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Kelly Townsend

Kelly Townsend is the editor at Playback, with previous experience in B2B and entertainment journalism. Before joining the Playback team in 2018, she worked in the editorial, marketing and communication departments at B2B publisher Dovetail Communications. She has a bachelor's degree in English from York University and is a graduate of Humber College’s journalism program. Her byline has appeared in IndieWire and she spent several years covering Canadian TV as associate editor of The TV Junkies.

Posts by Kelly Townsend

Corus seeks younger-skewing content for Home, Flavour

Strategy Spotlight: Rachel Nelson and Jennifer Abrams discuss the commissioning and acquisitions strategy for the Corus lifestyle channels.

February 19, 2025

CBC’s Wild Cards sells globally as U.S. audience grows

Creator Michael Konyves and the CW president Brad Schwartz discuss the strategic and creative elements behind its success south of the border.

February 18, 2025

TIFF forms advisory committee for 2026 content market launch

TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey discusses the strategy behind forming the committee as the organization announces its first seven members.

February 14, 2025

The Roku Channel picks up comedy Bria Mack Gets a Life

The comedy series about a Black woman and her invisible hype girl drops on the AVOD platform on Feb. 14 in multiple territories.

February 12, 2025

Fifth Season hires Muriel Rosilio as director of sales for Canada

EXCLUSIVE: Fifth Season announced the newly created role along with a number of sales to broadcasters and streamers in Canada.

February 11, 2025

CTV’s Children Ruin Everything to end with season four

EXCLUSIVE: Creator Kurt Smeaton and Bell Media’s Justin Stockman discuss ending the series after 50 episodes.

February 11, 2025

Spin Master Entertainment expands global distribution team

The company announced two new hires following the news of a live-action Bakugan film in development with Canadian director Brad Peyton.

February 7, 2025

CBC’s new head on pubcaster’s role amid political turbulence

CBC/Radio-Canada president and CEO Marie-Philippe Bouchard spoke with Playback about the need to transform the public broadcaster.

February 3, 2025

Vortex Media, Candour Pictures ink first-look deal

The deal builds on their collaboration on the MOW Trapped in the Spotlight.

January 31, 2025

Colette Watson addresses Rogers’ broadcast shakeup

Prime Time ’25: The Rogers Sports & Media exec discussed the pause in plans to commission new content for its lifestyle channels amid distribution challenges.

January 31, 2025

Sphere Media, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau partner on docuseries

The six-part series is based on Grégoire Trudeau’s 2024 memoir Closer Together: Knowing Ourselves, Loving Each Other.

January 29, 2025

Export Development Canada support for film, TV hits $250M

The credit agency provided $254.2 million via direct financing and loan guarantees to support international growth and M&A activity.

January 28, 2025