At the first annual NATPE Mobile++ forum in Las Vegas last January, the TV production industry was abuzz about the seemingly unlimited potential of cell phone video content. Executives from mobile carriers, small-screen content aggregators and non-linear network programming sold each other on the notion that everyone will be using their cell phones as pocket televisions sooner rather than later.

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The joint venture representing the reproduction rights of Canadian songwriters, composers and music publishers has given its blessing to New York’s SpiralFrog, which aims to fight unauthorized music sharing through ad-supported downloads.

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An independent production fund that until four years ago was one of the few sources of funding for new media projects without broadcast licensee partners hopes 2007 will be the year it gets back into the new media game.

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He shoots, he scores! But that National Hockey League player isn’t the only one celebrating. Vancouver’s Exponentia signed a five-year deal with the NHL earlier this month to provide live-action interactive games to hockey fans across North America on their mobile phones – and both momentum and prospects are growing.

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On December 14, Federal Court of Canada Justice William Shore ruled against the federal government in favour of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and 17 broadcasting licensees on the legality of Part II broadcasting licence fees. Justice Shore found that since the fees aren’t necessary to regulate the broadcast industry, they are a tax. The following comments are taken from the introduction to the decision – the full document is available at http://cas-ncr-nter03.cas-satj.gc.ca/fct-cf/docs/2006FC1482.pdf

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Stephen Green, formerly of Entertainment One, has joined Astral Media’s Astral Television Networks as the Montreal-based firm’s VP of sales and affiliate marketing.
In a media release, Astral Television Networks senior VP of marketing and sales Domenic Vivolo said he was "thrilled" by Green’s arrival at the company, adding that Green’s presence will enhance Astral Television’s acquisition and retention efforts. "He will also ensure that these plans are targeted to our key affiliate consumers in order to effectively strengthen our broadcast brands," Vivolo concluded.
Green’s previous employer is a wholesaler of media – including CDs, DVDs and computer and console games – and an income fund formed through the merger and acquisition of several media distributors, including Video One Canada Ltd., Koch Entertainment Distribution LLC, Records on Wheels Ltd. and CD Plus. He has also recently worked with Direct Source Special Products Inc. and Saturn Distributing Inc., and began his sales career in the consumer packaged goods sector, holding positions with such leading names as Hershey Canada Inc. and Nabisco Ltd.

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