TV/FILM/VIDEO:

An average of 3.9 million viewers tuned in to The 104th Grey Cup on TSN with another 254,000 watching the French-language broadcast on RDS, according to preliminary data from Numeris. Nationwide, the average audience for the game grew 15 per cent among male viewers aged 18-34, and grew four per cent among male viewers 18-49. Live streaming audiences on TSN Digital platforms marked an increase of 35 per cent compared to last year.

Ginella Massa made history last week when she became the first Canadian woman to anchor a mainstream television newscast while wearing a hijab. The 29-year-old was asked to fill in on the anchor desk for CITY Toronto’s CityNews 11 p.m. broadcast last week. Massa started her career as a television reporter in 2015 at CTV News Kitchener, moving to CityNews earlier this year.

Lionsgate has signed a new long-term output deal with China’s largest online video platform iQIYI. The agreement covers subscription (SVOD), transactional (TVOD) and advertising video-on-demand (AVOD) rights for films streaming on iQIYI’s platform in China, which has over half a billion users. iQIYI will have streaming and broadcast rights in China to Lionsgate theatrical titles covered by the agreement and will promote them on its platform.

Netflix has told Canadian Heritage’s public consultation on homegrown content in a digital world, it shouldn’t be regulated due to its substantial investments in Canada. In a submission last week, the streaming company made the argument, saying it’s commissioned millions in original programming to be produced in Canada. CBC-TV is among those partnering with Netflix to simultaneously air upcoming series Anne and mini-series Alias Grace internationally, allowing CBC to boost production budgets. Other Netflix Canadian co-commissions include Travelers, Frontier and Degrassi: Next Class.

The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) has outlined its vision for the future of Canadian content in a digital world. Its submission to Canadian Heritage consultations outlined 12 recommendations including updated policy ensuring all services and platforms benefitting from being part of the Canadian system also contribute to its success, like Over-The-Top (OTT) services and Internet Services Providers (ISPs); relief from the heavy administrative burden faced by producers, through reduced duplication between Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund, and the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office; and an expanded definition of Canadian content that includes points for adaptation of a bestselling Canadian novel, as well as tax credit incentives to maximize the use of Canadian creative talent.

CBC/Radio-Canada has shared its contribution to the government’s public consultation on the future of Canadian content in a digital world, recommending removing advertising from its airwaves. The public broadcaster says that would allow it to focus squarely on the cultural impact of its mandate and free up ad revenue to help private media companies transition to a digital environment. In turn, it recommends increasing per person funding to CBC/Radio-Canada to $46, an increase of $12 per Canadian or $400 million annually.

Breakthrough Entertainment’s Anne of Green Gables and DHX Media’s Kate & Mim-Mim and Slugterra are the winners of the 11th annual Shaw Rocket Prize for the best in screen-based kids and youth programming. Each was awarded a $25,000 prize. Since 2004, the Rocket Fund has handed out $550,000 in prize money.

Eastlink is billing its new TV Channel Exchange feature as a first in North America. Subscribers to the Essentials Plus or Maestro bundle can now swap out channels they don’t watch or want in their TV lineup, choosing from over 150 selections. Eastlink’s TV Channel Exchange launched in Halifax, Sudbury and Alberta this week, with other markets across Canada to come online early in 2017.

Based on the popularity of The Bachelorette Canada, Sunwing is offering a Beyond The Rose package, giving fans of the W Network show the chance to follow in Jasmine Lorimer’s footsteps in Varadero, Cuba where the two-part finale was shot.