You probably know Matte Babel as the guy standing next to Shay Mitchell in those glowing, slightly-too-perfect Instagram photos. Or maybe you know him as the "Drake-adjacent" guy from Toronto. But if you grew up in Canada or were a fan of mid-2000s music culture, you know he wasn't always just a power-player behind the scenes. Long before he was managing major brands or parenting Atlas and Rome, Matte Babel was a constant fixture on our screens.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how many people forget he had a whole career as a face of national television. He didn't just stumble into the spotlight because of his famous partner. He earned it through years of hosting, reporting, and even a brief (very brief) stint in the acting world. If you're looking for Matte Babel TV shows, you're looking at a timeline that spans from the gritty studios of MuchMusic to the polished sets of Entertainment Tonight Canada.
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The MuchMusic Era: Where it All Started
If you lived in Canada in the early 2000s, MuchMusic was the center of the universe. Matte Babel joined the network as a VJ, and it was basically the coolest job a human could have at the time. He had this easy, low-key energy that worked perfectly for interviewing icons.
He wasn't just reading a teleprompter. He was part of the "Toronto crew" that included a then-rising star named Aubrey Graham. Yeah, Drake.
Matte's time at MuchMusic was defined by shows like MuchOnDemand. It was live, it was chaotic, and it was the gold standard for music television before YouTube took over the world. You’ve probably seen old clips of him on YouTube—usually sporting a very 2005-era outfit—chatting with whoever had a #1 hit that week.
Beyond the Music: Canada Sings and CP24
Babel didn't stay boxed into music for long. He eventually moved over to CP24 Breakfast as a co-host. If you've ever tried to be charming at 6:00 AM, you know how hard that is. He managed it. This was a pivot into news and lifestyle, proving he could handle live morning TV, which is a notorious meat-grinder for talent.
Then came Canada Sings. This was a bit of a departure. It was a reality competition show where workers from different companies (like firefighters or office staff) formed glee clubs and competed for charity. Matte was the host. It was wholesome, high-energy, and showed he could carry a primetime network show on his own.
Matte Babel TV Shows: The Hollywood Pivot
The real "main character" moment for Matte’s TV career came when he landed the gig as a Hollywood correspondent for ET Canada (Entertainment Tonight Canada). This moved him from the Toronto studio to the red carpets of Los Angeles.
- ET Canada: This is where he really polished his image. He was interviewing A-listers at the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and Sundance. He wasn't just a reporter; he became a "Hollywood insider."
- Fuse News: He also spent time in New York working for Fuse News. This was a return to his music roots but with a more serious, journalistic edge.
- Degrassi: The Next Generation: This is the fun trivia fact. Like almost every Canadian entertainer of a certain age, Matte appeared on Degrassi. He played a host in the episode "Up Where We Belong." It’s a tiny role, but it counts.
From On-Camera Talent to Production Powerhouse
Something shifted around 2017. While the search for Matte Babel TV shows usually brings up his hosting credits, his most recent work is actually happening behind the lens. He’s transitioned into a "Chief Brand Officer" and Executive Producer role, which is way more influential than just being a talking head.
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He’s been heavily involved with Shay Mitchell’s production company, Amore & Vita, and her YouTube series like Almost Ready and Chapters. He isn't just a guest star; he’s a strategic partner. He also played a role in Thirst with Shay Mitchell, a travel series where Shay explores drink cultures around the world.
The Drake Connection: DreamCrew
You can't talk about Matte without talking about DreamCrew. This is the management and entertainment group he runs with Drake. Through DreamCrew, he’s been a co-executive producer on projects like Chillin Island, an HBO series that is about as far from ET Canada as you can get. It’s weird, atmospheric, and very "cool-kid" aesthetic.
He’s also overseen projects like NOCTA (the Nike collab). While that isn't a "TV show," it’s part of the same media ecosystem. He’s essentially moved from the person asking the questions to the person building the empire.
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Why the "TV Star" Version of Matte Matters
There’s a misconception that Matte is just "Shay Mitchell’s boyfriend." That’s a massive oversimplification. If you look at his TV history, he was a bridge between Canadian media and the global stage. He was one of the first people to give a platform to artists who are now global superstars.
He also represents a specific kind of career evolution. Most TV hosts try to stay on camera until the lights go out. Matte saw where the industry was going and jumped into the business side. He’s now on the board of Béis (the travel brand) and Onda (the tequila seltzer company).
What You Should Do Next
If you actually want to see him in action, don't just look for his old interviews. Check out the production credits on the shows he’s touched recently.
- Watch "Almost Ready" on YouTube: It’s the most "real" look at his personality. You see him not as a host, but as a partner and a dad.
- Look for "Canada Sings" archives: If you can find them, it’s a great example of his ability to anchor a large-scale production.
- Check out Chillin Island on Max: If you want to see his taste as a producer, this is the one. It’s bizarre and brilliant.
Matte Babel might not be doing daily 4-minute segments on the red carpet anymore, but his footprint on television—especially Canadian media history—is a lot deeper than his Instagram grid suggests. He’s gone from the guy asking about the movie to the guy making sure the movie gets made. That's the real story behind his "TV" career.
To get the most out of Matte's current work, keep an eye on the production credits for upcoming lifestyle and travel documentaries coming out of the DreamCrew and Amore & Vita pipelines. These days, the most interesting parts of his career aren't what he's saying on screen, but what he's building behind it.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking to enter the entertainment industry, study Matte's transition. He used his on-camera "visibility" to build "credibility" behind the scenes, a move that provides much more longevity in an industry that is notoriously fickle with aging talent.