Apple is set to launch its own Apple TV+ OTT streaming service this fall featuring Oprah Winfrey-produced documentaries, and original series from Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and M. Night Shyamalan, among others. The tech giant’s plans include a redesign of its Apple TV app allowing a user’s satellite, cable, and subscription digital services to be accessed in one place from within the app. Starting in May, users will also be able to subscribe to Apple channels like HBO, Starz, and SHOWTIME à la carte. Later this spring, the Apple TV app will also launch on Samsung, Sony, LG and Visio smart TVs, in addition to Roku and Amazon. Currently available in 10 countries, the app’s reach will go global expanding to over 100 countries and regions. Other announcements unveiled by CEO Tim Cook included Apple News+, an expansion of the Apple News app that will now include 300 magazine titles including Time, National Geographic, The Hollywood Reporter, In Style, Essence, in addition to 30 Canadian titles here in Canada. Apple also offered a preview of Apple Arcade, a new tab in the App Store, set to launch this fall, that will give subscribers access to 100+ exclusive games. Read the full story here.
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television Gala Honouring Digital Storytelling, as part of the Canadian Screen Awards, will stream live on CBC Gem, starting at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Mar. 28. Co-presented by CBC Gem and the Independent Production Fund, and featuring comedians Bit Playas (Kris Siddiqi and Nigel Downer), the Digital Gala will recognize Canadian content makers in 13 categories, including new categories Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or Series; Best Writing, Web Program or Series; Best Immersive Experience – Non-Fiction; Best Immersive Experience – Fiction; and Best Virtual Reality Game. Presenters for the evening include Keara Graves (Lost & Found Music Studios); nominee Mark Little (Gary and His Demons); nominee Vanessa Matsui (Ghost BFF); Justine Nelson (Mind Fudge); nominee Alex Ozerov (PYOTR495); Jae and Trey Richards of 4YE Media; and Kate Ross from nominated series Chateau Laurier.
chillTV, the grassroots Chilliwack, BC YouTube channel, launched to fill the void left by the shuttering of the local Shaw cable outlet, is set to launch a News of the Week segment, starting Mar. 28. The weekly news magazine show, anchored by broadcast veteran Don Lehn, who runs online startup Fraser Valley News (FVN), will highlight events in Chilliwack, Agassiz, Harrison, Cultus Lake, Rosedale, Yarrow and Greendale. chillTV was first started last fall to provide a streaming outlet for local municipal election debates.
BuzzFeed Canada editorial staff have successfully received union certification, becoming the first employees in the digital company to unionize. They’ve joined the Canadian Media Guild (CMG). BuzzFeed News employees in the U.S. are still in talks as they also pursue unionization. Employees first announced the move in February following a round of layoffs.
McDonald’s is the first brand in Canada to launch ‘Snapplications’, a one-day virtual hiring event held Mar. 27, that allowed job seekers to apply at McDonald’s through the Snapchat app. A unique lens enabled applicants to film a 30-second video capturing why they want to work for McDonald’s that could be submitted to the McDonald’s Canada hiring portal. Later this month, the brand will also launch a first-in-Canada partnership with Google Voice. Canadians will be able to discover local offers available in the MyMcD’s app by asking their Google voice-activated devices.
The Quebec Press Council appeals panel has ruled that blocking a user from Twitter is not a matter of journalistic ethics. The complaints concerned Marc Cassivi and Patrick Lagacé of La Presse, Rebecca Makonnen of Radio-Canada, and David Rémillard of Le Soleil. The Council initially ruled that Luc Archambault’s complaints were inadmissible because they did not fall within journalistic ethics. It’s concluded journalists are free to manage the settings of their Twitter account as they please.
Facebook has announced it will start enforcing a ban next week on “praise, support and representation of white nationalism and separatism” on both Facebook and Instagram. In a post Wednesday, the digital giant stated “It’s clear that these concepts are deeply linked to organized hate groups and have no place on our services…Going forward, while people will still be able to demonstrate pride in their ethnic heritage, we will not tolerate praise or support for white nationalism and separatism.” Those searching for terms associated with white supremacy will now be directed to Life After Hate, an organization founded by former violent extremists that provides crisis intervention, education, support groups and outreach.
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