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TV
New studio, new jobs in B.C.
More than 100 digital effects artists could find work in Vancouver by the end of next year, following the arrival of Digital Domain. The California-based company is expanding to B.C. with the construction of a new 20,000-square-foot visual effects shop. The new location is looking to open in early 2010, bringing on 50 to 60 digital artists -‘primarily from Canada’ – to be followed by another 50 or more by the end of the year. The Vancouver studio, and the headquarters in Venice, CA, will be run by newly named feature film boss Gloria Borders.
Alberta moving forward on studio
Calgary is a step closer to the dream of a purpose-built studio complex. The province of Alberta has plans to lead a combination of public and private parties to build a production facility in the city.
Creditor protection for Canwest
Canwest Global Communications has filed for creditor protection as part of an overall recapitalization deal agreed with its lenders. The agreement will see Canwest Global emerge from creditor protection under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in around six months without company president and CEO Leonard Asper in operational control of the restructured media group.
Bluepoint’s deal for station falls apart
A deal to purchase CKX-TV in Brandon, MB has come unstuck over CRTC regulations and Canada’s satellite TV monopoly, according to would-be owner Bruce Claassen. The result is the local station, which launched in 1955, has shut down with the loss of 39 jobs.
Ottawa, networks settle on Part 2 fees
Days before its multimillion-dollar case was to be heard before the Supreme Court, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters reached an agreement with Ottawa on its lengthy battle over Part 2 fees.
Blades shines with 1.9 million
CBC scored impressive numbers for fresh and returning fall series, but it was the new reality Battle of the Blades that eclipsed all debuts with an eye-popping 1.9 million viewers for its premiere on Oct. 4. The number is the second highest for a CBC series premiere since Little Mosque on the Prairie netted two million viewers back in 2007. Audiences for the 90-minute episode of Blades at 8 p.m. peaked at 2.4 million. (All numbers 2+.)
Dance Canada still hot
Reality competition ends second season on a high note with 1.7 million viewers for CTV. The Guard suffers a setback
Profits, subscribers up at Corus
Arrival of Viva and HBO Canada goose year-end numbers, even as ad revenue dries up at specialty channels and on radio
Sweeping changes at CBC News
National expands to weekends, flanked by local and online news. Work to be routed through all-in-one newsroom, more than 1,000 staffers shuffled
Plimpton thinks Small
Indie actress signs up for Ed Gass-Donnelly’s latest, joining Peter Stormare and Aaron Poole
No PPM bump for Border
CBC action drama taking a hit on Thursdays opposite CTV juggernaut Grey’s Anatomy
Gas stars reunite in Hiccups
Brent Butt to work on both sides of camera in new sitcom, playing life coach to Robertson’s high-strung kiddie author
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