All posts by Cameron

Dramas and Comedies, Featured, Industry News, Polls

TV, Eh? Industry Update – CBC cuts, Last of the Dragons, State of Syn, more

CBC operating budget cut by $115 million

It’s the worst-kept secret in Canadian television. By 2014-15, CBC’s operating budget will shed $115 million, as part of Canada’s 2012 federal budget. In the same timeframe, Telefilm Canada will shed $10.6 million, while the National Film Board of Canada will shed $6.7 million. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is relatively lucky, as a $400,000 funding reduction is on tap for 2013–14.

CBC sent a press release on March 29, 2012. The press release states that its 2015: Everyone, Every way strategy will work around the budget reductions. Lobby groups and unions aren’t quite as sanguine about CBC’s budget cuts, including the Canadian Media Guild, ACTRA, and Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Studies applauds the budget cuts, as the CCPS calls for CBC’s “inevitable privatization.”

Continue reading TV, Eh? Industry Update – CBC cuts, Last of the Dragons, State of Syn, more →

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Dramas and Comedies, Featured, Industry News

TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Beywheelz, CRTC, eOne, NSI Canada

Beywheelz debuts in North America

Beywheelz, a spinoff of the Beyblade series, is formally announced by Nelvana. Beywheelz is one of Nelvana’s MIPTV offerings, which include Trucktown, two seasons of Detentionaire, Franklin and Friends‘ second season, and Mr. Young‘s second season.

According to I Miss Bionix, Beyblade: Metal Fury is an English-language adaptation of d-rights’/Nelvana’s Metal Fight Beyblade 4D, which saw its Japanese episode length halved in 2011, after 26 episodes. This was to accommodate Cross Fight B-Daman, leaving Nelvana with 39 half-hour episodes of Beyblade: Metal Fury. Beywheelz combines with Beyblade: Metal Fury, to make a 52-episode order.

In 2002, Nelvana gained wide-ranging North and South American, Oceanian, as well as most European, rights to Beyblade. The Beyblade toy was successfully reintroduced in North America by Nelvana, in 2009.

Beywheelz, by the way, are small “battling” tires. I wish I could sell that concept better, but then, Beyblades are small “battling” tops.

Continue reading TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Beywheelz, CRTC, eOne, NSI Canada →

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Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Saskatchewan television, Redemption Inc., more

Possible sea change for Saskatchewan television?

SCN’s prospective new owner, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd., wants to spend less money on programming, at least according to CBC News Saskatchewan. Rogers wants to put 23 per cent of revenue generated by SCN towards independent films, rather than commit to fixed dollar requirements, as SCN is in “financial stress.”

In a related story, the 2012-13 Saskatchewan provincial budget announces the immediate termination of the Film Employment Tax Credit for film and television productions. Productions already registered by SaskFilm prior to April 1, 2012 will continue to be eligible for the credit, but new productions are ineligible.

The elimination of Saskatchewan’s FETC, according to the budget documents, is tied to a supposedly-heavier future reliance on subsidization. This is coupled with a decline in industry activity, and the fact that the FETC has required a public investment of over $100 million, since its 1998 introduction.

The FETC, an income tax credit equal to forty-five per cent of eligible labour costs, will be fully phased out in 2014. The FETC’s termination is supposed to save up to $3 million by the end of 2012, and $8 million annually.

Statement by the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Association. They’re not fond of the FETC’s termination.

Continue reading TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Saskatchewan television, Redemption Inc., more →

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Featured, Industry News

Industry Update – Bell/Astral, CRTC, APTN

Bell to buy Astral

BCE Inc. announced, on March 16, 2012, its intent to buy Astral Media Inc., pending CRTC approval. The transaction, funded 75% by cash and 25% by BCE Inc. common equity, is valued at around $3.38 billion. As part of the purchase, BCE Inc. assumes $380 million in Astral Media Inc. debt.

A $150 million penalty will be paid by Bell to Astral, should Bell’s acquisition of Astral fall through. If another company courts Astral (as Astral can’t solicit other offers), and Astral ultimately shuns Bell for a “superior proposal,” Astral pays a $100 million termination fee to Bell. Bell has first right to match any “superior” counter-offer.

The Bell/Astral deal attracts critics, including Carleton University journalism professor Dwayne Winseck.

Bell, the largest telecommunications/media company in Canada by market share, wants the eighth-largest telecom/media company. Theoretically, the Astral purchase opens a gateway into Quebec homes, strengthens Bell’s radio reach, and establishes Bell in the premium television arena.

Shareholders can vote on the Bell/Astral transaction, at a meeting to be held on or before May 25, 2012.

Continue reading Industry Update – Bell/Astral, CRTC, APTN →

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Featured, Industry News

TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Corus Quay, Shaw Media/Vikings, CRTC/music, Sea to Sky Entertainment

Corus Quay flipped twice in one day

On March 12, 2012, the Corus Quay was bought by Corus 25 Dockside Property Inc., a Corus Entertainment subsidiary, for $186 million. Corus Quay was, until this move, owned by the Toronto Port Lands Company.

The original agreement saw Corus Entertainment lease the Corus Quay until 2029. In exchange for maintenance of the original lease, plus an optional twenty-year extension, H&R Real Estate Investment Trust is Corus Quay’s new owner. H&R REIT covered the cost of the Corus 25 Dockside Property Inc. sale.

The Corus Quay was completed in the fall of 2010. It is the central programming hub for twenty-four television services, and three Toronto radio stations. Around 1100 employees currently work at the Corus Quay.

Continue reading TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Corus Quay, Shaw Media/Vikings, CRTC/music, Sea to Sky Entertainment →

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