– CRTC blocks Headline Sports deal

The CRTC has denied Shaw Communications’ bid for ownership in specialty channel Headline Sports.

In its decision, the Commission noted the application filed by Sportscope Television Network was denied in part because of the ongoing concerns over channel capacity on cable networks and the lack of transparent access rules to prevent undue preferance.

The crtc received 14 interventions concerning the application: eight in support, four offering conditional support and two in opposition. Torstar Corporation and Friends of Canadian Broadcasting both opposed the application.

The Specialty and Premium Television Association, which supported the application with the provision that the crtc impose requirements on Shaw to alleviate concerns regarding concentration of ownership and undue preference, applauds the ruling.

‘The Commission has clearly signaled that increased cable ownership of specialty services will not be approved until channel capacity has increased,’ says spta president and ceo Jane Logan. ‘With this decision the crtc has provided strong motivation for cable operators to accelerate the roll-out-of digital technology and relieve the channel capacity shortage.’

– September portion of LFP to go

The September portion of the ctcpf’s Licence Fee Program will be allocated as scheduled.

Applications for the remaining $7.2 million in funds – $4 million available for English-language projects and $3.2 million for French-language projects – are due Sept. 15.

First come, first served has been replaced by a system in which each broadcast group will be required to declare one priority project for all the channels under its jurisdiction. These are the only productions that will be eligible for the September envelope.

‘The lfp’s revised process allows it to maintain the transparency of its decision-making process while ensuring that broadcaster priorities are accommodated,’ says Richard Stursberg, the new chairman of the ctcpf.

If oversubscription remains a problem, the lfp will begin prioritizing those projects that best meet its corporate criteria. A 4/5 on the Distinctly Canadian Bonus would be valued higher than a 3/5, for example. A hierarchy of other criteria will apply, including the need for a broadcast slot in 1999, and the fact that no projects that received a portion of April’s fund will be eligible this fall.

The process will only apply to the September funds and not necessarily to next year’s ctcpf.

– Muses to launch bond company

Muses Entertainment Enterprises is expected to announce shortly that it will launch Film Finances Canada, a completion bond company, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Muse.

Muse president Michael Prupas says the formal announcement will be made when an as-yet-unnamed executive completes his current contractual obligations, within the next few weeks. ffc will become Canada’s third guarantor along with Motion Picture Bond and The Completion Guarantors.

– Atlantis takes 20% of Chez Moi

Quebec broadcast group Radiomutuel has amended its application to the crtc for Canal Chez Moi to include a 20% ownership by Atlantis Broadcasting subsidiary HGTV Canada.

Chez Moi is a French-language service dedicated to home and gardening programming, and under the agreement, hgtv will make available up to 25% of Chez Moi’s programming sked. Radiomutuel will own 80% of the new service while Atlantis’ hgtv will own the remaining 20%.

Radiomutuel owns 11 Quebec radio stations as well as Quebec health, lifestyle and outdoor specialty service Canal Vie. Radiomutuel also shares ownership of MusiquePlus and MusiMax with CHUM Ltd.

– Chum signs format deal with Bogota

Chum City International has signed a major format-licensing agreement with Casa Editorial El Tiempo, Bogota, Columbia’s new, local, private tv station. The agreement calls for the creation and launch of the Bogota station, using the street-front and studioless system developed by Chum’s Citytv in Toronto.

– Coscient board announces changes

On the heels of the Telesystem buy to become the majority shareholder of Coscient Group, Yves Moquin has stepped down from his position as chairman and ceo of the Montreal-based entertainment company.

Moquin will remain a director with the company, while Telesystem chairman and ceo, Charles Sirois has been named the new chairman of Coscient. Telesystem senior vp Guy Crevier has been appointed president and ceo of Coscient.

With the resignation of directors Normand Beauchamp, Michel Carter and Francois Champagne, Crevier, Sirois as well as Astral Communications chairman Andre Bureau have been appointed to the Coscient Board.

Laurent Gaudreau remains vice chair of the board.

– Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television names new board

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television’s newly elected board members for 1998/99 includes Tom Allwood, Stuart Margolin, Peter Svab, Bill Mustos, Christopher Dedrick and Anthony Sherwood. Also new to the board are Jefferson Lewis, Jane Tattersall, Pamela Wallin and Brigitte Prochaska.

The 10 new members join 11 other board members. Academy directors retain their positions for two-year terms.

– People

– Atlantis Broadcasting has named Jim Erickson director of programming. The former production executive has 15 years experience as a producer, director and editor on docs and youth and lifestyle programs.

– Patricia Phillips, Great North Communication’s senior VP and head of creative affairs, has been appointed president of the Edmonton-based company’s production arm, Great North Productions.

– Mark Slone has been appointed vp, marketing and publicity for Odeon Films. Formerly director of promotions and publicity at Alliance Releasing, Slone will oversee the release slate marketing which includes the Canadian distribution of October Films and many Canadian and international pictures.

– In completing its acquisition of Vancouver’s Pacific Motion Pictures July 22, Rainmaker Entertainment Group has named a new director to its board: Peter von Gal, executive vp and coo of Hallmark Entertainment. To make way for the new board member, Robert Campbell has resigned as a director, but will continue in his position as engineering manager at Rainmaker Digital Pictures Group.

– Cara Hostetler has been promoted to the position of director of industrial relations and Toronto operations at the CFTPA.