The Journalism and Written Media Independent Panel of Experts has released its final report providing guidance on which journalism organizations should qualify for tax measures intended to support written news outlets that provide news of general interest to Canadians. Among the recommendations for small publications, the panel underlined that some of the incentive limitations set out by the government – such as the requirement to have at least two regular newsroom employees for at least the past year – excludes smaller, local news outlets that are at significant risk of disappearing. The panel recommends that small publications serving “established audiences” for at least a decade, should be allowed to apply for tax credits for freelancers and independent contractors. The panel also recommends another funding program specifically for small print and digital publications, and suggests five per cent of the federal government’s advertising budget be directed to publications written for minority language communities.
OneSoccer, the digital platform dedicated to Canadian soccer coverage and content, has broadened its international portfolio by obtaining the rights in Canada to Mexico’s LigaMX. The deal was sealed by parent company MEDIAPRO Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of Spanish media giant MEDIAPRO, which earlier this year became the long-term media partner of Canadian Soccer Business and the Canadian Premier League. OneSoccer subscribers will be able to watch LigaMX at no extra charge, gaining access to a minimum of 38 games in 2019, in addition to over 40 Chinese Super League and Chinese FA Cup games, 100 Canadian Premier League games, home games of Canada Soccer’s Women’s and Men’s National Teams and the 24 games of the 2019 Canadian Championship. OneSoccer also airs a weekly League in Review highlights show hosted by Andi Petrillo as well as Kickoff Countdown, a league preview panel show fronted by soccer pundit Kurt Larson. OneSoccer is available through OneSoccer.ca and the OneSoccer app.
Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana has launched Mandarin YouTube channel, Red Bear Animation (红熊动画), building on a strategy to strengthen its online fan base internationally. The company has already earned two Gold Play Buttons from YouTube, recognizing its Treehouse Direct Español and Treehouse Direct Brasil channels, which have over one million subscribers each. The Red Bear Animation channel will roll out new Mandarin episodes of Super BOOMi, Mysticons, Backyardigans and My Friend Rabbit several times a week throughout the summer, and will feature additional series including Franklin, Babar and Ranger Rob later this year.
Encore+, the Youtube channel dedicated to iconic Canadian TV and film of yesteryear, will continue. The unions, associations and guilds collaborating on the channel have renewed their commitment. They include the Canadian Media Producers Association, Directors’ Guild of Canada, L’Association québécoise de la production médiatique, L’Association des réalisateurs et réalisatrices du Québec, La société des auteurs de radio, télévision et cinéma and the Union des artistes. Upcoming additions to Encore+ include the release of 1990s series Max Glick.
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