Media Ranch inks strategic partnership with GRB Studios

The companies will jointly develop, produce and distribute unscripted IP through the pact.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: Top 10 films Jan. 11 to 17, 2019

Aquaman takes the top spot, followed by Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse at #2 and Bumblebee at #3.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: Top 3 Canadian films Jan. 11 to 17, 2019

La Course des Tuques comes in at #1, followed by Pachamama: Le Tresor Sacre at #2 and The Woman Who Loves Giraffes at #3.

Linear and online content mix well: MTM study

According to a new report from Media Technology Monitor, nearly half of Canadians consume a healthy diet of both traditional and digital media.

Updated: TVA Group elevates two execs

The Montreal-headquartered company has named Denis Rozon as its new VP, productions, operations and technology and appointed Anick Dubois as VP, finance.

New ‘day pass’ for sports streamer a first in Canada

TSN president Stewart Johnston says a new 24-hour subscription option for TSN and RDS is meant to drive sampling for the sports streamers.

IP-retention issues must be addressed in Acts review: CMPA

The producers association said global digital platforms and large Canadian broadcasters have disproportionate leverage when negotiating agreements with domestic producers.

Kyle Rideout, Josh Epstein’s ‘Astrid’ picked up by Paramount

The feature project is set to be produced by L.A.-based Di Bonaventura Pictures.

Indiecan acquires Cat Hostick’s The Meaning of Life

Hostick’s feature debut stars Canadian musician Tyler Shaw as a starving artist who gets a job as a therapeutic hospital clown.

Netflix closes in on 140 million subs

The streaming giant admitted blockbuster video games like Fortnite are an increasing threat to consumers’ viewing time, but said it will focus on its user experience for future growth.

How Charles Officer’s Invisible Essence came into focus

The filmmaker speaks with Playback about the rocky road to making his latest doc, Invisible Essence: The Little Prince, which launched on Netflix internationally this week.

Deals: Gusto, Blue Ant, Corus, Strada, Space Tigers

Gusto TV makes its Latin American debut, Blue Ant’s Smithsonian expands its global footprint, Corus lands a new food competition series and more.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: Digital Demand for Jan. 8 to 14, 2019

Titans tops the chart, followed by Toronto-shot Star Trek: Discovery at #2 and Netflix’s Black Mirror at #3.

DHX appoints new head of rights strategy

The kids media company has tapped Lara Ilie as VP of rights strategy and named Rachel Taylor as its new commercial director for WildBrain.

Uncork’d Entertainment picks up Crown and Anchor

The Texas-based distributor has acquired Canadian and U.S. distribution rights to Andrew Rowe’s Newfoundland-shot drama.