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Canwest exiting Australia
Canwest Global Communications has sold off its 50.6% stake in Australia’s Network Ten to raise around $634 million to pay down debt. Canwest sold its controlling stake in the Australian broadcaster via a block trade executed by Sydney-based Macquarie Capital Advisers. The sale ends months of speculation that Canwest Global would be forced by its U.S. bondholders and senior lenders to sell its controlling stake to pay down its $3.8 billion debt load and avoid bankruptcy protection.
Ottawa merges funds into CIF
Echoing last year’s creation of the Canada Media Fund, Ottawa is ditching its Partnerships and Gateway funds to combine them into one financing body, the $37.5 million Canada Interactive Fund. The fund, to be administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage, will be rolled out in 2010/11.
CTV, Global premieres soar, thanks to PPM
CTV and Global are tickled over BBM Canada’s new Portable People Meters, which escalated their fall debuts to new highs as fresh and returning fare rolled out Sept. 21-27.
TIFF’s roadshow fest Film Circuit turns 15
What began in 1989 as a small offshoot of Cinéfest in Sudbury – then moved under the TIFF umbrella in 1995 with 16 screening groups – has blossomed into the Film Circuit of today that boasts over 200 groups in 169 communities across Canada.
Half Staff: Pierre Falardeau 1946-2009
Quebec filmmaker Pierre Falardeau died of cancer in Montreal on Sept. 25, at 62 years of age.
Sony takes Egoyan’s Chloe for U.S.
StudioCanal closes deal in the low seven figures. Release expected stateside by spring
Close race for Eighteen
Photo finish as VIFF hands Dragons & Tigers prize to South Korean high school drama
Bledel leads Affair melodrama
Former Gilmore Girls star plays troubled cop for writer/director Noël Mitrani
Revenues up at E1
Content library worth up to $231.7 million, according to report
OMNI bows Mandarin drama
Once Upon a Time in Toronto marks rare copro between Canada and China
Accusations fly amid fee fracas
Networks and distributors both say the other side is misleading the public. War of words heats up ahead of CRTC hearings
Alberta moving forward on studio
Deal for Calgary stage expected in two months, says culture minister, despite budget crunch
Video: Ruba Nadda at TIFF
Cairo Time arrives on screens Friday but was ‘a nightmare, logistically,’ to shoot, says director Ruba Nadda
Youth marketer completes CMF board
Final seat among controversial directors to be filled by Youthography boss Max Valiquette
In other news…
Shipton gets a Crystal Award, History goes high-def, and other stories that almost slipped through the cracks
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