OMNI to spend $50 million

OMNI Television will spend $50 million developing and licensing third-language programming over the next seven years – in keeping with its commitment to the CRTC – and has set aside funds for documentary projects in Arabic, Russian, Somali and other non-official languages.

The Rogers Media-owned Toronto channel announced the funding last month and is calling for proposals from producers. Details are online at www.omnitv.ca. OMNI also recently announced it has renewed all 25 of its indie-produced programs for the 2002/03 season, including third-language shows such as Russian Waves and Planet Africa TV.

Shaw ratings drop to junk level

Citing debt and declining subscriber base, Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded Shaw Communications to junk status. Shaw’s senior unsecured rating dropped to Ba2, down two notches from Baa3, followed by its subordinated trust preferred rating, which dropped from Ba1 to Ba3 late last month. Moody’s added that the outlook for the Calgary-based cable firm is ‘stable,’ but that of its Star Choice satellite TV unit is ‘negative.’

SRC to broadcast Prix Jutra

La Grande Nuit du Cinema, the organizing body of the Quebec film awards, La Soiree des Jutra, and Societe Radio-Canada have announced the network will broadcast the awards gala for the next three years. The 5th edition of the Prix Jutra will be produced by La Grand Nuit du Cinema in association with SRC and Sogestalt Television live from Place des Arts on Feb. 23. Finalists will be announced Jan. 28.

Famous Players builds nine in Vancouver

Famous Players and West Coast property developer Bosa Ventures will build a new nine-screen theatre complex in downtown Vancouver. The new facility, to be accompanied by 456 residential suites and ground-floor retail space, will be a Famous Players Paramount theatre similar to those in Montreal, Toronto and Calgary.

Features will include wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-ceiling screens, digital sound, stadium-style seating and concessions. Construction will begin shortly, says the company.

MFS names fund recipients

Manitoba Film & Sound has announced four recipients of its Low Budget Feature Film Development Program. First to second draft funding goes to Jeff Peeler and deco dawson for Broadway of Fejos, Sean Garrity for Bedbugs and Carole O’Brien for Estelle Ma Belle. Another project from Peeler, with Joh Gustafsson, In the Realm of Truth and Being, receives funding for its final draft.