Corus, CBC and Bell will join forces to air the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards in a first-of-its-kind simulcast aimed at expanding the show's reach and celebrating homegrown stories. The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announced Friday that the awards will air on Global, STACKTV, CBC, CBC Gem, Crave and CTV on May 31 at 8 p.m. ET.
Calgary-born actor and comedian Andrew Phung will host the ceremony, which celebrates the best in Canadian film, TV and digital media.
In previous years, the Screen Awards have only aired on CBC and CBC Gem.
Academy CEO Tammy Frick said the simulcast reflects a shared commitment to "supporting Canadian sovereignty and collaboration."After they approached all major Canadian broadcasters with the idea, Frick says Corus and Bell came on board faster than she thought they would. Story continues below advertisement 4:34 Canadians dominate at the 2026 Actor Awards Rogers did not participate. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. The ceremony will take place at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto."The timing is just right. Everyone's really supporting Canadian sovereignty and collaboration. It's a little bit like the perfect storm," said Frick in an interview. "These things might not have happened 10, 15 years ago because of external circumstances, but people are focused on supporting Canada. Canadian stories are important."Frick said the Academy started a conversation with CBC last year about the simulcast in an effort to "capture the cultural memory." Trending Now What is Nipah virus? What to know about the disease as India faces outbreak Bombardier warns of 'significant impact' to travellers from Trump's threat "It's about making sure those cultural moments are relevant and giving Canadians a chance to just pause for a moment to have access and say, 'This is ours and this stuff really matters.'" Story continues below advertisement Frick says Corus and Bell were "extremely optimistic and enthusiastic" about working together on the broadcast."As sometimes an industry shrinks, you have to create new ways of doing things, people become more innovative. There's a lot more conversation around how people can collaborate," she says."And this is a perfect example of just knowing how important it is to uplift Canadian stories and support Canadian talent. So that was not a big sell."Frick says the Academy also wanted to meet the audience where they're consuming content."Not everyone goes to one spot now to watch TV shows or pay attention to what's happening in the film world," Frick says.
She jokes this year's Screen Awards will be inescapable."They have no choice (but to watch)," she quips. "Tune in, or else."-Global News and STACKTV are both properties of Corus Entertainment. More on Entertainment More videos Mark Carney, 'Heated Rivalry' star embrace on the red carpet Nicki Minaj boasts Trump 'Gold Card,' says U.S president is her 'favourite' East Coast Music Awards announce 2026 nominees, aim for transformation after turmoil Catherine O'Hara, Canadian actor and 'Schitt's Creek' star, dead at 71 'Heated Rivalry' star Hudson Williams helps Canada PM Mark Carney put on his fleece 'Heated Rivalry' star Hudson Williams helps Canada PM Mark Carney put on his fleece 'I'm not above taking credit': Carney jokes he stood up to U.S., 'greenlit' 'Heated Rivalry' 'Hollywood farce': Melania Trump's documentary panned before hitting theatres