Bell Media and VICE Media have struck a long-term programming deal that will see VICE content air and stream across Bell television, mobile, and digital platforms. Bell Media will become the exclusive Canadian broadcast home to new original programming from VICE’s U.S. linear network VICELAND, along with 650 hours of previously-produced VICE programming, set to debut this fall on Much, MTV Canada, Bell’s CraveTV streaming service, mobile app SnackableTV, and the yet to launch CTV digital SuperHub, among other platforms. Read more here.
CHEX-TV is rebranding its newscasts as CHEX News on Global Peterborough, starting Aug. 27. CHEX-TV will air three daily newscasts at noon, 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., in addition to the Morning Show, however the CHEX Daily Show is being cancelled. The Young and the Restless will air in its 5 – 6 p.m. timeslot. CTV programming will also disappear from the station, to be replaced by Global shows. Like several other markets across the country, the two local Corus Radio stations – Fresh Radio and The Wolf – will also soon be under the same roof as CHEX-TV. The move is expected in mid-December when major renovations of the Monaghan Road TV station are expected to be complete.
The CRTC has renewed the licence of Silver Screen Classics and imposed a standard minimum 10 per cent Canadian programming expenditure quota, rather than the five per cent requested. In its application for renewal, Silver Screen cited limited Canadian feature films and programs available from the 1940s-60s, due to the maturity of the Canadian industry at the time, and the challenge of competing with out-of-market, big-budget services like Turner Classic Movies. The licensee argued that an onerous CPE requirement would put it at a further competitive disadvantage.
APTN is set to premiere three-part documentary series First Contact, Sept. 11-13, aimed at challenging the average Canadian’s stereotypical perceptions of Indigenous people. Narrated by George Stroumboulopoulos, the series takes six Canadians on a unique 28-day exploration of Indigenous Canada, visiting Winnipeg, Nunavut, Alberta, Northern Ontario and the BC coast. The three-part series will air consecutively Sept. 11-13 at 7 p.m. ET, with the second and third episodes followed by a two-part reunion special. Following the Thursday evening series finale, First Contact’s six participants will appear before a live studio audience to reflect on their experience during and since their journey together.
CBC, Citytv, CTV and Global will once again simulcast the Stand Up To Cancer (SUC2) fundraising telecast on Sept. 7, in addition to AMI, A.Side, BBC Earth, CHCH, CHEK, Cottage Life, Fight Network, Game TV, HIFI, Hollywood Suite, Love Nature, Makeful, NTV, OUTtv, Smithsonian Channel Canada, T+E, and YES TV (8-9 P.M. ET/PT / 7 P.M. CT). The broadcast will also stream live on the CBC TV App, cbc.ca/watch, CBS All Access, CTV GO, CTV.ca, Global GO and GlobalTV.com, and be available on-demand on TELUS Optik TV in Canada. Broadcast live from Santa Monica, CA, stars confirmed to take part in the sixth biennial event include Mahershala Ali, Kathy Bates, Katie Couric, Jennifer Garner, Keith Urban, Reese Witherspoon and Canadian Italia Ricci (Designated Survivor). Bradley Cooper returns as co-executive producer, along with live-event producing team Done + Dusted. To date, more than $480 million (USD) has been pledged in support of SU2C cancer research.
Coroner, CBC’s newest original drama series, started production in Toronto Monday. With a broadcast and streaming premiere set for winter 2019, the cast is led by Canadian actress Serinda Swan (Inhumans, Ballers) who stars as newly-appointed coroner Jenny Cooper as she investigates suspicious deaths in Toronto. Based on the best-selling novels by M.R. Hall and created by Morwyn Brebner (Saving Hope), who also acts as showrunner and executive producer, Coroner also stars Roger Cross (The X-Files), Éric Bruneau (Blue Moon), Ehren Kassam (DeGrassi: Next Class), and TamaraPodemski (Rabbit Fall). Read more here.
Natasha Henstridge (Species), C. David Johnson (Street Legal), Stacey Farber (Grace and Frankie), Brandon Oakes (Arctic Air), Shailene Garnett (Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments), Tim Rozon (Wynonna Earp), and Dwain Murphy (Titans), have joined the cast of new CBC original drama Diggstown (6×60), shooting in Halifax. They join Vinessa Antoine (Being Erica, Heartland) who stars as Marcie Diggs, a corporate lawyer who takes up work in community justice following the suicide of an aunt. Created by Halifax’s Floyd Kane (Across The Line), the series is set for a winter 2019 broadcast and streaming premiere on CBC, the CBC TV app and cbc.ca/watch. Diggstown is co-produced by Circle Blue Entertainment, Freddie Films Inc., and DHX Media.
Canadian Strain, a feature comedy about Canada’s upcoming cannabis legalization, has started production in Toronto. Written and directed by Geordie Sabbagh (A Sunday Kind of Love) the film stars Winnipeg actress Jess Salgueiro (Workin’ Moms, Mary Kills People) as a boutique weed dealer put out of business by legalization. Her dad is played by Colin Mochrie, while Naomi Snieckus (Mr. D.) rounds out the cast as an uptight retail co-worker.
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, have launched a codevelopment incentive for television projects between Canadian and South African producers. Eligible projects include TV programs in the drama, documentary, or children and youth genres, which can be funded up to $40,000 CAD or 200,000 ZAR. Learn more here. Closing date for applications is Oct. 10. Producers interested in finding an international partner as part of this incentive are invited to post a company profile on the CMF website by clicking here.
MarVista Entertainment is forming a strategic alliance with Canadian producer Arnie Zipursky that will see the formation of Toronto-headquartered Neshama Entertainment. Neshama will focus on sourcing Canadian creative content for development, production and distribution, in addition to seeking Canadian co-production partners and talent. MarVista will be a minority shareholder in the new venture and handle international distribution, excluding Canada, for content developed and produced under the Neshama banner. Zipursky will serve as co-founder and executive producer.
Telefilm Canada and Birks have announced the honourees for the sixth annual Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film. This year’s honourees include director Nettie Wild (KONELĪNE: our land beautiful, Interrupted); actors Tantoo Cardinal (Godless, North of 60) and Pascale Bussières (Nous sommes les autres, Innocent); screenwriter Susan Coyne (Slings and Arrows, The Man Who Invented Christmas); and emerging directors Stella Meghie (Jean of the Joneses) and Jeanne Leblanc (Isla Blanca). They’ll be celebrated at a private event on Sept. 10 during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) has unveiled the nominees for the 2018 Indiescreen Awards. CMPA also announced it’s dedicating its Emerging Producer Award to the memory of late Canadian film producer Kevin Tierney. Going forward, the award will be known as the Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer Award. Tierney, who passed away in June and was the recipient of an Indiescreen Award in 2009, is best known for producing Bon Cop, Bad Cop, the top-grossing Canadian theatrical release of all time domestically. Read the full story here.
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