The television medium can learn from its own history when mapping out its digital future.

The CRTC’s recommendation that the Canadian Television Fund lower its Cancon requirement for primetime projects, if instituted, would open up more options for producers, but the regulator shouldn’t expect the dramatic spike in audiences for Canadian shows that it seeks.

As the dust settles on the two top networks’ upfronts, CTV looks to have made stronger fall schedule acquisitions than Global, but it will be hard-pressed to maximize its schedule because of a number of shows airing out of simulcast and the loss of the Citytv stations, which it was forced to sell by the CRTC.

It’s not over until Konrad von Finckenstein sings.

The Academy’s road show brings the TV awards to the hot Prairie production region, as Global hands the broadcast back to the pubcaster

The CRTC’s decision to gradually lift ad time restrictions on networks is aimed at helping broadcasters cope with flattening revenues and the costly transition to digital television, but could ultimately make little difference.

It’s been one year since the inaugural Playback Mobile Forum, and gearing up for the next edition offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on how far Canada has come in the mobile space in that time.

Only recently the Toronto service sector was near succumbing to doom and gloom. After a record year of foreign production spending in 2001/02, it has for the most part been a downhill slide. SARS. The rising loonie. More competition.

You have to give Alliance Atlantis full marks for audacity. The broadcaster’s move to air CSI: NY on History Television starting in January is a classic case of trying to shove a gold-plated square peg into a round hole.

Welcome to the latest installment in the never-ending struggle to sell English-Canadian films to English Canadians.

If one thing came into focus at the Playback Production Innovations Forum March 8 in Toronto, it’s that the time is now for a concerted push on the part of the TV industry, government, and the regulator to accelerate the take-up of high definition in this country. If not, the consequences will be severe.

The recent Independent Production Agreement talks between performers and producers were bungled, and as a result it may be slim pickings this summer for the service sector.