CBC renews Schitt's Creek and Murdoch Mysteries, cancels Strange Empire

The critically acclaimedcomedy Schitt's Creek and the popular whodunnitMurdoch Mysteriesare among 15 series returning to the CBC in the 2015-2016 season, the public broadcaster announced Wednesday.

Also slated to returnare long running fan favourites such as Dragons' Den andCoronation Street, as well the award-winning comedy news satiresRick Mercer Report and This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

The just-announced line-up also includes the addition of 10 new shows, like the TV adaptation ofInsChoi'saward-winning Canadian playKim's Convenienceand the espionage thrillerThe Romeo Section.

TheCBC revealed it had cancelled its gritty western Strange Empire earlier this week.

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"Im thrilled to welcome back to the CBC some of the finest creators in the country and the extraordinarily talented new voices whose stories will resonate with Canadian audiences," saidSallyCatto, General Manager, Programming, CBC Television.

"Im equally proud of our factual slate that connects and engages audiences across the country by showcasing personal, poignant andhumorousmoments in Canadians lives."

More information about the new season,including arts, documentary and returning news programming will be revealed at a later date, the broadcaster said.

The list of returning CBCprogramming for 2015-2016 so far, includes:

• Heartland.
• Murdoch Mysteries.
• X Company.
• Michael: Tuesdays & Thursdays.
• Schitt's Creek.
• Mr. D.
• Rick Mercer Report.
• This HourHas 22 Minutes.
• Just For Laughs.
• Halifax Comedy Festival.
• Winnipeg Comedy Festival.
• Canada's Smartest Person.
• Dragons Den.
• Steven and Chris.
• Coronation Street.

New and original programming

Da Vinci's Inquest creator Chris Haddock is returning to the CBC with the espionage thriller The Romeo Section.The set-in-Vancouver spy serial,is one of 10 new original productions and acquisitions being picked up by the broadcaster in 2015-2016.

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Romeo leads a number ofdramatic programs,including the previously announcedNew Address, an English adaptation of the hit Quebec seriesNouvelleAdresse and the serialized dramaShoot the Messengerthat centres on the difficult relationship between journalists and the police.

A number of new factual Canadian shows are joining theCBC roster, including a Canadian health care system documentary series calledKeeping Canada Alive.

Anemotionally-driven documentary series, titledHello, Goodbye,will join the line-up in early 2016 drawing from the personal stories of regular people in Canadian airports.

Previously announced hidden-camera comedy showFool Canadaand thelight-heartedroast of small town Canada,Still Standing (working title), starring comedianJonnyHarris are slated to premiere in summer 2015.

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CBC will be home to a number of cutting edge comedies includingYoung Drunk Punk, the Calgary-shot sitcombased on Kids in the Hall starBruce McCulloch and his semi-autobiographical stage show, and an all-female comedy program,BaronessVonSketch Show.

Ins Choi's award-winning Canadian playKim's Convenience will get new life on the small screen in 2016.The TV adaptation centres on Mr. Kim, a Korean immigrantand fiery patriarch, as he struggles with changes within his business, family and their Toronto community of Regent Park.

Strange Empire cancelled

Absent from Wednesday's announcementwas Strange Empire, CBC's gritty western that premiered just last October.

The story centred on three woman forced to survive in a rough border town after all the men are mysteriously murdered.

The broadcaster revealed earlier this week that the set-in-Alberta drama, starring Cara Gee, Melissa Farman and Tattiawna Jones, had been cancelled.

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"This was an incredibly difficult decision,"Cattosaid. "We're so proud that we were able to do it. I can tell you, it was not about ratings."

For a full schedule of CBCs winter programming, visit CBC.ca/Television.