From CBC:
New $25 basic TV package: A deal many consumers simply won’t want
A new era of choice for TV customers officially begins today, but instead of empowering consumers, some may feel tricked — even cheated. The new $25 “skinny” basic cable TV package might look like a deal. But, in many cases, when customers add on extras and pick-and-pay channels, the price can soar to even more than what they’re paying now. Continue reading.
From a media release:
As of today, Canadians can subscribe to an affordable basic television package that costs no more than $25 per month. They will also have the option of supplementing this package with additional channels, either individually or in bundles of up to 10 channels.
In March 2015, the CRTC announced these changes in TV packaging rules following the Let’s Talk TV conversation. During this extensive process, Canadians told the CRTC they wanted more choice, flexibility and affordability in TV services.
Affordable basic package
All licensed television service providers must offer the affordable basic package. This package must cost no more than $25 per month (not including equipment) and must include the following channels:
The affordable basic package may also include at no additional charge:
Pick and pay and small bundles
Canadians also now have more options, as licensed TV service providers must offer channels either individually (“pick and pay”) or in packages of up to 10 channels.
Although service providers with fewer than 20,000 subscribers are not required to offer the affordable basic package, pick and pay or small bundles, most Canadians have access to two satellite television providers who must offer these options.
Canadians can search for the television service providers in their area using the CRTC’s new online tool.
Quick Facts
Quote
“Today marks the beginning of a new era of choice for Canadian television viewers. The television system is evolving as Canadians’ viewing habits change and technology provides more options. During the Let’s Talk TV conversation, Canadians told us that they wanted the freedom to choose services according to their needs, their realities and their budgets. Canadians can now make television choices on their terms.”
-Â Jean Pierre Blais, Chairman and CEO, CRTC
From a media release:
March Break gets an early start on Family Channel when the new original feature film Ice Girls glides onto the network, Friday, March 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Starring three-time World Champion and two-time Olympic Silver Medallist Elvis Stojko alongside Natasha Henstridge (The Whole Nine Yards, Would Be Kings) and young Canadian figure skating champions Michaela Du Toit and Taylor Hunsley, the new movie follows skater Mattie Dane as she struggles to regain her confidence and determination after having her dreams shattered. Filmed in Sudbury, ON, Ice Girls highlights the world of competitive figure skating and features a guest appearance by Olympic Champion Tessa Virtue, who recently announced she and ice dance partner Scott Moir would be returning to compete on the international stage.
For 15 year-old aspiring figure skating champion Mattie Dane (Du Toit), life on the ice is her be all and end all. So when she sustains an injury at a major competition, her world comes crashing down. Her family moves to a small town after they fall on hard times, leaving Mattie struggling to find her place in her new surroundings. The local skating rink provides her some solace, but talented figure skater Heather (Hunsley), accompanied by her ultra-competitive mother (Henstridge), quickly remind Mattie what she’s missing by not being on the ice. Mercury (Stojko), the local rink manager and former figure skater, can see the potential Mattie possesses and sets to task mentoring her to guide her back on her path to greatness.
Ice Girls sets in motion a March Break lineup that any judge would give a 10. The weeklong programming event runs from Monday, March 14 through Friday, March 18 and is filled with morning and afternoon marathons of Family favourites starting at 7 a.m. ET/PT including The Next Step, Lost & Found Music Studios, Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, Gaming Show (In My Parents’ Garage), Nowhere Boys, AwesomenessTV and Cheerleaders. At 12 p.m. ET/PT each day, viewers can enjoy both classic and contemporary movies. Plus, with Family Channel on Free Preview this March, viewers across Canada can experience all the great programming the network has to offer for the entire month. For the full March Break schedule, visit Family.ca.
In addition to the aforementioned cast, Ice Girls stars rising music star Shane Harte (Lost & Found Music Studios) whose single “Left Standing†is rapidly climbing Canadian charts and renowned Canadian actress Sheila McCarthy (Little Mosque on the Prairie). Commissioned by DHX Television, Ice Girls was created by Responsible Cinema Inc. (RCI) and produced in association with Tajj Media. William Steinkamp serves as executive producer alongside G. Scott Paterson, Lowell Conn, Warren Fergus, Anthony Cowley, Kelly Gilbert and Lara Daans who was also a writer for the film. Damian Lee was the film’s director and writer, and Jeff Sackman and Steve Solomos were producers. Damian Lee was the film’s director and writer, and Jeff Sackman and Steve Solomos were producers.
From a media release:
Makeful, Blue Ant Media’s lifestyle specialty channel, is debuting two highly anticipated new original series during its four-week free preview, which begins on February 29. Dedicated to showcasing the beauty and value of creating handmade goods, Makeful’s March lineup includes two brand new series that take special occasions to the next level with creative flair and one-of-a-kind touches. Post My Party (13 x 30), a series featuring vivacious DIY event planner Lynzie Kent and Taste of the Country (13 x 30), which follows the journey of Danielle French who hosts beautiful, rustic weddings and parties at her country estate, premiere back-to-back on Sunday, March 13, at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 8:30 p.m. ET/PT respectively.
Dovetailing with the channel’s spring lineup, Makeful will treat its audiences to a stream of originally produced and inspiring short-form videos for viewing online and on Makeful TV. In all, Makeful is creating more than 100 digital shorts that will roll out in 2016, featuring DIY projects, helpful tips and profiles of Makeful TV hosts as well as talented makers from Makeful’s growing online community.
Makeful’s free preview will also give viewers the opportunity to watch new episodes of Endless Yard Sale Showdown, Holiday Makeover and Portrait Artist of the Year.
Makeful March Premieres
Post My Party (New Original Series, World Premiere) launching Sunday, March 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, follows event expert and DIY maven Lynzie Kent as she helps each host bring the handmade party of their dreams to life through a series of DIY projects to create memorable experiences. From a Barcelona-inspired housewarming to a Hollywood-glam engagement party, Lynzie never disappoints as she takes her clients in search of a truly unique and personalized occasion.
Taste of the Country (New Original Series, World Premiere), airing Sunday, March 13 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT,introduces viewers to Danielle French, a former real-estate professional, who followed her dream to leave the big city with her four daughters for a life in the country. Turning her passion for rural living into an event business operating right out of her farmhouse, Danielle shows viewers how she uses her home to host weddings, private parties, outdoor cookouts and unique workshops. The series will also bring audiences farm-fresh food and rustically beautiful décor, custom-created for each event by Danielle and her passionate team.
New Series and Episodes:
Holiday Makeover (New Episodes, Original Series, World Premiere) is a special six-part series celebrating special occasions throughout the year, in which one lucky person gets the help of the series’ three talented hosts, Alison, Denise and Adjoa, to create a fairytale celebration. Holiday Makeover’s Mother’s Day instalment will follow the hosts as they lend their collective expertise in crafting, baking and decorating to create special inspirational features for a Mother’s Day gathering. The episode premieres on April 17 at 7 p.m. ET/PT and repeats on Mother’s Day, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. New Holiday Makeover episodes will roll out over Father’s Day, July long weekend, Halloween and Christmas.
From a media release:
ACTRA Toronto is proud to announce the winners of the 14th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto.
Outstanding Performance – Female
Catherine O’Hara (Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, “Wine and Roses” Produced by Not a Real Company)
Outstanding Performance – Male
Christopher Plummer (Zev Guttman in Remember. Produced by Serendipity Point Films)
Outstanding Performance – Voice
Julie Lemieux (Granny Butternut in Numb Chucks, “Tough Love” Produced by 9 Story Media Group)
Tantoo Cardinal presented ACTRA Toronto’s 2016 Award of Excellence to Sarah Gadon.
A special presentation of statuettes was made to ACTRA Toronto’s stunt pioneers: John “Frenchie” Berger, Matt Birman, Shane Cardwell, Shelley Cook, Bobby Hannah, Chris Lamon, Dwayne McLean, Brent Meyer, Branko Racki, Alison Reid, Morris Maurizio Santia, John Stoneham Sr., Anton Tyukodi and Billy E. Williams.
The 14th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto were presented at a live show and gala at The Carlu. The show was hosted by comic Martha Chaves with live music by Salsa Norte.
The 14th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto was sponsored by: DIAMOND: Actra Fraternal Benefit Society. PLATINUM: ACTRA National, Performers’ Rights Society and Recording Artists’ Collecting Society; Bell Media. GOLD: CBC, CMPA, City of Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Office, Deluxe, In Your Ear Productions, IATSE 873, Rhombus Media, Shaftesbury Films, United Steelworkers. SILVER: Cavalluzzo, Directors Guild of Canada (Ontario), RBC Royal Bank. BRONZE: Addenda Capital, Creative Arts Savings & Credit Union, Don Carmody Film and Television, eOne, Grant Thornton, HUB International, New Real Films, Rolling Picture Company, Serendipity Point Films, Take 5 Productions, Whizbang Films, Writers Guild of Canada.
ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing more than 15,000 of Canada’s 22,000 professional performers working in recorded media in Canada. As an advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven union that continues to secure rights and respect for the work of professional performers.
