CBC hopes rookie pilots ignite

July 17, 2008 After hitting ratings pay dirt last season with rookie series including "Sophie," "The Border" and "Heartland" -- developed as pilots with indie producers -- the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. looks to build on that success with its latest round of pilot orders. Also vying for pickup are the Original Pictures drama "Throwing Stones"; Pierre Films' Newfoundland-set dramedy "Republic of Doyle," about a father and son who work as private investigators; and "Abroad," a back-door pilot/telefilm co-produced with Fremantle Entertainment about a Canadian journalist in London. The pubcaster saw its ratings spike during the recent WGA strike as U.S. series on rivals CTV and Global Television went into reruns or were replaced by reality TV series.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.