Furthermore, CTV’s handling of the show—often airing it uncut late at night or exclusively on demand—respects the core product. They don't try to sanitize Newcastle. They let the dialect, the debauchery, and the surprisingly heartfelt loyalty of the "family" shine through.

But CTV’s long-running embrace of Geordie Shore (which airs on its digital lifestyle channel, CTV.ca, and formerly on Much, a CTV-owned brand) makes perfect strategic sense. Canadian television has always had a love affair with British imports, from Coronation Street to The Great British Bake Off . However, Geordie Shore appeals to a specific demographic: the 18-34 crowd looking for uncensored escapism.

When Geordie Shore first exploded onto MTV UK in 2011, it was a culture shock wrapped in a tanning mitt. A chaotic, booze-fueled spin on the Jersey Shore formula, it traded the boardwalk for the gray, windswept streets of Newcastle upon Tyne. It was loud, proud, and often incomprehensible to anyone outside of North East England.