YouTube brought its creator programming to Toronto, and it came with a distinctly Canadian accent. The company used the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to debut a slate of original programs built around Canadian creators, along with one Egyptian-American host who is bringing his hit series north of the border. The move is a bet that the platform’s long-running investment in individual creators pays off as originals.
The announcements came during YouTube Features, the marketing event held alongside TIFF. Kareem Rahma, the Egyptian-American creator behind the hit series Subway Takes, is bringing his format to Toronto. Subway Takes Toronto will launch on YouTube in 2027, with “iconic Canadian guests” lined up for each episode. Whether it draws Emmy nominations remains to be seen.
Creator Lineup Breakdown
The slate covers a wide range of genres and audiences. Sports programming is led by Olympians Tessa Virtue and Sarah Nurse. Foodie content comes from gourmands Matty Matheson and Susur Lee. Reality-TV style shows are hosted by Jeenie Weenie, Alexandra Gater, and the Kalogeras Sisters. Each of these creators already has a following on the platform.
The scripted entry is a dark comedy called Becky and Miranda. Julie Nolke, best known for explaining the COVID-19 pandemic to her past self, is pairing Millennial friendships with serial killing. The show pairs the tone of her earlier work with a far darker premise.
YouTube’s Hands-Off Approach
YouTube Canada Head Nicole Bell described the approach behind the slate. “They get to green light themselves and decide what their content will look like,” she said. “They get to continue owning their IP, owning all their audience, and going directly to that audience and getting feedback.”
That hands-off strategy is a sharp contrast to how traditional networks operate. Most studios tightly control what creators can produce, script by script. YouTube is betting that the people who already know their audience are better positioned to serve it.
The platform has spent 20 years cultivating its creator community. This slate is a test of whether that investment pays off as original content. The company is putting its trust in the people who built its audience in the first place.
The Emmy Question
The announcement raises the obvious question: will any of these shows earn Emmy nominations? That is a tall order, but the platform has history in this space. The company has previously secured nominations for its original programming, and the slate includes creators with proven track records.
The platform is clearly hoping the answer is yes. An Emmy nomination would be a major coup for YouTube Originals. It would signal that the platform’s original content is being taken seriously by the industry.
The Subway Takeover
Rahma’s hit series Subway Takes has developed a following. The “iconic Canadian guests” promise suggests he will interview notable figures from Canadian life.
The move to Canada is a natural extension of his brand. Toronto’s subway system offers endless material, and Rahma has already shown a knack for finding stories in everyday settings. The show’s Canadian edition will feature local guests alongside its signature format.
Whether Subway Takes Toronto follows that path remains to be seen.
The Slate By Genre
The nine projects cover sports, food, reality TV, and scripted comedy. Here is how they break down:
- Sports: Tessa Virtue and Sarah Nurse lead the programming.
- Food: Matty Matheson and Susur Lee bring their culinary expertise.
- Reality TV: Jeenie Weenie, Alexandra Gater, and the Kalogeras Sisters host.
- Scripted Comedy: Julie Nolke’s Becky and Miranda closes out the lineup.
The mix is designed to appeal to different interests. Sports fans get Olympians. Foodies get chefs. Fans of unscripted TV get hosts they already know. And the scripted entry gives the slate a dramatic anchor.
Premiere Schedule
| Show | Host / Creator | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Subway Takes Toronto | Kareem Rahma | Iconic Canadian guests |
| Sports Programming | Tessa Virtue, Sarah Nurse | Olympic athletes |
| Foodie Fare | Matty Matheson, Susur Lee | Culinary content |
| Reality TV | Jeenie Weenie, Alexandra Gater, Kalogeras Sisters | Unscripted hosting |
| Scripted Comedy | Julie Nolke | Dark comedy |
The exact premiere dates have not been announced. The company has committed to rolling out the shows as they are ready.
The platform is betting that its creator-first approach will deliver. By letting creators control their own shows, YouTube is positioning itself as a destination for original content that feels personal.
The move is a vote of confidence in the creator economy. It says that the people who build audiences online are also capable of building television.
Source material: “Oh Canada! YouTube’s nine-project creator programming slate takes it north of the border.,” Tubefilter.
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