More CBC hits reach more Americans than ever

Sprawling family drama HEARTLAND to reach more than 90% of U.S. market in September

TORONTO, Aug. 5 /CNW/ - Kirstine Stewart, general manager of CBC Television, today applauded the hit CBC family drama HEARTLAND for its upcoming debut in the U.S. market, where it will cover more than 94% of the country for the 2010-2011 season.

"This is a huge achievement for HEARTLAND, and further evidence of CBC's leadership position in developing Canadian stars and programs into international success stories," said Stewart, pointing to the multigenerational comedy 18 TO LIFE and Canada's favourite lifestyle series, STEVEN AND CHRIS - two other CBC hits that are finding a home south of the border this year. "We really are leading the way in exporting home-grown quality television to America and other international markets."

Produced by SEVEN24 Films and Dynamo Films for CBC, and starring Amber Marshall (The Elizabeth Smart Story), HEARTLAND is a sprawling family drama set under the open skies of the West, where a debt-ridden family of ranchers struggles to keep their dreams alive. In Canada, where it airs on CBC Television at 7 p.m. on Sundays, the show leads its time slot in households and all key demographics. In the United States, major broadcasters that have acquired the series include CBS, Tribune, Sinclair, Hearst and Lin station groups.

STEVEN AND CHRIS, starring Canada's most loved daytime hosts Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman, is already this country's coast-to-coast resource for ideas and expertise in food and entertaining, fashion and beauty, health, relationships, home décor and more. In September, it will begin broadcast in 30 U.S. markets, including San Francisco, Sacramento, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.

Meanwhile, the CBC comedy 18 TO LIFE - hailed by Variety magazine as a "breezy, pleasant surprise" - premiered in the United States Aug. 3 on The CW. Starring Stacey Farber (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Michael Seater (The Sin Bin, Life with Derek, The Zack Files), the series, which debuted on CBC Television in January and is already in its second season of production in Montreal, is about a couple that does the unthinkable in the name of love: They run off and get married at the tender age of 18 - inviting the disapproval of their parents and a host of hilarious complications.

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. With 28 services offered on Radio, Television, the Internet, satellite radio, digital audio, as well as through its record and music distribution service and wireless WAP and SMS messaging services, CBC/Radio-Canada is available how, where, and when Canadians want it.

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Joe Chidley
Veritas Communications
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