Canadian Screen Awards to air on TV after last-minute programming shift

In a last-minute programming shift, this year's Canadian Screen Awards will broadcast live on television — reversing earlier plans for a streaming-only show.

Organizers announced the change on Thursday, stating the ceremony celebrating the best in Canadian film, television and digital media will air Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on both CBC-TV and CBC Gem.

The CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television Tammy Frick previously said going online-only allowed the show to be more "flexible." But that had disappointed some of the top nominees, who told The Canadian Press in March that having their moment on traditional television helps spotlight Canadian talent more widely.

The academy said in a statement the programming reversal came down to scheduling around the NHL playoffs — since there is no game slated for Sunday, they are able to air the two-hour show live on CBC-TV.

The Canadian Screen Awards will be handed out at five ceremonies starting Friday, culminating in the final awards and gala hosted by Edmonton-born comic Lisa Gilroy.

Leading the television categories with 20 nominations is Citytv's Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, while on the film side, Matthew Rankin's Winnipeg-shot dramedy Universal Language leads with 13 nods.