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The Banff World Media Festival announces new board members from Banijay, Fifth Season and YouTube, alongside leadership updates

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From a media release:

The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is thrilled to announce the appointment of new members and a new executive appointment to its esteemed Foundation Board of Directors.

Joining the BANFF Board are three distinguished industry leaders:

  • Prentiss Fraser, President, Television Distribution, FIFTH SEASON
  • Andrew Peterson, Head of YouTube Canada
  • Jane Rimer, Senior Vice President, Canada, Banijay Rights

In addition, Patrick Vien, Group Managing Director, International at A+E Networks, has been appointed as Vice Chair of the Board, succeeding Brenda Gilbert, producer and Co-Founder of BRON Media who will be remaining on the Board of Directors.

BANFF also recognizes and thanks two retiring Board Members for their outstanding contributions:

  • Sally Catto, General Manager of Entertainment, Factual and Sports, CBC
  • Colin Bohm, Chief Executive Officer, Toon Boom Animation Inc. 

These leadership changes come on the heels of Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media, being recently named Chair of BANFF’s Board of Directors.

“This is a pivotal moment for BANFF as we continue to grow our impact on and service to the global media industry,” said Cohan. “With the addition of such accomplished leaders to our Board, we are well-positioned to advance the Festival’s mission of facilitating major business partnerships and fostering creative collaboration on new film, TV and digital projects. There is more to come as we lead up to the 2025 festival.  Stay tuned.”

Located in Banff, Alberta, Canada, BANFF is a premium marketplace and conference, an intimate space where unparalleled access, creative inspiration and expert insight combine to launch fresh content and new business strategies. With more than 45 years of history, the festival has grown into a must-attend annual event where media moguls, producers, creatives and industry stakeholders along with broadcasters and digital media companies tackle issues and trends, forge relationships and nurture partnerships in one of the world’s most stunning landscapes.

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Newfoundland period drama series A Tippling Adventure to debut this December at Bell Canada’s Streaming Channel Fibe TV1

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From a media release:

Benjamin Noah directs this ensemble “Eastern Western” starring Andrew Ravindran (Midnight Dreamers), Rhiannon Morgan (New Woman), Paul Ewan Wilson (Frontier), Lawrence Barry (Son of a Critch), Stephen Lush (Cast No Shadow), & Kevin Hanchard (Orphan Black) as “The Drifter”. Mr. Hanchard is also reunited with Hudson & Rex star John Reardon (Bloodhounds) for this mystery yarn that includes Terry Ryan (Shoresy). Featuring a special appearance by Order of Newfoundland recipient Andy Jones (Don’t Give Up On Me Dad).

This four chapter mini-series was shot in March 2024 during an infamous record breaking snowstorm. From Benjamin Noah’s company Ark Film LTD. in association with PictureNL and in collaboration with executive producers Sarah Maher and Phong Tran. Peter Blackie & Rob Blackie (Frontier) along with Ontario based Kalkaden Productions (Kaleb Laidman and Sabrina Laidman) also serve as EP’s. The series was written by Barry Germansky (Riff Raff) & Benjamin Noah (New Woman).

This adventure series follows the exploits of a young man named Baji (Andrew Ravindran) who is shipwrecked on the shores of Newfoundland during the early 19th century.

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Corus announces a slate of premium Canadian original programming debuting next year on Home Network and Flavour Network

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From a media release:

Following the recent announcement of Corus Entertainment’s two new lifestyle brands launching December 30, 2024, the company shares further details on Home Network and Flavour Network’s upcoming originals slate. With 14 new and returning Canadian original titles, audiences can look forward to schedules packed with premium content and big-name talent, including series starring Pamela Anderson, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, Scott McGillivray, Anna Olson, Andrew Phung, Eden Grinshpan and more. Viewers can learn more about these new brands by visiting HomeNetwork.ca and FlavourNetwork.ca.

Home Network

Home Network brings viewers the very best in renovation and home design with nine new and returning Canadian original titles. Audiences will feel at home with the familiar faces of Canada’s favourite and established home renovation stars, plus the introduction of talented new personalities ready to make their mark.

Three brand-new series are currently in production. In Beer Budget Reno (10×60 – Proper Television), lifestyle expert Kristen Coutts delivers life-changing renos for people who are told they can’t afford them, transforming tired outdated spaces into something fresh and functional. For Rentovation (13×30 – Nikki Ray Media Agency), designer Natalie Chong helps renters transform transient spaces with nonpermanent solutions that give forever-home vibes without forever-living commitments. Then, Building Baeumler (10×60 – Si Entertainment) sees fan-favourites Bryan and Sarah Baeumler give viewers an inside look at their lives as they tackle a resort renovation in the Florida Keys, expand their Bahamas property and invest in a new project in the area, and tackle a personal renovation back home in Canada.

Additionally, three returning titles have wrapped production and are expected to premiere in Winter/Spring 2025. This includes Renovation Resort, Season 2 (8×60 – MEM) with Bryan Baeumler and Scott McGillivray, Scott’s Vacation House Rules, Season 6 (8×60 – MEM) with Scott and co-host Debra Salmoni, and Season 2 of Pamela Anderson’s home-renovation show Pamela’s Garden of Eden (8×60 – Fireworks Media Group).

Come 2025, three additional series will be in pre-production or development. The all-new Life is Messy (8×60 – Scott Brothers Entertainment) with Kortney Wilson and Kenny Brain follows the duo as they work with families facing unique life changes that have put a strain on both their relationships and their homes. Titles in development include new seasons of Rock Solid Builds (8×60 – Cineflix Productions), and House of Ali (8×60 – Nikki Ray Media Agency).

Flavour Network

Flavour Network turns up the heat in the food space, with three returning hits and three upcoming new Canadian originals packed full of flavour, fresh perspective and star power.

Winter 2025 will see the premiere of Pamela’s Cooking with Love (8×60 – Fireworks Media Group) hosted by Hollywood icon Pamela Anderson as she welcomes world-renowned chefs to Vancouver Island, creating beautiful plant-based meals for family and friends. Next year will also see the premiere of new seasons of Great Chocolate Showdown (8×60 – Nikki Ray Media Agency) with Anna Olson, Cynthia Tooley and Steve Hodge putting 10 home bakers to the ultimate test in the indulgent world of chocolate for a grand prize, and Carnival Eats (13×30 – Alibi Entertainment), where Noah Cappe brings viewers along on a food-frenzied roller coaster of culinary delights.

Meanwhile, comedian Andrew Phung heads into production this fall on Big Burger Battle (6×60 – Nikki Ray Media Agency). With judges George Motz and Connie DeSousa, the newly greenlit series will see seven burger-obsessed cooks and chefs come together to crown the world’s best Burger Master. Then, with a fresh season of Top Chef Canada on air now with Season 11, the most prestigious culinary competition in the country will return for Season 12 (8×60 – Insight Productions Ltd.), heading into production next year.

Currently at MIPCOM, Corus Studios is proudly presenting many of these titles for international distribution including Big Burger Battle, Building Baeumler, Life is Messy, Rentovation, Great Chocolate Showdown, House of Ali, Pamela’s Cooking with Love, Pamela’s Garden of Eden, Renovation Resort, Rock Solid Builds, and Scott’s Vacation House Rules.

Additional details on Home Network and Flavour Network’s programming will be unveiled in the coming weeks, along with the launch of the brands’ supporting social channels.

The new HomeNetwork.ca offers a fresh take on real estate, DIY projects, home decor and more, delivering inspiring articles, expert tips and the latest decor trends to help audiences create beautiful, functional living spaces. The new FlavourNetwork.ca will be a reflection of Canada’s vibrant food culture, from honest reviews to delicious recipes, ranging from comforting classics to quick and easy meals and international cuisines, all tailored to the tastes and trends Canadians are searching for.

Flavour Network and Home Network will replace the current channel position of Food Network Canada and HGTV Canada on December 30, 2024. Customers can contact their service provider for more details. Flavour Network and Home Network will be available for free preview for two months, from January 3 – February 28, 2025. Viewers will also be able to stream full episodes from both networks on STACKTV.

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Laura Jabalee Johnston joins Hitsby Entertainment as partner and executive producer

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From a media release:

Hitsby Entertainment proudly announces the addition of seasoned media executive Laura Jabalee Johnston (pictured top left) as Partner and Executive Producer. Laura joins Founder Andrew Morris (pictured top right) at the Toronto-based independent production company, bringing her wealth of experience to an exciting new chapter for Hitsby.

Laura most recently served as General Manager of Find Your Fun, a Wizards of the Coast company, where she led the mobile-gaming studio and navigated the Canadian business unit through massive organizational change. Prior to that role, as Secret Location’sDirector of Business Affairs, Laura drove the Emmy award-winning studio’s integration into and subsequent spin off from its parent companies, eOne and Hasbro. Her leadership extends back to her time at Bizable Media, working alongside company founders and high-profile clients like ICF Films (Saving Hope, Burden of Truth), Halfire Entertainment (Alias Grace), and Redcloud Studios (Future History).

“I’m beyond excited to join Hitsby at such a dynamic time,” says Laura Jabalee Johnston. “Andrew and I are dedicated to telling bold, underrepresented stories and ensuring the creative process respects the needs of the storytellers. It’s about shaping the production process around the creators rather than asking them to bend to outdated industry norms. ‘That’s how it’s always been done’— my least favourite line in this business.”

“While Laura and I share the same production values, she’s also got a great storytelling sensibility,” says Andrew Morris. “With her joining the team, Hitsby strengthens its commitment to pushing boundaries and reimagining what Canadian content can be.”

Together, Andrew and Laura are developing a slate of scripted comedy and drama series, with announcements and talent reveals to come. Hitsby’s debut scripted comedy series, The Squeaky Wheel: Canada, aired on AMI-tv over the summer and is a finalist for the 2024 MIPCOM CANNES Diversify TV Awards for Representation of Disability in the scripted category.

About Hitsby Entertainment
Hitsby is a Toronto-based media company focused on producing bold, contemporary, and unapologetically premium content. The company partners with smart, cheeky new voices to develop unique properties for a global audience.

Laura Jabalee Johnston image courtesy of Sam Gaetz.

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Writers Guild of Canada releases latest report on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Canadian television

From a media release:

The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) has released a new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Report with the latest 2023 data. For the first time since the Guild began publishing this report, the data show a decline in the number of episodes across every TV format. In addition, the series covered in this year’s report hired fewer writers than ever before. Compared with 2016, the number of WGC members working on Canadian TV decreased by 11 per cent. This decline jeopardizes the hard-fought progress made by the WGC to establish a growing pool of diverse working writers within the industry.

The report is based on data from 76 series (53 live-action and 23 animation) that were in production in 2023, in addition to the 372 series covered in the period from 2019 to 2022. It includes WGC membership and production data.

The report highlights gains made across different EDI measures:

  • The percentage of WGC diverse writers working on Canadian TV has increased steadily from 26 per cent in 2019 to 40 per cent in 2023. The increase is largely due to the higher participation of writers of colour and LGBTQ2S writers, as well as writers with disabilities and Indigenous writers, which is especially true in live-action series.
  • While 7.9 per cent of writers working on TV in 2023 have intersectional identities, 9.8 per cent of writing jobs went to this group in the same year. Racialized writers who also identify as LGBTQ2S make up 6.1 per cent of all working writers and received 7.5 per cent of writing jobs.
  • Writers with disabilities and Indigenous writers saw gains in their participation in writers rooms and writing credits. Indigenous writers increased their participation in writers rooms to 5.5 per cent and earned 5.1 per cent of writing credits. The participation of writers with disabilities increased slightly to 4 per cent in 2023. They also earned 9.3 per cent of writing credits in 2023 compared with 3.3 per cent in 2022.

New this year, the WGC is releasing a Best Practices Guide for Producers Working with Diverse Screenwriters as a companion document to the report. The guide is intended as a tool for producers seeking to hire diverse screenwriters, build strong creative partnerships, and foster working environments that are conducive to authentic storytelling.

Other report findings based on the 2023 data include:

  • Significant discrepancies continue between the volume of work and earnings for diverse writers in animation. While the percentage of writers working in live-action increased from 42.6 per cent in 2022 to 45.3 per cent in 2023, the share of writers working in animation has not seen any movement since 2021 and remains at 29.8 per cent. While 29.8 per cent of earning writers’ work in animation, they represent only 14.3 per cent of writers’ earnings.
  • The percentage of Indigenous writers joining the Guild is growing, at eight per cent in 2023 compared with one per cent in 2018. However, the percentage of Indigenous working writers remains low at 3.7 per cent, and only 3.5 per cent of writers’ earnings. While 5.5 per cent of live-action writing credits were assigned to Indigenous writers, only 0.4 per cent of animation writing credits were assigned to the same group.
  • The participation of writers from different ethnicities continues to show mixed results. For example, East Asian writers working on Canadian TV decreased from 4.1 per cent in 2022 to 2.9 per cent in 2023, while South Asian writers increased to 7.6 per cent in 2023 from 4.8 per cent in 2022. Both numbers are low when compared to the general population and urban population centres.

The report continues to be an important initiative undertaken by the WGC and its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee to work towards addressing issues of historic underrepresentation in Canadian television. (Diversity groups are defined by the WGC as Indigenous, Black, LGBTQ2S, People of Colour, People with Disabilities.)

The current report and best practices guide are now available on the WGC’s website HERE.

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