Canadian TV coming to the U.S.

The writers strike in the United States might be an advantage for Canadian TV programs to get exposure in the U.S.

This article highlights some of the shows coming to the U.S.

NBC is finalizing a deal to pick up 13 episodes of CTV's upcoming drama series "The Listener."

The distributors of another Canadian drama, CBC's "The Border," are in discussions with several U.S. networks, including CBS and ABC.

And ABC Family is in talks to pick up 13 episodes of CBC's comedy series "Sophie." That follows CBS' deal this week to acquire 13 episodes of CTV's new drama series "Flashpoint."

I can't vouch for these shows, but anything that gets more Canadian content on U.S. networks is heartily approved.

Having Canadian content on U.S. networks is not a completely foreign concept. "SCTV" is perhaps the most famous on those programs, airing on NBC. But CBS' late-night lineup in the 1980s featured shows such as "Night Heat." And another CBS show, "Due South" has Canadian origins.

And having Canadian programming in a strike is also not uncommon. NBC aired CFL games during the NFL strike of 1982.