Local indie programming acquisitions are just beginning after the recent launch of Citytv Saskatchewan, according to Claire Freeland, director of original programming for Rogers Media Broadcasting.

“It is just the start, we are committed to Saskatchewan and to giving the local content creators a platform for their projects,” Freeland told Playback Daily.

It turns out Stephen Onda, who will direct The Sky is the Limit, a newly-commissioned documentary, produced a number of shows for SCN, Citytv Saskatchewan’s predecessor.

And Onda pitched Freeland on the project when she and her team did a roadshow in Regina to introduce the broadcaster to local producers earlier this year.

The Sky is the Limit will combine interviews, archival and on-site footage to portray local players in booming sectors of the Saskatchewan economy.

“We’re coming in to give their local stories a national platform,” Freeland said of the Citytv Saskatchewan mandate, the result in part of a CRTC expenditure obligation.

What else is catching her eye as Freedland gets set to commission still more indie product from Saskatchewan?

For clues, the Citytv programmer points to her network’s schedule, which has placed a big bet on comedies after securing breakout hits from last season like New Girl, 2 Broke Girls and Suburgatory, and acquiring nine new U.S. network comedies for its upcoming season.

To complement the U.S. fare with local sitcoms, Rogers Media recently ordered from Thunderbird Films 13 episodes of the Package Deal comedy from creator Andrew Orenstein (3rd Rock From the Sun), and asked creator Joseph Raso and Force Four Entertainment to produce 13 episodes of Seed, about an ill-equipped bachelor who ventures into sperm donation.

Freeland said Citytv is on the lookout for still more local laughers that can connect with Canadians.

“Comedy continues to be of interest and it’s such a great fit,” she said.

Citytv is also looking for homegrown dramas after success with U.S. one hours like Revenge and Person of Interest.

And with The Bachelor Canada launching this fall, the network also has an appetite for large-scale reality formats from Canadian producers.

Freeland added any future commissions from Saskatchewan indie producers could well be inter-provincial co-productions, which would enable local filmmakers to tap film tax credits in rival provinces after the Saskatchewan government ditched its own refundable production incentive.

“Whichever is best to serve the material, we’ll talk,” Freeland said of connecting Saskatchewan producers with partners in other Canadian provinces to make shows  that fit the Citytv brand.