People/Companies
Playback’s most popular: ‘Ten to Watch’ wins the year
The most-clicked article of the year was our Ten to Watch announcement on Sept. 15. Here, we catch up with some of our nominees to find out what they have in store for 2012.
Shaw Media buys out stakes in Mystery TV and The Cave specialties
Shaw Media will have 100% control of the specialty channels after the deal with Quebec’s TVA Group, pending CRTC approval.
Steering Arctic Air onto the CBC: Ian Weir
Series creator Weir talks to Playback Daily about the series’ unexpected pre-pilot full-season order, landing “dream” lead Adam Beach, and the lure of the north.
Lionsgate strikes Asian partnership with Saban Capital and Celestial Pictures
The Vancouver-based studio is jumping into the Chinese-language pay TV market to extend its distribution footprint globally.
Videotron’s Manon Brouillette promoted to president, consumer services
The new posting will enable Videotron topper Robert Depatie to focus on big picture priorities.
Michael MacMillan’s Blue Ant Media to buy High Fidelity HDTV
Canadian publisher Torstar Corp. is also taking a 25% stake in Blue Ant Media for $22.7 million after it completes the High Fidelity HDTV transaction.
Talking transmedia with Anita Ondine
The producer and transmedia guru talks to Playback about the challenges of financing projects in the new media space.
Why Lewis Chesler loves Christmas
The Toronto-based producer talks about making merry with broadcasters around the world with holiday-themed MOWs.
CBC going commercial-free Christmas Day
TBooth is underwriting the pubcaster as it offers only CBC promos between shows from noon to 10 p.m.
Astral’s Peter Furnish joins CTAM board
Replacing outgoing Cable Telecommunications Association for Marketing of Canada (CTAM) president Aivy Reinfelds is Rogers VP and GM David Purdy.
Best of the Year: Sportsnet
Playback marks Rogers Media’s major expansion of the Sportsnet brand this year by taking a trip through a day in the life of a cross-platform story.
Drop in P2P file sharing causes Bell to stop web throttling
In an open letter to the CRTC, Bell execs say that changing user habits, and the company’s investment in web infrastructure, mean it will no longer manage internet traffic in peak hours.
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