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TORONTO (June 12, 2026) – As the highly-anticipated FIFA WORLD CUP 2026&#x2122; arrives on Canadian soil, Bell Media today announced a major expansion of the sports experience across its leading networks TSN and RDS — anchored by 16 new Connected TV apps extending across web and mobile. The new apps are available across major platforms including Samsung, LG, Roku, Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Hisense, and include five new platforms for RDS, significantly strengthening Bell Media’s French-language sports offering. 

At the centre of the experience is a new FIFA WORLD CUP 2026&#x2122; hub — a dedicated in-app destination throughout the tournament that brings live matches, highlights, news, scores, and stats together in one place. For the first time, fans can easily discover what’s coming up next, making it easy to find the matches and moments they don’t want to miss. 

“This is the most ambitious upgrade we’ve made to how Canadians watch sports — making TSN and RDS even more of a destination for soccer fans, with smarter ways to find live matches and highlights, and everything in between, on whatever screen they’re watching,” said Jerrell Jimerson, Senior Vice President and Head of Products and Experiences, Bell Media. “There’s no bigger stage to launch it on than the beginning of the world’s biggest football tournament, and these are lasting improvements that will raise the bar for every event we carry — long after the final whistle.” 

The rollout also introduces a range of enhancements that make live sports easier to find and enjoy. Live event merchandising surfaces live games the moment fans open the app; DVR functionality lets viewers pause, rewind, and catch up on live events; and Matches in 30 delivers a full match in a condensed 30-minute viewing experience across both Connected TV and mobile. On mobile, fans can now follow the action through vertical video highlights — a fast, social-style way to catch key moments — while improvements across web and mobile create a consistent, high-quality experience on whatever screen fans choose. 

Beyond live matches, the experience brings soccer fans closer to the game with highlights, studio programming, and a deep library of soccer-related documentaries, and related content — making TSN and RDS a true destination for fans throughout the tournament and year-round. 

While timed to the start of FIFA WORLD CUP 2026&#x2122;, the enhancements are permanent upgrades that will continue to benefit viewers connecting with marquee live sports programming across TSN and RDS.

TSN and RDS Expand the Sports Experience Across Connected TV, Web, and Mobile with 16 New Apps

TORONTO (June 12, 2026) – As the highly-anticipated FIFA WORLD CUP 2026&#x2122; arrives on Canadian soil, Bell Media today announced a major expansion...

TORONTO (June 11, 2026) – Category is: Bring Back My Girls! Crave announced today the drag superstars vying for another chance to snatch the crown in the all-new Crave Original series CANADA’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS, premiering Thursday, July 9 at 9 p.m. ET.

The six-episode, one-hour spin-off of Crave’s Canadian Screen Award-winning series, welcomes back nine queens with unfinished business, competing for the first-ever title of “Canada’s Ultimate All-Star,” and a cash prize of $100,000. CANADA’S DRAG RACE royalty form the first all-drag judging panel in DRAG RACE her-story, with Brooke Lynn Hytes presiding as host and judge alongside CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 1 winner, Priyanka, and Season 1 contestant, Jimbo.

Available in English and French, new episodes of CANADA’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS stream Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Crave. The series launches simultaneously on World of Wonder’s SVOD platform WOW Presents Plus, in the U.S. and in 190 territories worldwide.

**Media Note: assets for CANADA’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS are available on The Lede HERE** 

The queens of CANADA’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS Season 1 are:



Aurora Matrix

Age: 25

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Previous Season(s): CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 4

Instagram: @auroramatrix

Tik Tok: @auroramatrix

 	A runner-up and fan favourite from Season 4 of CANADA’S DRAG RACE, Aurora Matrix is known for her dynamic performances and commanding stage presence.
 	A leading figure in Toronto’s drag scene, Aurora co-hosts the award-winning podcast The Powder Room alongside Perla from Season 5 and Season 6 winner Van Goth.
 	Aurora blends her drag artistry with her Chinese heritage while advocating as a role model for Queer Asian youth.

&nbsp;



Jackie Cox

Age: 40

Hometown: New York City, NY

Previous Season(s): RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE Season 12

Instagram: @jackiecoxnyc

Tik Tok: @jackiecoxnyc

 	Canadian drag performer Jackie Cox, born in Halifax and of Iranian heritage, was a semi-finalist on RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE and became one of the first queens on the franchise to wear a Muslim-inspired runway look.
 	A staple of the New York City drag scene for more than 15 years, Jackie tours internationally and performs globally, including on cruise ships.
 	Beyond drag, Jackie has appeared in DAYS OF OUR LIVES, the Oscar®-nominated film Song Sung Blue, STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY, and multiple off-Broadway productions.

&nbsp;



Jada Shada Hudson

Age: 41

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Previous Season(s): CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 3

Instagram: @jadashadahudson

Tik Tok: @jadashadahudson

 	Coined Toronto’s “Turn Up Queen,” Jada is a seasoned pro who has been entertaining audiences for 15 years.
 	Her electric and hype performance skills and her one-of-a-kind superstar personality has made the world fall in love with her.
 	As runner up in Season 3 of CANADA'S DRAG RACE, Jada is tough competition whether on the runway, national stage, or hosting one of her famous club appearances.

 



Juice Boxx

Age: 37

Hometown: Port Hope, ON

Previous Season(s): CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 1

Instagram: @juiceboxxofficial

Tik Tok: @juiceboxx_official

Twitch: @twitch.tv/juiceboxxtwitch

 	Juice Boxx was part of the inaugural season of CANADA'S DRAG RACE and has since become an icon in her own right.
 	She is a four-time Canadian Podcast Award winner for her pod It’s Dangerous to Go Alone on iHeartRadio where she discusses video games, friendship, and the intersection of both.
 	Juice Boxx is also a fitness trainer, avid gamer, and was a featured streamer at TwitchCon 2024.

&nbsp;



Makayla Couture

Age: 23

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Previous Season(s): CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 5

Instagram: @makayla.couture

Tik Tok: @makayla.couture

 	Makayla Couture is a rising drag performer known for touring and performing across the drag scene, with appearances on Seasons 2 and 5 of CANADA’S DRAG RACE.
 	She joined the franchise’s makeover challenge on Season 2, where she met her eventual drag mother, Icesis Couture.
 	Proudly representing both the Trans and Black communities, Makayla combines her musical theatre and ballroom training to deliver powerful, choreography-driven performances.

 



Nearah Nuff

Age: 25

Hometown: Calgary, AB

Previous Season(s): CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 4

Instagram: @nearahnuff

Tik Tok: @nearahnuff

 	Nearah Nuff is a knockout performer who has graced stages all over North America.
 	With a background in competitive dance, she is known as a lip-sync assassin on CANADA’S DRAG RACE, becoming the winner of the first-ever Lip Sync Slayoff in Drag Race her-story.
 	A proud Albertan, Nearah is also part of the renowned Nuff family from Calgary, who have dominated the local scene for many years.

&nbsp;



Pythia

Age: 31

Hometown: Montréal, QC

Previous Season(s): CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 2

Instagram: @pythia.queen

Tik Tok: @pythia.queen

 	A Montréal-based drag performer originally from Greece, Pythia rose to prominence on Season 2 of CANADA’S DRAG RACE and RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE GLOBAL ALL STARS.
 	With a background in theatre set, costume, and makeup design, as well as photography and graphic arts, Pythia brings a multidisciplinary approach to drag.
 	Known for blending fashion, history, pop culture, and storytelling, Pythia creates visually imaginative performances that captivate audiences worldwide.

&nbsp;



Sami Landri

Age: 27

Hometown: Moncton, NB

Previous Season(s): CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 6

Instagram: @samilandri

TikTok: @samilandri

 	Fresh off CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 6, finalist Sami Landri returns to the main stage to take another shot at the crown.
 	A fan favourite for her campy and slightly unhinged drag sensibility, Sami is a proud Acadian who feels strongly about bringing drag to smaller towns in Canada.
 	Sami has toured globally and appeared on TV series ONE NIGHT OUT WITH ALAN CUMMING (Crave) and DRAG D’LA TÊTE AUX PIEDS (TFO).

&nbsp;



Tiffany Ann Co.

Age: 34

Hometown: Vancouver, BC

Previous Season(s): CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 5

Instagram: @tiffanyannco.duh

Tik Tok: @tiffanyannco.duh

X: @tiffanyanncoduh

 	Tiffany Ann Co. is a high-energy performance queen celebrated for her dance-driven numbers, glamour, and fashion-forward style.
 	With lifelong dance training and performances across Canada, she is known for bringing “Super Bowl Halftime Show” energy to every stage.
 	A proud second-generation Vietnamese immigrant living with vitiligo, Tiffany uses drag to celebrate her heritage, and challenge conventional beauty standards.

CANADA’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS is Crave’s fourth original series collaboration with Blue Ant Studios and World of Wonder, in a list that includes Canadian Screen Award-winning series CANADA’S DRAG RACE and CANADA’S DRAG RACE: CANADA VS. THE WORLD, and SLAYCATION, all available to stream on Crave and WOW Presents Plus. CANADA’S DRAG RACE returns for its seventh season later this year.

In association with Crave, CANADA’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS is produced by Blue Ant Studios with World of Wonder. Executive Producers for Blue Ant Studios are Matthew Hornburg, Mark Bishop, Donna Luke, and Laura Michalchyshyn. Trevor Boris is Executive Producer/Showrunner, Shivani Srivastava is Supervising Producer. Executive Producers for World of Wonder are Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, and Tom Campbell, and RuPaul Charles is Co-Executive Producer. For Bell Media, Justin Stockman is Executive Producer and Vice President, Global Content. Senior Production Executive is Danielle Pearson. Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production, Original Programming. Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming.

The Stars Have Aligned! Meet the Queens Returning to the Runway for the Inaugural Season of CANADA’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS, July 9 

TORONTO (June 11, 2026) – Category is: Bring Back My Girls! Crave announced today the drag superstars vying for another chance to snatch the crown in...

JUNE 12 – STARZ Original POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN *Season 5 Premiere* 

 	The fifth and final season of the STARZ original series POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN premieres Friday, June 12 with new episodes streaming subsequent Fridays on STARZ. From Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, in Season 5 of the hit series, Kanan (Mekai Curtis) solidifies his place in the Queens drug business alongside Southside legend Breeze (Shameik Moore), and their alliance sets the stage for a reckoning that will ripple through every player in this dangerous game. Whether it's the Thomas family facing the collapse of their reign, Unique (Joey Bada$$) fighting to preserve his legacy or the Mafia maneuvering behind the scenes, many sacrifices will be made. However, nothing will stand in the way of Kanan's pursuit of power. After all, this isn't the end for Kanan Stark. It's just the beginning. 

 

JUNE 12 – Crave Original KINGS OF COKE: NEW BLOOD *Premiere 

 	The first of two follow-up chapters to the 2022 Crave Original documentary KINGS OF COKE debut in June, beginning with KINGS OF COKE: NEW BLOOD which takes audiences into a ruthless biker gang war in the drug trade sparking a deadly underworld power struggle involving the mafia, the West End Gang, and rival crews. As violence spreads, investigators trace the money to a mysterious kingpin known only as Beef. Leading to the takedown of powerful leaders and their massive criminal empires.   

 

***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 June 11 – 17. 

*All Programming Subject to Change*    

 

HBO and HBO Max

June 15 – HBO Original BRING ME THE BEAUTIES: A MODEL CULT S1 E3 (Season Finale) 

 

Movies 

June 12 – THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD 

June 12 – PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS 

June 12 – PERCY JACKSON &amp; THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF 

June 12 – KNIVES OUT  

June 12 – RENFIELD 

June 12 – DUST BUNNY 

June 12 – HAIR OF THE BEAR *Canadian Title* 

June 12 – L'ÂME IDÉALE (YOU FOUND ME) 

June 12 – RESERVOIR DOGS 

June 12 – THEY WILL KILL YOU 

June 14 – LOVE, AGAIN *Canadian Title* 

 

STARZ 

June 12 – POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN S5 E1 (Season Premiere) 

June 12 – KNIVES OUT 

 

Additional Highlights

June 11 – French Crave Original GÂTÉES POURRIES S2 E1-4 (Season Premiere) 

June 11 – 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP KICKOFF SHOW E7 (Finale) 

June 12 – ICONS UNEARTHED: HARRISON FORD MOVIES E1 (Season Premiere) 

June 12 – KINGS OF COKE: NEW BLOOD E1-2 *Canadian Title* (Premiere) 

June 13 – LOVE ISLAND: AFTERSUN S8 E1 (Season Premiere) 

June 15 – COLD CASE FILES S4 E19 (Season Finale) 

June 15 – UNIVERSAL BASIC GUYS S2 (Season Premiere) 

June 17 – SUPRA STRIKAS S1 E1-12 (Series Premiere) 

June 17 – WEST HARBOUR HEROES S1 E1 (Series Premiere) 

 

Next Day on Crave

June 14 – LOVE, AGAIN *Canadian Title* *following CTV Life 

June 17 – WEST HARBOUR HEROES S1 *Canadian Title* *following USA Network 

June 11 – 17: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview  

JUNE 12 – STARZ Original POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN *Season 5 Premiere*  The fifth and final season of the STARZ original series POWER BOOK III: RA...

Bell Media

By BILL HARRIS
Special to The Lede

&nbsp;

The 2026 #BellMediaUpfront was at the centre of the Canadian entertainment universe on Thursday, with a big presentation and celebration in downtown Toronto, and many announcements about exciting upcoming programming.

The event drew a large swath of on-screen talent, including: James Austin Johnson (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE), who did his signature Donald Trump impression for the crowd; Hudson Williams (HEATED RIVALRY/YAGA); Carrie-Ann Moss (YAGA); Scott Speedman (R.J. DECKER); Mark-Paul Gosselaar (BULGES); Nicole Polizzi (SNOOKI: PARANORMAL ROOKIE); the entire main cast of the highly anticipated HBO series STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE, Kevin Sussman, John Ross Bowie, Lauren Lapkus, and Brian Posehn; and many more. A fun photo gallery that encompasses the entire day can be found here.

STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE is a unique spinoff of THE BIG BANG THEORY that premieres July 23 on Crave. The fantastical plot follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Sussman) as he accidentally triggers a multiverse Armageddon after breaking a device originally built by Sheldon and Leonard.

So, the cast of STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE was asked a crucial question on Thursday: how exactly does Canada fare in this new multiverse Armageddon?

“Look, it's called STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE,” said Sussman, stressing the word “fails.”

“Nobody does well,” added Bowie, shaking his head.

“Canada is part of the universe, I don't know if you know that,” Posehn pointed out. “But I'm a Rush fan, so I'm all for saving Canada.”

With an eye toard entertaining Canada, as well as the rest of the world, Justin Stockman, VP, Global Content for Bell Media, identified two big programming trends for the coming year.

“First, with originals, we’ve continued to ramp up, and we’re really looking at series that will play even bigger globally,” Stockman said. “We want to take the momentum we've had and keep building it, so there are a lot of originals. We always knew we could do it, but I think we're looking at it as, this is an opportunity where all eyes are on us, especially following the success of HEATED RIVALRY, and everyone wants to see what we do next. So, we're doing a whole bunch of stuff next, to keep this trend going.”

Stockman continued, “then as far as the acquisitions go, we did pick up some new series, but we’ve also picked up some of the strongest legacy titles that were with other platforms that we've managed to pull over to ourselves. We think that they're going to do well on CTV, but more importantly, we think that they've maybe been underexposed because they haven't had a great streaming platform, and now with Crave, they'll have an even bigger story.”

Stockman went on to take a quick look at some of the key titles:

BIG BROTHER and BIG BROTHER CANADA
Stockman: “So, the U.S. version of BIG BROTHER fits into that perfectly, because we think it will do great on CTV, but we also think it's going to have amazing viewership on Crave when it comes to us in the summer of 2027. And as part of that, we decided to bring back BIG BROTHER CANADA, with Andrea Bain from THE SOCIAL as the host, premiering in the spring of 2027. BIG BROTHER CANADA always did well when it was on our competitor, so now it'll be with us, and we think that having a Crave play on it will help make it even bigger. It's also a great partnership with our French colleagues, because they already do BIG BROTHER in Québec, so we'll be shooting it in the same house in Québec – at a different time, obviously – but there's some great efficiency there to be able to bring back the series that was such a ratings hit, but it was a very costly series. Now we’ve figured out how to do it in a really smart way. There’s just a great efficiency there to bring it back and sort of set it up for long-term success.”

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Stockman: “SNL is the No. 1 25-to-54 series on television, and it's not even in primetime on the East Coast. It's another one of those titles where it has done really well at our competitor for years, but we feel like it has been underexposed in Canada for the true potential it has. Previously, if you didn't watch it live, it was hard to find. And a lot of people don't want to stay up that late. So, Crave is going to be a key part of the success of SNL once it moves over to us this fall. It'll be streaming live on Crave when it’s on CTV, as well as On Demand on Crave the next day, the full unedited episode, so people waking up on Sunday will be able to watch it and find it easily. I think we'll still see really strong 25-to-54 live viewing numbers, but where we're going to really benefit from it is the next-day viewership, and that following week, on Crave. You do hear that as a complaint in the market, ‘I don’t know where to find it the next day.’ Crave can now step into that role.”

DOC
Stockman: “I also want to mention DOC, because it continues the trend. Like SNL and BIG BROTHER, DOC is our third pickup of a show that has been a perennial hit. We think it'll do even better on CTV, not only because of our lineup, but again, it has not really been able to benefit from where I think it's a really strong streaming title. It has a procedural nature, but then there’s also a really strong story arc that's continuing with that show, where I think it's going to do really well on Crave. And we've also picked up the back seasons of DOC, so people who didn't watch it before can catch up, and then Season 3 will be on CTV this fall.”

THE LITTLEST HOBO
Stockman: “This is a big one. We announced our development and production agreement with Point Grey, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's company, last year. And the first project has come together. They are going to do a new version of THE LITTLEST HOBO. They’ve given us their treatment of how they’re going to handle it, and it's not a kids show, in that, it's not a remake of the original show in the same spirit. It’s the same format, where the dog doesn't talk, and goes from town to town and solves crimes and helps people. But it's not specifically for a kids audience, or a family audience. The intended audience is adults.”

MEATBALLS
Stockman: “We've been chasing this one for many years. It's classic Canadian IP, one of the top Canadian movies ever made, so it has been hard to sort of chase down the rights. We've now been able to pull it together, and it's basically the same plot as the movie, but we've done a bit of a gender swap to make it feel more contemporary. The people who are camp counselors probably should have given that up a few years ago, but they really enjoy it, so it's just the hijinks they get up to, and it's a bit of a sex comedy. And then Robbie G.K., who is signed on, and is coming right off of HEATED RIVALRY, he’s going to be the male love interest of the female lead.”

THE HIDDEN KEYS
Stockman: “We've been working on this for quite a while, and we're glad we've been able to get it ready to go. It's based on a novel where it's about a master thief who's working on behalf of a wealthy family to steal things, but also he's trying to set his life right, but keeps getting pulled back in. It has a very global feel to it, because of the wealthy family, and some of the things they need to get done. It's a pretty interesting, exciting novel that is good IP from which to build a series.”

I'M NOT HERE TO HURT YOU
Stockman: “This one is something we've set up with Sony Pictures Television, where they don't have a U.S. buyer yet, but we were able to get this show off the ground, and now we'll be selling it together around the world. With David Shore, being a Canadian, it was great to set up here as a Canadian series. Freddie Highmore is not Canadian, but he lives here a lot of the time, so he's an honorary Canadian. The plot of the series is that through an unfortunate circumstance, Freddie's character kills someone in a bike accident, and it sets off a real downward spiral in his life. He then ends up being a bank robber as a result of that, but he's trying to do so without causing any damage, or any hurt to anyone. He's just trying to get the money, while making sure no one gets hurt in the process.”

BALLS DEEP
Stockman: “This was pitched to us as the real-life HEATED RIVALRY, where essentially it's a reality show set in Florida, and there are going to be Canadian ties through some of the characters, and some travel. Essentially it's in beach volleyball and tennis in the amateur leagues, and folks that might be having relationships with one another secretly. These are real people, but it's not a competition series, it's a ‘follow series’ about a group of friends who play these sports, and are having secret relationships with one another.”

CATS IN THE PLATEAU
Stockman: “This is all from Jared Keeso's mind, where lots of crazy ideas come from, and they're in production right now in Montréal. Essentially, he liked the backdrop of The Plateau in Montréal, and has set a bumbling crime series with that backdrop, and so there's a cast of characters who are want-to-be criminals working in the area of The Plateau.”

I KILL THE BEAR
Stockman: “We're just setting an air date. We've got the show in. It is as wild and weird as described.”

BULGES
Stockman: “It's shooting right now. So if Hooters is for a mainly male clientele, BULGES is for a mainly female clientele. The waiters are men, and they wear shorts. The rest is obvious. It's basically Hooters for women, but it's a workplace comedy. It's actually got some heart to it, but also a lot of ridiculous comedy, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar has agreed to be the lead, so we're bringing him back. It's a half-hour comedy set at BULGES in Niagara Falls, and they have a feud with the neighboring restaurant, Dick's Wings. So it’s about who will win in their fight of the restaurants. We were looking for a name to attach to the show that we could bring in. The writing is hilarious, the concept is hilarious. So we wanted someone who might pique the interest of, ‘what is this show, and why is he on it?’ Mark-Paul Gosselaar fits the bill perfectly, and he's very committed and super into it.”

YAGA
Stockman: “Hudson Williams is playing a far different character than he was in HEATED RIVALRY. It's a half-hour drama, definitely genre-bending. It's based on a pretty well-known play that won a ton of awards. The playwright, Kat Sandler, is also the showrunner. It’s basically a crime investigative series, but the backdrop is this creepy supernatural world of the folklore of the Baba Yaga, which is Eastern European mythology of a witch who lives in the woods. So it's all meshed together into a pretty compelling series that has lots of twists, and is really mood-setting, and creepy, and exciting.”

SNOOKI: PARANORMAL ROOKIE
Stockman: “Every show that Snooki has been on, we've had, and they've all done well for us. So somebody came in and pitched us, and said, what do you think if Snooki wants to be a paranormal investigator, she's training to do this because she has interest in ghosts and the supernatural, and a guy from Ontario is willing to train her and take her around to haunted places in Ontario. And that's what it is. The show is all about her reactions when they do find paranormal experiences, or what she deems are paranormal experiences. Her reactions to it are what you'd expect from Snooki.”

SALTY
Stockman: “We don't have any casting for this yet, but it's a female buddy comedy about two mermaids who leave the ocean looking for love. The folklore in the story is that if they don't find love before they turn 40, they will turn into fish. So it'll definitely be a little sex-forward. It's them trying to figure out how they find love in this complicated world, and a lot of the humour will be them not understanding how things work. You know, it's Splash with more sex. And yes, they get legs, they grow legs when they're on land.”

NEW DOCUMENTARIES
Stockman: “One other thing I definitely want to mention regarding originals is, we just have a ton of continuing hockey-related documentaries, and then we've just really ramped up the true-crime titles as well. We're just finding true crime is really working for Crave, as is anything hockey-related. Both of those categories really continue to deliver for us.” (More details can be found here.)

THE ROOKIE NORTH
Stockman: “This one is really strong. We've seen the first episode, the pilot's available. It takes the best elements of what makes THE ROOKIE work – basically the format of someone later in life deciding to try something new – but it's in a fresh environment, set in the U.S. Northwest. It sets up a new cast of characters, but it has that same sort of ensemble feel. THE ROOKIE, by the way, just can do no wrong, every season. It continues to be one of the top shows, both on linear and also on streaming. And it feels like this time they've figured out that secret sauce for a spinoff. They've put it in a new location with a new character that's different enough that it feels fresh, but gives you everything you expect from THE ROOKIE. I'm very bullish that this one is going to be a hit.”

GREY'S ANATOMY spinoff
Stockman: “What we know is, it's a GREY'S ANATOMY spinoff set in Texas, and we said, ‘we'll take it.’ PRIVATE PRACTICE went for several years, and STATION 19 did as well, so there’s a great track record here. We are very excited to see how this comes together, but we're all in, based on the title alone: ‘GREY'S ANATOMY Spinoff.’ ”

AMERICAN HOSTAGE
Stockman: “This is set up to be an anthology series if it continues, where it would be a different hostage storyline for the next season. So, in this first season, it's set in Indianapolis, and it's about a pretty famous hostage taking at a bank that then was broadcast live on the radio. Giovanni Ribisi plays the guy who takes the hostage, and John Hamm plays a radio DJ who's then managing this live on the air. Long before O.J. Simpson’s car chase, it’s one of the first times where a crime unfolded live on the air. And some of the elements of the case were that the character Giovanni Ribisi is playing, he felt like he had been screwed over by the bank, and there's a bit of the little guy versus the system. A lot of the people listening to this as it unfolded were on the hostage-taker's side, because of the economic times in the 1970s. So it's really gripping and exciting, and there's a cast of characters around these two leads that really flesh out the story. It was shot in Winnipeg last winter.”

UP TO NO GOOD
Stockman: “We've seen most of the first episode of this. It's based on a series of short stories about a character whose name is Maud, played by Glenn Close, and essentially she is, I guess, a serial killer. She kills multiple people, but she's doing it sort of to get even, or people that just make her mad for a random reason, and you're often on her side because they're sort of jerks. Not worthy of being murdered, of course, so it’s a little tongue-in-cheek. Really, the underlying story that the author is telling is that as women age, they can become invisible, and so no one ever suspects that the person who’s guilty is the little old lady who's always at all these crimes. Then there's a bit of a cat-and-mouse thing, where one cop gets wise that she seems to always be around when these crimes are happening, but no one else wants to believe that this sweet old lady could be the murderer.”

SUNSET P.I.
Stockman: “This is for mid-season, from the makers of BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, and it feels pretty similar to BROOKLYN NINE-NINE. It's set in L.A., and it's a private investigator, with a wacky set of characters, set around Jake Johnson trying to solve crimes, but they're not always great at their jobs. It's fun. I think it's going to do quite well.”

THE TRAITORS franchise
Stockman: “The only other thing I want to say is, THE TRAITORS universe keeps expanding, where we're back with another season of THE TRAITORS CANADA, the UK TRAITORS, and UK CELEBRITY TRAITORS. And alongside the US TRAITORS, which is actually celebrity TRAITORS, but it's just called THE TRAITORS, we've now picked up THE TRAITORS Civilian Version. Since they already called the celebrity version in the U.S. simply THE TRAITORS, they called this one THE TRAITORS Civilian Version. So, we picked that up as well. There doesn't seem to be anyone getting tired of THE TRAITORS. We're continuing to be bought in on the whole franchise, and we're growing along with it.”

billharristv@gmail.com
@billharris_tv

‘All Eyes Are On Us,’ Says Bell Media Exec Justin Stockman as He Looks Forward to More Success at #BellMediaUpfont 2026

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede &nbsp; The 2026 #BellMediaUpfront was at the centre of the Canadian entertainment universe on Thursday, with a big...

The following release was issued by Walmart, earlier today, announcing the launch of Walmart+ in Canada — a new membership program that includes a subscription to Crave Standard with Ads, all for $8.97 per month or $89 annually.

As part of the launch, Walmart+ members will gain access to Crave’s premium streaming lineup, making Walmart+ the first membership program in Canada to include Crave as an embedded streaming benefit.



MISSISSAUGA, ON (June 4, 2026) – Walmart+ has arrived in Canada, unlocking a first-of-its-kind membership program that goes beyond delivery for Canadians, bringing together unlimited same-day delivery from store, free shipping with no order minimum from Walmart.ca and a subscription to Crave – all for $8.97 per month or $89 annually.

Canada is the first Walmart market outside of the United States to launch Walmart+. This program offers everything customers love about Delivery Pass, which launched at the same everyday low price of $89 in 2023, plus more. Existing Delivery Pass members will automatically become Walmart+ members.

“Walmart+ is a game-changer for Canadians, especially the busy families who rely on our everyday low prices,” said Catherine Theberge-Conner, Head of Membership, Walmart Canada. “With Walmart+, Canadians can access a unique membership offering that combines unlimited grocery and general merchandise delivery with benefits beyond retail – all for only $89 per year. Canadians are going to love the level of convenience, assortment and value they get with Walmart+, with more to come.”

At launch, Walmart+ benefits include: 

 	Unlimited free same-day delivery from store on orders over $35, at the same everyday low prices available in our stores. Members even save on Express Delivery, which arrives in 2 hours or less.
 	Free shipping with no order minimum on thousands of items from Walmart.ca and the Walmart app.
 	A subscription to Crave Standard with Ads: From acclaimed Crave Originals like Heated Rivalry, Project Runway Canada, and Shoresy, to exclusive HBO and Max Originals, popular CTV and Noovo series, blockbuster films and more, Walmart+ is the only membership to offer Crave as an embedded benefit at no additional cost. Plus, members can access select live sports, including competitions from marquee leagues across Canada and around the world.

“Crave is built around bringing Canadians premium entertainment that fits naturally into their everyday lives,” said Steve Cummings, Vice President, Subscription Sales and Partnerships, Bell Media. “Through Walmart+, we’re making that experience even more accessible by pairing Crave’s premium content lineup, with one of the country’s most compelling membership offerings. It’s an exciting opportunity to reach audiences through a service that delivers value and convenience, every day.”

Walmart+ members will also continue to enjoy Walmart’s flexible and convenient pickup and delivery experience, including:

 	The ability to add items to an existing scheduled order up to three hours prior to the start of their selected pickup or delivery slot time.
 	Express Delivery in two hours or less, for a discounted fee.
 	Free pickup from store.

“For the first time, we’ve unlocked free shipping with no order minimum, arriving as soon as the next day, for thousands of items on Walmart.ca,” said Andrew Go, Vice President, eCommerce and Marketing, Walmart Canada. “This benefit is only available through Walmart+ and is going to transform how Canadians shop with Walmart, giving them even more convenience, value and flexibility every day.”

Walmart+ is designed to help Canadians save time and get more value from the way they already shop at Walmart. New customers can start a free 30-day trial of Walmart+ at https://www.walmart.ca/en/plus

Walmart+ arrives in Canada, with unlimited delivery, free shipping with no order minimum and Crave, for only $8.97/month - the cost of a single delivery

The following release was issued by Walmart, earlier today, announcing the launch of Walmart+ in Canada — a new membership program that includes a sub...

Bell Media Upfront 2026

TORONTO (June 4, 2026) – Bell Media today unveiled its 2026/27 programming slate for CTV and Crave, featuring buzzy new originals and acquired series, returning fan favourites, live sports, breaking news, and major cultural events – all anchored by comprehensive FIFA World Cup coverage across Bell Media platforms. 

Building on another year of industry-leading momentum, CTV celebrates 25 consecutive years as Canada’s #1 conventional network in primetime, while Crave delivered its most-watched year ever in 2025. Together, CTV and Crave continue to reach audiences at scale with a cross-platform content ecosystem spanning hit scripted and unscripted series, marquee live broadcasts, trusted news coverage, and some of the world’s biggest cultural and sporting moments. 

“CTV continues to bring Canadians the biggest entertainment franchises, live sports, and trusted news programming with broad audience appeal,” said Justin Stockman, Vice-President, Global Content, Bell Media. “With the addition of iconic global franchises like BIG BROTHER, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and spinoff series of GREY’S ANATOMY, S.W.A.T. and THE ROOKIE to our lineup, alongside Crave’s premium slate of acclaimed originals, hit series, and marquee streaming events, we’re creating a complementary viewing experience that delivers the content audiences love across both CTV and Crave – wherever, whenever, and however they choose to watch.” 

With all CTV series also available to Crave subscribers through the live CTV channel, as well as on demand the next day, here's what's coming up on CTV and Crave: 

 	New fall series include THE TRAITORS (Civilian Version), NEWLYWEDS, and DOC. Seasons 1 and 2 of DOC will also be available on Crave. 


 	Coming exclusively to Crave are dramas AMERICAN HOSTAGE, UP TO NO GOOD, CRYSTAL LAKE and THE GOOD DAUGHTER. 


 	Returning this fall are BOSTON BLUE, BEST MEDICINE, TRACKER, THE FALL AND RISE OF REGGIE DINKINS, R.J. DECKER, SCRUBS, ST. DENIS MEDICAL, GEORGIE &amp; MANDY’S FIRST MARRIAGE, 9-1-1: NASHVILLE, GREY’S ANATOMY, CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE, CELEBRITY JEOPARDY!, CELEBRITY WEAKEST LINK, SHARK TANK, THE AMAZING RACE, THE FLOOR, and THE VOICE. 


 	Also beginning this fall, as previously announced, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE joins CTV and Crave’s Saturday night lineup. As part of the programming update, CTV NEWS TORONTO, CTV NEWS OTTAWA, and CTV NEWS MONTREAL at 11:30 p.m. ET shift to 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturdays, complementing CTV NEWS AT SIX and CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH HEATHER BUTTS at 11 p.m. ET. 

Midseason Premieres 

Midseason additions include new series THE ROOKIE: NORTH, SUNSET P.I., and the UNTITLED GREY’S ANATOMY SPINOFF. 

Returning midseason titles include THE ROOKIE, Canada’s #1 drama HIGH POTENTIAL, WILL TRENT, SHIFTING GEARS, MEMORY OF A KILLER, THE MASKED SINGER, and FEAR FACTOR: HOUSE OF FEAR. 

Coming soon to CTV and Crave is S.W.A.T. EXILES. 

BIG BROTHER USA makes itself at home on CTV and Crave beginning Summer 2027, as CTV and Crave also announced today the return of BIG BROTHER CANADA. 

Bell Media Original Productions 

Continuing to invest in homegrown content, Bell Media Original productions returning include: SULLIVAN’S CROSSING (Season 5), THE TRAITORS CANADA (Season 4), MASTERCHEF CANADA (Season 9), PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA (Season 2), CANADA’S DRAG RACE (Season 7), ACTING GOOD (Season 5), THE OFFICE MOVERS (Season 3), SHORESY (Season 6), HEATED RIVALRY (Season 2), and more. For a full list of Bell Media Original productions, click here. 

Awards and Live Events 

CTV remains Canada’s premier destination for marquee live events, following another standout year in live programming. Highlights included the 98th OSCARS®, once again the year’s #1 entertainment broadcast, and SUPER BOWL LX, the most-watched broadcast of winter 2026, reaching 14.2 million Canadians. This season, CTV continues to be Canada’s home for the biggest live entertainment events, headlined by the 99th OSCARS® and the return of ETALK AFTER THE OSCARS, as ETALK celebrates a milestone 25th season this fall. The schedule also features television’s biggest nights, including the 78th EMMY®  AWARDS, CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, and the 60th Annual CMA AWARDS (CTV2).  

Bell Media remains the exclusive television broadcast partner of the NFL in Canada. Coverage returns to CTV/CTV2 and Crave this fall, in addition to TSN, with MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, and SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, culminating with SUPER BOWL LXI on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027. 

The CFL is also back on CTV and Crave, with Saturday afternoon games, alongside TSN. Together, the networks deliver Canada’s largest annual single-day sporting event – the 113th GREY CUP, live from McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Sunday, Nov. 15 (visit TSN.ca for the complete CFL ON TSN broadcast schedule). 

CTV Daytime 

CTV’s daytime lineup returns with new seasons of CTV YOUR MORNING, LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK, THE GOOD STUFF WITH MARY BERG, THE VIEW, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, and THE SOCIAL. 

CTV News 

CTV News programming continues to anchor the schedule with Canada’s #1 national news, CTV NATIONAL NEWS with Omar Sachedina (weeknights at 11 p.m.) and Sandie Rinaldo (weekdays at 5:30 p.m.), as well as Heather Butts on weekends (11 p.m.). Serving communities across Canada are local newscasts including CTV NEWS AT SIX, CTV NEWS AT FIVE, and CTV NEWS AT 11 p.m. New this fall, CTV NEWS TORONTO, CTV NEWS OTTAWA, and CTV NEWS MONTREAL newscasts at 11:30 p.m. ET move to 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturdays only.  

For series descriptions, click here.

Bell Media Unveils a Blockbuster 2026/2027 Slate Across CTV and Crave, Fuelled by New Series and Returning Hits, Live Events, and Sports

TORONTO (June 4, 2026) – Bell Media today unveiled its 2026/27 programming slate for CTV and Crave, featuring buzzy new originals and acquired series,...

2026-2027 BELL MEDIA UPFRONT ACQUISITIONS – CTV and Crave

CTV *All new series also stream next day on Crave   FALL SCHEDULE:   DOC – New to CTV Inspired by a true story and based on the hit Italian drama seri...

Bell Media Announces 2026/27 Original Content Slate

TORONTO (June 4, 2026) - Bell Media today unveiled its 2026/27 English original content slate, featuring 62 premium titles alongside 56 French-languag...

English-Language Returning Series: 
 

ACTING GOOD (Season 5) - CTV Comedy Channel *distributed by Sphere Abacus 

THE AMAZING RACE CANADA (Season 12) - CTV 

CANADA’S DRAG RACE (Season 7) - Crave 

DRAG BRUNCH SAVED MY LIFE (Season 2) – Crave *distributed by Sphere Abacus 

HEATED RIVALRY (Season 2) – Crave *distributed by Sphere Abacus 

HIGHWAY THRU HELL (Season 15) - USA Network 

MASTERCHEF CANADA (Season 9) - CTV 

THE OFFICE MOVERS (Season 3) – Crave *distributed by Sphere Abacus 

PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA (Season 2) - CTV 

THE REBUILD: INSIDE THE MONTREAL CANADIENS (Season 3) - Crave 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN WRECKERS (Season 2) - USA Network *distributed by Sphere Abacus 

SHORESY (Season 6) - Crave 

SULLIVAN’S CROSSING (Season 5) – CTV 

SUPER TEAM CANADA (Season 2) – Crave  

THE TRAITORS CANADA (Season 4) - CTV 

 

French-Language Returning Series: 

Comprehensive French-language series updates are available, here. 

2026/27 Returning Series Addendum 

English-Language Returning Series:    ACTING GOOD (Season 5) - CTV Comedy Channel *distributed by Sphere Abacus  THE AMAZING RACE CANADA (Season 12) -...

TORONTO (June 4, 2026) – Following a previously announced development and production agreement, Crave today revealed the first project to emerge from Bell Media’s partnership with Lionsgate Canada and Point Grey Pictures: a live-action drama reimagining of iconic Canadian television classic THE LITTLEST HOBO. The series is produced by Lionsgate Canada in partnership with Point Grey Pictures, Rose Oushalkas and Christopher Dew of New Hobo Productions Inc., and Crave.

This marks Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s first scripted project for the Canadian market under Lionsgate’s first-look television deal with Point Grey, expanding their multi-year partnership and building on their recent collaboration on The Studio for Apple TV. The series recently completed one of the most dominant awards runs in modern television history earning 23 Emmy nominations and 13 Emmy® Awards, in addition to major wins at the Golden Globe® and BAFTA Awards.

THE LITTLEST HOBO represents a new take on the beloved Canadian television series, which originally aired on CTV from 1979 to 1985. Starring an extraordinarily intelligent, ownerless German Shepherd who wandered from town to town helping people in need, the story has resonated with generations of audiences.

“THE LITTLEST HOBO was a foundational show of our childhood. We are thrilled to have the honour of bringing it back for a new generation alongside our partners at Crave. And though the hobo may be little, we promise big things to come. That doesn’t mean the dog will be huge like Clifford. The hobo will still be little. But the adventures will be BIG,” – said Rogen and Goldberg.

“THE LITTLEST HOBO is one of the most legendary pieces of Canadian IP, and there is no creative team better suited to reimagine it for a new generation than Seth and Evan,” said Justin Stockman, Vice-President, Global Content, Bell Media. “With bold, original storytelling rooted in Canada, this project sits at the heart of everything we set out to accomplish with this partnership. We couldn’t be more excited to bring Hobo home to Crave.”

“We’re thrilled to build on our partnership with Point Grey and Bell Media to bring a fresh new take on this beloved property to Canadian audiences,” said Lionsgate Television Group EVP &amp; Head of Scripted Development Scott Herbst and Lionsgate Canada Television President Jocelyn Hamilton. “With its Canadian roots, Point Grey is the ideal creative partner for THE LITTLEST HOBO, and Crave is the perfect home for the series to connect with audiences across Canada.”

Casting, production, and premiere details are set to be announced at a later date.

Crave, Point Grey Pictures, and Lionsgate, Set  THE LITTLEST HOBO as First Project Under Partnership

TORONTO (June 4, 2026) – Following a previously announced development and production agreement, Crave today revealed the first project to emerge from...