CBC Television

Under the Umbrella Tree

Under the Umbrella Tree is a Canadian children's television series created by Noreen Young that originally aired on CBC from 1986–1993. The show was produced by CBC and Noreen Young Productions, and also later by The Disney Channel. The series centers around a diverse set of main characters who share a house on Spring Street in a suburb of Ottawa, Ontario. The characters include Holly, Iggy, Jacob, and Gloria. The show's title is derived from the fact that the characters live together in a home featuring a prominent indoor umbrella tree. When production of the show ended in 1993, syndication continued on The Disney Channel until 1996, and on YTV and Canal Famille until 1997. Twenty-seven episodes of the show were released to DVD by Cinerio Entertainment in partnership with Noreen Young in 2006, following a long wait for expiration of ownership rights.

Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel

Anne Shirley, now a schoolteacher, has begun writing stories and collecting rejection slips. She acts as Diana's maid of honor, develops a relationship with Gilbert Blythe, and finds herself at Kingsport Ladies' College. But while Anne enjoys the battles and the friends she makes, she finds herself returning to Avonlea.

Race for the Bomb

A dramatization of the human, scientific and historical aspects leading to the development of the first atomic bomb.

Degrassi Junior High

Degrassi Junior High is a Canadian CBC Television teen drama series that was produced from 1987-1989 as part of the Degrassi series. The show followed the lives of a group of students attending the titular fictional school. Many episodes tackled difficult topics such as drug use, child abuse, teenage pregnancy, homosexuality, homophobia, racism, and divorce, and the series was acclaimed for its sensitive and realistic portrayal of the challenges of teenage life. The cast comprised mainly non-professional actors, which added to the show's sense of realism. The series featured many of the same actors who had starred on The Kids of Degrassi Street a few years earlier, including Stacie Mistysyn, Neil Hope, Anais Granofsky, Sarah Charlesworth and others. However, their character names and family situations had been changed, so Degrassi Junior High cannot, therefore, be considered a direct spinoff. The legal counsel for all the episodes was Stephen Stohn who later became the executive producer of Degrassi: The Next Generation. The series was filmed at the unused Vincent Massey Public School in Etobicoke, Ontario.

Street Legal

The professional and private lives of a group of young, aggressive attorneys in partnership together in a small downtown Toronto law firm. However they do not necessarily always see eye to eye on things.

Four on the Floor

Four on the Floor was a sketch comedy series aired on CBC Television in 1986. Consisting of only 13 episodes, the series was a showcase for The Frantics, a comedy troupe comprised of Paul Chato, Rick Green, Dan Redican, and Peter Wildman. In the U.K., it aired in Channel 4's traditional Friday night comedy slot, 10 June-2 September 1988. The introduction was voiced by Dan and Rick alternating each line, with video clips and sound effects interspersed in the opening. Although the series was quickly cancelled due to CBC budget constraints, it was an important influence on later Canadian sketch comedy, such as The Kids in the Hall and the Red Green Show.

The Defence of Canada

This series of films, written and hosted by journalist and military historian Gwynne Dyer, examines Canada's role in the international power game, its tradition of alliances with world powers, and our future role on the world stage. The series combines recent footage shot in ten countries with archival films dating back to the Boer War (1899) and interviews with noted military leaders, politicians, and frontline troops.

Airwaves

Airwaves is a Canadian television dramedy which aired on CBC from 1986 to 1987. The Toronto-filmed show starred Roberta Maxwell as Jean Lipton, a radio talk show host and widowed mother, who lived with her daughter Zoe, played by Ingrid Veninger, and her father Bob, played by Roland Hewgill. Maxwell has indicated that Canadian journalist-activist June Callwood was a basis for her portrayal of Jean. The show's cast also included Taborah Johnson, Alec Willows and Kimble Hall. Writers for the series included Judith Thompson, John Frizzell, Susan Martin, Rob Forsythe and Paul Gross. The series was repeated on Vision TV from 1989 to 1991.

Anne of Green Gables

When Anne Shirley arrives at the Cuthbert’s Farm on Prince Edward Island, she is a precocious, romantic child, desperate to be loved, and highly sensitive about her red hair and homely looks. Anne moves from one mishap to another as her wild imagination and far-fetched antics combine to constantly bring trouble upon her shoulders.

The Raccoons

The Raccoons is a Canadian animated television series which was originally broadcast from 1985 to 1991 with three preceding television specials from its inception in 1980 and one direct to video special in 1984. The franchise was created by Kevin Gillis with the co-operation of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Danger Bay

Danger Bay is a Canadian television series, produced in Vancouver, with first-run episodes broadcast on CBC Television and the Disney Channel starting October 7, 1985. One hundred and twenty three installments were filmed, ending in 1989, but the series, perceived as wholesome and exciting fare for older children and adolescents, continued to be seen through the 1990s in numerous countries around the world. The plots of the episodes followed the exploits of the Roberts family, led by marine veterinarian Grant "Doc" Roberts, and his two children, Nicole and Jonah. The 30-minute episodes featured the Vancouver Aquarium in nearly every installment. Most episodes focused on environmental issues such as pollution, wildlife endangerment and forest preservation. The series was also broadcast in Gibraltar Bulgaria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Iceland, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Finland

Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show

Video Hits

Video Hits was a Canadian music video program that was broadcast on CBC Television from 1984 to 1993, the longest running video series in Canada. Created by producer Sandra Faire, it featured music videos of current songs and interviews with artists. Samantha Taylor hosted the program from its inception, then Bryan Elliott hosted from 1989 to 1991, and Dan Gallagher hosted from 1991 to 1993. The show first aired October 1, 1984. Its time slot was weekdays at 4:30 p.m. In 1989, the show moved to 5:00 p.m.

The Edison Twins

The Edison Twins is a Canadian children's television program which aired on CBC Television from 1982 to 1986. The Disney Channel also picked up the rights in the mid-1980s. 6 seasons were produced by Nelvana. It starred Andrew Sabiston and Marnie McPhail as fraternal twins Tom and Annie Edison, Sunny Besen Thrasher as their mischievous little brother Paul, and Milan Cheylov as their bumbling friend Lance Howard. Brian George stars as their police officer friend Sgt. Paganee. The show focused on the adventures of the main cast as they stumbled onto one problem after another, using Tom and Annie's scientific wit to solve the situation. Each episode ends with a short animated sequence illustrating a key scientific principle demonstrated in the preceding live action story. The last name of 'Edison' is an homage to the inventor Thomas Edison. As of 2013, the show has not been released on DVD. All six seasons are available via streaming through Amazon Instant Video.

Spirit Bay

Life on an aboriginal reserve as seen through the eyes of young teens.

War

This series of seven one-hour films examines the nature, evolution and consequences of modern warfare. Filmed in ten countries, on two oceans, and with the co-operation of the armed forces of six nations, War features interviews with top-level NATO and Soviet military leaders and strategists, eminent historians and other professional observers of combat. Drawing as well on film and picture archives worldwide, with footage of important battlefields on three continents, this documentary series argues that war, an institution invented to settle disputes between nations, no longer serves its purpose. It concludes that nations must find other ways to resolve their differences. The on-camera host for the War series is Gwynne Dyer, Canadian international affairs analyst and military historian.

Do It For Yourself

Do It for Yourself is a Canadian television home improvement series hosted by Mary Bellows. It first premiered on CBC on September 13, 1982. The series ended on December 1, 1983 with 278 episodes. The program was one of the top run daytime shows in Canada and was sold in 1985 to a broadcast group which then aired the series on USA network, Lifetime and PBS in the United States.

Canadian Country Music Awards

Each year since 1982, the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) honours its members who have excelled during the past year, with a Canadian Country Music Association Award.

The Journal

"The Journal," a CBC Television current affairs show from 1982 to 1992, aired at 10:22 PM after "The National," delving deeper into news stories through interviews, documentaries, and town hall meetings. This split hour highlighted CBC's tension between news and public affairs units. Hosted initially by Barbara Frum and Mary Lou Finlay, it became Frum's sole hosting gig after the first season until her passing in 1992. Mark Starowicz produced the show, utilizing interview techniques like the "double-ender" initially, later transitioning to satellite technology for interviews. Guest hosts included Bill Cameron, Peter Kent, Keith Morrison, and Brian Stewart when Frum was absent.

On Guard For Thee

On Guard For Thee was a Canadian documentary television miniseries which aired on CBC Television in 1981.