The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.
 

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In a report commissioned by four leading telcos, Canadian Media Research Inc. president Barry Kiefl responds to June’s Order-in-Council mandating a review of technology’s impact on broadcasting (see first story). In the report, titled A Review of Research Data on the Canadian Television Industry, Kiefl draws on a variety of survey data to assert that worst-case predictions about the demise of broadcasting due to emerging technologies are not coming to pass – at least not at present. Below is the summary section of the report in its entirety.

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As mentioned earlier in this issue (see Short Takes), this week’s reorganization at Corus Entertainment Inc. also saw some new executive appointments. Scott Dyer, formerly executive VP of production and development at Nelvana Studios, becomes executive VP and GM of Corus’ kids portfolio, which Nelvana Studios has now been folded into. Also, Doug Murphy takes over the top seat at Nelvana Enterprises, the licensing and sales division set up to further capitalize on Nelvana Studios’ intellectual property. Murphy, formerly executive VP of business development at Nelvana’s corporate offices, will now hold the title of president, Nelvana Enterprises.
Meanwhile, at Corus’ new lifestyle, dramas and movies portfolio, Susan Ross has been appointed executive VP and GM of the entire portfolio. As such, she’ll report to Corus Television president Paul Robertson, and will be responsible for the Movie Central pay TV service and the W Network, CMT and Scream specialty channels. In addition, Andrew Eddy – currently VP and GM of Movie Central – moves up to become VP of program strategy and investment.

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Corus makes changes to org chart
On Sept. 12, Toronto specialty TV programmer and radio broadcaster Corus Entertainment Inc. announced a realignment of its television and content divisions around two strategic "portfolios". The new Kids portfolio will see renowned childrens’ animation house Nelvana Studios move to the broadcaster’s television division, with a separate spinoff – Nelvana Enterprises – set up to capitalize on the intellectual property created by Nelvana in international markets. Meanwhile, also in Corus’ television division, a new Lifestyle, Drama and Movies portfolio will bring together the Movie Central western Canadian pay TV service and the W Network, CMT and Scream specialty channels. Movie Central’s operations will also move to Corus’ national broadcast centre in Toronto. Corus CEO and president John Cassaday explained the rationale behind the move in a media release: "In an evolving world of new content delivery options, this new structure allows us to strengthen our connection with our audiences across all platforms while delivering on our company’s strategic and business objectives." He added that tighter integration, especially on the childrens’ programming side, will allow the company to expand its new media distribution initiatives, such as the Treehouse On Demand digital storefront, TreehouseDirect, and Corus’ other Web properties. As a result of the realignment, Corus announced that 83 positions will be eliminated. Also accompanying the move were a number of staffing appointments – for more on those, see ccr people.

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