TORONTO – Toronto is set to welcome a fresh wave of entertaining content as YouTube Canada announces the launch of a new lineup of creator-driven shows, prominently featuring a Canadian adaptation of the hit series “Subway Takes.”
The original show, hosted by comedian Kareem Rahma, involves iconic personalities sharing their opinions while sharing a ride on the New York City subway. This format has resonated widely with audiences, even birthing the popular phrase “100 per cent agree/disagree” in online discussions. The viral nature of the exchanges has contributed significantly to the show's popularity.
In the upcoming “Subway Takes Toronto,” Rahma will engage with various Canadians as they navigate the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). He expressed enthusiasm about bringing the series to Toronto due to its rich diversity, vibrant atmosphere, and myriad compelling stories. “All of the takes are just, they’re really good. And I don’t think any of them that I’ve shot have been Canada-specific or Toronto-specific. They’re just good old subway takes,” Rahma shared.
YouTube Canada announced that the series boasts over 1.1 million subscribers and has gathered an impressive 800 million views across the platform. In addition to Toronto, Rahma has previously hosted the show in other metropolitan cities, including Chicago, London, and Berlin. He indicated that the Toronto episodes would also feature local creatives, alongside occasional appearances from celebrity guests.
Nicole Bell, the head of YouTube Canada, expressed her excitement about introducing the viral series to Canadian audiences. Fans can look forward to the signature subway takes they’ve come to love, illustrating that the content will remain true to its origins.
The revised programming from YouTube Canada will also highlight a variety of shows, spanning both reality and scripted genres, featuring well-known Canadian personalities such as celebrity chef and actor Matty Matheson, Olympic figure skater Tessa Virtue, and Professional Women’s Hockey League player Sarah Nurse.
Tessa Virtue is set to launch a video podcast series titled “Virtuoso,” which focuses on the pursuit of excellence. The three-time Olympic gold medalist will engage with a diverse group of athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders, discussing their experiences and the practical tools that have contributed to their success. Virtue remarked, “I really wanted to bring together a group of humans that I admire and learn more about their tools, strategies, coping mechanisms, things that allow them to flourish in the hopes that we can all take something away from these conversations.”
Meanwhile, Sarah Nurse will be presenting a series called “Sarah’s Side Quests,” in which she will explore new skills by learning from experts in various fields. Matty Matheson’s reality show, “Matty’s Farm,” will showcase the actor and chef as he embarks on the journey of building a farm in rural Ontario.
This new wave of programming from YouTube Canada not only emphasizes the platform’s commitment to representing Canadian culture and personality but also aims to enrich its viewers' experiences through diverse storytelling and engaging content.
