Rogers TV is eliminating four jobs in St. John’s, Corner Brook and Gander, NL. Two of the positions are full-time, while two are part-time. The company says the changes will not affect programming.
The Apr. 30 debut of The Handmaid’s Tale was the most-watched series premiere in five years on Bravo and the second-most watched ever on the network according to Numeris data that shows at least 716,000 viewers tuned in. It’s the biggest debut of any scripted series on Canadian Entertainment Specialty this broadcast season. The one-hour drama has been renewed for a second season to premiere on Bravo in 2018. The entire first season launches on CraveTV following the season finale on Bravo.
Bell Media says Space GO and Bravo GO will now offer expanded programming to subscribers of participating distribution partners, including Bell, Bell Aliant, Rogers and Telus, and soon Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct. Available on iOS and Android devices, as well as Space.ca and Bravo.ca, the Space GO and Bravo GO apps allows subscribers access to full-season or multiple-stacked episodes, in addition to live streaming. Non-subscribers continue to have sampling access to a selection of Space and Bravo programming.
Animal Planet’s new 12-part original Canadian series Wild Bear Rescue follows life at a unique B.C. wildlife shelter, where 40 black bear cub orphans are preparing for re-release into the wild. Airing Fridays at 10 p.m. ET, starting June 23, the series is produced by Omnifilm Entertainment.
DHX Media Ltd. has signed an agreement to acquire the entertainment division of Iconix Brand Group Inc., which includes an 80 per cent controlling interest in Peanuts and 100 per cent of Strawberry Shortcake. The remaining 20 per cent interest in Peanuts will continue to be held by members of the family of Charles M. Schulz. The total purchase price is US$345 million. The transaction is expected to close on or around June 30.
DHX Media posted declines in Q3 2017, with revenues of $78.35 million, down 7 per cent from $84.1 million for Q3 2016, but slightly ahead of expectations. In absolute dollars, the decrease in Q3 2017 was due largely to expected declines in DHX Television, consumer products-represented revenues, consumer-products owned, proprietary production and producer and service fees, offset by increases in distribution. DHX Television revenues were down 13 per cent to $13.64 million, as promotion and advertising revenues were off to a slower start than anticipated. That’s expected to reverse in Q4 2017 and Fiscal 2018 as the company has received approval from the CRTC to allow broadcast advertising on the Family Channel.
Nelvana has sealed a range of new partnerships. New VOD partners include Amazon in the U.K. for Backyardigans, Young, Little Bear, and Life with Boys; Pure Flix in the U.S. for Babar, Pippi Longstocking and Rescue Heroes; Cinedigm in the U.S. and Canada for The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, George and Martha, Rescue Heroes, Pippi Longstocking, Braceface, Wayside, and Elliot Moose. New linear broadcast deals include Accessible Media in Canada for Babar; SRC Canada for Ranger Rob; Television Entertainment in Latin America for Backyardigans Extension. In addition, Nelvana has finalized an in-flight entertainment partnership with Spafax Inflight Entertainment and Air Canada.
CTV has announced its 2017 Summer Schedule which includes special Canada In A Day, premiering June 25, created entirely from videos made by Canadians over the course of 24 hours on Sept. 10, 2016. Also on the schedule are Shonda Rhimes take on Romeo and Juliet, Still Star-Crossed and Jennifer Lopez-produced competition show World of Dance.
Global’s summer line-up includes Toronto-shot, suspense drama Salvation, starring Jennifer Finnigan; Canadian-produced thriller-drama Somewhere Between about a San Francisco news producer and her fiercely-loving mom; and the return of Private Eyes for a second season, bringing back stars Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson.
Space original series Orphan Black makes its return for its final season on Saturday, June 10. Produced by Temple Street, Season 5 brings Sarah Manning and her sisters to their darkest days, in an effort to win their freedom. Space viewers can catch-up on Season 5 on Space.ca, Space GO, and via On Demand partners. Seasons 1- 4 are available now on CraveTV.
Documentarian Alanis Obomsawin is among 17 Montréal personalities who will receive the Ordre de Montréal medal on May 17. Obomsawin will receive the title of commandeure, the highest distinction. The title of chevalier-chevalière will be given to Québécois filmmaker, director, writer Manon Barbeau, who is also co-founder of Wapikoni Mobile, an organization that helps First Nations youth learn the art of filmmaking.
The CRTC has approved an application by Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Incorporated (APTN Inc.) to amend its broadcasting licence to allow it to make available for distribution a high definition (HD) version of its service, together with the standard definition (SD) regional feeds, provided that at least 95 per cent of the programs on the HD feed are also broadcast on an SD regional feed.
