Catherine O'Hara (left to right) as Moira Rose, Annie Murphy as Alexis Rose, Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose, and Dan Levy as David Rose are shown in a handout photo for the show "Schitt's Creek." THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-CBC **MANDATORY CREDIT**
TORONTO – Several of CBC’s hit television series are set to depart Netflix Canada next month.
CBC says it decided not to renew the licensing deal with Netflix for six titles, including award-winning comedies “Kim’s Convenience” and “Schitt’s Creek.”
Also departing the streamer Feb. 28 are the western family drama “Heartland,” 20th century detective series “Murdoch Mysteries,” amateur baking competition “The Great Canadian Baking Show” and period drama “When Calls the Heart.” They can still be viewed on CBC’s streamer, CBC Gem.
In an emailed statement, CBC’s head of public affairs Chuck Thompson says the broadcaster declined to renew the Netflix Canada licences to give CBC Gem a programming advantage.
Thompson says many of the titles were “sublicensed before the launch of CBC Gem” and with the on-demand service “experiencing good growth” they want to help bolster its programming and viewership.
A Netflix Canada spokesperson says the shows will still be available internationally, and CBC says its production partners hold the streaming rights outside of Canada.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2023.
