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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

CMF modifies budget, eligibility for development pilot program

The program, now in its second year, gives development funding to kids and doc producers without a broadcaster requirement.

December 9, 2022

Crave inks long-term deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment

The SVOD will get exclusive first pay window rights to SPE’s theatrical releases, including the much-anticipated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

December 8, 2022

CBC, levelFILM acquire music documentary Harkness

The doc is directed by Maria Markina and produced by Ed Barreveld of Storyline Entertainment.

December 8, 2022

William F. White International acquires Studio City Toronto

The deal, which closed on Dec. 2, also includes rigging supplier Studio City Rentals.

December 8, 2022

Hot Docs supports 10 Canadian documentaries across two funds

A total of $212,500 has been allocated through the Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund and the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Fund.

December 7, 2022

CMF invests $4M via Diverse Languages Program

A total of 21 projects were selected, including the OMNI Television Tagalog sketch comedy series Abroad.

December 6, 2022

Our Big Punjabi Family brings big impact to Saskatchewan

The multi-language series is produced by KarmaFilm, with Leena Manro and Donkeyhead director Agam Darshi as the creators.

December 5, 2022

Principal Media makes strategic investment in Chesler/Perlmutter

The partnership adds the Toronto prodco’s scripted catalogue to Principal’s distribution slate, with the potential for format sales and new FAST channels.

December 2, 2022

CBC plans to widen its audience with content brand focus

EVP Barbara Williams and programming head Sally Catto discuss the new CBC Entertains brand and the possibility of expanding CBC’s FAST channel work.

December 2, 2022

Advisory committee reformed to recommend CBC board candidates

The federal government has selected a 10-person committee to recommend new CBC/Radio-Canada board members that meet gender parity and diversity goals.

December 1, 2022

Pluto TV launches in Canada with dedicated Cancon channels

Canadian programs such as Property Brothers, Bake with Anna Olson, Max and Ruby and Private Eyes are part of the initial launch slate.

December 1, 2022

CBC unveils winter programming for video, podcast content

The pubcaster also revealed the newly announced unscripted series Push and the new hosts of long-running docuseries The Nature of Things.

November 30, 2022