CBC today announced its commitment to increase the number of women directing CBC scripted television series, with women making up half or more of all directors or directing 50 percent or more of all episodes on upcoming seasons of MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Season 10),HEARTLAND (Season 10), THIS LIFE (Season 2) BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW (Season 1) and WORKIN’ MOMS (Season 1). In collaboration with its production partners, CBC has acted quickly to support the goal of Women in View’s 2X More initiative, which brings together media industry leaders in the hopes of doubling the number of women directing scripted media in Canada from the current 17 percent to 35 percent in two years.
“I’m proud that CBC, in partnership with our producers, is the first Canadian broadcaster to take a proactive step forward to increase the number of women directing scripted television in this country,” said Heather Conway, executive vice-president, English Services, CBC, and member of the 2X More Advisory Group. “The talent, ideas and experiences of female directors are essential to the creation of extraordinary content that is seen in Canada and around the world. We know that there is still much work to be done, and look forward to building on our commitment to improve gender equity and diversity in all areas.”
“Kudos to the CBC. It’s impossible to overestimate the significance of this announcement,” said Rina Fraticelli, executive director, Women in View. “This sends an important signal to the rest of the industry, both here at home and internationally, that Canada is once again leading the way by drawing on the full diversity of our abundant talent pool.”
MURDOCH MYSTERIES (18 x 60 drama, Shaftesbury) - Currently in production on Season 10, premiering fall 2016 on CBC - 10 directors total, 5 women to direct 50 percent of episodes (9 episodes)
HEARTLAND (18 x 60 drama, Seven24 Films and Dynamo Films) - Currently in production on Season 10, premiering fall 2016 on CBC - 9 directors total, 4 women to direct 50 percent of episodes (9 episodes)
THIS LIFE (10 x 60 drama, Sphère Média Plus) - Currently in production on Season 2, premiering fall 2016 on CBC - 3 directors total, 2 women to direct 70 percent of episodes (7 episodes)
BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW (6 x 30 comedy, Frantic Films) - Season 1 premieres June 14 at 9:30 p.m. (10:00 NT) on CBC, airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. (10:00 NT) - 100 percent female directed
WORKIN’ MOMS (13 x 30 comedy, Wolf and Rabbit Productions) - Currently in pre-production on Season 1, premiering winter 2017 on CBC - 3 directors total, 2 women to direct 46 percent of episodes (6 episodes)
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About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. We are Canada’s trusted source of news, information and Canadian entertainment. Deeply rooted in communities all across the country, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight aboriginal languages. We also provide international news and information from a uniquely Canadian perspective.
A space for us all is CBC/Radio-Canada’s new strategy to modernize the public broadcaster and ensure that it continues to fulfill its mandate for Canadians and for future generations. Through to 2020, it will increase its investment in prime-time television programming, and continue to create radio programs of the highest quality, while promoting the development of digital and mobile platforms and content.
For more information including series synopses, press releases, hi-res images, video clips and bios, please visit the CBC Media Centre at cbc.ca/mediacentre .
About Women in View
Women in View is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening gender and cultural diversity in Canadian media, both on screen and behind the scenes.
For further information, please contact:
Tanya Koivusalo, publicist, CBC
tanya.koivusalo@cbc.ca
416-205-6863
Katherine Wolfgang, head of publicity, CBC
katherine.wolfgang@cbc.ca
416-205-2772
