Fecan pledges an extra $20 million in benefits and more local programming on some Citytvs at the close of the CHUM hearings. Buyout is ‘not a done deal,’ warns von Finckenstein

Toronto music and sound studio fish-fry is working to a new beat, having migrated from the commercial sector largely to TV work.

Execs promise no overlap in programming between CTV and Citytv outlets, while claiming the latter are in financial trouble. ‘Let’s be honest,’ says skeptical CRTC chairman, ‘they’re not failing stations’

A monster group of blockbusters is on the way, but that won’t stop distribs from launching homegrown fare

Canadian stars will get their chance to shine alongside the flashy trailers for upcoming Hollywood fare at ShowCanada 2007, April 24-27 in Niagara Falls, ON. Local talent is being booked to promote upcoming domestic fare at the annual convention of theater owners, although Telefilm Canada, sponsor of the April 26 Canadian gala, couldn’t confirm names by press time.

Appearing before the heritage committee, the CBC boss calls for a contract with Ottawa that spells out what the feds want from the network and how much it’s willing to pay

Diversity is frequently preached as a wise philosophy for forward-looking Canadian TV enterprises – and it is also the mandate of a proposed digital service with a licence application that is – controversially – being considered by the CRTC.

Visual artists Sebastien Moreau and Mathieu Raynault cut the ribbon this week on their Montreal shop Rodeo FX

The federal Competition Bureau says despite ‘concerns,’ it has no legal grounds to challenge the buyout of CHUM by CTVglobemedia, and has passed the matter to the CRTC

The heritage committee opens its review of CBC with questions about new media and whether to follow the lead of its tech-heavy British cousin

Renegade cable boss reverses course during hearings in Ottawa, resumes monthly payments ‘to help stabilize the industry’ and ends two-month crisis

With producers anxious over CTF instability and the big question mark that is new media, expect extra attention to be paid at this year’s Prime Time sessions, which will be structured much as they have been in the past.