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 production executive Susan Alexander departs

The scripted production exec had spent more than 16 years at the broadcaster.

CRTC issues final orders on base contributions

The requirement for foreign-owned online undertakings to provide a base contribution to the broadcasting sector went into effect on Sept. 1.

Bell Media focuses legal efforts on WBD

The company said it’s no longer seeking damages from Rogers following revelations about Warner Bros. Discovery in the proceedings.

Rogers to launch six channels from WBD, NBCUniversal deals

The company will release the newly acquired raft of content via linear channels and its streamer Citytv+.

Ontario Creates names 2024 IFF participants

The annual financing and coproduction market connects Canadian producers with global buyers, partners and financiers.

In Brief: Dark Slope, CSC partner for virtual production training

Plus: VFX and animation studio Jellyfish Pictures expands to Toronto and Ricardo Trogi’s 1995 hits a new milestone.

Blue Ant Media promotes Kelly Payne to VP role on originals team

EXCLUSIVE: Payne has been upped to the newly created role of VP of strategy and operations, original production.

Lionsgate Canada taps Georgia Shearman for development role

Shearman rounds out the company’s scripted team as director, scripted development.

Women in View folds into St. John’s women’s film festival

The St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival is the new home of the gender equity organization.

Slice takes exclusive broadcast rights to The Daily Show

The series will be available to stream on both StackTV and Paramount+ in Canada as of Sept. 9.

Production

Creative BC commits $1.49M to 22 projects via Production Program

The program provides funding for production and post-production work on scripted and unscripted films and series from B.C.-owned companies.

Deals: Blue Ice Docs, Nelvana, Boat Rocker

Blue Ice Docs picks up the TIFF-bound Ontario Place doc Your Tomorrow, Peacock acquires three redknot series, and more.