadcaster strategy involves supporting Canadian entertainment while providing audiences with access to international popular shows. Additionally, he notes that there’s an emphasis on helping advertisers avoid the risks of “buying blind” on other platforms, where ads may appear in undesirable contexts, and instead ensuring brand safety and meaningful engagement within a trusted Canadian environment.
Barb McKergow, SVP of advertising at Corus Entertainment, says the company plans to continue to enhance its ad formats, particularly the experience through the shoppable TV offer, which allows viewers to interact with ads and purchase products directly using QR codes, and the Picture Frames ad unit, which has seen significant success in linear advertising.
Live content also remains one of the network’s main objectives, as 86% of its specialty portfolio is viewed live, according to McKergow. This is particularly appealing to advertisers, as “live content is non-skippable, ensuring their ads are seen,” she adds. McKergow notes that Corus’ combined reach is greater than YouTube’s, and it is expanding its audio and podcast presence on the platform. They also plan to focus on news formats, which stand out as “audiences crave local content and connections to personalities who are important to their communities.”
Global programming
According to Jennifer Abrams, SVP of programming and multiplatform at Corus Entertainment, Global saw a 7% year-over-year increase in core primetime viewing this spring.
The network’s 2025-26 lineup includes comedy DMV, crime drama CIA, Sheriff Country and The Road, a singing competition series. Its mid-season programming also features cooking competition America’s Culinary Cup, Y: Marshals (working title), and true-crime series Harlan Coben’s Final Twist. Returning hits include Family Law, Watson and Hollywood Squares.
Additionally, the fall lineup offers top TV hits like comedy Ghosts, late night show Saturday Night Live, reality show Survivor, 9-1-1, FBI, Matlock, NCIS, NCIS: Origins, as well as Canadian favorites Murder in a Small Town (with Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden joining the cast) and seventh season of true crime series Crime Beat.
Specialty Channels
Corus’ Specialty Channels lineup for 2025-26 is made up of a strong mix of Peacock and Sky programming, thanks to its long-standing content agreement.
Coming to Showcase is The Office spinoff comedy series, The Paper. Starring Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Ex-Machina) and Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus), the series follows a documentary crew as they trade Dunder Mifflin for a historic Midwestern newspaper’s revival efforts. Showcase programming also includes Peacock’s The Copenhagen Test, an espionage thriller about a hacked intelligence analyst, and Ponies, a spy thriller starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson as secretaries-turned-CIA operatives. Sky limited series Amadeus, about a young musician in 18th-century Vienna whose genius sparks a murderous obsession in the court composer Antonio Salieri, also made the list.
Ted returns for season two, with an animated spin-off series also in the works. Meanwhile, Bel-Air continues its modern take on the classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for season four.
Coming to W Network is Peacock’s thriller All Her Fault and dark comedy The ‘Burbs. Outlander also returns for its eighth and final season. Fall lineup for Hallmark Channel includes new series Celebrations with Lacey Chabert and Christmas at Sea, a cruise ship reality series. Returning favorites are Mistletoe Murders and Finding Mr. Christmas, with The Way Home coming back for season four in the winter.
Home Network’s lineup features Building Baeumler, Rentovation and Beer Budget Reno. Returning shows include House of Ali and Rock Solid Builds, with Life is Messy premiering soon. Meanwhile, Flavour Network’s programming features Canadian series Halloween Bakeshop and Holiday Bakeshop. Returning shows are Top Chef Canada, Morimoto’s Sushi Master, famed foodie Adam Richman Eats Britain, Kitchen Nightmares and Anrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen.
History Channel’s lineup incorporates new series WWII with Tom Hanks, History’s Deadliest, Hazardous History, as well as Curse of Oak Island season 13 and The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch season six. Also featured is Underdogs, a National Geographic series narrated by Ryan Reynolds.
Six-part docuseries Tiffany Haddish Goes Off is coming to Slice. New series Two Sisters: Missing, Murdered, Betrayed, The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets, and The Idaho Student Murders also join the network. Returning to the channel slate are new seasons of The Challenge, Below Deck Down Under, Married to Medicine, Southern Hospitality and new episodes of The Daily Show.
In adult animation, Adult Swim got some fresh content for their fans. This season the network introduces a mix of originals, including The Robot Chicken Self-Discovery Special and a new Regular Show series, while Smiling Friends is back for season three.
Finally, Corus’ Kids Networks is bringing new shows to YTV and Treehouse. YTV’s got The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball and new episodes of Teen Titans GO!. Treehouse has Thomas & Friends: Sodor Sings Together, plus returning shows Vida The Vet and Rubble & Crew.
