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TORONTO (April 30, 2026) – Bell Media and Random Order Studios today announced a co-development and first-look agreement, marking a significant evolution in their ongoing partnership and a new chapter for globally minded, culture-driven storytelling.

The deal builds on the success of Crave Original series THE OFFICE MOVERS and JUDGE TYCO, and reflects a shared commitment to developing premium content that resonates both locally and globally.

“Random Order Studios brings a bold, distinctive voice and sharp comedic sensibility to Bell Media’s world-class content portfolio,” said Justin Stockman, VP, Global Content, Bell Media. “Our collaboration with Jermaine and Trevaunn underscores our commitment to expanding our digital and premium content footprint—delivering authentic, globally resonant storytelling that connects with audiences everywhere.”

“We’ve always built from a real place, from our community, from our experiences, and from the people who have supported us from the beginning,” said Jermaine Richards. “This partnership is a continuation of that, just at a different level. It allows us to stay true to who we are while opening the door to tell bigger stories and reach audiences around the world.”

“We understand what audiences connect with because we’ve been building with them for years,” said Trevaunn Richards. “Now it’s about taking that same instinct and applying it to bigger ideas, bigger formats, and a global stage. We’re coming into this with momentum, and we plan to make the most of it.”

“This is a milestone, but it’s also momentum,” said Julian Lloyd, Executive Producer at Random Order Studios. “ We built outside the traditional system — audiences first, trust through consistency. This partnership proves creator-led studios can scale into long-form without losing what made them resonate. We’re still community-first — now we’re building at scale.”

Random Order Studios currently operates with a broad production slate spanning scripted and unscripted series, branded content, and athlete and culture-driven storytelling. The studio is actively developing projects alongside leading cultural production partners and global brands, with a focus on bridging internet culture, sports, and television.

Bell Media continues to strengthen its position as a leader in creating premium original content, bolstering a pipeline of market-leading projects for Canadian and international audiences, while building on the momentum of further agreements with Point Grey Pictures, Lionsgate, PAGEBOY Productions, and Tom Green Productions Canada Inc.

Sphere Abacus holds first-look rights at distribution. Seasons 1-3 of the OFFICE MOVERS have also been acquired by SKY in the UK, with a premiere date yet to be announced.

&nbsp;

Jermaine and Trevaunn Richards’ Random Order Studios and Bell Media Ink Co-Development Deal

TORONTO (April 30, 2026) – Bell Media and Random Order Studios today announced a co-development and first-look agreement, marking a significant evolut...

TORONTO (April 29, 2026) – Crave confirmed today its original series YAGA, produced by Blink49 Studios, is set to debut in the U.S. later this year exclusively on AMC+. The deal was secured by Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company, and comes on the heels of the recent announcement that the series was acquired by Sky for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Additional territories to be announced soon.

“The ongoing international momentum for YAGA, and its successful expansion into new global markets, is a testament to the show’s compelling narrative, creative team, and powerful performances,” said Justin Stockman, VP, Global Content, Bell Media. “We’re excited that U.S. audiences will soon be captivated by this contemporary retelling of a classic mythical story.”

Based on the hit play by Kat Sandler, who also serves as writer and showrunner, the Crave Original series reimagines the myth of Baba Yaga as a contemporary mystery thriller set in a small coastal town. Produced by Blink49 Studios and Front Street Pictures in partnership with Crave, YAGA is co-directed by David Frazee and Rachel Talalay. The series is executive produced by Mackenzie Donaldson, Andrew Miller, and Carrie-Anne Moss, and produced by Charles Cooper.

YAGA follows Rapp (Noah Reid), a private investigator who arrives in a small coastal town to investigate the disappearance of a young heir to a powerful fishery, Henry Park (Hudson Williams). He finds himself at odds with an apprehensive local detective, Carson (Clark Backo), a charismatic university professor with a taste for younger men, Katherine (Carrie-Anne Moss), and a labyrinth of enigmatic suspects, secret lives, and ancient magic.

As was revealed last week, the series also stars Sheila McCarthy, Megan Follows, Ezra Franky, Patrick Gilmore, Katharine Isabelle, and Hiro Kanagawa, along with Emilija Baranac, Georgia Acken, Anisa Harris, and Sam Krochmal.

Distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus, YAGA is available for international broadcasters as either four one-hour episodes, or eight half-hour episodes.

Crave Original Series YAGA, From Blink49 Studios, Acquired for U.S. Market by AMC Global Media

TORONTO (April 29, 2026) – Crave confirmed today its original series YAGA, produced by Blink49 Studios, is set to debut in the U.S. later this year ex...

MAY 1 – “WUTHERING HEIGHTS” *Movie Premiere*  

 	From Warner Bros. Pictures and Academy Award and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell comes “Wuthering Heights”, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. A bold and original imagining of one of the greatest love stories of all time, Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” stars Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, whose forbidden passion for one another turns from romantic to intoxicating in an epic tale of lust, love and madness. 

 

MAY 4 – ETALK LIVE AFTER THE CARPET *Met Gala Special* 

 	Join ETALK’s Tyrone Edwards, Lainey Lui, and Traci Melchor LIVE following the Met Gala red carpet, Monday, May 4 at 10 p.m. ET on Crave and YouTube, to break down the most spectacular night in fashion. From the stars who understood the assignment – “fashion is art” – to those who missed the mark, ETALK has every look covered. 

 

***Media Note: Assets for Crave programming are available at the Bell Media press site, The Lede, here   

Programming Premieres and Key Finales for the week of April 30 – May 6. 

*All Programming Subject to Change*    

 

HBO and HBO Max

May 1 – HBO Original PRIVLEGES S1 E6 (Season Finale) 

May 5 – HBO Docuseries THE DARK WIZARD S1 E4 (Season Finale) 

 

Movies 

April 30 – THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER 

April 30 – INDOMPTABLES 

May 1 – EILEEN 

May 1 – MEASURES FOR A FUNERAL *Canadian Title* 

May 1 – WUTHERING HEIGHTS 

May 1 – WUTHERING HEIGHTS WITH ASL 

May 1 – O'DESSA 

May 1 – RILEY *Canadian Title* 

May 1 – PETS ON A TRAIN 

May 1 – SING 

 

STARZ

April 30 – A BEAUTIFUL MIND 

May 1 – SING 

 

Additional Highlights

April 30 – French Crave Original LES CRUES S1 E9-10 (Season Finale) 

April 30 – THE GOAL AHEAD S1 E9-10 (Series Premiere) 

April 30 – THE MINIATURE WIFE S1 E9-10 (Finale) 

May 1 – Crave Original THE TRADES S3 E8 (Season Finale)  

May 5 – CAUGHT ON DASHCAM S4 E1 (Season Premiere) 

May 6 – DESTRUCTION DECODED S1 E1 (Season Premiere) 

May 6 – Crave Original THE LAST CAPTAINS S2 E1 (Season Premiere) 

May 6 – LOVE ISLAND: BEYOND THE VILLA S2 E7-8 (Season Finale) 

May 6 – MOOMIN VALLEY S1 (Season Premiere) 

 

Next Day on Crave

May 2 – ETALK ALL ACCESS: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 (Special) 

May 5 – THE ROOKIE S8 E18 (Season Finale) *following CTV 

May 6 – WILL TRENT S4 E18 (Season Finale) *following CTV

April 30 – May 6: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview

MAY 1 – “WUTHERING HEIGHTS” *Movie Premiere*   From Warner Bros. Pictures and Academy Award and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell comes “Wutheri...

HIGHLIGHTS



MAY 1 – “WUTHERING HEIGHTS” *Movie Premiere* 

 	From Warner Bros. Pictures and Academy Award and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell comes “Wuthering Heights,” starring Academy Award and BAFTA nominees Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. A bold and original imagining of one of the greatest love stories of all time, Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” stars Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, whose forbidden passion for one another turns from romantic to intoxicating in an epic tale of lust, love and madness.



MAY 4 – ETALK LIVE AFTER THE CARPET *Met Gala Special*

 	Join ETALK’s Tyrone Edwards, Lainey Lui, and Traci Melchor LIVE following the Met Gala red carpet, Monday, May 4 at 10 p.m. ET on Crave and YouTube, to break down the most spectacular night in fashion. From the stars who understood the assignment – “fashion is art” – to those who missed the mark, ETALK has every look covered.



MAY 7 – Crave Original BON COP, BAD COP *Series Premiere*

 	In BON COP, BAD COP, David (Patrick Huard) and Martin (Henry Czerny) team up for an investigation that takes them across Canada after the band chief of an Indigenous community in Gaspésie (Nathaniel Arcand) mysteriously disappears. They are joined by a new cadre of cops who are just as unorthodox as they are: Gabrielle (Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse), David’s daughter, who has her father’s stubborn streak; Joe (Joshua Wayne George Odjick), an intrepid Micmac police officer from Gesgapegiag; and Kim (Christine Beaulieu), a Sureté du Québec lieutenant who is generally skeptical of David’s methods. Episodes 1 and 2 drop on Thursday, May 7, with subsequent episodes streaming on Thursdays.



MAY 8 – RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE ALL STARS *Season 11 Premiere* 

 	Winner slays all! 18 Queens from previous seasons return for a wig-to-wig drag battle royale in RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS Season 11. All Stars looks for the best of the best, offering a slew of performers another shot at the crown and a $200,000 prize. The first two episodes of Season 11 drop on Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET with new episodes streaming Fridays at 8 p.m. ET.



MAY 12 – HBO Original U.S. AGAINST THE WORLD: FOUR YEARS WITH THE MEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM*Series Premiere*

 	HBO sports docuseries, U.S. AGAINST THE WORLD: FOUR YEARS WITH THE MEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAMU, follows the U.S. Men’s National Team on its journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America this June. The five-part series provides an unprecedented look into the last four years as the team prepares to compete on home soil in one of the largest sporting events of all-time. Beginning with never-before-seen footage of the USMNT at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, cameras capture the players through training camps and international matches, as well as intimate off-the-field moments at home and abroad. The series follows a weekly release schedule with new episodes dropping Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.



MAY 14 – HBO Original ON THE ROAM *Season 2 Premiere* 

 	ON THE ROAM is a six-part cinematic docuseries following Jason Momoa as he travels the country chasing art, adventure, and friendship through the lens of craftsmanship. Season 2 premieres on Thursday, May 14 and follows a weekly release schedule with new episodes dropping Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.



MAY 15 – 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE *Movie Premiere* 

 	Expanding upon the world created by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland in 28 Years Later -- but turning that world on its head -- Nia DaCosta directs 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. In a continuation of the epic story, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) makes a discovery that could change the world as they know it -- and Spike's (Alfie Williams) encounter with Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell) becomes a nightmare he can't escape. In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the only threat to survival -- the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and more terrifying.

&nbsp;
New Programming
&nbsp;

HBO and HBO Max 

May 1 – PRIVILEGES (Season Finale)

May 5 – THE DARK WIZARD (Season Finale)

May 10 – ROOSTER (Season Finale)

May 10 – THE COMEBACK, Season 3 (Finale)

May 13 – THE A LIST: 15 STORIES FROM THE ASIA AND PACIFIC DIASPORAS, (Documentary Premiere)

May 12 – U.S. AGAINST THE WORLD: ROAD TO THE WORLD CUP Season 1 Episode 1 (Premiere)

May 14 – ON THE ROAM Season 2 Episode 1 (Season Premiere)

May 22 – THE YOGURT SHOP MURDERS Episode 5 (Finale)

May 22 – JOSH JOHNSON: SYMPHONY 

May 28 – HACKS (Finale)

May 31 – EUPHORIA (Finale)

&nbsp;

Movies

May 1 – EILEEN

May 1 – MEASURES FOR A FUNERAL *Canadian Title*

May 1 – “WUTHERING HEIGHTS” (Standard and with ASL)

May 1 – O'DESSA

May 1 – RILEY *Canadian Title*

May 1 – PETS ON A TRAIN

May 7 – WHERE THE TRUTH LIES *Canadian Title*

May 8 – PREDATOR

May 8 – THE GUNMAN

May 8 – BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER

May 8 – JANET PLANET

May 8 – ANATOMY OF A FALL

May 8 – WHISTLE *Canadian Title*

May 8 – BEN IS BACK

May 8 – PREDATORS

May 8 – ALIEN VS. PREDATOR

May 8 – VILLAGE KEEPER *Canadian Title*

May 11 – THE HULK

May 14 – THE YEAR DOLLY PARTON WAS MY MOM, *Canadian Title*

May 15 – PADDINGTON 2

May 15 – INTO THE FOREST *Canadian Title*

May 15 – GOOD FORTUNE

May 15 – ASTEROID CITY

May 15 – 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE 

May 15 – KNOCK AT THE CABIN

May 22 – THE UPSIDE

May 22 – THE MOMENT 

May 22 – CLIKA

May 22 – THE BRIDE! (Standard and with ASL)

May 22 – THE CARPENTER'S SON

May 24 – GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE

May 29 – POINT BREAK (2015)

May 29 – THE ROSES 

May 29 – THE IRON CLAW

May 29 – THE FURIES *Canadian Title*

May 29 – KEEPER

May 29 – MEADOWLARKS *Canadian Title*

May 29 – MISS YOU, LOVE YOU 

 

STARZ

May 7 – MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN *Canadian Title*

May 8 – PREDATOR

May 8 – THE GUNMAN 

May 8 – PREDATORS

May 8 – ALIEN VS. PREDATOR

May 14 – BEEBA BOYS *Canadian Title*

May 15 – PADDINGTON 2

May 15 – INTO THE FOREST *Canadian Title*

May 15 – THE HOUSEMAID, 

May 21 – EARTH *Canadian Title*

May 21 – WATER *Canadian Title*

May 21 – FIRE *Canadian Title*

May 22 – THE UPSIDE 

May 28 – BOLLYWOOD/HOLLYWOOD *Canadian Title*

May 29 – POINT BREAK (2015)

May 29 – NANCY DREW AND THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE

May 29 – NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON'T

 

Additional Highlights

May 1 – Crave Original THE TRADES, Season 3 Episode 8 (Season Finale)

May 4 - ETALK LIVE AFTER THE CARPET *Met Gala Special* (Special)

May 6 – DESTRUCTION DECODED, Season 1 Episode 1 (Series Premiere)

May 6 – LOVE ISLAND: BEYOND THE VILLA, Season 2 Episode 7-8 (Season Finale)

May 7 – French Crave Original BON COP, BAD COP, Season 1 Episode 1-2 (Series Premiere)

May 8 – RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE ALL STARS, Season 11 Episode 1-2 (Season Premiere)

May 17 – SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE U.K. Season 1 Episode 8 (Season Finale)

May 19 – French Crave Original DECORE TA VIE, 25 ANS Season 1 Episode 1-2 (Series Premiere)

May 22 – THE CHI, Season 8 Episode 1 (Season Premiere)

May 24 – ACES: THE ATP NO. 1 CLUB, Season 1 (Season Premiere)

May 29 – HALF MAN, Season 1, Episode 6 (Finale)

&nbsp;

Next Day on Crave

May 5 – THE ROOKIE, Season 8 Episode 18 (Season Finale) *following CTV

May 5 – CAUGHT ON DASHCAM, Season 4 Episode 1 (Series Premiere) *following USA Network

May 6 – WILL TRENT, Season 4 Episode 18 (Season Finale) *following CTV

May 8 – 911: NASHVILLE, Season 1 Episode 18 (Season Finale) *following CTV

May 13 – UNEXPLORED WATERS, Season 1 Episode 1 (Series Premiere) *Canadian Title* *following CTV Wild

May 16 – CELEBRITY JEOPARDY!, Season 4 Episode 10 (Season Finale) *following CTV

May 19 – WHAT DRIVES YOU WITH JOHN CENA, Season 2 Episode 1 (Season Premiere) *following CTV Speed

May 19 – THE KILLER AMONG US, Season 1 Episode 1 (Series Premiere) *following Oxygen True Crime

May 22 – GEORGIE &amp; MANDY'S FIRST MARRIAGE, Season 2 Episode 21-22 (Season Finale) *following CTV

May 23 – BOSTON BLUE, Season 1 Episode 20 (Season Finale) *following CTV

May 25 – TRACKER, Season 3 Episode 22 (Season Finale) *following CTV

May 26 – THE GATHERING, Season 1 Episode 6 (Season Finale) *following CTV Drama

 

May 2026: Crave Streaming Overview

HIGHLIGHTS MAY 1 – “WUTHERING HEIGHTS” *Movie Premiere* From Warner Bros. Pictures and Academy Award and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell comes...

By BILL HARRIS
Special to The Lede

&nbsp;

CASH CAB has undergone a technological tune-up and is on the road again.

Having returned for its 10th season last week after a lengthy hiatus, new episodes of the beloved trivia series stream Thursdays on Crave. Streetwise host and driver Adam Growe turned off the taximeter and took the time to answer some questions about the path ahead.

&nbsp;

Q: Have you been driving around in the CASH CAB all this time, just waiting for the show to come back?

ADAM GROWE: “Exactly, all I do is drive around in the cab. Honestly, I don't have access to the actual CASH CAB to do that. I've continued to live and breathe trivia and comedy in my live quiz shows, so I've always kept the brand alive. But it’s almost un-Canadian not to make CASH CAB now, because it's so important to the landscape.”

&nbsp;

Q: So you’re saying CASH CAB is an essential service?

ADAM GROWE: “It's a natural resource. It's something that we need to build and export.”

&nbsp;

Q: The new season looks amazing, especially the inside of the cab. I actually was wondering if it’s an A.I. effect.

ADAM GROWE: “The ceiling of the cab is the real star of the show, as you can imagine, especially the new ceiling. But isn't this the danger now? If things look too slick, you say, 'well, I don't trust it any more.' I loved the old pixelated LED panels that we had, and even those were ahead of the game at the time, going back over 18 years. But now the technology is better. The screens are just better grade, and you can program movies and images. People are blown away. It looks fantastic, and it's real.”

&nbsp;

Q: It’s nice to know that people in the cab can see the same thing as people at home.

ADAM GROWE: “And they can touch it. I know it looks great, but we're a mobile TV studio. So I have to remind people, please don't touch it, and especially don't punch it when you're celebrating, because it’s still high-tech.”

&nbsp;

Q: Adam, you might be the singular person in human history to answer this question. In the world of smartphones, have we all become dumber? Or is it the opposite?

ADAM GROWE: “Well, I feel less intelligent because of GPS technology. I used to be the kind of person who would go to a new city, drive around once, and then get the lay of the land. Now it's so different, and as a cabbie I shouldn't even say that, because we're supposed to know our routes. But in terms of general-knowledge trivia, you know what the good news is? And it's not just a matter of hope and optimism, it's the truth: there is the same level of surprisingly incorrect answers, and the same level of amazingly correct answers that seemingly come out of nowhere from people that you don't expect. It has been the same.”

&nbsp;

Q: That’s reassuring in an odd way.

ADAM GROWE: “With any group of people, in every single game, and there are usually three games per episode, you just never know what you're going to get. Often we're two weeks into production, we've played dozens of games, we've met hundreds of people, and we're like, 'wow, there are a lot of strikeouts this season.' But we've been saying that for 10 seasons, and it always evens out. In regards to the initial question, in terms of me being the singular person in human history to answer it – I love that – it's not so much that we're not able to access information, because we can. But maybe we're too integrated into our own digital media ecosystem that we can't, you know, ascertain, or we can't dilute where we came up with certain things. Now, the fun part about trivia is, who cares, right? 'I don't care why I know this, just give me $600.' But I would rather people think about it from an experiential standpoint. You might have read a newspaper to get that nugget, or it might have been a conversation. But now people might remember something because they saw it on CASH CAB. I love that part of it.”

&nbsp;

Q: The new karaoke double-or-nothing element seems quite hard, considering the vast array of songs, from any era, that you could pick.

ADAM GROWE: “Just like any trivia question, under the pressure of the lights in the CASH CAB, it takes it to another level, you're right about that. But I do make it clear to them that if they opt for it, they don't have to know the exact lyrics, as long as I'm convinced they know the song. There's an aspect of it that's very forgiving. You would never see that on JEOPARDY! There are some trivia spaces where leniency is actually frowned upon. But CASH CAB is more about the fun experience. We want to reward knowledge, as long as they’re not completely off-base. The reality is, I would love for everybody to win, but we do need losses. Teaser, what we're thinking of doing in the future for the double-or-nothing option – and I'm not the executive producer – but one of the things we're noodling is giving people an option to either go for the karaoke, or go for the (previously utilized) video bonus. So if they're really not music people, there would be a choice. But so far, I haven't found that the karaoke has really changed the outcomes too much.”

&nbsp;

Q: Finally, why is now the right time for CASH CAB to re-emerge?

ADAM GROWE: “For me, now and any time is the right time for CASH CAB, because it's such a joy to make. It’s as much fun as it looks. I do know what fans are saying, and I do know what contestants are saying, which is, in a world where we have to think so seriously about tough and challenging issues, it's nice to get a break and have some pure, high-density fun. I'm a consumer of important world issues, I follow the news every day, but I also will scroll and look for some joy. So for people who are fans of CASH CAB, now is a perfect time to have something that is just pure fun, pure joy, and just a little bit of an escape. So that’s why now.”

&nbsp;

billharristv@gmail.com
@billharris_tv

CASH CAB is Rolling with a New High-Tech Look, But Host Adam Growe Has a Plea: Don’t Punch the Ceiling When Celebrating!

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede &nbsp; CASH CAB has undergone a technological tune-up and is on the road again. Having returned for its 10th season...

Bell Media Upfront

TORONTO (April 23, 2026) – Bell Media today announced its 2026 Upfront Digital Offer, giving advertisers the opportunity to maximize impact across Canada’s premium digital and digital out-of-home ecosystem. As Bell Media continues to build one of the largest digital advertising businesses in Canada, its momentum is driven by the rapid expansion of digital inventory across Crave, Tubi, TSN, RDS, iHeartRadio, and its Connected TV live footprint. This evolution reflects a scaled, cross-platform ecosystem designed to deliver reach, quality, and measurable outcomes for advertisers.

Available now until June 4, the limited-time offer provides preferred rates on key platforms and access to advanced outcomes measurement within Bell Media’s premium portfolio. The offer includes up to 35% discount on digital investments and up to 20% on digital Out-of-Home, alongside enhanced measurement capabilities.

Maximize Value Across Premium Digital &amp; Video

Advertisers activating campaigns in Q2 can unlock:

 	Up to 35% discount on RON, ROC, and ROS digital inventory
 	Preferred platform rates, including:

 	Tubi at $20 ROS (15s / 30s)
 	YouTube at $12 RON


 	Flexible buying across Bell Media’s premium environments, including Connected TV, online video, display, digital audio, YouTube, and social

For campaigns extending into Q3 and beyond, advertisers continue to benefit from:

 	25% discount across digital inventory
 	Ongoing access to preferred platform rates

Prove Performance with Outcomes Measurement

As part of the offer, advertisers investing $100,000 or more receive a complimentary Outcomes Measurement Report, enabling them to:

 	Measure sales lift and return on ad spend (ROAS)
 	Analyze exposed versus control audiences
 	Unlock actionable insights on audience and creative performance

Powered by Bell Media in partnership with Environics Analytics and Loblaw Advance&#x2122;, these reports connect campaign exposure to real business outcomes, helping advertisers validate investment and optimize future planning.

Extend Campaigns into the Real World with Digital OOH

Bell Media’s Upfront Digital Offer also extends into its Digital Out-of-Home network, delivering:

 	20% discount on DOOH campaigns
 	Access to Digital Large Format, Digital Street Furniture, and Digital Transit inventory
 	Excludes Toronto and Vancouver for June–July flight dates &amp; MTL F1 May reserved inventory

Offer Details

 	Booking Window: April 15 – June 4, 2026
(Extensions available based on inventory and approval)
 	Minimum Investment:

 	National: $30,000
 	Local: $12,000
 	Eligibility: Subject to inventory availability and campaign requirements



Exclusions apply, including tentpole events, sponsorships, FIFA inventory, rebooking's, and proprietary deals.

“Our 2026 Upfront offer is designed to deliver unmatched value and measurable results for our clients,” said Matt McGowan, SVP, Business Solutions. “By combining premium inventory, competitive pricing, and advance outcomes measurement, we’re giving advertisers the tools they need to maximize performance and confidently invest in campaigns that drive real business impact.”

Advertisers can leverage this limited time offer on all major DSPs programmatically or directly through a Bell media sales representative.

Bell Media Launches 2026 Upfront Digital and Digital Out-Of-Home Offer, Across Crave, Tubi, TSN, RDS, iHeartRadio, and Advanced TV Ecosystem

TORONTO (April 23, 2026) – Bell Media today announced its 2026 Upfront Digital Offer, giving advertisers the opportunity to maximize impact across Can...

By BILL HARRIS
Special to The Lede

&nbsp;

Fans of LATE BLOOMER have no reason to worry. There are plenty of laughs and ridiculous situations on display in the third season of the Crave Original comedy, which premieres with two new episodes on Friday, April 24.

But there are some significantly poignant moments as well, to the point that star, creator, director, and executive producer Jasmeet Raina was asked a blunt question: does he have any aspirations to become a straightforward dramatic actor down the line? Because he seems to have the chops to take on that challenge.

“You think so? Huh. That would be kind of cool,” said Raina, a popular comedian, storyteller, and online content creator. “I feel like there are so many people who started off as funny guys or comedians and went on to do really great dramatic roles. Like, Ryan Gosling started off as a goofball on my Canadian TV, and then just became one of the best dramatic actors. Bill Burr is another guy, I watched him in THE MANDALORIAN and I thought, he’s incredible as an actor.”

Might there be any hurdles to such a move?

“I feel like sometimes comedy is harder to do, and if you do the harder thing first, then maybe drama would come a little bit easier – but that’s not to say dramatic acting is easy or anything,” Raina said. “So I would definitely, absolutely, 100% take a dramatic role, just to change things up. Regardless of what it is, I’d love to be in something where I'm only acting, and don't have to worry about, like, what that set light is going to look like, or what pants somebody has to wear.”

Raina certainly wears the pants, and much more, on the semi-autobiographical LATE BLOOMER, where he plays 30-something Punjabi Canadian Jasmeet Dutta, an online celebrity trying to balance his budding career, his romantic prospects, and the expectations of his family.

Early in Season 3, the lead character admits that he’s on “auto-pilot” professionally, even as new opportunities present themselves. The necessity of keeping up, and keeping ahead, in the online world has the potential to overwhelm a person, as Raina knows first-hand.

“You see a bit of that this season, because there's a younger, cooler, new guy coming up that (the lead character) is constantly being compared to,” said Raina, referring to a character played by Prayag Mishra. “One thing in the influencer space is, there's always going to be somebody younger. There's always going to be the new hottest thing. That has been the case in entertainment forever, but it's whether or not you decide to fall into the trap of thinking like that. And it's easy to fall into that trap.”

There is a path that avoids it, though.

“If you are interesting, and unique, and you have a specific perspective, I think people will always want to watch and support you, regardless of what you're trying to do,” Raina said. “But then, sometimes we just get caught up in the hype cycles, and the trends. You know, I have to beat this guy, I have to be the No. 1 this, I have to be the No. 1 that. Falling victim to that is a tough thing. So just try to be yourself as much as possible, because there isn't anybody like you. That's a very, very SESAME STREET motto of the day, a lesson of the day.”

As far as the other characters and the wider storylines on LATE BLOOMER are concerned, Raina reiterated that the show deliberately avoids a traditional sitcom format.

“I think we’re just being as honest and truthful as possible about certain dynamics and relationships,” Raina said. “I don't really try to shy away from showing interpersonal conflict within the characters as well. They're all best friends or family members, but they go through different ups and downs, and I want to be able to show that. Yes, there are moments where they're all hanging out, and everything's great, and everything's fun, but then there are moments where that's not the case at all. How do they navigate that? It’s not like there’s a conflict that happens in every episode, and by the end of the episode they’re all friends again, and everybody’s great. That’s just not the formula with this thing.”

Raina has a great way to sum it all up, with appropriate “dramatic” flair.

“There are legit arcs and journeys,” he said. “Everybody on this show is a LATE BLOOMER, and you just kind of see that pan out.”

&nbsp;

billharristv@gmail.com
@billarris_tv

‘One Thing in the Influencer Space is, There's Always Going to be Somebody Younger,’ Says Jasmeet Raina, Setting Up Season 3 of LATE BLOOMER

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede &nbsp; Fans of LATE BLOOMER have no reason to worry. There are plenty of laughs and ridiculous situations on displa...

Astral

CALGARY (April 22, 2026) — Astral Out-of-Home, a division of Bell Media and Leading Outdoor, today announced the launch of two landmark digital billboards along Calgary’s Ring Road on Starlight family land within the Tsuut’ina Nation. Together, these billboards form the largest freestanding digital out-of-home installation in Canada.

The project was developed for Astral Out-of-Home, by Vance Macdonald Jr. of Leading Outdoor, and through close collaboration with the Starlight family of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and LED digital solutions provider Earl Adelman of Certified LED. Collectively, they established a long-term vision for the site that supports local businesses, national advertisers, charitable initiatives, and community messaging.

“This launch brings another world-class development to the Tsuut’ina Nation and Calgary,” said newly elected Chief Ellery Starlight. “It stands among the high-quality developments our Nation is proud of.”

“The landmark installation reflects the continued evolution of Out-of-Home in Canada, and we’re proud to bring this project to life in partnership with the Starlight family and the Tsuut’ina Nation” said Michele Erskine, VP, Out-of-Home. “Calgary is one of the fastest-growing major cities in the country, and investments like this allow us to deliver high-impact platforms for advertisers while also supporting meaningful community and public-interest messaging.”

Located on lands assigned to the Starlight family on the west side of Tsuut’ina Trail (Stoney Trail), the digital billboards offer exceptional visibility along one of Calgary’s busiest transportation corridors.

Strategically positioned near the entrance to the Shops of Buffalo Run, a retail development that spans more than 237,000 square feet and will reach audiences travelling through a rapidly growing commercial and commuter hub in southwest Calgary. This includes the first Costco built on First Nations land, and additional developments now open include the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex and The Tsuut’ina Gas Stop with many other exciting retail projects to come.

“We are very pleased to see this project come to life on our land,” said Dr. Bruce Starlight Sr. “It reflects what’s possible when respect for the land, long-term thinking, and trusted partnerships come together, benefiting our Tsuut’ina Nation and the local Calgary marketplace.”

In addition to commercial messaging, a portion of the billboard inventory will be dedicated to local and national charities, Starlight community initiatives, and Tsuut’ina Nation messaging. With Astral’s support, the displays also support public-interest communications, including emergency messaging such as AMBER Alerts.

“The Starlight family's assigned land was an essential contribution to the completion of Calgary’s Ring Road — an infrastructure project that has forever improved regional connectivity, significantly reduced congestion on major routes such as Deerfoot Trail, and supports Calgary’s continued growth,” said Vance Macdonald Jr., Leading Outdoor. “It has been an honour to develop this incredible project with the Starlight family within the traditional territory of the Tsuut’ina Nation,” added Macdonald. “These significant additions to Canada’s out-of-home landscape would not have been possible without the Starlight family’s partnership and the visionary leadership of Michele Erskine and her team at Astral Out-of-Home.”

“We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Leading Outdoor and are very proud to have built this new iconic digital location with them,” said Michele Erskine, VP, Out-Of-Home. “Calgary is a vibrant, fast paced city. Vance understands the city well and has a well-deserved reputation for building quality digital assets.”

Calgary, Canada’s fastest-growing major city, continues to invest in infrastructure and
platforms that drive economic vitality while strengthening community connection. This landmark unveiling represents more than a milestone — it establishes an enduring. world-class asset within Canada’s out-of-home advertising landscape and reinforces Calgary’s reputation as a premier city for investment.

“I’m extremely proud, as a Calgarian of several generations, to see this project come to life in our city,” Macdonald said. “On a personal level, it carries special meaning, reflecting my late father’s passion for out-of-home advertising, his love for Calgary, and his lifelong commitment to delivering best-in-class work.”

The collaborators gratefully acknowledge that this project is situated on Tsuut’ina Nation land, part of Treaty 7. The collaborators are deeply grateful to the Starlight family and the Tsuut’ina Nation for their substantial contributions to this project and Calgary’s Ring Road.

Astral Out-of-Home Launches Two Landmark Digital Billboards Along Calgary’s Ring Road on Tsuut’ina Trail

CALGARY (April 22, 2026) — Astral Out-of-Home, a division of Bell Media and Leading Outdoor, today announced the launch of two landmark digital billbo...

APRIL 23 – CASH CAB *Season 10 Premiere*  

 	CASH CAB is back for its 10th season with 26 all-new episodes where unsuspecting passengers become instant contestants on the hit game show on wheels. Hosted by Adam Growe, riders answer trivia to win cash—while wrong answers earn strikes, and three strikes ends the game at the curb. Fan-favourite twists like the Red Light Challenge return, alongside the double or nothing finale Cash Cab Karaoke, where contestants must sing for their money or lose it all! Two new episodes air Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on Much and stream next day on Crave. 

 

APRIL 24 – Crave Original Series LATE BLOOMER *Season 3 Premiere*  

 	Season 3 of the hit Crave Original dramedy LATE BLOOMER debuts its two-episode premiere on Friday, April 24. Executive produced, created by, and starring Jasmeet Raina, the eight-episode third season follows Jasmeet Dutta (Raina) who after closing a chapter on his last relationship, turns the page with new heights in his career, including starring in his first film, entering the livestream world, and growing a dedicated fandom. But as he battles the pressures of his career, he struggles to maintain his relationships with his friends and family. LATE BLOOMER follows a weekly release schedule with new episodes streaming Fridays. 

 

APRIL 24 – HALF MAN *Limited Series Premiere* 

 	Niall (Jamie Bell) and Ruben (Richard Gadd) are brothers. Not related in blood but the closest you can get. One, fierce and loyal. The other, meek and mild-mannered. Inseparable youth. Brought into each other’s lives through death and circumstance, all they have is each other… But when Ruben turns up at Niall’s wedding three decades later, everything seems different. He is on edge. Shifty. Not acting like himself. And soon, an explosion of violence takes place which catapults us back through their lives, from the eighties to the present day. Capturing 30 years in the lives of these broken men, HALF MAN is a six-part limited series from Emmy-winning creator Richard Gadd (BABY REINDEER) exploring brotherhood, violence, and the intense fragility of male relationships. 

 

***Media Note: Assets for Crave programming are available at the Bell Media press site, The Lede, here   

   

Programming Premieres and Key Finales for the week of April 23 – 29. 

*All Programming Subject to Change*    

 

HBO and HBO Max

April 24 – HBO Original Limited Series HALF MAN S1 E1 (Season Premiere)  

 

Movies 

April 23 – MONSIEUR LAZHAR *Canadian Title* 

April 24 – GONE GIRL 

April 24 – GOOD TIME  

April 24 – BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE 

April 24 – THE PENGUIN LESSONS 

April 24 – NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T 

April 24 – SLEEPING DOGS 

April 28 – DIRTY HARRY 

 

STARZ

April 23 – MONSIEUR LAZHAR *Canadian Title* 

April 23 – BEFORE MY HEART FALLS*Canadian Title* 

April 24 – GOOD TIME 

April 24 – JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 

April 24 – MY SPY 

April 24 – COUPLES RETREAT 

 

Additional Highlights 

April 24 – Crave Original LATE BLOOMER S3 E1-2 (Season Premiere) 

 

Next Day on Crave

April 23 – Crave Original CASH CAB S10 E1 (Season Premiere) *following MUCH

April 27 – WWE: LEGENDS AND FUTURE GREATS (LFG) S3 E1 (Season Premiere) *following MUCH 

April 27 – WWE: GREATEST MOMENTS S3 E1 (Season Premiere) *following MUCH 

April 23– 29: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview  

APRIL 23 – CASH CAB *Season 10 Premiere*   CASH CAB is back for its 10th season with 26 all-new episodes where unsuspecting passengers become instant...

By BILL HARRIS
Special to The Lede

&nbsp;

Considering the way the first season of SISTERS concluded, it would have been a bit of a downer had the story ended there.

“These women had to get back together,” said Susan Stanley, who plays Suze. “There was just no doubt about it.”

“The love story was incomplete,” added Sarah Goldberg, who plays Sare.

Which brings us to Season 2 of the dark comedy SISTERS, which is a Crave Original series and Irish-Canadian co-production. All six episodes of the second season drop on Wednesday, April 22, only on Crave.

SISTERS tells the story of adult siblings who were previously unaware that each other existed, with one in Canada, and one in Ireland. Various circumstances led to their meeting in the six-episode first season (also on Crave), which is set in Ireland, while Season 2 takes place mostly in Canada.

Goldberg, who is Canadian, and Stanley, who is Irish, have been best friends for many years, since they met at theatre school. Both took the time to dig into Season 2 of SISTERS in a video call last week.

&nbsp;

Q: So where are the two of you calling from today?

 GOLDBERG: “We're both in London (England). I'm in South London, and Susan's in North London. We would be together, but Susan has a bit of a cold. And we're not speaking anymore. You know, Season 2 broke us (both laugh).”

&nbsp;

Q: Did you always know the general structure of what Season 2 might be, or is it something you had to come up with after Season 1?

STANLEY: “I love this question. This is really nice, because, just to be very clear, we did not know what Season 2 was going to be about. We didn't think we'd ever get a Season 1, let alone a Season 2. So when we found out we were getting a Season 2, we were so delighted. However, in saying that, Sarah and I always talked about the kind of magic of having two seasons, and having Season 1 in Ireland, in Suze's world, where Sare is the fish out of water, and then somehow getting them to Canada for Season 2, in Sare’s world, where Suze is the fish out of water. So we did. We always had in mind that it would be, like, 12 chapters (episodes), but we didn't know the content of what was going to happen.”

GOLDBERG: “But we also had a dream of, we both live in the U.K., and I've lived in the States as well (she previously earned an EMMY® nomination for her role as Sally in HBO’s BARRY, available on Crave), and our careers just haven't been in our home countries. And so it was a real dream to go and work in Ireland, and go and work in Canada, and go home, and go home with a job, and work with amazing Irish people and Canadian people. So selfishly, that was also part of our agenda, for sure.”

STANLEY: “We did talk about in Season 1 that Ireland was a character in the show, and Ireland is very rugged and majestic and beautiful, but also there's a darkness kind of there. And then we were thinking, great, so Season 2, we're going to go to Vancouver, where Sarah is from. But then we worked with our team in Toronto, and for various reasons, we ended up shooting in Hamilton, which was a very good home for us. But it was the depths of winter in Hamilton, so it was very different than what I'd maybe imagined.”

GOLDBERG: “It was a real baptism of fire for the out-of-towners, and they handled themselves very well. I did prep them with what clothing they might need to purchase before arriving. But yeah, we wanted both countries, because obviously there's stereotypical Ireland, and stereotypical Canada. We're lucky to come from such beautiful countries, but we wanted to show some of the darkness and despair as part of the characters in the show. Hamilton was incredible and actually yielded a lot of amazing locations, and we know a lot of things are shooting there now. But there's a running joke in the show of an Irish woman coming over and being totally unimpressed by Canada, and no Canadian being able to absorb that. So we decided to kind of make it a joke that we're not shooting in the Rockies. We're not shooting in Tofino (B.C.). We're showing you some train tracks. You know, the real Canada. But it was a gift. And speaking as a Canadian who was so happy to be home, everybody was so hospitable to us, and very welcoming. It was nice being in smaller towns.”

&nbsp;

Q: SISTERS deeply examines the question of nature versus nurture. Having completed two seasons, do you think about such things differently now?

GOLDBERG: “I know what you're getting at. I mean, one of the big things we wanted to explore was chosen family versus biological family. That is something that we've always been fascinated by. Our friendship was formed over 20 years ago at theatre school, and we bonded deeply over a sort of shared childhood trauma, and a Leonard Cohen song, ‘Famous Blue Raincoat.’ The way we connected was deeper than a family bond in many ways. So I don't know that we've come to any deep conclusions about what a biological connection, specifically a blood connection, means in the show. I don’t know that we’ve cracked it. But these are two women who hold up a mirror to each other, and ask each other the complicated questions that expose the truths of who they are, and help them become the women that they're supposed to be, rather than the women that they're pretending to be. So in the show, it's not even really about their blood relation. In the end, they are choosing each other, as chosen family, the way we have in our friendship.”

STANLEY: “There are those people you meet at periods in your life where you're like, ‘I know you, I know the bones of you, and I don't know why.’ That's what I had with Sarah when I met her, because we couldn't be more different. She was that bright-eyed, optimistic Canadian, bouncing to London (England), so excited to be at theatre school. And I was the kind of gritty Dubliner, 800 years of oppression on my shoulders, smoking rollies, going, ‘who the f— is this one?’ But there was something about her, where she just got me, and I got her, and it was into our core. We did connect over Leonard (Cohen), but how can you have people who come from completely different backgrounds experiencing such a deep, deep, subterranean connection? That always fascinated us, and it's why we started writing the show, really.”

&nbsp;

Q: Last question, how would you sum up Season 2 of SISTERS? What’s your pitch to the audience, particularly those who loved Season 1?

GOLDBERG: “I think Susan has a great one-liner, but I can’t remember it.”

STANLEY: “I can’t remember it, either, I can barely remember my own name. So no, I don't have a one-liner. But what I will say is, there's a real hook at the end of Season 1, where the women are separated. And they are both incredibly stubborn, so there has been no contact between the two of them for 18 months, right? Then an envelope lands on Suze's doorstep, and it's an invitation to Sare's wedding. Suze’s mom Sheryl (played by Sophie Thompson) is like, ‘this is an olive branch from your sister, she wants to make amends, she wants you to go and be at her wedding, she loves you, let's go.’ And she convinces Suze to go. So they go … and chaos ensues.”

GOLDBERG: “If we had to give you a thesis, we have to say it's about learning to live life on your own terms. And that's the only path to happiness.”

&nbsp;

billharristv@gmail.com
@billharris_tv

Chaos Crosses the Ocean as Season 2 of SISTERS Exits Ireland and Collides With Canada

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede &nbsp; Considering the way the first season of SISTERS concluded, it would have been a bit of a downer had the stor...