TORONTO – Global is going heavy on the one-hour dramas this fall according to its new programming schedule released Wednesday at the Shaw Media ‘upfront’ presentation.
A modern-day series about detective Sherlock Holmes called Elementary topped the list of new dramas, which also includes Vegas, Chicago Fire, Last Resort and Made in Jersey. Global is also adding some new comedies into the mix, such as Mathew Perry’s Go On and Jimmy Fallon-produced Guys With Kids about three new Dads.
Viewers will also see many of their favourites returning to the network including Bones, Family Guy, Glee, Hawaii Five-0, The Good Wife, NCIS, NCIS: LA, The Office, The Simpsons, Touch and Survivor. In addition, homegrown reality series Recipe to Riches is back with a new crop of Canadian home cooks, and Bomb Girls returns with all-new episodes in 2013.
Mid-season additions include the comedy Save Me and reality show The Job. New daytime offerings include The Jeff Probst Show, a one-hour talk show led by the Survivor host, and The Ricki Lake Show, a daytime series that delves into topics that interest the modern-day woman.
"Building upon the huge success of our returning programs, Global has integrated an exciting slate of new dramas and comedies to create a fall schedule that we are extremely proud of, and one we know viewers will thoroughly enjoy," said Barbara Williams, Shaw Media’s SVP of content. "We have an abundance of intriguing characters and compelling storylines brought to life by a stellar lineup of actors including Dennis Quaid, Matthew Perry and Lucy Liu – a combination that will help establish these new programs as perennial favourites."
Over in its news department, Global will launch extended local newscasts in Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg called News Hour Final starting August 20, plus add a 30 minute noon newscast in Toronto beginning August 27.
Global BC, Global Calgary and Global Edmonton will see the expansion of their morning news offerings with the creation of the one-hour Early Morning News from 5 – 6 am starting August 27, plus all three markets will also expand their Sunday Morning News programs by one hour beginning September 2. Combined with new morning shows planned for Global Montreal and Global Maritimes, Global News will be launching new programming in every affiliate market this fall.
Global News also revealed that it is working on its own 24-hour online digital news source that it says can be optimally viewed on any platform. Key to this change is a complete overhaul of its online news portal GlobalNews.ca which is expected to launch early in 2013. More details will be made available in the coming months.
– Lesley Hunter
