Canwest Unveils its Fall Schedule

Canwest received some major flack several weeks ago after critics said they weren’t promoting enough Canadian TV projects, but they turned things around when they announced their new fall line-up, including 16 home-grown television shows.

While Canwest held initial programming announcements a few weeks ago, local actors like Eric Peterson (“Corner Gas”), Colin Mochrie (“Seven Little Monsters” and “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) and Wendy Crewson (“ReGenesis”) picketed outside, holding signs that said "Buy Canadian!" and "More Canada on TV."

And Canwest delivered, with nine new Canadian dramas, four comedies, and three pilots.

“Global is heading into the new season with our most powerful schedule in years,” said Barbara Williams, Executive Vice-President, Content, Canwest Broadcasting, in an official press release. “With 16 primetime returning series – including the number one program on television and the number one new hit of the year – plus the fall’s most talked-about new shows, Global is Canada’s home of the new hits.”

One of the new programs includes "Blackstone," a fictional drama that takes place at a native Indian reserve. The show stars Carmen Moore, Eric Schweig, Michelle Thrush, Nathaniel Arcand and Gordon Tootoosis. Also new to Canwest is a sci-fi program "Haven," which will air on Showcase.

"We have been hard at work. What's going to roll out in the next 12 to 18 months is part of real plan on what's airing this summer, in the fall and beyond," said Christine Shipton, Senior VP of Drama and Factual Content at the Canwest Broadcasting division, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.