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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
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Don’t panic redux: What you had to say about the CBC

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Yesterday I gave my thoughts on what to make of CBC’s early season ratings slump. My theory is that CBC is changing but their built-in audience hasn’t yet, and to realize their vision, the public broadcaster will need some patience. Here’s what you had to say:

Some  offered other suggestions for why the ratings have declined besides fierce US competition, aging shows, and small marketing budgets:

And we all speculated on how they could build their audience, including patience:

What do you think – are you worried about your favourite show’s ratings?  Ideas for how CBC can attract more viewers … or if that should even be their goal?

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Ascension

CBC moves Ascension premiere to January

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From a media release:

The six-episode series was originally scheduled to launch on CBC-TV Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014

CBC today announced a change to the premiere date for the network’s upcoming sci-fi drama, ASCENSION from November 25, 2014 to January 2015. Further details about the exact date and time of the premiere episode of ASCENSION will be announced in the coming weeks.

CBC first announced the acquisition of ASCENSION, a Canadian-produced original drama commissioned by American television network Syfy, in July. A co-production of Lionsgate and Sea to Sky Studios in association with Quebec-based Lift Off Productions and Blumhouse Productions, ASCENSION was shot in Montreal during the summer.

In 1963, the U.S. government launched a covert space mission sending hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. The series unfolds in present day, nearly 50 years into the journey. As the mission approaches the point of no return, the mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship’s population to question the true nature of their mission.

Brian Van Holt (Cougar Town, The Bridge) stars as the ship’s heroic captain, William Denninger, opposite Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, The Firm), who plays the role of Viondra Denninger, the captain’s manipulative and dangerous wife. In addition to Helfer, the cast features a number of Canadian actors including Jacqueline Byers (90 Days, Scared Stiff) and Andrea Roth (Rescue Me, Ringer). Wendy Crewson (Revenge, Saving Hope), Ryan Robbins (Sanctuary, Apollo 18) and John Ralston (Bomb Girls, Life with Derek) appear as guest stars. Other lead cast members starring alongside Van Holt and Helfer include Brandon P. Bell (Hollywood Heights, Mission Impossible III) as First Officer Aaron Gault and Tiffany Lonsdale (G.I Jane: Retaliation) as Chief Astronomer Emily Vanderhaus.

ASCENSION is an ambitious original drama created and written by Philip Levens (Smallville), who also serves as executive producer and showrunner on the series. Jason Blum (Stranded, The River, film franchises Paranormal Activity and The Purge) is also an executive producer, along with Ivan Fecan, Tim Gamble and Brett Burlock from Sea To Sky Studios. Canadian director Stephen Williams (Lost) directs the first two episodes. The series is co-financed and distributed by Universal Cable Productions and Lionsgate Television.

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Book of Negroes, Murdoch Mysteries, Vikings

Link: Canada shops and sells series at MIPCOM

From Bill Brioux of the Canadian Press:

Canada shops existing TV series, seeks co-productions at giant MIPCOM
“‘The Book of Negroes’ was calling out for co-production,” says Carolle Brabant, Telefilm Canada’s executive director. The story of British efforts to circumvent African slavery at the time of the American revolution was shot in Nova Scotia and South Africa. Gooding joked about surviving the cold while shooting last spring near Halifax. “I didn’t know what ice rain was,” he told an international press gathering. “Canada practically invented co-production,” says Brabant, noting the country has film and TV production treaties with 54 nations. Continue reading.

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Package Deal

Tonight: Package Deal, Marketplace

Package Deal, City – “Danny’s New Job”
When Danny (Randal Edwards) takes a new job at a huge law firm, he is thrilled to be working for legendary defense lawyer, Jillian Sharpe (guest star Amanda Tapping, Sanctuary). But after failing to get on her good side, he vows to turn over a new leaf and no longer be “Mr. Nice Guy.” Meanwhile, Sheldon (Harland Williams) finishes his entire sexual bucket list thanks to Findr, a new hook-up app, while Kim (Julia Voth) and Nikki (Jill Morrison) create a fake Findr profile to lure business to the tea shop.

Marketplace, CBC – Canada’s Dumbest Charge
Tired of being nickel-and-dimed by unexpected extra charges on your bills? In its season premiere, MARKETPLACE – Canada’s consumer watchdog – is taking aim at frustrating fees and asking Canadians to vote on Canada’s Dumbest Charge. MARKETPLACE asked Canadians to scour their bills for dumb charges – and they got hundreds of submissions. They sifted through them all, narrowing the list down to five frustrating fees.

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