more Canadian TV shows coming to U.S.

On the heels of the "Corner Gas" deal, U.S. stations will also get "Degrassi: The Next Generation." Led by Tribune Broadcasting and its stations, the show will be in 60% of U.S. households in the fall of 2007.

The program has aired in the U.S. on the N cable channel. But not a lot of viewers have the channel. If "Degrassi" sounds familiar to U.S. people, it is an extension of "Degrassi Junior High" and later "Degrassi High," which aired on PBS stations in the U.S.

Some of the child actors from the original series now star as adults (as their original characters) on the new show.

Director Kevin Smith ("Clerks"), a long-time fan of the original show, has guest-starred on "Degrassi: The Next Generation." The show airs in more than 150 countries.

The series of shows has been heralded for tackling tough issues, such as pregnancy and homosexuality, with frankness and without condescension.