Numbers good at Astral

Astral Communications has announced a sharp increase in earnings for the six-month period ending Feb. 28. Net earnings of $3.2 million were up 49% over the same period last year and revenues stood at $178 million compared to $160 million in 1993. Average shares outstanding were up to 11,796,000; six months ago they tallied 10,476,000. Earnings per share increased 35% to 27 cents in the first half of ’94.

Global appoints two

Global Television’s Canadian productions department has announced new national and western directors.

Loren Mawhinney comes to the national post from heading up business affairs for the network and directing Global’s $9 million annual Canadian Program Investment Fund. Mawhinney has worked at boosting Canadian production at the network through the New Producers Series and the cpif.

Susan Brinton, the new Western director of Canadian productions, has worked at British Columbia Film as well as in program development and business affairs at u.tv Vancouver. Brinton is currently serving an internship at Canadian Heritage.

Stan Thomas, who was responsible for pushing the concept of independent coproductions with private broadcasters and government agency money, is executive advisor to Global’s Canadian productions department.