Al-Jazeera in Canada?

The CRTC is calling for public comment on a proposal to bring Al-Jazeera, the Qatar-based news network, and 14 other international signals to Canadian televisions. The signals are being considered for distribution on digital cable.

The proposal is already stirring controversy. The Canadian Jewish Congress has vowed to block the application, charging that the net is anti-Semitic. The Canadian Arab Foundation counters that Al-Jazeera is protected under free speech.

‘The views of the people who make the news should not be confused as the views of the station that airs it,’ said CAF head Raja Khouri in a statement. The move is also supported by the Canadian Cable Television Association. Comments are due by Aug. 11.

Global launches morning show

Morning television got a little more crowded in Toronto on July 14 with the launch of Global News Morning, a new three-hour news show with Alan Carter and Christine Crosbie. The show airs 6-9 a.m. opposite CTV’s Canada AM, CHUM’s Breakfast Television and CBC News Morning.

National Post writer David Steinhart covers business, Pooja Handa does traffic and Josh Classen is weather. Minna Rhee does live hits from the street.

Canamedia reps ITN Archive

Toronto-based Canamedia has announced that it now represents the ITN Archive in Canada. This representation will allow Canadian broadcasters and producers to purchase from the world’s largest news footage archive from a Canadian distributor in Canadian funds.

Canamedia president Les Harris points out that this licensing in Canadian dollars will mean big savings for Canadian producers. With Canamedia handling the archive, documentary producers will be able to use the footage from the vast collection, which includes Reuters and Channel 4, and have it qualify as Canadian content. The distributor has also been authorized to allow discounts past the first minute of purchased material.

Chin, Ramsahai join Toronto 1

CBC lost two talents to Toronto 1 recently when Ben Chin and radio weatherperson Natasha Ramsahai jumped ship for the upstart Craig Media station. Chin, currently host of Canada Now, will be front man for T1’s evening newscast Metro Today. It is not known where Ramsahai will land.

ACCT names NATP recipients

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television has announced the recipients of this year’s National Apprenticeship Training Program.

The program helps graduating film and video students entering the industry by providing hands-on apprenticeships in all areas of the industry. NATP has been able to provide placements and funding for over 170 students in its 19 years of operation.

This year’s recipients include: Jonas Bell-Pasht (production), Jonathan Bensimon (cinematography), Francesca Callow (art direction), Joe Cheng (editing), Dan Dimopoulos (cinematography), Chris Gamble (cinematography), Ezra Krybus (cinematography), Kelly Jo Lihaven (screenwriting), Danielle Shamash (direction), Brandy Yanchyk (production).

SecondSun reps Aaron & Ned

Vancouver multimedia company SecondSun Entertainment has signed an agreement with Nicholas Night, the creator Aaron & Ned, to represent the games rights of the animated property. Aaron & Ned, a new Melwood Pictures/Spyglass Entertainment animated series, is about two brothers who are joined by an unbreakable, mutant, purple hair.

The Aaron & Ned concept will translate well into a game, indirectly teaching kids the importance of cooperation, compromise and good family values, says Chris Bourassa, head of interactive games at SecondSun. ‘Being able to switch between two very different, yet dependent characters to overcome challenges presents some really exciting game play possibilities. With the added multiplayer features, we anticipate a very cool title that will promote cooperation and problem solving,’ he says.

The value of the rights package has not been disclosed.