CBC to Adapt Podcasts for TV

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has unveiled its first-ever development slate of podcast-to-television series, which is set to see five original CBC podcasts adapted for the screen.

CBC’s first foray into the adaptation of podcasts for television includes five acclaimed titles with wide-ranging subject matter, from drama and true crime to humor and life’s greatest questions. The first podcast being readied for development is Someone Knows Something (First Generation Films, scripted), CBC’s most-downloaded original title. It follows as host David Ridgen examines unsolved cases of missing or murdered individuals in hopes of uncovering new information, while also exploring how the cases have affected the families and communities involved.

Uncover: The Village is in development as a documentary series with Noble Television. The true-crime podcast, the third in the Uncover series, explores two waves of unsolved murders in Toronto’s Gay Village 40 years apart, following the arrest of Bruce McArthur in January 2018.

Personal Best (3 Arts Entertainment, unscripted) helps ordinary people work through the little things they’d never bring to a life coach and celebrates small ambitions, half-wins and getting less bad at things. From kicking a snooze button addiction to being less awkward around cashiers, Personal Best aims to be a self-improvement sidekick.

Tai Asks Why (Irwin Entertainment, unscripted) looks for answers to life’s biggest questions from the perspective of an exceptional 12-year-old, through conversations with everyone from NASA experts to his own little brother in order to expand the minds of the audience and touch their hearts.

Alone: A Love Story, in development to become a scripted series by Sienna Films, is a memoir about love, marriage and life after betrayal, telling raw truths about life post-divorce, dating and the maddening uncertainties of life and love.

“As Canada’s national public broadcaster and number one podcaster, we are uniquely positioned to lead in this new area of opportunity for rich and diverse storytelling,” said Barbara Williams, executive VP of CBC English Services. “This growing cultural phenomenon will make it possible for us to work with Canadian and international partners to bring passionate podcast listeners to our television and streaming platforms, and showcase Canadian stories to wider audiences at home and around the world.”