Alex Avon, Chief Revenue & Strategy Officer, Just For Entertainment Distribution, along with Longhope Media Inc. and Omni Television announced that Just For Entertainment Distribution acquired Season 4 of hit satirical sketch comedy series "Abroad" for international distribution. The series will premiere in Canada on Sunday, May 18 at 8:30pm on Omni 2, Omni BC and Omni Alberta. Co-created by and starring Filipina comedian Isabel Kanaan, "Abroad" is a multi-Canadian Screen Award nominated series with 6 x 30 minute episodes in English and Tagalog in Season 4 based on the immigrant experience in Canada. All 4 seasons of "Abroad" are available to international audiences through Just For Entertainment Distribution.
Avon stated: “Just For Entertainment Distribution is pleased to acquire Season 4 from our partner Longhope Media of the hilarious award-nominated sketch comedy series Abroad and take it around the world. We continue to showcase the best in premium comedy and maintaining our mission of “Keeping the world feeling good.”
Loosely based on Isabel’s experience immigrating to Canada as a teenager and recently becoming a new mother, "Abroad" Season 4 presents a humorous look at how immigrants think, perceive and deal with living in Canada. "Abroad" features hilarious sketches about preparing your third-generation child for the future, sibling dynamics, Filipino diaspora, and family-run small businesses with Pinoy pop culture impressions and over the top characters. Since "Abroad" premiered in 2022, sketches have gone viral around the world with over 35 million views on Instagram and over 6.2 million views on TikTok.
Starring alongside Isabel Kanaan in Season 4 are the original principal cast members Justin Santiago, Nicco Lorenzo Garcia, Joy Castro and Aldrin Bundoc. "Abroad" Season 4 will also feature Byron Abalos, Mark Andrada, Jon Blair, Ma-Anne Dionisio, Chris Robinson, Christian Smith, Tara Spencer-Nairn, and Jillian Welsh.
"Abroad" is currently nominated for five Canadian Screen Awards including Best Sketch Comedy Program or Series; Best Direction, Variety or Sketch Comedy; Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy; Best Performance, Sketch Comedy (Individual or Ensemble); and the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award. "Abroad" also received two nominations in 2024, and one nomination in 2023.
"Abroad" is produced by Longhope Media Inc., in association with Omni Television, a division of Rogers Sports & Media. "Abroad" is co-created and written by Isabel Kanaan, Kevin Wallis and Wayne Testori. Executive producers are Lucy Stewart and Kevin Wallis, with Kevin Wallis also acting as showrunner, directors Kara Harun and Carly Heffernan, director of photography Vanesa Millado, and writer Byron Abalos. The series is supported by the financial participation of the Rogers Series Fund, the Canadian Media Fund, Ontario Creates and CAVCO.