Rogers posts loss

Rogers Communications posted a net loss of $13 million on revenues of $5.6 billion for 2004, down from earnings of $129 million on revenues of $4.8 billion in 2003. Operating profit for the cable division increased 6.8% to $709 million on revenues that increased 8.8% to $1.9 billion. Revenues for Rogers Wireless and Rogers Media were $2.8 billion and $900 million, up 26% and 5%, respectively. The Toronto Blue Jays, which Rogers bought outright last January, lost $6.1 million.

$25M for TIFF center

The Toronto International Film Festival Group has secured $25 million from the Ontario government for its new Festival Centre – reaching $69.7 million of the project’s $196-million target. The theater/office/condo complex, to be located in downtown Toronto, was originally scheduled to open in 2006, but is now expected by 2008. Construction has not begun.

The center is a joint effort by TIFF, Ivan Reitman, his sisters Susan Michaels and Agi Mandel, and condo developer The Daniels Corporation.

ThinkFilm launches kidvid label

ThinkFilm is expanding into the children’s educational market and, under the name ThinkFilm Kids, has released its two new titles to the home-video/DVD market – Braincandy, an interactive puppet show for very young children about the five senses, and My First Day, a series dealing with children’s experiences during their first day at school, at the doctor, at the zoo, etc. Both products will ship this summer.

Benefit for Kierans

On March 20, a benefit concert will be held for verteran publicist Genevieve Kierans, who is suffering from ALS. Organizers aim to raise $50,000 at the event, which also features raffles and a silent auction, to be held at the Steam Whistle Brewery in Toronto. Kierans, ill since 1998, is now completely paralyzed and requires 24-hour care.

The night’s emcee, local radio host Gloria Martin, has given generously, as has Liam Neeson, who worked with Kierans on Michael Collins (though he is unable to attend in person). A mix of Celtic and folk music acts will perform. For tickets or to sponsor the event visit //kierans.petebevin.com or call (416) 654-0830.

Atomic Betty: The Game

The new media arm of Breakthrough Films & Television has teamed with gamemakers Namco Hometek to produce video games based on Breakthrough’s Atomic Betty cartoon series. The companies have a multi-year agreement to develop titles for multiple game systems, the first of which could be in stores later this year. Betty has been licensed in over 100 territories and currently airs on Teletoon. Current Namco game titles include the Tekken series, Pac-Man World and Ace Combat.

CBC gets high

CBC debuted its high-definition service March 5-6 via two new transmitters in Toronto and Montreal. CBC HD is currently available in those areas over the air and on Rogers, Cogeco, Videotron and Aurora cable. (No word yet from ExpressVu, Star Choice and Shaw.) CBC HD’s inaugural weekend included The Nature of Things: Nature Bites Back – The Case of the Sea Otter and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The net’s HD debut was originally slated for 2004.

A February survey from LG Electronics found that Canadians are purchasing HDTV sets 50% faster per capita than Americans. Interest in the technology is high – 63% of Canucks know about HD and, of those, about one-fifth already own a set. The remaining four-fifths have at least some interest in buying one in the future. However, demand for programming may be outstripping availability, as only 42% of those with HD sets currently subscribe to HD channels.