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.
Industry News

Allarco emerges from creditor protection

From a media release:

Allarco Entertainment 2008 and Allarco Entertainment Limited Partnership (Allarco) announced today that it has successfully emerged from creditor protection, having been issued its Certificate of Plan Completion from the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta (the Court) on April 5, 2018.

In May 2016, the company sought creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in an effort to facilitate a restructuring and refinancing of its business operations.  Since that time, Allarco has continued to operate under CCAA protection, supervised by the Court appointed monitor PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. (the Monitor). On December 13, 2017 a formal plan of arrangement or compromise (the Plan) was filed with the assistance of the Monitor.

A meeting of the affected creditors was held on January 24, 2018 where 78 creditors voted in favour for the Plan by a margin of 77-1. The Court approved and issued the sanction order to proceed with the Plan on February 16, 2018.

With the issuance of the Monitor’s Certificate of Plan Completion effective April 5, 2018, the CCAA proceedings have been completed in accordance with the Orders of the Court and under the supervision of the Monitor.

“I wish to thank our creditors sincerely for their patience and support as we worked through the CCAA process to achieve this goal,” said Don McDonald President & CEO of Super Channel. “We had to make some very difficult decisions to ensure survival of the business and for the company to remain an active participant in the Canadian broadcast industry.”

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

Link: The half-billion dollar Netflix bet on Hollywood North

1 Comment

From Max Greenwood of Techvibes:

Link: The half-billion dollar Netflix bet on Hollywood North
The goal of the subsidiary is twofold: one objective is to invest in Canadian content, but the other is to navigate a long-standing law that prohibits foreign companies from spending directly in Canada. Traditionally, U.S. companies had to work with local production companies to hire staff, as non-Canadian companies that seek to localize in Canada must notify the Canadian government and get approval—whether it be hiring stylists or caterers. With this new subsidiary, Netflix can now manage hiring themselves. Continue reading. 

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Masterchef Canada, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Gusto premieres new original series Bonacini’s Italy

From a media release:

Gusto continues to pack its schedule with premium lifestyle programs featuring the most sought-after personalities with the premiere of all-new cooking series NIGELLA: AT MY TABLE and Gusto Worldwide Media’s BONACINI’S ITALY, beginning June 4.

Culinary superstar Nigella Lawson shares the food she cooks for family and friends in her latest, six-part series NIGELLA: AT MY TABLE, airing Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. A companion to her latest best-selling cookbook of the same name, the series celebrates home cooking and the food that makes people feel happy and welcome as they sit around a home cook’s table. Whether offering up her fresh take on familiar classics, or creating new dishes inspired by different cuisines, Nigella ensures that everyday eating is always pleasurable, with a minimum of fuss. Recipes include Parmesan French Toast, Herbed Leg of Lamb, and Beef and Aubergine Fatteh.

Following AT MY TABLE, viewers venture to Italy with MASTERCHEF CANADA’s Michael Bonacini as he showcases the country’s diverse and sumptuous fare in the premiere of Gusto’s latest original series, BONACINI’S ITALY. Airing Mondays at8:30 p.m. ET, the 15-episode, half-hour series features Bonacini preparing unique and sophisticated dishes from specific regions across Italy including Seafood Couscous (Sicily), Mint Fava Bean Soup (Lazio), and Chickpea Flatbread (Liguria).

BONACINI’S ITALY – Premieres Monday, June 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET – Gusto Original Series
BONACINI’S ITALY is a new sophisticated food series featuring celebrity Chef Michael Bonacini as he cooks up diverse Italian cuisine. Set in a contemporary kitchen, Bonacini explores different regions of Italy by preparing dishes unique to each local tradition. In the premiere episode, Bonacini explores the region of Tuscany, creating delectable Tuscan dishes including Panzanella (tomato and bread salad), Gnudi con Ricotta e Spinaci (spinach ricotta gnudi), Peposo con Fagioli all’Ucelletto (peppered beef stew and beans in the style of small birds), and Pesce al Forno con Patate (baked sea bass with potatoes).

BONACINI’S ITALY is created by Chris Knight, President and CEO, Gusto Worldwide Media. Bell Media Production Executive is Danielle Pearson. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Original Programming, Bell Media. Pat DiVittorio is Vice-President, Programming, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Bell Media.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured

Comments and queries for the week of April 13

I live in the U.S.A. and wish that Hollywood would come up with something as great as Murdoch Mysteries. I love the series so much that when I first saw it on Netflix and when they discontinued it I subscribed to Acorn TV so that I could continue to watch it. Love the characters and the history lessons that the show brings with the drama and the comedy. Excellent chemistry between Yannick Bisson and Hélène Joy, love George (great houmor) and the Brackenreids. Thank you to the writers, the camera people, the directors, the producers and the actors for such an excellent series. I bow down to the excellent work that you do to entertain us. Kudos to you all. Love me some MM!! —Selina

Hook George up with Julia’s sister, who could be written in as burnt out on the traveling news gig and its frustrations and dangers. She could be looking for more stability and a calmer, quieter life and George could fit the bill. —James

Aside from Julia, Murdoch is actually probably the most intelligent character on the show with a deep understanding and love for science combined with a deep faith in Catholicism, a relatively rare combination these days. Crabtree, while I do like the character, is actually quite dimwitted and simple-minded with a curiosity of science of his own, but he’s written that way. —Eric

This is the best mystery series I have seen since Poirot. I am glad it will be returning for Season 12. Great job to the cast and crew of the show. I watch the show on AcornTV. —James

So pleased this show is renewed for another season. My favourite show on TV. I always dread the end of the season waiting to hear if there is going to be another. I hope it goes on for years to come. —Sharon

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

 

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

Martin Scorsese to direct SCTV special for Netflix

2 Comments

From a media release:

Netflix today announced that Academy Award-winning director, producer and screenwriter Martin Scorsese will direct an untitled Netflix original comedy special exploring the enduring legacy of Emmy-winning sketch comedy show SCTV.

Scorsese will reunite comedy legends and former SCTV co-stars Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short and Dave Thomas in front of a live audience for An Afternoon with SCTV, moderated by Jimmy Kimmel. To be held at Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre on Sunday, May 13 at 3 p.m., the filming will be part of the Netflix special, produced by longtime SCTV Producer Andrew Alexander of Second City, Emma Tillinger Koskoff of Sikelia Productions and Lindsay Cox of Insight Productions.

Canadian classic SCTV aired for six seasons between 1976 and 1984, quickly becoming one of pop culture’s touchstone comedies. The series’ stars include some of the most beloved and celebrated names in laughter, including the late John Candy and Harold Ramis.

Photo credit: Cara Howe for Netflix

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail