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Playback Barometer – Sunny Breaks
Between the gloom of closures and creditor protection, there are patches of blue. Though we have filed the Tories’ renewed talk of copyright reform under ‘believe it when we see it’ – next to any talk of Pinewood revitalizing the former Filmport, by the way – the Ottawa crowd got at least one thing right before going on vacation when the CRTC again chose to not smother the innovation of new media in its crib.
Door open on fee-for-carriage
Hearing set for fall to establish ‘fair market value’ for signals. CTVgm says move might save Windsor station. Local programming fund increased
Putting the con in content
As far as Cancon TV goes, this one is hard to top. The upcoming Citytv fall reality series Conviction Kitchen sends Canadian ex-cons to a culinary boot camp led by celebrity chef Marc Thuet.
Ontario invests $263M in digital game studio
Ubisoft plans to produce ‘triple A games’ at new complex opening in Toronto later this year
How to make a winning format
Producers and broadcasters like formats for three reasons — they’re a proven proposition, viewers like to watch them live, and because hits can generate a huge financial upside.
A new online approach
Cross-platform media strategist Gavin McGarry has a thought for producers and broadcasters: maybe TV programs aren’t meant for the Internet after all.
Stacey Donen: Hoping for discovery
Stacey Donen can’t recall the first film he saw. Or how old he was at the time.
$1 million-plus for Party! 2
Teen romance sequel still strong at the Quebec box office despite stiff competition from Hollywood
Allan King: finding the ‘grace note’
Knowledge Network president & CEO Rudy Buttignol eulogizes Allan King. The exec commissioned four films from the filmmaker during his tenure at TVO, and was instrumental in finally getting King’s classic Warrendale onto the small screen.
Imax transforms robots into cash
Transformers rakes in record $30 million-plus worldwide for giant-screen pioneer
Decode finds partners for Grandpa
Toronto distrib signs U.K. licensing and DVD deals for popular kids series
Content providers walking on eggshells
There’s extremely careful optimism across the nation regarding the Canada Media Fund board of directors – keepers of the $300 million till – anointed by the Department of Canadian Heritage in June.
Louis L. Roquet: New CMF chair reputed to keep an eye on bottom line
Canada Media Fund chair Louis L. Roquet is a well-connected Quebec public sector veteran, reputed for keeping a close eye on the bottom line.
Cheryl Barker: Manitoba’s ‘astute businesswoman’ applauded by west
Cheryl Barker has time on her hands and kudos from the industry for her appointment to the Canada Media Fund board as one of Canadian Heritage’s two board nominations. Both might be crucial.
Alison Clayton: Policy maven is Rogers’ choice
Alison Clayton, Rogers Communications’ choice to sit on the board of the Canada Media Fund, has seen her career as an industry consultant often intersect with an evolving cable TV set-top box.
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