Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated
Crave
Crave is Bell Media's profitable Canadian SVoD, actively commissioning originals across drama, docuseries, and unscripted while expanding internationally through partnerships with Fox, NRK, and HBO Max.
Current mandate
Crave is currently operating as one of the few SVoD platforms reportedly turning a profit, and is on track to break its own streaming record, according to recent coverage. The platform's most visible recent landmark is a multi-year content pact with Jared Keeso and New Metric Media targeting approximately 49 episodes of Letterkenny spin-offs, including Shoresy, at a loose target of around 18 episodes per year. The arrangement is structured deliberately to avoid exclusivity, allowing Keeso to work with other platforms while keeping Crave as his primary home. Bell Media has also struck a co-production deal with Fox to develop shows for both Fox in the U.S. and Bell platforms CTV and Crave in Canada, with Fox Entertainment Global handling international sales.
Over the past 12 months, Crave has demonstrated a consistent commissioning pattern across scripted drama, docuseries, and unscripted formats. Recent acquisitions include the four-part docuseries "All Heart: Canada Women's Rugby and the Quest..." following Canada's national women's rugby team, the paranormal unscripted series "Snooki: Paranormal Rookie," and the Leonard Cohen drama "So Long, Marianne," co-produced with Norway's NRK and subsequently picked up by ITVX. The platform is also reportedly building a romance adaptation slate, evidenced by the "Heated Rivalry" production, aligning with a broader streaming industry trend. Bell Media has more than 200 original productions underway across its English and French business, many destined for Crave, involving more than 100 different Canadian production companies.
Access to Crave runs primarily through established Canadian production companies and co-production partners. The platform maintains output deals with HBO, Sony, and the Drag Race franchise, though these have been affected by recent U.S. labor strikes. International co-production, as demonstrated by the NRK partnership, is an active pathway. With 67 decision makers tracked and 49 total records in the past 12 months, the platform is active but selective. Unsolicited approaches are unlikely to succeed without an established Canadian production partner or a clear fit with Crave's current genre priorities.
Signature peaks
- 49 Keeso Pact Episodes — Letterkenny spin-offs targeted across multi-year New Metric Media deal
- 100+ Canadian Production Partners — Different Canadian production companies across Bell Media's English and French business
- 67 Decision Makers Tracked — Active contacts across Crave and Bell Media commissioning infrastructure
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- romance
- Territory focus
- Canada primary; international distribution via HBO Max partnership
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Primary access runs through established Canadian production companies; Bell Media's slate spans more than 100 such partners. International co-production (as with NRK on So Long, Marianne) and co-development arrangements brokered through sales entities like Fox Entertainment Global represent secondary pathways. New Metric Media's role as exclusive sales agent on the Keeso pact underscores the platform's reliance on recognized intermediaries rather than direct submissions.
- Deal structure
- Crave structures deals to avoid traditional exclusivity. The Keeso pact is explicitly described as a non-"Hollywood handcuff" arrangement, allowing talent to work with other platforms while maintaining Crave as a primary home. Output targets (approximately 18 episodes per year on the Keeso pact) are described as loose. International distribution is handled via partners: Bell Media on the Keeso content, Fox Entertainment Global on the Fox co-production, and sales agents for co-productions. All recent acquisition budgets are undisclosed.
Recent acquisitions
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All Heart: Canada Women's Rugby and the Quest ...
Bell Media's Crave has commissioned a four-part docuseries on Canada's national women's rugby team and their journey to the 2025 Rugby World Cup final.
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[Snooki-led paranormal unscripted series; title not provided]
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Snooki: Paranormal Rookie
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So Long, Marianne
Market context
"This is probably the only deal that has ever been done like this in Canada."
Aligns with streaming industry trend of romance novel adaptations (Bridgerton, It Ends with Us, etc.)
Common questions about Crave
Does Crave accept unsolicited scripts?
Crave does not have a publicized open submissions policy. The platform commissions primarily through established Canadian production companies; Bell Media works with more than 100 different Canadian production companies across its English and French business. Writers seeking access are best served by attaching a recognized Canadian prodco before approaching. The Fox co-production deal and NRK partnership suggest international co-productions are also a viable route, but direct unsolicited script submissions are not a documented pathway.
What budgets does Crave typically work with?
No specific budget figures have been disclosed in recent deal coverage. Crave operates as part of Bell Media, a large media company with linear channels and distribution infrastructure, which reportedly supports its status as a rare profitable SVoD. Productions range from multi-episode docuseries to scripted drama co-productions with international broadcasters such as NRK. Budget scale likely varies significantly by format, but no disclosed per-episode or per-project figures are available from recent public records.
Does Crave acquire from film festivals?
Festival acquisition is not explicitly documented in recent Crave coverage. The platform's activity skews toward commissioned originals and co-productions rather than festival pickups. Recent acquisitions include a commissioned docuseries, an unscripted paranormal series, and a scripted drama co-produced with Norway's NRK. Writers and producers with festival titles should approach via a Canadian production company or sales agent, as New Metric Media's role as exclusive sales agent on the Keeso pact illustrates the importance of established intermediaries.
How do I reach Crave decision makers?
Crave has 67 decision makers tracked across its commissioning and acquisitions infrastructure, according to recent data. The most documented access pathway is through established Canadian production companies; Bell Media's slate involves more than 100 such partners. The Fox co-production deal, handled internationally by Fox Entertainment Global, and the NRK co-production on So Long, Marianne (subsequently picked up by ITVX) suggest that international co-production partners and sales agents are also effective points of entry. Direct cold outreach is not a publicized channel.
What genres is Crave prioritizing right now?
Crave is reportedly building a romance adaptation slate, evidenced by the 'Heated Rivalry' production, aligning with the broader streaming trend of romance novel adaptations. Recent acquisitions also include sports documentary (All Heart: Canada Women's Rugby), paranormal unscripted (Snooki: Paranormal Rookie), and prestige scripted drama (So Long, Marianne, a Leonard Cohen drama co-produced with NRK). The platform's core output deals with HBO, Sony, and the Drag Race franchise further indicate an appetite for premium drama and reality formats, though those deals have been affected by recent U.S. labor strikes.
Is Crave currently active in acquisitions?
Crave recorded 49 total activity signals in the past 12 months, with the latest signal dated May 2026, indicating ongoing market activity. Unique deals in the most recent 30- and 90-day windows are recorded at zero, though deal velocity in the 30-day window is noted at one. Recent confirmed acquisitions include the All Heart docuseries (September 2025), Snooki: Paranormal Rookie (October 2025), and So Long, Marianne. The platform is described as on track to break its streaming record, suggesting continued commissioning momentum rather than a pullback.
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