Kirstine Stewart hopes that comedy will fill the gap left behind by reality when CBC switches to its winter schedule, revealed Tuesday at network headquarters in Toronto, led by new arrivals Republic of Doyle and 18 to Life.

Realities like Battle of the Blades and Dragons’ Den did well for CBC’s fall primetime lineup — its strongest in five years. But, as usual, with January and the lull of programming on its competitors, CBC is pushing new and returning scripted programs.

‘Scripted is always the most difficult to break ground with, so to give it its best chance, we’ve got to give it its easiest shot, and I believe a January start is a more nurturing opportunity for them,’ says Stewart.

18 to Life, the Galafilm and Sound Venture copro about the sudden marriage of two teen lovers, will follow Little Mosque on the Prairie on Mondays at 8:30 p.m., facing Global’s consistent timeslot winner House. Likewise, the tough Tuesday slot will see the eight-part mini Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town air at 9 p.m. opposite CTV winter hit American Idol — though Stewart points out that the shows have different target audiences.

The audience for the reunited comedy troupe ‘skews a bit older,’ she notes. ‘A lot of us in our 30s and 40s grew up with them — so this is not a teeny-bopper show.’

Doyle, billed as a dramedy, about a father-and-son detective team, has the strongest lead-in with Dragons’ Den on Wednesdays, where it will air at 9 p.m. following the hit reality, which will air in both the fall and winter for the first time. (Dragons’ is averaging 1.7 million viewers so far this year.)

The newbie shows join other returning staples The Rick Mercer Report, This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Heartland.

The winter will also include the usual movies and specials, including Love Letters, described as a one-hour exploration of love, hosted by Gordon Pinsent; Test the Nation I.Q.; and the two-part movie Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story, documenting the life of the popular hockey commentator, on March 28-29.

Meanwhile, action series The Border will close out its season on Jan. 7 and 14, to be replaced by Doc Zone. Daytime series Steven and Chris also premieres its new season in the winter.