A Mountie, a McKenzie and a couple of chefs: Canadian talent support CanWest acquisition of Alliance Atlantis

There's more than a month before the CRTC hearing to consider CanWest MediaWorks Inc.'s proposed acquisition of Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.'s broadcasting companies (Broadcasting Public Notice 2007-11), which leaves plenty of time to review the 225 interventions the commission received on the matter. In addition to the broadcasters, BDUs, producers, private citizens and industry associations that commented on the acquisition, some notable Canadian talent offered their reasons why the purchase should be approved. "CanWest has a strong commitment to Canadian programming and a proven dedication to the Canadian broadcasting system," writes director, producer and former Due South star Paul Gross. "Expanding on that commitment, I believe that approval of this transaction will strengthen both the CanWest and Alliance Atlantis broadcasting television services, which in turn will help bring to market and promote strong, creative and appealing Canadian programs, especially in the drama and comedy genres, for the benefit of Canadian audiences." Gross, also the star of Alliance specialty channel Showcase's Slings and Arrows, believes CanWest will build on Alliance's "legacy of creativity, innovation and service to the community," and says that being part of an integrated media company will only benefit the current Alliance specialty services. He adds that the transaction's resulting $136.9 million benefits contribution will further assist the development of quality Canadian programming. While Gross envisions a bright future for the Alliance properties under CanWest ownership, venerable comedian Dave Thomas draws from his own past to support the CanWest bid. Thomas, best known for his role as Doug McKenzie along side Rick Moranis' Bob, notes that in 1976 CanWest's Global Television was the only Canadian network to support the SCTV program of which he was a star. "While other Canadian networks saw nothing in the show our troupe proposed, Global had the vision to step up to the plate and give SCTV its first opportunity to present our comedy to Canadians," writes Thomas. Of course, SCTV went on to become a Canadian icon, winning multiple Emmy awards, becoming the first Canadian-launched show to be picked up by an American network, and launching the careers of Thomas and his fellow Canadian Walk of Fame honourees Moranis, John Candy, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Andrea Martin and Joe Flaherty. For Thomas, CanWest's history should not go unnoticed when the commission rules on the transaction. He continues: "Acquisition of the Alliance Atlantis assets will help Global continue in its proven commitment to supporting Canadian content and Canadian talent. I can vouch for this from personal experience." A couple of current stars of cooking shows on Alliance's the Food Network also support the transaction. Like Gross, Janet Podleski, who co-hosts the series Eat, Shrink and Be Merry with her sister Greta, also mentions the potential impact the benefits package from the transaction would bring. And as a fledgling television star who cut her teeth under the Alliance umbrella, Podleski has no fear of an ownership change. "CanWest's strong commitment to Canadian programming and strong relationship with the Canadian independent production community means a lot to us in this industry," Podleski writes. "Both my sister and I believe the Canadian broadcasting system and its audiences will benefit when these two media success join forces." Finally, Bob Blumer, best known as the creator/host of The Surreal Gourmet, and also the co-creator/host of Glutton for Punishment, believes shows like his will be better served under the strong ownership of CanWest. Although The Surreal Gourmet has flourished through its relationship with Alliance - it now airs in more than 30 countries - Blumer worries that smaller broadcasters will have a harder time competing in the more global marketplace that new technologies are enabling. "The system that was created by Alliance Atlantis...has allowed shows like mine that originate in Canada - and celebrate all things Canadian - to inform, amuse and educate people all over the world," writes Blumer. " I'm confident that Food Network and Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting will be better suited to compete with the financial backing and integration of CanWest."

A Mountie, a McKenzie and a couple of chefs: Canadian talent support CanWest acquisition of Alliance Atlantis

Broadcast | October 12, 2007

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