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In the news: TV online slow to come to Canada

Grant Robertson of the Globe and Mail talks about Canadian TV online:

On the Web, TV’s been a bottom-line blip
” Like Global, most of CTV’s 14 online programs are Canadian shows such as Corner Gas and Canadian Idol. Geoblocking by the U.S. networks prevents Canadian viewers from watching U.S. programs offered online by CBS, ABC, Fox, NBC and others.”

Grant Robertson of the Globe and Mail reports on the new challenge to the Canadian Television Fund:

Shaw demands ‘radical change’ in CTF
“Mr. Shaw has said the money could be put to better use. Though it has spawned some Canadian success stories, such as Trailer Park Boys and Little Mosque on the Prairie, which received $2.8-million and $2.5-million respectively last year, much of the money is being wasted on ‘shows nobody watches,’ he has said.”

Patricia Bailey of Playback talks to the head of the CTF:

Shaw attacks CTF, again
“‘The letter is a major surprise,’ [Douglas] Barrett tells Playback Daily. ‘We are doing our best to operate on a status quo basis pending the results of the CRTC review. Those bylaw amendments are all housekeeping. Nothing substantial is changing. Our procedures and practices are the same now as in previous years.'”

Brendan Kelly of Variety reports on the Canadian TV landscape and fall season:

CTV tries takeover of rival Chum
“The big shake-up on the horizon — CTV Globemedia’s takeover of rival broadcaster Chum — has yet to receive approval from Canadian watchdog the CRTC, with the regulator expected to rule on the acquisition at the end of the summer. So for the moment, both CTV and Chum continue to act independently of each other and both bought separately at the recent L.A. Screenings.”

Tamsen Tillson of Playback points out that Canadian drama is alive and well … on channels not many Canadians get:

Scripted Cancon alive and well on TMN
“Of the series that have resulted – among them Slings & Arrows, G-Spot, Terminal City and ReGenesis – some have been more successful than others. The critics loved Slings & Arrows, which, in its third and final season, bagged three Geminis. ReGenesis airs in (count ’em) 110 countries (and is the highest-rated series on France’s ARTE, according to Marion) and recently won an International Interactive Emmy for its online version. Their latest offering, Durham County, premiered in early May to enthusiastic reviews.”

Grant Robertson and Gordon Pitts of the Globe and Mail list five things about Canadian television programming:

Battle of the Network Executives
“There is a myth that Canadian TV is all about worthy domestic offerings such as Corner Gas and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Forget it. The real battleground is in U.S. shows, from hits like House and Desperate Housewives to clunkers such as Smith and Six Degrees.”

From CBC:

Canadian TV artists lament big spending on U.S. programs
“There’s been a huge increase in spending on foreign drama by private broadcasters like CTVglobemedia and CanWest, while spending on Canadian drama shows has dropped, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting pointed out.”