All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.
Blackstone, Featured

Review: Blackstone’s brutal truths

“I don’t need anyone!” Gail’s petulant scream to Greg and Leona during “Truth or Dare” marked the troubled woman at her lowest. Despite promising Leona (and why does Leona continue to believe her??) she could watch Wendy, Gail relapsed into a drug and booze-induced haze. Exactly at the wrong time: when Harold came by to check on Wendy. Finding the girl playing alone while food burned on the stove and Gail passed out, he took Wendy into custody in front of a wildly slurring Gail, highly peeved Greg and horribly betrayed Leona.

If Leona does get Wendy back–and that is a big if–I wouldn’t suggest she leave her alone with Gail anymore. The responsibility is just too much for Gail to handle. Michelle Thrush was once again great in her portrayal, but she was upstaged by co-star Carmen Moore in Damon Vignale’s script.

When Moore’s Leona wasn’t running around trying to get Wendy back she was delving deep into the situation concerning Trisha, Marnie and getting them safely returned to Blackstone. The key to her success ran straight through Alex and she showed grit, determination (and balls) by giving him an ultimatum: contact the girls or get the hell out of Blackstone. Once Platt and Stu had the two safely in custody, Leona pleaded with Marnie for the location of the warehouse. Platt and Stu descended, and while the place was empty, at least the investigation is moving forward.

Almost on the back burner was another fine performance by Eric Schweig. Andy was more successful during his second meeting with Dr. Crowshoe. Her questions about what he views as love–he equates it with providing a home for his family–caused him to drop his tough-guy façade ever so briefly and revealed a man confused and hurt. That revelation was indeed brief: in his next scene he was beating the crap out of Darrien in the prison yard, a move orchestrated by the latter so that he’d be put into the infirmary where he no doubt plans to escape from.

Blackstone airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on APTN.

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Industry News

DHX Media to acquire Nerd Corps

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From a media release:

DHX Media Ltd. (“DHX” or the “Company”) (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), a key player internationally in the creation of content for families and children, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Nerd Corps Entertainment Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Nerd Corps”). The purchase price will be up to $57 million, inclusive of excess cash in Nerd Corps at closing, to be determined as a post-closing adjustment. The price is payable as to up to $32.7 million from cash and the remainder through the issuance of 2,963,748 DHX shares. DHX expects the transaction to be accretive to net earnings per share for fiscal 2015. Nerd Corps recorded unaudited fiscal 2013 revenues of approximately $20.0 million, and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $10.6 million. Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions including the receipt of bank and Toronto Stock Exchange consent, and is anticipated to close by December 24, 2014.

The acquisition increases DHX’s operating leverage, adding Nerd Corps’ animation studio in Vancouver, BC, which features five lines of production, as well as Nerd Corps’ interactive apps, gaming expertise, and licensing opportunities with Nerd Corps’ brands. The transaction brings more than 200 half hours of proprietary children’s content to DHX’s library, including the hit comedy adventure series, Slugterra, which has been broadcast in more than 150 countries and is one of the most popular titles on Disney XD in both Canada and the US.

Nerd Corps co-founder Asaph “Ace” Fipke will be joining the DHX Content team in the role of Chief Content Officer, Kids & Family, reporting to DHX President and Chief Operating Officer, Steven DeNure; and Nerd Corps President, Ken Faier, will come on board at DHX Content as Senior VP and General Manager, Kids & Family.

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Uncategorized

Bell Media Reveals Canadian First-Look Strategy for “Project Latte”

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From a media release:

Bell Media announced today a first-look strategy for its subscription on demand video streaming service that will see episodes of original Canadian series premiere on “Project Latte” 24 hours in advance of their network television premieres. The announcement was made as Bell Media revealed the premium Canadian scripted content that will be available on the service, representing the most-acclaimed and most-watched original primetime programming in Canada. It was also confirmed today that CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE will be the first Canadian program to receive a first-look screening on “Project Latte” ahead of its linear television premiere.

The first-look strategy is designed to provide crucial samplings of episodes ahead of their regular network airings, while providing an additional platform to proudly showcase Canada’s independent productions. Series that receive first-look screenings will stack on “Project Latte” for their entire current-season run, which will be immediately complementary to the past-season episodes also on the service.

In 2015, Bell Media original productions SAVING HOPE, MOTIVE, SPUN OUT, and more will receive a first-look premiere on “Project Latte,” becoming the only titles on the service with past and in-season episodes available. The announcement comes as additional drama titles were announced for “Project Latte,” and on the eve of a major announcement tomorrow confirming final details for the service.

With more than 40 titles comprising nearly 1,000 assets at launch, “Project Latte” will feature more primetime original Canadian television programming than any other similar service. At launch, premium, non-kids Canadian programming on “Project Latte” will total more than 12% of the service’s entire catalogue, with more original content to be added regularly.

Curated to reflect “Project Latte’s” commitment to premium TV programming, Canadian titles announced today represent more than 200 Canadian Screen Award nominations.

Canadian Scripted Programming on “Project Latte”

Drama
Recently renewed for a fourth season, SAVING HOPE is currently Canada’s most-watched original drama series, with an average audience of 1.5 million viewers on CTV. SAVING HOPE will be featured in “Project Latte’s” first-look strategy, where new episodes will appear on the service 24 hours in advance of their linear TV debut. At launch, 41 episodes will be available.

DEGRASSI is simply one of the most successful original dramas in Canadian television history. Seen around the world and the recipient of a Peabody Award, the Emmy-nominated series will live in “Project Latte’s” Teen Drama category.

All three seasons and 29 episodes of the Golden Globe Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning historical drama and international co-production THE BORGIAS (2011-2013) will be featured.

Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Bell Media previously announced its Sci-Fi & Fantasy collection would exclusively feature some of its most successful original productions:
· ORPHAN BLACK, the conspiracy clone thriller and smash hit international success starring Tatiana Maslany.
· BITTEN, Space’s most-watched original series of all time about the world’s only female werewolf.
· And the upcoming KILLJOYS, the interplanetary space drama from ORPHAN BLACK producers Temple Street Productions.

Comedy
Bell Media announced today that the unedited theatrical cut of the upcoming feature film CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE, to be released in cinemas nationwide tomorrow, will have a special first-look, advance screening window on “Project Latte” before making its linear television debut.

One of the most successful original comedy series in Canadian history, all 107 episodes and six seasons of the CTV hit CORNER GAS (2004-2009) will also live on “Project Latte.”

Both the complete first season and the upcoming second season of Dave Foley’s current original comedy SPUN OUT, returning in early 2015 on CTV, will be available.

Crime & Mystery
“Project Latte’s” previously announced Crime & Mystery Collection will also feature hit original programming from Bell Media:
With an average audience of 1.3 million viewers, the CTV crime procedural MOTIVE is one of Canada’s most-watched original dramas. All 26 episodes of the first and second seasons, along with weekly first-look episodes from the upcoming third season, will be featured.

One of the most successful original drama series of all time, FLASHPOINT (2008-2012) has been credited with advancing the renaissance in Canadian TV drama. All five seasons and 75 episodes will be available on “Project Latte.”

Licensed in over 120 markets and seen in 33 languages, CTV’s THE LISTENER is one of Canada’s most successful drama series. “Project Latte” will feature all 65 episodes from the series’ five seasons (2009-2014).

Returning for its second season in early 2015, “Project Latte” proudly features the critically acclaimed police drama 19-2, Bravo’s #1 new series of 2014, and a Top 3 program overall.

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