The Canadian Media Producers Association’s (CMPA) annual Prime Time summit, slated to take place Jan. 31 – Feb. 2 in Ottawa, will explore Canada’s place in the global content industry and government oversight in the face of huge technological change, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), among other topics. Andrew Addison, Vice President, Communications, Marketing & Membership, with the CMPA, says this year’s gathering of content industry professionals will be the biggest to date, with the most vast lineup of concurrent sessions the event has ever staged. Read our feature story here.
The CMPA (Canadian Media Producers Association), APFC (Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada), and AQPM (Association québécoise de la production médiatique) have joined a group of global media production organizations calling on local governments to regulate streaming platforms and safeguard national media production sectors. Representing thousands of companies that work in the global screen sector with signatories from across the European Union, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, the group is emphasizing, among other protections, the importance of independent screen businesses owning or retaining intellectual property (IP) rights to their work. The call comes as the CRTC continues consultations on implementing Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act. Read more here.
Amazon MGM Studios has signed a landmark contract with Pinewood Toronto Studios for exclusive use of new production facilities in Downtown Toronto for future productions. The deal is the first multi-year commitment by Amazon MGM Studios to Canadian studio space and includes exclusive use of five new state-of-the-art sound stages, accompanying workshops and office accommodation, totalling 160,000 sq. ft. Amazon MGM says the long-term commitment to studio space in Toronto aligns with its strategy to expand its production footprint in Canada. Amazon MGM Studios, as well as MGM Television and MGM+ Studios have produced and commissioned more than 40 series and films shot in Canada, including The Boys, Gen V, Reacher, and The Handmaid’s Tale in Ontario; Fargo and Billy The Kid in Alberta; The Man in the High Castle and Upload in British Columbia; Tales from the Loop in Manitoba; as well as parts of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Voyeurs in Quebec.
Media Technology Monitor (MTM) has released three new reports surrounding discoverability of TV shows, movies, music and podcasts. Recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues remain the most popular way of discovering new content for both teens and adults. MTM found Francophones more likely to rely on TV and radio ads than anglophones to discover TV shows (47% vs 32%). Nearly half of music listeners (49%) say that they find new music via AM/FM radio. When it comes to promotional campaigns or marketing, teens are more likely to mention social media than advertising. A third of teens (32%) say they find out about new content via social media.
Sportsnet presents the 24th annual Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada this Saturday, live from Victoria. Ron MacLean hosts from Ship Point at Victoria Harbour, along with Sportsnet’s Ken Reid, Evanka Osmak, David Amber, Elliotte Friedman, Kevin Bieksa, Jennifer Botterill, and Kelly Hrudey. Randip Janda and Taqdeer Thindal host Hockey Night in Canada in Punjabi live from Victoria. Special guests include Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Lanny McDonald, and Darcy Tucker, as well as NHL alum Wendel Clark, Vancouver Canucks alumni Nathan LaFayette and Kirk McLean, and current Victoria Royals coach James Patrick. The 12.5-hour marathon broadcast features all seven Canadian NHL teams in action throughout the day.
Hockey Night in Canada in Cree is returning to APTN with an all-new schedule, starting Jan. 27 with Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT; Feb. 24: Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT; March 30: Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT; April 13: Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. Clarence Iron has the call in Plains Cree, with a team of analysts that includes Earl Wood, John Chabot and Jason Chamakese.
Nelvana and Toikido, a London based entertainment company specializing in digital design and toys, have announced the greenlight of Piñata Smashlings, a new 2D animated children’s series (26×11). The series is available for international sale and already confirmed to air on YTV in Canada. The comedic adventure, tailored for kids aged six to nine, complements the previously unveiled Piñata Smashlings shorts, currently streaming on Nelvana’s Keep It Weird YouTube channel. Inspired by the popular Roblox game, the series will showcase characters from the game, each possessing unique personalities.
HGTV Canada and McGillivray Entertainment Media have announced the Season 2 greenlight of Renovation Resort. Following the success of Season 1 as the #1 Canadian original series on Specialty in Spring 2023, according to data supplied by Corus Entertainment, the new season will feature four renovation and design duos competing to create the ultimate vacation rental. HGTV Canada’s Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler return as co-hosts and judges in the eight-episode season distributed by Corus Studios, deciding which team takes home the title of Renovation Resort Champion and a prize of $100,000. Casting is currently underway.
ALIBI Music has signed a new sync agent for Canada. Cadence Music Group is now exclusively representing and licensing ALIBI’s music and sound effects for use by Canada-based businesses and productions.
