Canadaland signs exclusive first-look deal with Entertainment One and brings on Julie Shapiro to expand slate

Widely renowned podcast network, Canadaland has entered into an exclusive multi-year first-look deal with Entertainment One (eOne).

Under the terms of the multi-year deal, eOne will adapt Canadaland’s original podcasts into scripted and non-scripted television, limited series and documentaries. All projects will be co-produced by eOne and Canadaland with eOne serving as the studio and international distributor.

“Working with Entertainment One on Thunder Bay has shown us that they are just as dedicated to telling incredible, true Canadian stories as we are,” added Jesse Brown, Founder, Canadaland. “We’re thrilled to build on this partnership and take our past and future stories from sound to screen.”

“Partnering with a dynamic podcast network like Canadaland allows us access to an array of fascinating stories,” said Jocelyn Hamilton, President, Canada, eOne Television. “By leaning into the podcast to broadcast approach, we’re broadening our search in finding more incredible and thought-provoking content.”

Previously, eOne teamed up with Canadaland and Anishinaabe journalist and award-winning writer Ryan McMahon on Crave’s breakout docuseries Thunder Bay. The poignant and powerful series follows McMahon on his quest to reveal the truth behind the deaths of Indigenous people in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In addition to launching as a top 10 series on Crave, Thunder Bay also aired on CTV under the channel’s current affairs and documentary strand ‘W5’ ranking as the #1 Documentary of the 2022/23 season.¹

With an eye towards expanding its podcast development slate and creating new opportunities for an ever-broadening pool of Canadian storytellers, Canadaland recently added audio industry luminary Julie Shapiro (Peabody-nominated and Pulitzer-finalist Ear Hustle) to its team. Julie will support and advise the Canadaland team – taking and shaping pitches, developing new ideas, and bringing new talent to the network.

Recently Julie served as Vice President of Editorial, PRX, and Executive Producer of PRX’s Radiotopia, From 2014-15, Julie helped found and manage the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Creative Audio Unit. In 2000 she co-founded the Third Coast International Audio Festival, where as artistic director she shaped the Festival’s creative trajectory and nurtured a robust international listening culture.

“I’ve long admired Canadaland’s independent spirit and boldness, and its connection with listeners and supporters,” said Julie Shapiro. “I’m looking forward to working with Jesse and his team to elevate Canadian voices and perspectives through more groundbreaking audio storytelling.”

“Julie Shapiro is a visionary who has brought some of our favourite stories to life. Her ability to find and develop astonishing, thoughtful and riveting narratives is unparalleled. I can’t believe we get to work with her!” said Jesse Brown.

Canadaland provides a broad slate of popular podcasts featuring top notch journalism renowned in Canada and internationally for telling compelling stories, giving voice to a wide array of perspectives and points of view, and for sparking vital conversations about the past, present, and future of our planet. In addition to their flagship news and media criticism podcast CANADALAND hosted by Jesse Brown, some of their most reputable podcasts include the aforementioned Thunder Bay, The White Saviors which is a compelling deep dive and controversial report of the WE Charity scandal, Cool Mules about a cocaine-smuggling ring led by Vice Media editor ‘Slava P’, The Backbench featuring Jeopardy Super Champion Mattea Roach, COMMONS whose current season covers the dark side of Canada’s national pastime, and Ratfucker, the wildly true story of a political fixer and dirty tricks operative.

1 - Sep 22-Feb 23; PPM English-Speaking Canada, L+7D Ratings; Source: Numeris/Nlogic