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

Screen sector waits for funds to flow under Bill C-11

Year in review: Legal action and allocation concerns around the CRTC’s base contributions decision leave questions around how the funds will support the system.

WGC, CMPA talk sector stability after historic strike vote in 2024

Year in review: Negotiations between Canadian producers and writers reached a tipping point last year, but the standoff laid the foundation for an AI roadmap.

North of North scales up Nunavut’s local screen industry

The creators behind the CBC, Netflix and APTN comedy discuss how the series became a catalyst for building the territory’s first production studio.

Corus, Bell Media execs reflect on fallout from specialty shakeup

Year in review: Playback examines some of the most significant moments of 2024, starting with the content and licensing disruptions at the broadcasters.

ACTRA sets tentative deal with Canadian producers for IPA

A member ratification vote for the renewed agreement will take place from Jan. 15 to 21, according to ACTRA National.

Rogers, Corus in dispute over channel packaging, realignment

Rogers has filed to appeal a decision from the CRTC to prevent it from moving Corus channels Home and Flavour.

Deal of the Year 2024: Lionsgate and Entertainment One

Lionsgate’s Kevin Beggs and Jocelyn Hamilton unpack how the US$375 million acquisition has been a boon for the larger studio and its newly minted Canadian division.

Bell Media, Lionsgate developing series with Point Grey Pictures

The scripted series is part of a first-look television deal between Lionsgate and Point Grey, founded by Vancouver’s Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

TV Directors of the Year 2024: Tanya Talaga, Courtney Montour

The duo discuss the process of bringing Talaga’s bestselling book The Knowing to the screen.

U.S. streamers can appeal base contributions decision, says court

The Federal Court of Appeal granted appeals from MPA-Canada, Apple, Amazon and Spotify.

Catherine Tait on industry ‘in crisis,’ her CBC/Radio-Canada legacy

The outgoing CBC/Radio-Canada president and CEO reflects on her time at the head of the pubcaster and the state of the screen sector.

No additional funds for screen sector in fall fiscal update

Film and TV stakeholders had urged the government to commit to permanent budget increases for Telefilm and the Canada Media Fund in the Fall Economic Statement.