The CRTC has granted Bloomberg TV Canada’s request to revoke its license. The channel launched in 2015 as a partnership between Channel Zero Inc. and Bloomberg Inc. Bloomberg TV will continue to air in the U.S., without Canadian content.
Radio-Canada has announced various initiatives to support the development and international reach of French-language Canadian productions. With its distribution team, Radio-Canada has entered into strategic alliances with Cineflix Rights, Keshet International, Nordic World and France Télévisions Distribution, to create a network of distributors that will enable producers and the public broadcaster to expand current distribution capacity. CBC/Radio-Canada will also invest $2.5 million over the next five years to support development of promising international projects. The new measures are in addition to the upcoming launch of Panora.tv, a platform that will allow industry buyers to purchase multi-platform broadcast or operating rights online.
CBC Ombudsman Esther Enkin says while the interview might have been better structured, there was no violation of policy during reporter Terry Milewski’s questions to newly-elected NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. The complainant considered it racist to ask Singh about the 1985 Air India bombing and issues relating to the Sikh community. Enkin’s review says Singh has associated with those issues over the years and as a public leader is accountable for his views.
Jay Switzer has been inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada. Currently co-founder and chairman of Hollywood Suite Inc., Switzer is a veteran of the Canadian arts and media industry, serving as president and CEO of CHUM Limited from 2002 to 2007, and was instrumental in the development and launch of its specialty channels dating back to MuchMusic. A press release from Gov. General Julie Payette reads “he has been dedicated to the advancement of the quality and viability of our country’s media, and has been a champion of independent Canadian feature film and television productions. Passionate about nurturing emerging talent, he is a beloved mentor within the industry.”
Bell Media and Walt Disney Studios Canada have struck a media collaboration for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. A multi-faceted campaign that continues through to the film’s worldwide theatrical release on Dec. 15, includes a pop-up exhibit at 277 Queen St. W. in Toronto where fans can pose with Kylo Ren’s lightsaber hilt and other movie paraphernalia. Promotion across Bell Media television and radio properties will also see coverage on ETalk, The Social, SC with Jay and Dan, Innerspace, and Daily Planet.
The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards nominations include veteran Canadian actor Christopher Plummer for his role in All the Money in the World; Eric McCormack for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Will and Grace; animated film The Breadwinner, a Canadian co-production; HBO series Big Littles Lies, directed by Montreal’s Jean-Marc Vallee; Toronto-shot The Shape of Water; and Alberta-filmed Fargo, which is nominated for Best Limited Series or Motion Picture. The Handmaid’s Tale, based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, was nominated for Best Television Drama, among other awards. Hosted by late night talk show host Seth Meyers, the Golden Globes will air live on Sunday, Jan. 7 on CTV and CTV GO.
CTV music reality competition series The Launch will make its world premiere Jan. 10 on CTV, CTV GO, CTV Two, Much, and in French on VRAK. CTV will air preview ETALK Presents: The Launch, Jan. 1. Hosted by Ben Mulroney and Liz Trinnear, it will take viewers behind-the-scenes of the production, taped in Toronto this past fall.
TSN says Saturday’s MLS CUP capped off an overall average audience increase this season of +25 per cent compared to 2016. The MLS CUP was watched by an average audience of 1.3 million Canadians, according to overnight data from Numeris. A total of 11 million Canadians saw some part of the MLS season this year.
CTV will air an hour-long New Year’s Eve special The Beaverton’s Year In Review 2017, The Year That Sadly Was. Co-hosts Emma Hunter and Miguel Rivas skewer 2017 with correspondents Aisha Alfa, Dave Barclay, Laura Cilevitz, Donavon Stinson, and Marilla Wex, delivering a satirical audit of the year’s news.
CBC Sports and Rugby Canada have struck a multi-year partnership agreement that will see CBC deliver multi-platform annual coverage of the men’s and women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018. The coverage will include live-streaming at cbcsports.ca and via the CBC Sports app, as well as broadcast coverage on CBC.
