Sean Davidson of Playback reports on the deals made at the 2007 Banff World Television Festival:

• Pitches pay off at Banff
  “The 28th Banff festival drew some 1,450 attendees, according to organizers, and shepherded a number of other deals, including a signing for the 13 x 30 teen sitcom Less Than Kind, from Breakthrough Films and Television and Buffalo Gal Pictures for CHUM. Breakthrough and Silver Tip Pictures also agreed to shoot a pilot, Easton Meets West, for CBC. Other deals announced at the closing of the festival include the 13 x 30 World’s Greenest Homes for HGTV Canada and the U.K.’s Discovery Green Planet from Cineflix Productions. HGTV also ordered a pilot for The Stagers from Vancouver’s Paperny Films.”

Marise Strauss of Playback talks to Rogers Media:

• No plans to change Citytv brand, says Rogers
  “On the heels of its announced $375-million purchase of the five Citytv stations, Rogers Media says there are no major changes in store for the former CHUM channels, which it acquired after the CRTC ordered CTVglobemedia to sell them last week as a condition of its purchase of CHUM.”

Patricia Bailey of Playback writes on reaction to the recent CRTC decision:

• Drop Citytvs, keep A-Channels, says CRTC
  “The CRTC is defending the public interest by preventing CTVglobemedia from becoming ‘the 800-pound gorilla’ of Canada’s broadcasting system, says one of the country’s principal media watchdogs.”

Richard Warnica of The Tyee reports on the CRTC’s decision:

• CTV must sell local stations: Regulator
  “Officials for CTVGlobeMedia were hoping the regulator would grant them an exemption to a longstanding policy of not allowing one organization to own two local channels in a single market. The CRTC, however, found no grounds to justify bending the rules.”

Marc Lostracco of the Torontoist reports on the ACTRA protest:

• ACTRA Pickets Network Upfronts
  “The Canadian networks say they are investing significantly in domestic shows, pointing to Painkiller Jane (SciFi Channel), The Jon Dore Show (Comedy Network), Little Mosque on the Prairie (CBC), Corner Gas (CTV) and the upcoming ‘Da Kink In My Hair (Global). CTV didn’t announce any new Canadian programming at Monday’s upfront. Global also recently launched the first season of The Best Years, through the show’s Yanna McIntosh, who plays school counsellor Ms. Dymond, was on the picket line. Actors Wendy Crewson, Gordon Pinsent and Colin Mochire also participated in the ACTRA protest.”