Apart from the news, does Canada have local television programs like dramas and comedy series or do they?

Question

rely heavily on American programining?
Asking this, cause I'm thinking of moving to Canada to produce a television series based in Canada and shown primarily in Canada.

Answer 1

Yes, Canada has local tv programs. Some Canadian content is required: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/b306.htm

http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainment/television/index.html

Lots of luck!

Answer 2

We get lots of American TV and Canadian shows get a bad rap. There are some great Canadian shows (they are getting more and more popular every year)!
I don't think an outsider would do well with Canadian shows (you probably would not get our sense of humour and irony). Often Canadian shows are a lot "smarter" and more controversial than American shows (many American shows are mindless entertainment, which has its place but can get generic and boring). Canadian shows can seem a bit mindless as well until you watch them for a while and see the underlying irony (I don’t think shows like “Friends” had layers like that, even though I did enjoy “Friends”.)
There are already lots of TV shows filmed in Canada as well.

Some Canadian shows are (current and in reruns), you should watch some to get an idea of Canadian shows:
Corner Gas
Robson Arms
ReGenesis
Degrassi series
Kids in the Hall
The Red Green Show
This Hour Has 22 Minutes
Cold Squad
Rick Mercer's Monday Report
Royal Canadian Air Farce

Canadians are known for comedians. You should watch “The Canadian Conspiracy” and “Canadian Bacon” - they are older but still hold up.


Some comedians and actors that have become well known in the US (I’m sure that I have left some out and just because they have become popular in the US does not mean that they represent Canadian style):
Mike Myers, John Candy, Jim Carrey, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Lorne Michaels, Dan Aykroyd, Tommy Chong, Phil Hartman, Eugene Levy, Norm MacDonald, Howie Mandel, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Scott Thompson, Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Leslie Nielsen, Ron Pederson, Eric McCormack, Michael J. Fox, Brendan Fraser, Matthew Perry, Jason Priestly, Keanu Reeves, William Shatner, Donald Sutherland, Kiefer Sutherland, Alan Thicke.

Answer 3

I don't think I'd pack my bags and laptop too fast. You need to do a lot of research before you even contemplate the Canadian market. Although a lot of Canadian broadcasters rely on US shows, they also import shows from around the world. Aside from small issues like the CRTC's Canadian content rules, and trying to convince broadcasters to buy your series, you really need to study and understand the Canadian psyche. Canadians aren't just a bunch of funny speaking, parka wearing versions of AMericans. Canadians have their own humour, not to mention their own outlook on life. THey may watch & enjoy American shows, but if they watch a Canadian show, it better be Canadian and not some version of what a foreigners (and yes, Americans are foreigners) think Canadians are.

Go to the cbc site and invest in some dvds of Canadian shows and then see if you understand what makes Canadians laugh and cry.

Answer 4

Canada has good drama series and sketch-comedy shows (although yes, lots of news and American programming as well). What it lacks is decent sit-coms.

Answer 5

They have a Canadian version of "Laguna Beach" called "Saskatchewan". The town hoochie there is named Kristin-eh.

Answer 6

yes, I do watch comedy, variety etc,
lately I just watched Canada's next top model...

well, goodluck !