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Marise Strauss
Motherhood, Suburbia laughers land at City
Citytv is putting the emphasis on comedy this spring, adding three new sitcoms and one drama to its midseason schedule, while continuing…
Oscars net 4.5 million for CTV
Hollywood’s biggest night was golden for CTV as the 81st Academy Awards surpassed both the Super Bowl and the…
iTunes to carry E1 titles
E1 Entertainment is making the leap to iTunes with its teen vampire hit Twilight, which headlines the pack of…
Brandon station could fade to black
CTV is putting Manitoba’s CKX-TV on the auction block, with plans to shut down the long-running Brandon station…
High-flying Life leaves home
Arriving amid eight Genie and five Jutra nominations, Benoît Pilon’s The Necessities of Life makes its English Canada…
E1 tests four-hour Che
Two very different takes on patriotism arrive in theaters Friday — courting niche crowds with the multi-city release of Stone of Destiny…
Arab network to try again with CRTC
Al-Jazeera’s English service has launched a bid to air in Canada and will seek approval…
An audience with TSN’s King
Phil King does not fit the mold of a typical president at TSN, currently ranked Canada’s top specialty channel. He finessed his way to the senior role in 2004 from a finance background, and not the television production side, as was the norm with the previous four executives atop the sportscaster.
The NFB gets personal
The National Film Board has set its sights on mobile after launching an online screening room that gives film enthusiasts free access to over 700 classic and contemporary Canuck titles. NFB chair Tom Perlmutter says the online initiative marks a big step into the digital age for the organization, which has been pushing to reach a broader audience with its catalogue. He adds that the content from the online screening room will also be available on mobile platforms ‘within the next few months.’
Fancy yourself Canada’s next leading commercial director?
Winnipeg-based Frantic Films has joined forces with prominent commercial producer Soft Citizen and ad agency TAXI for the new reality series Commercial Break, looking to sniff out top talent to create television commercials for existing brands. The 10 x 60 series will pit 10 participants against each other in weekly challenges for the chance to win an exclusive one-year contract with Soft Citizen. Contestants’ work will be evaluated by TAXI exec creative director Steve Mykolyn, Soft Citizen exec producer Dr. Link York and a guest judge.
Arcadia hooks up
U.K. distributor Parthenon Entertainment recently acquired a minority stake in Halifax documentary prodco Arcadia Entertainment. Arcadia will serve as a Canuck production partner for Parthenon’s international distribution and production business. The transaction also grants Parthenon a first-look option for international rights on all Arcadia productions.
Tong lands on Planet
Daily Planet tapped Ziya Tong as its new cohost alongside Jay Ingram. Tong has been a guest host since November and replaces Natasha Stillwell, who left in 2007. Discovery Canada says Tong found favor with viewers, as Planet increased viewership by 34% in the 25-54 demo this past December compared to 2007. Tong’s past hosting duties include CBC’s ZeD, CTV’s travel series Island Escapes, and science shows The Leading Edge for Knowledge Network.
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