CBC announced its 2023-2024 programming slate for television and CBC Gem, with some shows emphasizing identity politics. .“As we announce our new slate of remarkable storytelling, we remain focused on serving Canadians on the platform of their choice and offering what no other media company in this country can: the essential information audiences rely on each and every day, and authentic entertainment that reflects the changing face of Canada,” said CBC Executive Vice-President Barbara Williams in a press release. .“We’re different.”.Building on the launch of CBC News Explore, the release said CBC will be launching new free 24/7 ad-supported streaming channels this fall, including CBC Comedy and local news channels starting with CBC News BC. It said CBC Comedy will feature hit comedy shows and the best in sketch comedy and stand-up specials. .The release said One More Time — a workplace comedy about hearing-impaired secondhand sporting goods store manager DJ and the team of employees he leads — will be joining the lineup in winter 2024. It added DJ’s positive outlook on life is challenged at every turn, as his team and him struggle to keep the store alive. .Allegiance — a drama show about police officer Sabrina Singh finding herself caught between her loyalties to her job, her family, and Canada after her father’s arrest — will launch in winter 2024. This show is a character-driven police procedural about identity and belonging, policing and politics, and finding new paths to truth and justice. .Black Life: Untold Stories — an eight-part documentary series which reframes black history in Canada to dispel myths and celebrates these people — will come out in 2023..Telling Our Story — a documentary about 11 indigenous people from Quebec explaining who they are, their world views, and their connections to Canada — will come out in 2023. It is a celebration of indigenous people’s resistance, resilience, and revival..How to Fail as a Popstar — a comedy show adaptation of the book by author Vivek Shraya — will be released in 2023. Following the journey of Shraya as she grew up as a young South Asian queer person in Edmonton, it examines her attempts to achieve pop stardom and what went right and wrong along the way. .I Hate People, People Hate Me — a comedy about two friends navigating life as outsiders in Toronto’s queer community — will premiere in 2023. This show explores queer identity at a time when it has been mainstreamed and commodified. .Williams concluded by saying CBC stands “apart from others, just as strong and just as significant.” .“We want all Canadians to see CBC as their thing — as a Canada thing that makes everyone feel they belong, regardless of their age, background, or location,” she said. .Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said at his Axe the Carbon Tax Rally in 2022 he would defund the CBC if elected prime minister, which received thunderous applause from the crowd. .READ MORE: Hundreds gather for Pierre Poilievre’s ‘Axe the Carbon Tax’ rally in Ottawa.“The room doesn’t seem undecided on that one, does it?” said Poilievre. .“That will save us a lot of money.”.CBC launched Lido TV — a children’s show about social justice ideas — in September. .READ MORE: WATCH: CBC unveils children’s show about colonialism, feminism.“Actual segment from a new CBC children's show called ‘LIDO TV,’ in which ‘host Lido Pimienta … tackles themes ranging from feminism and privilege to colonialism,’” said Quillette associate editor Jonathan Kay. .A video Kay attached to shows a giant tomato speaking to Pimienta about colonialism.
