Nelvana cuts continue

Nelvana layoffs and a reduced production slate were confirmed at Corus Entertainment’s annual general meeting Dec. 10.

Facing a $200-million writedown on the animation company, Corus has cut its 2003 production slate to 150 episodes, down from 252 last year. This translated into layoffs as Nelvana staff levels dropped by more than half and more cuts are expected over the next year, falling from approximately 450 employees to a projected total staff of 200.

Corus also announced the appointment of former Disney executive Doug Murphy to EVP of business development for Nelvana.

Sopranos creator to get ‘made’ in Banff

Sopranos creator/executive producer David Chase will be honored with an Award of Excellence at Banff 2003, festival organizers have announced. The award is part of a week-long ‘Tribute to the U.S.A.’ planned for 24th annual TV fest high in the Rockies. Other top players in American television to be honored are sitcom producer/writer James Burrows, public television programmer Peter McGhee and HBO EVP of original programming Sheila Nevins.

The Banff Television Festival runs June 8-13 at the Fairmont Banff Springs.

Quebecor, BCE reach settlement

Quebecor Media and Bell Globemedia have announced a tentative settlement over disputed affiliate payments owed by Quebecor BDU unit Videotron to CTV Specialty (formerly Netstar) specialty channel Reseau des Sports.

The deal was made just prior to a CRTC hearing on Dec. 2, called to determine whether a mandatory order should be issued enforcing Videotron make full payment to RDS (Decision CRTC 2002-255). At the hearing, Bell Globemedia EVP Alain Gourd asked for an adjournment, pending final settlement. The commission rescheduled to a date between Jan. 13 and Jan 15. Videotron had also applied to the Federal Court appealing the CRTC decision.

In its complaint, RDS and Bell Globemedia claimed Videotron had withheld payments of $16 million in 2002.

Other broadcasters have filed similar complaints with the CRTC on the issue of unilaterally reduced affiliate payments.