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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

CBC, APTN to air special on residential school survivors

The 90-minute special is produced by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in collaboration with Insight Productions as part of Orange Shirt Day.

October 9, 2020

Deals: eOne, levelFILM, NFB, Nelvana

eOne takes over content distribution for My Little Pony: Pony Life with global sales, while levelFILM and Gravitas Ventures acquire Canadian titles and Nelvana brings its animated content to Vuulr.

October 9, 2020

CBC to eliminate 130 positions by end of 2020

The labour downsize is due to rising costs and reduced advertising and subscription revenue, according to Barbara Williams in a note to staff.

October 8, 2020

Thunderbird options social media smash series What If

A premium unscripted series based on the IP, which has garnered more than six billion views worldwide, is currently in development between Thunderbird and creative studio Underknown.

October 7, 2020

CTV wraps production on Just For Laughs comedy special

The Stand Up Show With Jon Dore filmed last month at Toronto’s Crow’s Theatre in front of a live, socially distanced audience for its eight-episode second season.

October 7, 2020

Pixomondo to open virtual production studio in Toronto

Construction on the facility, which Pixomondo says will be the ‘largest in the world,’ is set to be completed by the end of the year, with U.S. and Canadian productions already in talks to book space.

October 6, 2020

Broadcasters partner on HireBIPOC launch, create new greenlight mandate

Bell Media, CBC, Corus Entertainment and Rogers Sports & Media are foundational partners on the hiring database from BIPOC TV & Film with commitments to use the resource for original productions.

October 5, 2020

Birchwolfe’s under-the-radar VIFF debut

The Toronto-based prodco raised funds for VIFF world premiere Flowers of the Field outside of the usual funding avenues and now are looking for partners to grow the company.

October 2, 2020

Private Eyes gets back on the case

Global’s Private Eyes is in production in Toronto on season five, ahead of the anticipated fall premiere of its fourth season.

October 1, 2020

Marblemedia expands scripted division with first L.A. hire

Former Disney Channel star A.J. Trauth will serve in the newly created role of VP, kids to develop original scripted content, while Carrie Paupst Shaughnessy’s remit grows.

September 30, 2020

Clement Virgo has already claimed his place in film and TV history

The director, writer and producer will be given the Award of Excellence from the Reelworld Film Festival for his body of work, but with an upcoming miniseries with the Obamas in the works, his career has far from peaked.

September 29, 2020

CBS All Access greenlights Canadian comedy docuseries

For Heaven’s Sake is produced by Muse Entertainment, in association with CBC, and features two comedians as they take on a real-life missing person cold case.

September 28, 2020