CCR Short Takes

CTF to releases $7.8 million in additional fundingThe Canadian Television Fund (CTF) last month announced that it would release $7.8 million in additional funding for production financing support in this fiscal year. The additional funding will support dramas, children’s and youth programming, documentaries and variety and performing arts productions in English and French. As well, $300,000 will be added to the special initiative for French-language productions outside of Quebec. “The CTF board has reviewed the status of the reserves brought in from last fiscal year as well as the current year revenue stream and is now pleased to make these sums available for additional production support in the current fiscal year,” CTF chair Douglas Barrett said in a media release. CRTC approves more Category 2 digital channelsThe CRTC approved this month some more Category 2 digital specialty TV channels, which are owned by Astral Broadcasting Group Inc. Astral received the go-ahead for its French-language Chez moi, a channel devoted to lifestyle and the home (Broadcasting Decision 2005-503), for Canal Justice, which will feature the justice system (civil, criminal, military, etc.), major trials, legal and police procedure and investigations, and forensic pathology (Broadcasting Decision 2005-504) and others. As well, the CRTC has applications for yet more Category 2 specialty TV digital channels, including The Family Channel’s bid for an English-language national service for boys aged 8 to 13 called Boyz Own (Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing 2005-9). Rogers wants in on Prime TVRogers Communications Inc. is seeking regulatory approval to acquire a 33.3% stake in CanWest Media Works Inc.’s analog TV channel, Prime TV. The channel is currently owned by CanWest and Prime TV Holdco. If the CRTC approves the deal, Rogers would obtain a 33.3% stake in the channel, and CanWest would control 66.7% (Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing 2005-9). Interested parties have until November 18 to intervene in the matter. Kangaroo Media announces new ‘fan companions’ ordersKangaroo Media announced October 14 that Sprint Nextel had placed a new order valued at US$4.4 million for its “fan companion” that allows spectators at an event such as a race to follow the whole thing on portable, closed circuit TV receivers (CCR, July 17/03). Under a five-year licence and supply agreement announced on August 9, 2005, Sprint Nextel had previously placed orders valued at US$1.4 million. Kangaroo is supplying Sprint Nextel, the title sponsor of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, with Generation II Kangaroo.TV multimedia handset devices and related products, equipment and services. As a result, Kangaroo says it expects to generate a minimum of US$10 million in revenues during the first year of the agreement. CTV orders 13 more episodes of Robson ArmsCTV Inc. has ordered a second season of the Canadian drama Robson Arms, which is produced by Vancouver-based Omni Film Productions. Thirteen new episodes will head into production early next year for broadcast on CTV and The Comedy Network. “Robson Arms demonstrated enormous potential in its first year,” said CTV president of programming Susanne Boyce. “With such strong critical acclaim and positive ratings among young viewers, we are pleased to commit to a second season.” The series was a winner of the 2005 Leo Awards. Curling returns to TSNTSN stated October 20 that it had inked a three-year deal that will see it broadcast three key curling tournaments through the 2007 season. TSN will televise the first seven of nine days from the Scott Tournament of Hearts, Tim Hortons Brier, and the Ford World Curling Championships. It will also broadcast the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials, taking place in Halifax beginning December 3. “Public support for TSN’s curling coverage has been overwhelming and I’m thrilled to announce that we’re back on the ice,” said TSN president Phil King. TSN also announced the return of its curling broadcast team of Vic Rauter, Linda Moore and Ray Turnbull. Roger, Cogeco sign VOD deal with Warner BrothersRogers Cable announced October 3 that Warner Brothers International Television Division would be providing it with video-on-demand (VOD) content. The addition of the Hollywood studio means that movies, such as Million Dollar Baby, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, and Alexander will be added to Rogers’ VOD offering. “We’re pleased that by concluding this deal with Rogers, consumers will have another platform to access our films,” said Warner Bros. International Television Distribution president Jeffrey Schlesinger in a media release. Content on Rogers VOD service now includes Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, Maple Pictures Corp., Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution (representing Miramax, New Line and Artisan Films), CBC, CHUM Television, Corus Entertainment and TVA. Cogeco announced October 21 that it had also signed an agreement with Warner Brothers International Television Division for VOD content. Vidéotron adds Greek, German channels to lineupVidéotron ltée has added the Greek channel ERTSAT and the German channel Deutsche Welle to its digital TV channel lineup in Montreal, Sorel, Gatineau and Rockland. The two channels are on free preview until November 13. They are located on channels 256 and 257. NFB documents security measures in 10-city tourThe National Film Board of Canada has teamed with CitizenShift and uberculture to sponsor a 10-city Canadian tour of documentary films and panel discussions that will look at the effects of Canadian security measures initiated since September 11, 2001. The tour started October 17 and runs until October 29. The five short films in the tour are directed by independent and emerging filmmakers whose works look at the balance between public security and civil liberties.

CCR Short Takes

Broadcast | October 24, 2005

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