RuPaul’s Drag Race Set for Canadian Adaptation

Bell Media’s Crave and OUTtv have partnered to extend the reach of RuPaul’s Drag Race in Canada with a local version of the format.

Per the partnership, the Crave Original series Drag Race Canada will launch as the first-ever Canadian adaptation of the show, which will stream on Crave and OUTtv. Further, the platforms are set to become the leading Canadian broadcast and streaming homes of future seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, airing day and date with the U.S. broadcast. The all-new series RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will be available on Crave and OUTtv day and date with BBC Three. All past seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars will be available as well.

Drag Race Canada is produced by Blue Ant Studios in association with Crave. World of Wonder produces the original RuPaul’s Drag Race, which premiered in 2009 and has run for 11 seasons.

RuPaul said: “I am proud to announce that the Drag Race family is expanding as Crave is about to begin production on Drag Race Canada. The panel and judges will be from the Great White North, representing Canada’s very best. This new franchise has my whole-hearted blessing. Good luck…and don’t puck it up!”

Justin Stockman, VP of Premium SVOD and OTT at Bell Media, said: “As Canada’s only homegrown major streaming service, Crave strives to represent all Canadians and we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the Canadian drag community and their contribution to LGBTQ2+ culture. This is an important franchise that has brought drag from niche to mainstream, and we can’t wait to extend the Drag Race runway all the way into Canada. Through our partnership with Brad Danks at OUTtv and World of Wonder, along with a passionate and growing Canadian fan base, the time is right to lip-sync for our lives, and crown Canada’s first drag superstar.”

OUTtv Network CEO Brad Danks said: “RuPaul’s Drag Race has brought charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to OUTtv for almost 10 years. We are thrilled to partner with Crave and World of Wonder to give Canadian drag artists the chance to compete for the crown on Drag Race Canada and bring future seasons, including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, to OUTtv and Crave.”

Sam Sniderman, executive VP of global productions at Blue Ant Studios, said: “Canadian drag is world class and we could not be more excited to bring these artists and their stories to Crave. We are thrilled to be working with WOW on this legendary and game-changing global format.”

Executive Producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato of World of Wonder added: “We are excited to be working with Crave and OUTtv to grow the drag experience for Canadian audiences, and shine the spotlight on Canadian queens.”