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Blink49 Studios and Piller/Segan ink multi-year joint venture to develop and produce premium content across all genres

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From a media release:

Piller/Segan and Blink49 Studios, have entered into a multi-year joint venture agreement that will see both companies contribute financial and creative resources for the development and production of a slate of premium scripted and unscripted content.

The partnership builds on a long-standing creative relationship between Blink49 Studios CEO John Morayniss and Piller/Segan partners Lloyd Segan and Shawn Piller, who previously collaborated on hit series Private Eyes and fan-favorite Haven during Morayniss’ tenure at eOne. The companies are currently producing Season 3 of Wild Cards (CBC/The CW), which has also been ordered for Season 4.

Designed as a hub for bold new projects, the joint venture will take an open-door approach to building long-term IP and franchises across genres, encouraging crossover opportunities for concepts that can thrive in multiple formats. Building on the strength of its existing creative team, Piller/Segan will expand its development capacity with the addition of a seasoned executive dedicated to sourcing and shepherding projects under the joint venture, working closely with Blink49 Studios leadership.

“This joint venture is a natural evolution of the trust and creative synergy we’ve built over many years,” said Morayniss. “With our combined financial commitment and infrastructure, Blink49 Studios and Piller/Segan are well-positioned to deliver globally resonant storytelling and provide creators with the resources they need to succeed.”

“We’re thrilled to formalize this next chapter with John and the incredible team at Blink49 Studios,” added Segan. “This venture gives us the reach and flexibility to champion a wide range of projects — from supporting established voices to cultivating fresh talent. Together, we’re building a dynamic environment where creators can take risks and bring ambitious ideas to life.”

The venture reflects both companies’ shared mission to empower creators, invest in innovative storytelling, and deliver high-quality programming to a global marketplace.

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Featured, Industry News

APTN expands its presence across digital platforms

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From a media release:

APTN is expanding its reach and offering new ways to connect with Indigenous stories in the digital era, including a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel, in-flight entertainment on Air Canada and the transition of the network’s streaming platform from APTN lumi to APTN+.  

APTN Beyond, a paranormal FAST channel now available on The Roku Channel and Pluto TV in Canada, invites viewers into a world of unexplained phenomena, haunting encounters and ancestral spirits. APTN Beyond features APTN’s most gripping supernatural series: The Other Side (10 seasons), Ghost Hunters of the Grand River (4 seasons), Spirit Talker (5 seasons), Indians and Aliens, Lands Enchanted, Red Earth Uncovered, Shadow of the Rougarou and Tales from the Rez. 

Select APTN programs are also now available on Air Canada flights commercial-free, including Indigenous Art Adventures, APTN Investigates and more. This new feature allows passengers to discover and enjoy Indigenous programming throughout their travels.  

This fall, APTN lumi is becoming APTN+, a new name that improves the platform’s visibility and reaffirms APTN’s commitment to making Indigenous stories more accessible. 

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Featured, Industry News

Bell launches HGTV, Food Network and Discovery on Bell TV; signs deal with Rogers for specialty channel distribution across platforms

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From a media release:

Bell and Rogers announced today an agreement to distribute their respective specialty channels on their platforms.

As part of this agreement, Bell Fibe TV and Bell Satellite TV subscribers will now have access to popular Rogers Sports & Media channels HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Magnolia Network, and Investigation Discovery, while maintaining their access to Bravo. These channels will be unscrambled for free for all customers starting today.

Additionally, Rogers Xfinity customers will continue to have full access to Bell Media’s specialty channel lineup, which includes USA Network, Oxygen True Crime, and CTV specialty channels, including CTV Comedy Channel, CTV Drama Channel, and CTV Sci-Fi Channel. Rogers Xfinity customers will retain access to HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Magnolia Network, and Investigation Discovery.

Today’s announcement demonstrates a strong commitment to providing Canadian consumers with more value and choice. With a diverse programming offering new titles, international hits, and major Canadian productions, customers will enjoy a rich and varied viewing experience.

“Delivering the most compelling content to Canadians is our priority, and this agreement supports our goal. We’re offering more choice to our customers while ensuring Rogers customers have access to their favorite Bell Media shows, like Highway Thru Hell, Heavy Rescue 401 and Fear Thy Neighbor on our specialty channels. By expanding access to these channels, we’re giving viewers the content they love while strengthening the Canadian broadcast ecosystem.”

  • Kevin Cluett, Senior Vice President, Distribution and Product Platforms, Bell Media

“It’s exciting that more Canadians now have access to North America’s most recognized and beloved specialty television brands, like HGTV, Food Network and Discovery, and can access new titles and recent seasons of the most popular shows from Rogers Sports & Media. The premium content we’ve invested in is unmatched in the country. We’re bringing Canadians the shows they love, including hits like My Lottery Dream Home, Beat Bobby Flay and Expedition Unknown, as well as the new series Chasing the West with Drew and Jonathan Scott.”

  • Hayden Mindell, Senior Vice President, Television, Rogers Sports & Media
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Featured, Industry News

Rogers Xfinity TV now delivers the most content in Canada

From a media release:

Rogers Xfinity TV offers the most content of any television provider in Canada with the addition of more than 150 international channels in over 20 languages. Now Rogers customers can access more than 480 channels and experience more of the world from home, only on Rogers Xfinity TV.  

“We’re proud to bring Canadians the most TV content and best entertainment experience,” said Bret Leech, President, Residential, Rogers. “Our world-class platform seamlessly integrates this TV content, which now includes 150+ channels from around the world, with a growing range of streaming services so customers can easily find the content they’re looking for with our award-winning voice remote.”

According to a recent survey of Canadians who speak multiple languages,in-language content is important to 84% to stay connected to their culture and heritage.¹

Rogers newly expanded international TV channel offering is available with Rogers Xfinity TV packages in Free Preview through June 17 for customers to explore the world from the comfort of their home. When the preview is over, customers can customize their entertainment experience by subscribing to these international TV channels and theme packs.

Rogers Xfinity TV brings the most TV content² – live sports, entertainment and news from Canada and around the world – with on-demand and streaming apps together on one platform to deliver the best entertainment experience.³

To learn more, visit rogers.com/Xfinity.

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Featured, Industry News

Legendary creator Chuck Lorre to deliver keynote at 2025 Banff World Media Festival

From a media release:

The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is thrilled to announce that award-winning creator, executive producer, and writer Chuck Lorre will be a keynote speaker for its 2025 BANFF Summit Series. The 46th annual event will take place June 8–11, 2025, at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

The BANFF Summit Series, launched in 2019, has become the festival’s flagship program, spotlighting transformative thinkers and leaders shaping the future of media and entertainment.

“Chuck Lorre is a prolific creator who is behind some of the most memorable series and characters in modern history,” said Sean Cohan, Chair of the Board of Directors, BANFF, and President of Bell Media. “His groundbreaking work has shaped generations of storytelling, and we are excited for him to share his unique insights and experiences with the global media community at BANFF.”

Lorre is the creative force behind some of the most successful and beloved series in television history. Based at Warner Bros. Television for the last 25 years, the prolific Lorre’s series for the Studio include the long-running global blockbuster hit comedy The Big Bang Theory, its highly acclaimed spinoff Young Sheldon, and the third show in the Big Bang universe, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which is network TV’s #1 comedy of the 2024–25 season. His slate also features the highly anticipated upcoming comedy Leanne, starring Leanne Morgan, for Netflix. Additional Lorre series from WBTV include Bookie, Bob♥Abishola, The Kominsky Method, Mom, Mike & Molly, and Two and a Half Men, among others. Prior to his association with WBTV, Lorre created hits such as Cybill, Dharma & Greg, and Grace Under Fire, and he also served as co-executive producer on Roseanne. His contributions to television have earned him widespread recognition, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

As previously announced, this year’s Summit Series speakers include Anjali Sud, CEO of Tubi and Keith Le Goy, Chairman of Sony Pictures Television. Previous Summit Series speakers have included industry luminaries such as Rob Wade, Channing Dungey, Bela Bajaria, George Cheeks, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Paula Kerger, Pearlena Igbokwe, Ted Sarandos and Maverick Carter.

For the first time, the prestigious Banff Gala Awards and the Rockie Awards International Program Competition will unite in a single, must-attend event. This milestone celebration will honour both the entertainment industry’s most influential talent and business leaders, as well as the most exceptional content from around the world. Korea has been named the inaugural Country of Honour and will receive a special tribute at the Rockie Awards, further highlighting the nation’s growing global influence in entertainment. Additionally, multiple Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer will be presented with the prestigious Career Achievement Award at the Rockie Awards and will participate in an exclusive “In Conversation” panel session alongside notable composers from Bleeding Fingers Music, the multiple Emmy Award-winning and BAFTA-nominated composer collective he co-founded in 2013.

BANFF is renowned for its vibrant mix of thought leadership, networking, and deal-making opportunities that take attendees behind the scenes of the industry’s most talked-about appointments, projects, and pivots, as well as over 1,200 networking sessions and 25,000+ meetings, connecting global media professionals to foster partnerships and spark new collaborations.

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