UPDATED: Events and productions impacted by COVID-19
With the situation rapidly evolving, Playback will be updating this post with information on what productions and events have been affected.
Quiver Distribution picks up Tammy’s Always Dying
The dark comedy directed by Amy Jo Johnson is expected to roll out on digital platforms everywhere on May 1.
Bell unveils more details about Quibi programs
NewsDay by CTV News will be hosted by Heather Butts, while NewsNight by CTV News will be helmed by Reshmi Nair.
Netflix cancels V-Wars, October Faction
Both series, produced by Toronto’s High Park Entertainment and publisher IDW, ran for one season on the streamer.
Frontieres executive director to depart
After six years of leading the genre industry initiative, Lindsay Peters will exit the organization this week.
‘Be nice and nimble:’ Paul Bronfman’s advice in a crisis
The William F. White International head says the safety and security of employees is priority number one, while the industry works hard to survey the financial damage. (Unlocked)
NEON nabs U.S. rights to Cronenberg’s Possessor
The Antiviral filmmaker’s second feature film will be released by the American distributor, while Well Go USA handles the sci-fi thriller’s home entertainment release.
CMF to give ‘maximum flexibility’ to 1,500 projects affected by COVID-19
The organization also assured the domestic content sector that its program budget for 2020/21 will be “comparable” to the previous year. (Unlocked)
Quebecor lays off 10% of workforce as COVID-19 impact deepens
President and CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau called the temporary job cuts “unavoidable” but said the company is putting in place financial support measures for those affected. (Unlocked)
As YouTube and Netflix relieve bandwidth demand, who’s next?
The call to reduce video quality and limit network constraints will extend beyond streamers during the COVID-19 crisis as consumer demand rises.
Canadian Academy postpones CSAs winners announcements
The organization said it remains committed to celebrating the winners, and looks forward to “feteing them properly when the time is right.” (Unlocked)
Deals: Fugitive, Cineflix Rights, Spin Master
Fugitive gets away with the format rights and 40 episodes of Mom vs Matchmaker, while Cineflix Rights acquires the worldwide rights to titles from ITN Productions, and more.
Kari Skogland’s Mad Rabbit teams with Blonde Mamba
The prodcos will adapt R.J. Hernandez’s debut novel An Innocent Fashion, with Skogland attached as showrunner and executive producer.
Hot Sheet: Digital Demand for March 17 to 23, 2020
Star Trek: Picard leads the crew again, while The Mandalorian and Star Wars: The Clone Wars land at #2 and #3, respectively.
Programmer profile: CBC Kids and YA
The pubcaster is broadening its commissioning remit and forging partnerships with like-minded content makers to build a star system within its digital and linear ecosystem.
Super Channel, Vortex will do Anything For Jackson
The Allarco-owned network has commissioned the horror feature directed by Justin G. Dyck and starring Sheila McCarthy and Julian Richings.
Photo Gallery: CAFTCAD 2020 - Priyanka Love with Costume Design in Short Film winner Lara Berry and Helena Poison.
The definitive CDN broadcast and production resource.Over 5,000 company listings!
