TV
Playback Canadian Film & TV Hall of Fame: Peter Simpson
Simpson (1943-2007) was a major booster of Canadian talent during his 30-year career.
Hot Sheet: Top 20 DVDs Feb. 15, 2016 to Feb. 21, 2016
Spectre tops the DVD chart for the week of Feb. 15 to Feb. 21, with Black Mass at #2 and The Last Witch Hunter at #3.
Big Brother Canada posts premiere growth
The show’s Wednesday night opener was watched by just under one million viewers.
Deals: Media Ranch, Peace Point, Proper Rights
Montreal-based Media Ranch acquires global rights to Ivy Press’ 30-Second book series, plus more deals of the week. (30-Second Wine pictured).
Programming profile: CBC Docs
Playback catches up with CBC’s Jennifer Dettman and Charlotte Engel about the pubcaster’s current doc strategy. (Firsthand doc Hold Your Fire pictured.)
Vikings building momentum in season four
Total numbers from the History series’ February premiere are up 32% year-over-year in Canada, with ratings success in Asia as well.
Pop picks up Schitt’s Creek season three
The season three renewal comes ahead of the season two premiere on the U.S. net.
In brief: New SVOD services; new Emmy categories
Adult Swim and NFB launch new SVOD services, Emmy Awards expand short-form categories and more news from the week. (NFB short film If I Was God… pictured.)
Does Quebec need VR-specific tax credits?
A study from Quebec Film and Television Council asserts that the province’s current incentives are not sufficiently aligned with the virtual and augmented reality sectors.
James Stewart: the next dimension
From Playback magazine: Stewart’s Geneva Film Co. has pushed high-tech Canadian storytelling into the spotlight. Now he’s strapping his VR goggles on for the next adventure.
WGC Screenwriting Awards finalists named
Among this year’s finalists are three writers who penned 19-2 (pictured) episodes and Christina Ray for her work on End of Days, Inc.
Chop Chop Ninja Challenge clicks with more broadcasters
Mobile-based, non-verbal comedy Chop Chop Ninja Challenge from Sardine Productions and Gamerizon has sold to a number of global broadcasters under a deal with the IP’s distributor GoldBee.
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