Good news for sketch-comedy fans: SCTV, the influential Canadian series that helped propel Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis and other future comedy icons into the spotlight, is now available to stream on Netflix.
Short for Second City Television, SCTV debuted in 1976 on Canada’s Global Television Network before moving to CBC in 1980. The premise was as clever as it was elastic: each episode parodied a full broadcast day at a fictional TV station based in “Melonville,” a place whose exact location — Canada or the United States — became part of the joke.
The series quickly built a devoted following in Canada and became a favorite among comedy insiders. Netflix’s recent documentary Marty, Life is Short even revisits how Martin Short initially turned down the show, only to feel a sharp pang of envy as his Second City Toronto peers found success on it. Short eventually came aboard near the end of Season 4, where he introduced one of his signature characters, Ed Grimley, to SCTV.
Across its run, SCTV went through several changes, revivals and variations, but the six seasons now streaming on Netflix cover the show’s original era. One small heads-up for viewers: Netflix may automatically begin playback with Season 6, so anyone hoping to experience the series from the start should manually select Season 1 before settling in.
If you’re searching for a “new” sketch comedy binge with deep roots and an all-star legacy, this is a perfect time to revisit a classic. Watch SCTV on Netflix.
Is SCTV on Streaming? How to Watch Second City Television in the USA:
Yes! You can stream SCTV on Netflix, starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Is SCTV on Netflix?
Yes, SCTV is now streaming on Netflix.