Canada Readies ‘Strike-Proof’ Schedules, Contingency Plans As WGA Strike Continues
variety.comAmber Dowling As the WGA strike continues, Canadian broadcasters are conducting business as usual—at least in front of the cameras.
Bell Media and Corus Entertainment launched upfront presentations for advertisers and media buyers in Toronto last week, while Rogers Sports & Media opted for a virtual presentation. (Public broadcaster CBC skipped the traditional industry-facing event in favor of a series of meetings, but is planning a launch event in late fall.) Over the week, company leaders laid out 2023-24 broadcast schedules anchored by American acquisition programming.
They boasted Canadian originals and specialty content. Rogers announced the buzzy new “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.” Bell Media upped its original library to more than 1,000 hours and revealed the upcoming launch of ad tiers to its streaming service, Crave.
And Corus confirmed 25 new and returning original titles. The events were notably less focused on the traditional fall schedules than in previous years as the companies flew fewer talent in to promote acquisitions.
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