North Vancouver, BC and Edmonton, AB – Award-winning film and television company Anaïd Productions announced today the appointment of former CBC News senior meteorologist Claire Martin as their new Managing Director. Martin will oversee Anaïd’s day-to-day operations and communications and will be based in their North Vancouver office.
 
“We are so proud to have Claire join our award-winning team here at Anaïd Productions,” says Margaret Mardirossian, Founder and Executive Producer at Anaïd Productions. “As everyone knows, Claire is a broadcast veteran with an excellent reputation for her dedication, passion, professionalism and sunshine personality, all qualities we look forward to having on our team.”
 
With more than 25 years of weather forecasting and broadcast television experience, Martin will work closely with Anaïd’s producers on various projects including the critically acclaimed OLN series, The Liquidator featuring master negotiator Jeff Schwarz, currently in production on its fourth season. Renowned for its high standards of productions and talented team of experts, Anaïd Productions recently celebrated 20 years of creating dynamic, and internationally recognized real-life and dramatic television series.
 
For the past nine years, Martin has been with CBC News as their senior meteorologist working along side The National’s chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge and other newscasters, enlightening the country with her wealth of knowledge about the weather. She joined CBC News in 2005 when they first launched their weather centre as the network’s first meteorologist. Prior to this, she was with Global News Edmonton and Environment Canada.
 
Martin’s career includes a number of accolades including “Best Weather Presenter in the World” from the International Weather Festival in 2000, 2001 and 2003. She was also the first person in Canada to receive the “Certified Broadcast Meteorologist” designation by the American Meteorological Society in 2005, and was the first on-air meteorologist in Canada to earn the “Professional Meteorologist” or P.Met designation.
 
Originally from England, Martin moved to Canada in 1989 and received a Bachelor of Science with specialization in meteorology degree at the University of Alberta. She is also the niece of Barbara Edwards, who was BBC’s first female weather presenter in 1974.
 
About Anaïd Productions
Anaïd Productions (The Liquidator, Hail Mary, The Quon Dynasty, X-Weighted) is an award-winning film and television production company with offices in Edmonton and Vancouver. Established in 1993, Anaïd has a reputation for consistently producing dynamic, and internationally recognized real-life and dramatic television series. Anaïd is committed to creating diverse programming with high production values and compelling content, often irreverent and always entertaining. www.anaid.com

TORONTO, ON – (MARCH 11, 2014) - Canadian Music Week is pleased to announce nominations for the 17th annual Canadian Radio Music Awards. Drake, Metric and Tegan and Sara, are among those honoured. This year’s award show will take place on Wednesday May 7^th at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club. Sponsored by Bell Media Radio, the Canadian Radio Music Awards celebrate first-time charted artists and honour individuals or groups with some of the most played songs on Canadian radio. The show will feature performances by Walk off the Earth, Trevor Guthrie, Head of the Herd, Tyler Shaw and Brett Kissel. Full list of nominees below.

In addition to their performances at this year’s ceremony, both Armin Van Buruen Feat. Trevor Guthrie (“This Is What It Feels Like”) and Burlington’s Walk off the Earth lead this year’s nominations with four apiece.

The Canadian Radio Music Awards offer an opportunity to honour national and international artists who have gained significant traction at radio over the past year. Radio has long served as a significant platform for artists to be heard. This year’s nominees fittingly reflect that the door is open for both major and independent artists to break into national playlists.

Other notable nominations include several Canadian acts that have received considerable international success this past year including, Drake for “Hold On, We’re Going Home”, Robin Thicke for “Blurred Lines” and Tegan and Sara for “Closer” and “I Was A Fool”.

This year’s award categories include: Mainstream AC, Hot AC, Rock, CHR, Dance/Urban/Rhythmic, and Country as well as the SOCAN Song of the Year, Fans’ Choice and International Single of the Year. Nominees for the Heatseeker Award will be announced at a later date.

Nominees include artists who have hit the Canadian charts for the first time and who have achieved top airplay in different formats based on radio “spins”, as recorded by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems (BDS) in 2013. Votes cast by program directors, music directors, and on-air personalities determine the winners.

Radio listeners from across the country can vote online for the Fans’ Choice Award, SOCAN Song of the Year and International Single of the Year at: www.cmw.net.

Two additional non-voting awards will also be presented at this year’s ceremony: the FACTOR Breakthrough Award for top airplay for a new FACTOR supported artist; and the Sennheiser Chart Topper Award for top overall airplay.

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES

BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST: MAINSTREAM AC
ARMIN VAN BUUREN FEAT. TREVOR GUTHRIE, THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
METRIC, BREATHING UNDERWATER
TEGAN & SARA, I WAS A FOOL
TYLER SHAW, KISS GOODNIGHT
WALK OFF THE EARTH, RED HANDS

BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST: HOT AC
ARMIN VAN BUUREN FEAT. TREVOR GUTHRIE, THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
CLASSIFIED, INNER NINJA
ROBIN THICKE, BLURRED LINES
TYLER SHAW, KISS GOODNIGHT
WALK OFF THE EARTH, RED HANDS

BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST: CHR
ARMIN VAN BUUREN FEAT. TREVOR GUTHRIE, THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
METRIC, BREATHING UNDERWATER
TYLER SHAW, KISS GOODNIGHT
VITA CHAMBERS, FIX YOU
WALK OFF THE EARTH, RED HANDS

BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST: DANCE/URBAN/RHYTHMIC
ARMIN VAN BUUREN FEAT. TREVOR GUTHRIE, THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
GLENN MORRISON, GOODBYE
JV PROJECT, MIRACLE
TYLER SHAW, KISS GOODNIGHT
VITA CHAMBERS, FIX YOU

BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST: ROCK
GLORIOUS SONS, MAMA
HEAD OF THE HERD, BY THIS TIME TOMORROW
JULY TALK, GUNS & AMMUNITION
MOUNTIES, HEADPHONES
ONE BAD SON, SCARECROWS

BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST: COUNTRY
ALEE, DON’T SAY YOU LOVE ME
AUTUMN HILL, ANYTHING AT ALL
BRETT KISSEL, STARTED WITH A SONG
TIM HICKS, GET BY
WES MACK, DUET

SOCAN SONG OF THE YEAR
CLOSER, WRITTEN BY: SARA QUIN, TEGAN QUIN, GREG KURSTIN; PERFORMED BY TEGAN & SARA

HOLD ON, WE’RE GOING HOME, WRITTEN BY: DRAKE, NOAH SHEBIB, MAJID AL MASKATI, JORDAN ULLMAN, NINETEEN85; PERFORMED BY DRAKE

INNER NINJA, WRITTEN BY: LUKE BOYD (CLASSIFIED), MIKE BOYD, DAVID MYLES, MARK PELLIZZER; PERFORMED BY CLASSIFIED FEAT. DAVID MYLES

RED HANDS,   WRITTEN BY: SARAH BLACKWOOD, RYAN MARSHALL, GIANNI LUMINATI, THOMAS ‘TAWGS’ SALTER; PERFORMED BY WALK OFF THE EARTH

STOMPA, WRITTEN BY: SERENA RYDER, JERROD BETTIS; PERFORMED BY SERENA RYDER

FANS’ CHOICE
ROBIN THICKE
SERENA RYDER
TEGAN AND SARA
TREVOR GUTHRIE
WALK OFF THE EARTH

INTERNATIONAL SINGLE OF THE YEAR
AVICII, WAKE ME UP
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, MIRRORS
LUMINEERS, HO HEY
P!NK, JUST GIVE ME A REASON
RIHANNA, STAY

TORONTO (March 11, 2014) Shining a spotlight on the diverse talent Canada has to offer, OMNI Television today announced broadcast details for the original docu-series Bollywood Star. Airing Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT/MT beginning Sunday, April 6, the four-part series chronicles the nationwide search for an unknown talent, who will compete to win the prize of a lifetime – a part in a Bollywood movie. Bollywood Star will air in English on OMNI 2 in Ontario, OMNI Alberta, and OMNI BC.

Commissioned by OMNI Television’s original content team in partnership with L’Oréal Paris, and produced by Spinning Plates Entertainment, Bollywood Star provides a glimpse into the making of a Bollywood performer. The series also features a talented judging panel of celebrated Indo-Canadian artists – including filmmaker Richie Mehta (Siddharth), actress and dancer Anita Majumdar (Midnight’s Children), and actor Rupinder Nagra (Amal) – who offer their expertise and select the top contenders for the opportunity of a lifetime.

In the premiere episode, “Calling All Bollywood Stars,” hopefuls from across the country flood the open-call auditions in two of the nation’s most ethnocultural cities – Vancouver and Toronto. The competitors are diverse in age and background, but what binds them together is the dream of becoming a Bollywood star. Each one battles nerves, endures long lines, and performs a crucial dance and improvised acting audition before the esteemed panel of judges. After their first audition, only 16 will be selected for the next round of the competition in Toronto during Episode 2.

As the series progresses, the top 16 are narrowed down to the final six competitors who will travel to Mumbai – the epicentre of Bollywood – where they will be immersed in a boot camp with industry insiders who push them to their physical, psychological, and emotional limits. It will all come down to a final audition where the four remaining performers give it their all before an acclaimed director who will select Canada's first Bollywood Star.

Exclusive web content including photos and videos of the judges, audition footage, and behind-the-scenes specials are available at omnitv.ca/bollywoodstar.

MISSISSAUGA, ON (March 11, 2014) The Shopping Channel today announced the latest addition of Canadian womenswear line, Pink Tartan, to its roster of luxury brands. On Sunday, March 30 at 8 a.m. ET, Kimberley Newport-Mimran, President and Head Designer, will debut her modernized classic designs and easy-wear, easy-wash collection on TSC and share her stories of well-fitted, elegant pieces with women from across the country. Coming off her sought-after, sold-out runway show at Toronto’s World Mastercard Fashion Week on March 19, Newport-Mimran will bring a curated selection from her lifestyle concept shop in Toronto’s Yorkville Avenue, into the homes of Canadian shoppers. From producing sleek uniforms for Porter Airlines and Holt Renfrew, to covering the front pages of FLARE and Vogue, Newport-Mimran’s Pink Tartan designs will now be featured on Canada’s leading multi-channel retailer, The Shopping Channel, and will be available online at tsc.ca.

“As a fashion designer, I’m thrilled to be partnering with The Shopping Channel to bring runway to real life into the homes of all Canadian women,” said Newport-Mimran. “My clothes are built with integrity and style, meant to live your life in and easily transition from day to night – what all women deserve.” 

Worn by celebrities such as Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, and songstress Lana Del Rey, Pink Tartan’s designs are updates to modern classics and offer simple yet strong designs complemented by luxurious fabrics. Newport-Mimran describes sexy, as “what you don’t see,” and her product offerings available at The Shopping Channel as of March 30, embody that attitude.

“Pink Tartan is Canada’s go-to label for superior design, and quality well-made essentials,” said Steven Goldsmith, President, The Shopping Channel. “Introducing Kimberley and her successful, home-grown brand to The Shopping Channel reflects our customer’s desire for luxury apparel, Canadian designed labels, and exceptional value.”

With structure and tailoring at the foundation of every piece, Newport-Mimran believes that if they fit her and make her feel good about what she’s wearing, then her customer will love it, too. Highlights from the easy to wear and care for Spring collection available at The Shopping Channel include closet must-haves like the black and navy legging pant, a tech pencil skirt, a figure-flattering striped dress, a cropped knit tee and a square-patterned wrap dress. The stylish collection ranges in price from the zipper tee for $95, to the knee-length floral trench for $395.

Selected for its easy wearability and femme digi-print, FLARE Fashion Director, Tiyana Grulovic, chose Pink Tartan’s floral trench coat as its monthly FLARE Find for April. Grulovic loves the fancy-without-the-fuss styling and the convenience of being able to fold it into a travel-size pouch.

Kimberley Newport-Mimran co-founded Pink Tartan in 2002, after working in buying, merchandising and product development for the Hudson Bay Company, Club Monaco and Caban. She is married to Joe Mimran, Canadian fashion designer and founder of Joe Fresh.

Tune in to see Newport-Mimran live on The Shopping Channel Sunday, March 30 at 8 a.m. ET, 1 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. ET or shop the collection online at tsc.ca.

TORONTO, March 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Today Rogers Communications announced that it has closed its previously announced concurrent Cdn$ and US$ financing transactions of approximately $2.1 billion.  The net proceeds of these financings will be used, together with cash on hand and other available debt, to fund the "beachfront property" - 20 year licenses for two contiguous, paired blocks of lower band spectrum - acquired in the recent 700 MHz spectrum auction.

"We went after and won this spectrum because we know it will pay off for our customers for the next 20 years and likely beyond. Not only did we get the spectrum we wanted for our customers, but we have financed it with $2.1 billionof long term funding for up to 30 years at some of our lowest rates ever, with an average interest rate of just 3.9%. In addition, we have made this long term investment for our customers while maintaining our Baa1/BBB+/BBB+ senior credit ratings, which have been affirmed by each of Moody's, Standard and Poor's and Fitch, reflecting their confidence in the investment and in Rogers," said Anthony Staffieri, Chief Financial Officer, Rogers Communications.

Rogers will invest $3.29 billion to acquire this valuable spectrum that will benefit customers in both rural and urban areas. Owning two blocks of contiguous paired spectrum across virtually all key geographic markets in Canada will allow Rogers to deploy 20MHz of spectrum, resulting in enhanced network coverage and a better mobile video experience.

Acquiring spectrum in the lower band will provide additional benefits to customers. Since Rogers' existing LTE devices already operate in the lower 700MHz band, all Rogers customers with LTE devices will be able to benefit from our enhanced networks as soon as the new spectrum is deployed, which will begin rolling out in 2014.

The concurrent financings completed today consisted of US$750 million of 5.00% senior notes due 2044, $250 millionof floating rate senior notes due 2017, $400 million of 2.80% senior notes due 2019, and $600 million of 4.00% senior notes due 2024.  As with all of our other US$ denominated debt, the principal and interest obligations on today's US$ denominated notes have been fully hedged against fluctuations in the Cdn$ foreign exchange rate for the entire term of the senior notes.

TORONTO (March 10, 2014) – The 2014 Canadian Screen Awards concluded last night with Bell Media and its partners securing eight of the evening’s 11 television awards. Over the three nights of award presentations, Bell Media productions took home 53 television awards and Bell Media-supported films won 19 film categories during the annual celebration of Canadian film and television.

Space’s hit original production ORPHAN BLACK took home 10 awards, including two from last night’s award presentation – Best Dramatic Series and Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role awarded to Tatiana Maslany. TMN’s CALL ME FITZ won three CSAs on Sunday, including the Bell Media Award for Best Comedy Program or Series, while 2013 JUNO AWARDS host Michael Bublé was recognized as Best Host in a Variety, Lifestyle, Reality/Competition, Performing Arts or Talk Program or Series.

Canada’s #1 national newscast CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LISA LAFLAMME won its second CSA last night as Lisa LaFlamme was honoured as Best News Anchor, National. This complements the Best National Newscast award received by the program at the opening night gala this past Tuesday, boldly punctuating CTV News’ position as the country’s foremost news organization. Overall, CTV News picked up a remarkable six awards across a diverse range of highly-contested categories, furthering its position as Canada’s national, local, and factual news programming leader.

In the film categories, 19 winners – including Denis Villeneuve’s Enemy and Best Motion Picture winner Gabrielle – were supported through Bell Media’s pay television services, The Movie Network and Super Écran, and its national funding organizations the Harold Greenberg Fund and Fonds Harold Greenberg. These programs support Canadian feature film financing and development through story optioning, script development, equity investment, pre-licensing, and acquisitions.

Bell Media TV winners during the Sunday, March 9 broadcast of the Canadian Screen Awards are:

CTV

THE 2013 JUNO AWARDS

Insight Productions Company Ltd.

Best Host in a Variety, Lifestyle, Reality/Competition, Performing Arts or Talk Program or Series

Michael Bublé

FLASHPOINT

Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment

Shaw Media Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role

Hugh Dillon – “Fit For Duty”

CTV NEWS

CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LISA LAFLAMME

Best News Anchor, National

Lisa LaFlamme

SPACE

ORPHAN BLACK

Temple Street Productions

Shaw Media Award for Best Dramatic Series

Claire Welland, David Fortier, Graeme Manson, Ivan Schneeberg, John Fawcett, Karen Walton, Kerry Appleyard

Shaw Media Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing

Leading Dramatic Role

Tatiana Maslany – “Unconscious Selection”

THE MOVIE NETWORK

CALL ME FITZ

Amaze Film + Television/Big Motion Pictures/eOne

Bell Media Award for Best Comedy Program or Series

David MacLeod, John Morayniss, Michael Rosenberg, Michael Souther, Noreen Halpern, Sheri Elwood, Teza Lawrence

Bell Media Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role

Jason Priestley – “Thirty Percent less Pulp Fiction”

Bell Media Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role

Tracy Dawson – “The Totally Legitimate Death of Meghan Fitzpatrick”

Bell Media-supported film winners during the Sunday, March 9 broadcast of the Canadian Screen Awards are:

Enemy

Pre-buy The Movie Network

Achievement in Direction
Denis Villeneuve

Achievement in Cinematography
Nicolas Bolduc

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Sarah Gadon

Achievement in Editing
Matthew Hannam

Achievement in Music – Original Score
Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans

Gabrielle

Pre-buy Super Écran

Best Motion Picture
Kim McCraw, Luc Déry

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Gabrielle Marion-Rivard

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
Pre-buy The Movie Network

Achievement in Make-Up
Jo-Ann Macneil, Karola Dirnberger, Paul Jones

Achievement in Overall Sound
Andrew Tay, David Drage, David Giammarco, Greg Chapman, Matt McKenzie, Peter Persaud

Achievement in Sound Editing
Alex Bullick, Christian Schaaning, J.R. Fountain, Jill Purdy, Kevin Banks, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Stephen Barden, Steve Baine

Achievement in Visual Effects
Andy Robinson, Dennis Berardi, Edward J. Taylor IV, James Cooper, Jason Edwardh, Jo Hughes, Leann Harvey, Sean Mills, Stephen Wagner, Trey Harrell

Louis Cyr, l’homme le plus fort du monde / Louis Cyr: The Strongest Man in the World
Investment and Pre-buy Super Écran

Achievement in Art Direction / Production Design
Michel Proulx

Achievement in Costume Design
Carmen Alie 

The Grand Seduction

Pre-buy The Movie Network and Harold Greenberg Fund

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Gordon Pinsent

The Right Kind Of Wrong
Pre-buy The Movie Network and Harold Greenberg Fund

Achievement in Music - Original Song
Jimmy Harry, Serena Ryder – “It’s No Mistake”

The F-Word
Pre-buy The Movie Network

Adapted Screenplay
Elan Mastai

Empire of Dirt

Acquisition, The Movie Network and Harold Greenberg Fund

Original Screenplay
Shannon Masters

Le démantèlement/The dismantlement

Pre-buy Super Écran and Fonds Harold Greenberg

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Gabriel Arcand

Watermark

Pre-buy The Movie Network

Ted Rogers Best Feature Length Documentary
Edward Burtynsky, Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, Daniel Iron

(March 10, 2014 – Toronto, Canada) Corus Entertainment is pleased to announce that its programming received 26 Canadian Screen Awards during the 2014 Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television’s ceremonies. Movie Central received 21 awards for original series and supported films. During the broadcast gala, comedy series Call Me Fitz won awards for Best Comedy Program or Series, Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role (Jason Priestley) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role (Tracy Dawson). In addition, Less Than Kind took home Best Direction, Best Photography and Best Picture Editing in a Comedy Program or Series. Leading kids’ network YTV received four awards including Best Host in a Pre-School, Children's or Youth Program or Series (Carlos Bustamante) for The Next Star, as well as awards for Almost Naked Animals and Splatalot. W Network’s Undercover Boss Canada was also recognized for Best Direction in a Reality/Competition Program or Series.

“We’re grateful to the Academy for recognizing the exceptional roster of Canadian programming and talent showcasing the combined efforts of our team and production partners this year,” said Doug Murphy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Corus Entertainment. “We’re proud to provide quality content that helps shape the Canadian media landscape, and look forward to continually funding and supporting our partners in the Canadian television and film industry.”
The 2014 Canadian Screen Awards for Corus Entertainment’s programming include.

TELEVISION
MOVIE CENTRAL (Pay TV - Western Canada) - 8 awards

Less Than Kind (4)

• Best Direction in a Comedy Program or Series (Kelly Makin, Fight and Flight)
• Best Photography in a Comedy Program or Series (Michael Marshall, Fight and Flight)
• Best Picture Editing in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series (Paul Winestock, Before The End Begins)

• Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series (Nicholas Campbell, I'm Only Nineteen / Space Box)
Call Me Fitz (3)

• Bell Media Award for Best Comedy Program or Series (David MacLeod, John Morayniss, Michael
• Bell Media Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role (Jason Priestley, Thirty Percent less Pulp Fiction)
• Bell Media Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role (Tracy Dawson, The Totally Legitimate Death of Meghan Fitzpatrick)

Quality Balls - The David Steinberg Story
• Barbara Sears Award for Best Visual Research (Elizabeth Klinck)

W NETWORK – 1 award
Undercover Boss Canada
• Best Direction in a Reality/Competition Program or Series (Graeme Lynch, PJ Pets)

YTV – 4 awards
Almost Naked Animals
• Best Animated Program or Series (Steven Jarosz, Tanya Green, Tristan Homer, Vince Commisso)
• Best Performance in an Animated Program or Series (Seán Cullen, Laugh Piggy Laugh)
The Next Star
• Best Host in a Pre-School, Children's or Youth Program or Series (Carlos Bustamante, Auditions Part 3)
Splatalot
• Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series (Mark J.W. Bishop, Matthew Hornburg, Stephen Turnbull, Steve Sloan)

FILMS – 13 awards

Enemy (5)
• Achievement In Cinematography / Meilleures Images (Nicolas Bolduc)
• Achievement In Direction / Meilleure Réalisation (Denis Villeneuve)
• Achievement In Editing / Meilleur Montage (Matthew Hannam)
• Achievement In Music - Original Score / Meilleure Musique Originale (Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans)
• Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role / Interprétation Féminine Dans Un Rôle De Soutien (Sarah Gadon)
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (4)
• Achievement In Make-Up / Meilleurs Maquillages (Jo-Ann Macneil, Karola Dirnberger, Paul Jones)
• Achievement In Overall Sound / Meilleur Son D'ensemble (Andrew Tay, David Drage, David Giammarco, Greg Chapman, Matt Mckenzie, Peter Persaud)
• Achievement In Sound Editing / Meilleur Montage Sonore (Alex Bullick, Christian Schaaning, J.R. Fountain, Jill Purdy, Kevin Banks, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Stephen Barden, Steve Baine)
• Achievement In Visual Effects / Meilleurs Effets Visuels (Andy Robinson, Dennis Berardi, Edward J. Taylor IV, James Cooper, Jason Edwardh, Jo Hughes, Leann Harvey, Sean Mills, Stephen Wagner, Trey Harrell)

The F-Word
• Adapted Screenplay / Meilleure Adaptation (Elan Mastai)

The Grand Seduction
• Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role / Interprétation Masculine Dans Un Rôle De Soutien (Gordon Pinsent)

The Right Kind of Wrong
• Achievement In Music - Original Song / Meilleure Chanson Originale (Jimmy Harry, Serena Ryder, It’s No Mistake)

Watermark
• Ted Rogers Best Feature Length Documentary / Meilleur Long Métrage Documentaire Ted Rogers (Edward Burtynsky, Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, Daniel Ironb)

TORONTO (March 10, 2014) — Applebee’s Canada has selected Bell Media Mix for the planning of its biggest Canadian media campaign to date - thanking its loyal customers in neighbourhoods across the country. A joint effort between Ogilvy, BIMM, and Bell Media Mix, the multimedia, multi-market campaign continues throughout the year using a strategic combination of Bell Media’s TV, digital, and radio properties.

As part of this new promotion, Bell Media Mix will execute a total of four campaigns, each lasting four weeks. The first campaign, which began on February 17, invites customers to “Bee Savvy” by enjoying Applebee’s amazing two for $25 deal. It includes on-air integrations, local contests, and promotions linked to the campaign.

“Our customers asked and we listened,” said David Snutch, President of Dynapple Management Corporation. “This campaign is designed to satisfy and delight our customers in several neighbourhoods throughout the year. Our first initiative, Bee Savvy, delivers exactly what families and our customers expect: value, quality, and fun. We’re communicating this message through the voice of our local managers and local personalities across Bell Media’s TV, radio, digital, and social media assets — everywhere our customers are consuming media.”

The campaign will reach the public in specific communities, using various properties including CTV, CTV Two, CP24, AM800 (Windsor), Kool 105.3 (Cambridge), 103.1 Virgin Radio (Winnipeg), 99.9 BOB FM (Winnipeg), 96.1 BOB FM (Brandon), 101.1 The Farm (Brandon), 98.5 Virgin Radio (Calgary), and Big Dog 92.7 (Regina). Regionally targeted ads will also be featured on CTV.ca.

“The Bell Media Mix team aims to deliver strategic solutions for our clients across our entire portfolio,” said Debbie Drutz, Vice-President, Bell Media Mix. “This program is a perfect representation of the type of consultative work we do and demonstrates how Bell Media can deliver mass and local tactical strategies.”

TORONTO (March 10, 2014) Rogers today announced a dream team of broadcasters who will anchor NHL national coverage across all Rogers properties, as well as Hockey Night in Canada.  Together, George Stroumboulopoulos, Don Cherry, Ron MacLean, Daren Millard and Jeff Marek will be cornerstones of Rogers’s NHL coverage this coming fall.

The team will deliver more than 500 regular season games across 13 networks and 7 platforms, including up to 7 games every Saturday night, plus “Hometown Hockey” every Sunday hosted from communities across Canada, and every game of the NHL Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final.

The announcement was made today by Scott Moore, President of Sportsnet & NHL Properties, Rogers.

“We know how passionate fans are about hockey, and so we’ve brought together the best anchors to deliver the best hockey experience to Canadians,” said Moore.  “George is one of the smartest and most versatile broadcasters in the business, and Ron and Don are icons in the hockey world.  Along with Daren and Jeff, our new broadcast team brings a tremendous amount of talent, expertise and personality – and most importantly, they all possess a supreme passion for hockey.” 

The Lineup:

George Stroumboulopoulos, Host

• Stroumboulopoulos is one of Canada’s most popular and respected broadcasters. He will be returning to his roots in sports, having spent the first four years of his career as a sports reporter at The Fan 590 (now Sportsnet 590 The FAN)
• Beginning October 2014, Stroumboulopoulos will host Hockey Night in Canada, and will be the studio anchor for Sunday night NHL Hometown Hockey broadcasts on City.  He’ll also host other NHL broadcasts on Sportsnet and other Rogers platforms
• Strombo on his new role: “Hockey is one of my deep-seated passions and I'm thrilled to be going full circle, returning to my roots in sports broadcasting.  It's a dream for me to work with Ron MacLean and Don Cherry, as well as my old friend Jeff Marek who I started my career with.  I'm also looking forward to working with Daren Millard and the entire team at Rogers."

Don Cherry, Analyst, Coach’s Corner

·         The legendary Cherry has been captivating Canadian hockey audiences with his engaging opinions on Coach’s Corner since 1980.  Cherry will continue to appear on Coach’s Corner every Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada with Ron MacLean

·         Grapes on continuing the Coach’s Corner tradition: “I knew that Rogers would never mess with the greatest segment on television. We’re going into our 29^th season of Coach’s Corner, and we’re stronger than ever!”

Ron MacLean, Host

·         MacLean, with more than 30 years of award-winning experience under his belt, will host Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday nights, and will be front and centre on Sunday nights, the new night for hockey in Canada, hosting Hometown Hockey Community Celebration

·         MacLean will also host Hockey Day in Canada, an important Canadian tradition for 14 years

·         MacLean on Coach’s Corner and Hometown Hockey: “I’m thrilled about the way Rogers and Hockey Night in Canada intend to recognize the community in the new deal. Thirty-five million voices will play a part, and I’m simply honoured to be a part of the team. As for Grapes and me - year 29 is coming up.  For 28 years, Don's been wired but now he's wireless.  What a break.”

Daren Millard, Host

·         Millard has been a member of Sportsnet’s broadcast team since the network’s inception in 1998.  He will host Wednesday Night Hockey on Sportsnet, starting this fall

·         In addition, Millard will continue to host Hockey Central @ Noon, Canada’s No. 1 hockey talk radio show on Sportsnet 590 The FAN and Sportsnet, as well as Toronto Maple Leafs regional hockey on Sportsnet

·         Millard on his new role:  "I’ve been at Sportsnet since day one, and I couldn’t be happier to have this new challenge of hosting NHL hockey on the national stage.  It’s a privilege to work at Rogers and it’s going to be a privilege working with the likes of Cherry, MacLean and Stroumboulopoulos.”

Jeff Marek, Host

·         Marek has been host of Hockey Central on Sportsnet since 2011, and was also the former host of Hockey Night in Canada Radio. He will host Thursday Night Hockey on Sportsnet 360, in addition to the weekend afternoon NHL pre-game shows on Sportsnet, starting this fall

·         In addition to his NHL responsibilities, Marek will host Friday Night Hockey and the Memorial Cup

·         Marek on his new role this October:  "Twenty years ago, George and I used to sit in the producers’ room at The Fan 590 radio station in Toronto and talk about how we had to, one day, work in hockey together.  So today’s a great day.  To share a place in the presentation of the NHL with George, Daren, Ron and Don is both humbling and inspiring.  And, I'm really excited to be part of my first hockey love – junior. The CHL, for anyone who knows me, holds a special place."

In November 2013, Rogers Communications secured a 12-year deal with the NHL for exclusive national broadcast and multimedia rights in Canada, beginning with the 2014-15 season.

March 10, 2014, Winnipeg, Manitoba – Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) announced today the eighth annual Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration Flag Contest. The contest encourages all youth to explore their creativity and express their pride of Aboriginal culture. It opens March 24, 2014, closes at midnight ET on May 6, 2014, and is open to residents of Canada aged 12 to 17 years.

APTN invites youth, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, to design and draw a flag that symbolizes the distinctiveness and diversity of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Participants are also welcome to integrate into their designs what National Aboriginal Day means to them. The contest honours the national day and will award prizes to a national winner and a regional winner from Nova Scotia.

The winning flag designs will be unveiled at APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration. The day-long celebration features an abundance of family-friendly activities and an evening of unparalleled performance with some of the biggest names in Aboriginal entertainment. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2014. 

The national winner will receive: a trip to Winnipeg (along with one parent/guardian), including accommodations; an opportunity to be featured on APTN; an invitation to take part in APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration; and a cash prize of $500. The winner’s flag will be raised above APTN’s headquarters in downtown Winnipeg.

This year, the regional contest coincides with the twin stage celebration of Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration in Halifax. One entrant among all submissions received from residents of Nova Scotia will be deemed the regional winner. The regional winner will receive: a trip to Halifax (along with one parent/guardian), including accommodations; an opportunity to be featured on APTN; an invitation to participate in APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration in Halifax; and a cash prize of $500.

If a winner’s design is initiated as part of a school project, the winner’s school will also receive $750 towards the purchase of learning materials. 

For official contest rules and submission specifications visit: ADLflagcontest.com.

Here’s a reminder that Americans still love TV. The average American continues to watch TV 34 hours per week. For older Americans (over 65) the time spent with TV increases to 50.5 hours per week. However, the younger you are the less you watch. Read the ARTICLE that appeared in re/code.

TORONTO, March 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Groupe Média TFO's TFO 24.7 franchise and  94.5 Unique FM just announced their new partnership. Unique FM, the voice of Franco-Ontarians in the nation's capital, will now be available on the web platform of TFO 24.7, the web magazine that offers a fresh francophone look at social and cultural news from French communities.

"We are thrilled with this association between TFO 24.7 and Unique FM, which is very indicative of the media's new multiplatform reality. With TFO 24.7, Groupe Média TFO has given itself the means of offering a francophone news outlet showing the multiple facets of our francophonie. With Unique FM adding its content to ours, we are optimizing our web and radio expertises to offer a much wider range of contents, banking on multiplicity, accessibility, and diversity, all in one place," explains Laurent Guérin, Executive Director of Web-Television Content.

Groupe Média TFO's TFO 24.7 is the francophonie's digital portal in Ontario and Canada. A Francophone news distribution platform for all mobile devices, TFO 24.7 offers all Francophones, from Canada and beyond, a fresh look at social and cultural news in our communities. Join the conversation and find our reports, blogs, and interviews on our website and social media accounts.

"This partnership is a wonderful way of giving our audiences a better experience and to give TFO 24.7's viewers a chance to discover Unique FM. It's an important partnership aimed at expanding the audience for Unique FM's programming," adds Véronique Soucy, General Director of the Unique FM radio station.

Unique FM's listeners and TFO 24.7's users can already benefit from this three-for-one offer: French news on the web, social media, and the radio.

TORONTO (March 7, 2014) – CTV’s new original comedy series SPUN OUT saw the largest debut for a Canadian scripted series since MOTIVE last year, with 1.22 million viewers tuning into the special premiere last night. Winning its timeslot with total viewers and in all key demos nationally, as well as the key markets of Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton, SPUN OUT also ranked as the #3 program of the night in the key A25-54 and A18-34 demos, behind only THE BIG BANG THEORY (3.3 million) and GREY’S ANATOMY (1.8 million). An instant Top 20 hit nationally with total viewers and all key demos, the SPUN OUT premiere ranks among the Top 15 most-watched programs of the spring season in the Toronto and Calgary markets among all key demos.

A closer look at BBM Thursday overnight data reveals:

• SPUN OUT garnered 45% more viewers than its timeslot competition THE MILLERS (841,000, Global/CBS) at 8:30 p.m.
• CTV has four of the Top 5 programs of the night with total viewers, and the Top 3 programs of the night with the key A25-54 and A18-34 demos.
• CTV’s original drama MOTIVE returned for its second season with 923,000 viewers, an increase of 11% since its Season 1 finale, and was also up in the A25-54 (+8%) and A18-49 (+9%) demos.
• In the key Toronto, CTV claimed the Top 3 programs of the night with total viewers and in all key demos, with THE BIG BANG THEORY, GREY’S ANATOMY, and SPUN OUT.

SPUN OUT also received an enormously warm response on Twitter last night, with the series trending in the Top 10 in Canada. With almost nine million Twitter impressions, the series premiere saw social support from @CobieSmulders, @kirstiealley, @trutriciahelfer, @VernonWells10, and @BrentButt, among others.

Last night’s episode of SPUN OUT is now available on demand on CTV.ca and the CTV GO app.

Canadians can spend more time with the team at Dave Lyons PR, when the series’ second episode airs tonight in SPUN OUT’s regular Fridays at 8 p.m. ET timeslot before the series premiere of KIRSTIE starring Kirstie Alley at 8:30 p.m. ET on CTV and CTV GO. In tonight’s episode, when it seems like Dave (Dave Foley) and his ex-wife Claudia (Tricia Helfer, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) may get back together, Stephanie (Rebecca Dalton) will do anything to return her parents to their state of un-marital bliss.  Nelson (Al Mukadam) spills the secret about Bryce’s (J.P. Manoux) palatial bathroom. Abby (Holly Deveaux) hopes to strike it rich when she buys a storage locker full of junk (Barry Weiss, STORAGE WARS)..

In next week’s episode of MOTIVE, “They Made Me a Criminal” (Thursday, March 13 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV and CTV GO), Detectives Angie Flynn (Kristin Lehman) and Oscar Vega (Louis Ferreira) discover that what initially looks like a case of self-defense during a home invasion is actually something much more calculated. A surprising connection between the victim and the killer demonstrates just how far a mother will go to protect her family. While they work to determine the motive, Sergeant Cross (Warren Christie) asserts his position, much to the disdain of Angie, and the tension doesn’t go unnoticed by Vega. Rookie Officer Wendy Sung (Valerie Tian) joins the team and is warmly welcomed by Detective Lucas (Brendan Penny).

WINTERFELL (March 7, 2014) – HBO Canada presents the highly anticipated Season 4 debut of HBO’s Emmy®-and Golden Globe® Award-winning series GAME OF THRONES, premiering Sunday, April 6 at 9 p.m. ET/MT, day-and-date with HBO in the U.S. Following last season’s Red Wedding massacre, the new season introduces a plethora of compelling storylines that will play out to their inevitable, and bloody, conclusions. With an average audience of over one million viewers, the third season of GAME OF THRONES broke all viewership records for The Movie Network and Movie Central, making it the most-watched series in Canadian pay television history. HBO Canada is a multiplex channel of Bell Media’s The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central (Western Canada).

Click HERE for a sneak peak of the new season of GAME OF THRONES.

In Season 4 of GAME OF THRONES, after the Stark and Tully families are besieged, the Lannisters hold on to the Iron Throne but can they survive with new and ongoing threats from the north, south, and east? While an unbowed Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) continues to rebuild his army in Dragonstone, a more immediate danger comes from the south, as Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal), the Lannister-loathing “Red Viper of Dorne,” arrives at King’s Landing to attend Joffrey’s (Jack Gleeson) wedding to Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer), and perhaps act on an ulterior agenda. In the north, a depleted Night’s Watch seems overmatched against the inexorable Wall advances of Mance Rayder’s (Ciaran Hinds) army of wildlings, which in turn is being trailed by an even more formidable foe: the undead White Walkers. As if that weren’t enough, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), accompanied by her menacing trio of dragons and army of Unsullied, is poised to liberate Meereen, the largest city in Slaver’s Bay, which could ultimately provide her with enough ships to sail to Westeros and reclaim the Iron Throne.

Returning series regulars on GAME OF THRONES this season include: Emmy and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister); Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister); Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister); Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen); Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister); Aidan Gillen (Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish); Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon); Kit Harington (Jon Snow); Diana Rigg (Lady Olenna Tyrell); Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark); Maisie Williams (Arya Stark); Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark); Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy); Jerome Flynn (Bronn); Conleth Hill (Varys); John Bradley (Samwell Tarly); Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth); Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth); Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon); Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell); Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont); Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane); Sibel Kekilli (Shae); Rose Leslie (Ygritte); Rory McCann (Sandor “The Hound” Clegane); Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton); Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Snow); Carice van Houten (Melisandre); Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm); Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen Reed); Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei); Ciaran Hinds (Mance Rayder); Finn Jones (Loras Tyrell); Ellie Kendrick (Meera Reed); Kristian Nairn (Hodor); and Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy).

New cast members for the fourth season include: Pedro Pascal (GRACELAND) as Oberyn Martell; Indira Varma (WHAT REMAINS) as Ellaria Sand Oberyn’s paramour; Roger Ashton-Griffiths (The Brothers Grimm) as Lord Mace Tyrell; Michiel Huisman (TREME) as Daario Naharis, a mercenary ally to Daenerys; Yuri Kolokolnikov (Intimate Parts) as Styr, a wildlings chief; and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Zon 261) as Ser Gregor Clegane, a.k.a. “The Mountain”.

All new HBO programming premieres day-and-date with HBO in the U.S. The splendour of Westeros comes to Canada when HBO’s GAME OF THRONES®:The Exhibition returns to Toronto`s TIFF Bell Lightbox May 14 - 18 and premieres in Vancouver at the Pacific National Exhibition August 16 - September 1 (closed August 18 & 25).

In Eastern Canada, episodes are available on TMN GO and HBO Canada OnDemand.

In Western Canada, episodes will be available in High Definition on HBO Canada HD, on the go with the Shaw Go Movie Central app, Telus Optik TV and Bell TV Online and HBO Canada On Demand.

TORONTO (March 7, 2014) – CTV announced today that new mid-season drama BELIEVE premieres Monday, March 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, before moving to its regular timeslot of Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT on CTV beginning March 16. From blockbuster producer J.J. Abrams (PERSON OF INTEREST, Star Trek) and director Alfonso Cuarón who took home the Academy Award® for Gravity last weekend, BELIEVE tells the extraordinary story of Bo (newcomer Johnny Sequoyah), a young girl with special gifts she has never fully been able to understand or control. These very gifts are what have made Bo the target of harmful outside forces. BELIEVE also stars Delroy Lindo (THE CHICAGO CODE) and Kyle MacLachlan (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES).

With the addition of BELIEVE to CTV’s Sunday night lineup, CASTLE shifts to Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV beginning March 17, and INTELLIGENCE moves to Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two as of March 10.

“BELIEVE is a dream collaboration between powerhouses J.J. Abrams and Alfonso Cuarón, anchored with an incredible breakout performance by Johnny Sequoyah,” said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming. “The series is a potent combination of the supernatural, mystery, and drama that we think will have viewers on the edge of their seats.”

BELIEVE is the story of a young girl (Sequoyah) with gifts she has never fully been able to understand or control, including levitation, telekinesis, and clairvoyance. Raised by a small group known as the “True Believers,” the orphaned girl has been safeguarded by Milton Winter (Lindo). With her life and future in jeopardy, he turns to an unlikely source to keep her safe from harmful outsiders who would use her forces for personal gain, including mysterious leader Skouras (MacLachlan). As she and her protector Tate (Jake McLaughlin, CRASH), a wrongfully imprisoned death row inmate who has been freed, travel from city to city, every place and person they come across will be changed forever. Jamie Chung (ONCE UPON A TIME) and Arian Moayed (THE FOLLOWING) round out the cast.

BELIEVE was created by Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity) and Mark Friedman. Cuarón and Friedman also wrote the pilot, with Cuarón directing it. The series is executive produced by J.J. Abrams (LOST), Cuarón, Bryan Burk, Jonas Pate and Hans Tobeason. BELIEVE is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

Golant to Discuss Changing Entertainment Industry at 35th Anniversary of the Festival

Toronto, Canada – (March 7, 2014) – The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) today announced that Farah Ramzan Golant CBE will present an address at the 35th BANFF, being held June 8-11, 2014. Ramzan Golant is CEO of All3Media, Britain’s largest independent television production group.

All3Media’s 18 subsidiary companies are based in the UK, USA, Germany, The Netherlands and New Zealand. This includes the creation and production of iconic brands such as Undercover Boss, Kitchen Nightmares, Cash Cab, Midsomer Murders, The White Queen, Fresh Meat, and Gogglebox /The People’s Couch.

Ramzan Golant leads All3media’s ambitious plans for growth as the group expands across genres, geographies, and new media platforms including Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. All3media America, a new LA-based Production Campus, was launched in early 2013 to provide a consolidated, scale infrastructure in producing for the major American networks and premium cable channels.

Ramzan Golant has a 25-year career in advertising rising through the ranks of AMV BBDO, Britain’s largest and most creatively successful advertising agency, to become CEO in 2005 and Executive Chairman in 2010, working with the boards of EDF Energy, British Telecom, The Economist, Aviva, Mars, Mercedes, GE, Starbucks, AT&T and Pepsi.

“The Banff World Media Festival is one of the world’s premier content marketplaces, and it is an honour to be a part of such an important event,” said Ramzan Golant. “My aim is to bring a fresh perspective to this perpetually evolving landscape.”

“We are very pleased to have Farah Ramzan Golant at BANFF and greatly anticipate her unique vision in inspiring our delegates with her vast expertise and insights,” said Ferne Cohen, Executive Director of the Banff World Media Festival.

For more information about The Banff World Media Festival, please visit the website at http://www.banffmediafestival.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

TORONTO (March 6, 2014) Brandishing a decidedly subversive lineup of hit comedies and anticipated new series, FXX today unveiled its irreverent programming slate, launching on Tuesday, April 1. As the younger-skewing funnier extension of FX Canada, FXX is an outlaw of the mainstream, featuring envelope-pushing FX original scripted series, acquired movies and series, and original Canadian programs. FXX will be available to Rogers digital customers via free preview until June 30 on channels 64 and 566 (HD).

Academy Award® winner Billy Bob Thornton stars in Canadian-filmed black comedy series, Fargo

“Our viewers have shown us that they have an appetite for thought-provoking programming, and FXX will deliver the unconventional series that have established the FX brand as an industry leader in creating critically acclaimed content,” said Hayden Mindell, Vice President of Television Programming & Content, Rogers Media. “Along with our partners at FX Networks, we look forward to rolling out even more compelling and ground-breaking programming in the year ahead.”

As the destination for non-traditional content in Canada, FXX will mirror its U.S. counterpart with a rebellious roster that defines the FX brand. The specialty channel will broadcast a combination of established hit comedies, such as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Eastbound & Down, The League, Legit, and Wilfred, as well as new series Ali G: Rezurection, new animated comedy Chozen, and the Canadian-filmed black comedy Fargo, based on the Coen brothers' Oscar®-winning film. This fall, FXX debuts all-new seasons of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League. 

Also launching April 1 is the FXNOW Canada video player and app. Featuring marquee programming from both FXX and FX Canada, this authenticated video product allows customers to catch up on their favourite shows on demand on any device of their choosing – online, tablets, or smartphones – at no additional cost. FXNOW Canada is also compatible with Android and iOS (tablets and mobile). Additionally, FXX programming will be available on Rogers on Demand and Rogers Anyplace TV next day post-broadcast.

As previously announced, the Rogers Media partnership agreement with FX Networks ensures that any new original FX programs produced by FX Productions or 20th Century Fox Television will air on FXX and FX Canada. With an aggressive slate of content currently in development, both FXX and FX Canada combined will offer hundreds of hours of original and exclusive FX programming.

FXX Programming Highlights

(All times ET; all programming subject to change)

Ali G: Rezurection

Wednesdays at 10 p.m. beginning April 2 (Season 1: 13 x 30 min) **NEW SERIES**

Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) revisits his satirical series with all-new introductions, as well as never before aired episodes of Da Ali G Show. Ali G: Rezurection also features some of Cohen’s most outrageous original characters, such as Ali G, Borat, and Bruno.

Chozen

Mondays at 10 p.m. beginning April 7 (Season 1: 13 x 30 min) **NEW SERIES**

From the creators of Eastbound & Down comes this half-hour animated comedy about a gay white rapper fresh out of prison. Armed with a new message, Chozen (Bobby Moynihan, Saturday Night Live) is on a quest for redemption and to claim his rightful position as the world’s top rap artist. His music and lyrics take aim at the stereotypes of machismo and misogyny that are synonymous with rap music, and his new world view has been shaped by his time in prison. Chozen also stars Michael Peña (American Hustle), Hannibal Buress (Broad City), Nick Swardson (Grown Ups 2), Kathryn Hahn (Parks and Recreation), and rapper Method Man.

Fargo

Tuesdays at 10 p.m. beginning April 15 (Season 1: 10 x 60 min) **NEW SERIES**

An original adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film, Fargo features an all-new “true crime” story and follows a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humour, murder, and “Minnesota nice” that made the film an enduring classic. Set in Bemidji, Minnesota, this series follows Lorne Malvo (Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton, Pushing Tin), a drifter who meets and forever changes the life of an ordinary insurance salesman, Lester Nygaard (BAFTA Award® winner Martin Freeman, Sherlock). Other key players include Colin Hanks (Dexter) as Duluth Police Deputy Gus Grimly, a single dad who must choose between his own personal safety and his duty as a policeman; Allison Tolman (Sordid Lives: The Series) and Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad) as a pair of Bemidji cops; Kate Walsh (Private Practice) as a former stripper; Oliver Platt (The Big C) as the supermarket king of Minnesota; Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as an ambitious personal trainer; and Russell Harvard (The Hammer) and Adam Goldberg (Saving Private Ryan) as members of the Fargo crime syndicate.

Wilfred

Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. beginning April 2 (Season 3: 13 x 30 min)

Wilfred is a half-hour comedy about Ryan (Elijah Wood), who forms a unique friendship with Wilfred (Jason Gann), his neighbour’s canine pet. Everyone else sees Wilfred as just a dog, but Ryan sees a crude and somewhat surly, yet irrepressibly brave and honest Australian bloke in a cheap dog suit. Wilfred the dog shows Ryan the man how to overcome his fears and joyfully embrace the unpredictability and insanity of the world around him.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Thursdays at 10 p.m. beginning April 3 (Season 9: 10 x 30 min)

This successful comedy series follows Mac (Rob McElhenney), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Charlie (Charlie Day), Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Frank (Danny DeVito), five ne’er-do-wells who own and operate Paddy’s Pub in Philadelphia. Their constant scheming usually lands them in a world of hurt, yet they never seem to learn from their mistakes.

The League

Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. beginning April 3 (Season 5: 13 x 30 min)
The League is a half-hour comedy about male friendship, marriage, parenting, suburbia and growing up – or refusing to grow up – through a circle of friends in a fantasy football league. The series stars Mark Duplass, Nick Kroll, Canadian Jon Lajoie, Stephen Rannazzisi, Paul Scheer, and Katie Aselton.

Eastbound & Down

Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. beginning April 5 (Seasons 3 and 4: 16 x 30 min)

Danny McBride stars as Kenny Powers, a former professional baseball pitcher, who after an up-and-down career in the major leagues is forced to return to his hometown middle school in Shelby, North Carolina, as a substitute physical education teacher. Eastbound & Down also stars Steve Little, Katy Mixon, John Hawkes, Andrew Daly, and Canadian Jennifer Irwin.

Legit

Mondays at 10:30 p.m. beginning April 7 (Season 2: 13 x 30 min)

Co-created by Peter O’Fallon and Jim Jefferies, Legit is about a stand-up comedian, Jim (Jefferies), and his misguided attempts to become legitimate in life. This series also stars Rick Cleveland, Dan Bakkedahl, and DJ Qualls.

About FXX
FXX delivers provocative, non-traditional premium content geared towards a younger-skewing audience. The irreverent, smart, and subversive lineup includes a dynamic slate of FX original series, acquired movies and series, and original Canadian programs. Anchored by hit comedies such as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Wilfred, Legit, and Ali G: Rezurection, FXX is also the home of new animated comedy Chozen and black comedy series Fargo. FXX and FX Canada are a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI), which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company.

Highest rated premiere in Slice™'s history

1.5 million page views in under 24 hours

TORONTO, March 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Though it's a Season of Secrets, it's no secret Canadians love Big Brother Canada on Slice. Big Brother Canada marked its return to Slice last night as the #1 entertainment specialty program across multiple key demos*. The hotly anticipated season two opener was the highest rated premiere inSlice's history, breaking the show's own record from last year.

Big Brother Canada on Slice won the night as the #1 entertainment specialty program in the coveted A25-54 and A18-34 demos*. Meanwhile, the show's viewers capitalized on their many second screen opportunities: #BBCAN2trended nationwide throughout the night and in to the morning; more than 24,000 fans joined the new online community; and BigBrotherCanada.ca hit 1.5 million page views** in under 24 hours.

Big Brother Canada airs three nights a week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on Slice. The Big Brother Canada Side Show airs Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT. Big Brother Canada After Dark airs seven days a week from 2am - 5am ET/11pm - 2am PT.

*Source: BBM Canada PPM overnight data
**Source: Adobe Omniture Site Catalyst

TORONTO, March 6, 2014 /CNW/ - TVO documentaries and filmmakers received six awards at the second annual Canadian Screen Awards Galas recognizing excellence in film, television and digital media production.

The TVO-commissioned documentary The Defector: Escape from North Korea, which chronicles the perilous journey to freedom of two North Korean women, received three awards including Best Documentary Program, Best Direction in a Documentary Program for filmmaker Ann Shin, and the Diversity Award.

The Defector was up against the TVO co-produced documentary, West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thompson which won for Best Original Music for a Non-Fiction Program or Series. West Wind was also nominated for Best Documentary Program, as well as for the Barbara Sears Award for Best Editorial Research, and Best Photography in a Documentary Program or Series. Jeff Dorn's TVO-commissioned Smoke Traders was nominated for Best Writing in a Documentary Program or Series.

The People of the Kattawapiskak River, which made its Canadian broadcast premiere on TVO, won the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary Program. The film explores health and safety concerns over a lack of housing and infrastructure inside the Attawapiskat First Nation. Filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin received the Humanitarian Award and was also nominated for Best Direction in a Documentary Program.

TVO is committed to nurturing, supporting and showcasing the work of emerging and established Canadian filmmakers, commissioning more original point-of-view documentaries than any Canadian broadcaster.

TVOKids was also nominated in the Best Cross-Platform Project – Children's and Youth category for Tumbletown Tales - Yard Sale, an on-air interstitial, and Tumbleweed's Yard Sale, an e-comic book app available for free at tvokids.com. The program and the app help build math skills and teach children financial literacy by showing them how to make and count change in a shopping scenario.

TVOKids programming was nominated for the TVO-commissioned series Rob the Robot in the Best Pre-School Program or Series and Best Original Music Score for a Series, and for the second season of the TVO co-produced science program Finding Stuff Out for Best Children's or Your Non-Fiction Program or Series and Best Writing in a Children's or Youth Series.

"I am extremely proud of TVO's staff and production partners who were honoured with a Canadian Screen Award and of those who were nominated," says Lisa de Wilde, TVO's Chief Executive Officer. "This recognition is a testament to the quality of TVO's thought-provoking documentaries and to the excellence of TVO's digital content that helps children learn inside and outside the classroom."

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) in association with Miramax, El Rey Network and FactoryMade Ventures, today announced episodes of "From Dusk Till Dawn: A Netflix Original Series," the latest original series for the world's leading internet television network, will be available exclusively to members inCanada, Ireland, Netherlands, Nordics and the UK to watch instantly beginning March 12, with Latin Americabeginning a week later on March 19.

Based on the cult-classic film of the same name, the series marks action auteur Robert Rodriguez's first foray into serialized drama. New hour-long episodes of "From Dusk Till Dawn: A Netflix Original Series" will arrive weekly inEurope and Canada, within 24 hours of the U.S. broadcast. In Latin America, subsequent episodes will also be available on a weekly basis following the March 19 premiere. In the U.S., the series premieres on Tuesday, March 11at 9 PM ET/PT on El Rey Network.

Along the Mexico-US border, bank robber Seth Gecko (D.J. Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard 'Richie" Gecko (Zane Holtz) shoot their way south after a bank heist in Abilene, Texas. The 10-episode series takes place over the course of one night, following the brothers as they try to evade a pair of Texas rangers, Earl McGraw(Don Johnson) and Freddie Gonzalez (Jesse Garcia). Along the way, Seth and Richie encounter former pastor, Jacob Fuller (Robert Patrick) and his family. The Geckos take them hostage and steal their RV to cross the border. Chaos ensues when the group detours to a strip club populated by vampires. With the law, the undead and some of Mexico'smost hardened criminals on their trail, the group must fight until dawn to get out alive.

"We're thrilled to premiere 'From Dusk Till Dawn: A Netflix Original Series' exclusively in our international markets," said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix. "Robert Rodriguez is an amazing storyteller and we think our members will love his thrill-ride TV adaptation of the cult-classic."

Robert Rodriguez, Chairman and Founder, El Rey Network, said: "I am excited about working with Netflix and Miramax to build an international audience for our series. This property has always resonated for viewers around the globe and we believe that it will be just as relevant for this new generation of fans."

"Netflix is one of the most innovative and leading global entertainment platforms existing today and is an absolute perfect fit for Miramax, Rodriguez's vanguard talent and this filmmaker-driven series," added Zanne Devine, EVP, Production and Development, Miramax.

The international cast includes: D.J. Cotrona (Dear John, G.I. Joe: Retaliation); Zane Holtz (Holes, The Perks of Being a Wallflower); Eiza Gonzalez (Lola: Erase Una Vez); Jesse Garcia (Quinceanera, Sons of Anarchy); Madison Davenport (Save Me, Shameless); Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, Ender's Game, Incredible Crew); Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show, To Whom It May Concern); Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The X-Files);Don Johnson (Django Unchained, Nash Bridges); Lane Garrison (Bonnie & Clyde, Prison Break); Adrianne Palicki(Friday Night Lights, G.I. Joe: Retaliation); and Jake Busey (Starship Troopers, Enemy of the State, Identity).

Rodriguez directed and executive produced the 1996 cult-classic film written by Quentin Tarantino. Rodriguez directed four of the ten episodes of the TV adaptation. "From Dusk Till Dawn: A Netflix Original Series" is an El Rey Network production in association with Rodriguez International Pictures, FactoryMade Ventures and Miramax. Executive producers are Robert Rodriguez, Carlos Coto (also the showrunner) and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey co-founders, John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. Diego Gutierrez is writer and co-executive producer.

About From Dusk Till Dawn: A Netflix Original Series:
"From Dusk Till Dawn: A Netflix Original Series" is centered around bank robber, Seth Gecko (Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard "Richie" Gecko (Holtz), who are wanted by the FBI and Texas Rangers Earl McGraw (Johnson) and Freddie Gonzalez (Garcia) after a bank heist leaves several people dead. While on the run toMexico, Seth and Richie encounter former pastor Jacob Fuller (Patrick) and his family, whom they take hostage. Using the family RV to cross the border, chaos ensues when the group detours to a strip club that is populated by vampires. They are forced to fight until dawn in order to get out alive. The series deepens the tone and expands the storyline of the film, adds new characters and backstories, and explores the Mesoamerican mythology behind the creatures inside the club.