Industry News

In the news: Rogers buys Citytv, vows not to change brand

June 13, 2007 Diane Wild

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.”

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In the news: Canadian Idol looking good

June 12, 2007 Diane Wild

Alex Strachan of The Ottawa Citizen is impressed with Canadian Idol so far:

Early signs are good for Canadian Idol’s new round
“Canadian Idol may still be burdened by an overly rushed schedule, with the month-long cross-Canada audition tour shoehorned into no more than two or three shows. However, this year’s look and tone seems more crisp and confident.”

Trailer Park Boys

In the news: Trailer Park Boys creator reflects on TV comedy

June 11, 2007 Diane Wild

Alexandra Burroughs of the Calgary Herald talks to Mike Clattenburg, creator of The Trailer Park Boys:

TV industry desperately seeks next big hit to boost languid ratings
“The last time Mike Clattenburg came to the Banff World Television Festival, he had an idea for a TV show about a bunch of guys in a trailer park. This year, he’s teaching a master class about comedy as the creator, writer and director of Trailer Park Boys.”

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ReGenesis sold to US markets

June 11, 2007 Diane Wild

From a media release:

PROGRAM PARTNERS CLEARS SHAFTESBURY FILMS’ REGENESIS IN OVER 75% OF U.S.

Acclaimed HDTV Procedural Sold in 30 of the Top 40

Adding a new series to its growing portfolio of Canadian success stories in U.S. syndication, Program Partners has secured over 75% clearance for Shaftesbury Films’ ReGenesis, an award-winning procedural drama shot entirely in high-definition (HD). The series will launch in weekly barter syndication in fall 2007. Clearances include stations from the ABC, Belo, CBS, Granite, Fox, Hearst, Landmark, Lin, Tribune and Young groups. ReGenesis is set to become the first complete, original HDTV series offered for weekend syndication.

Continue reading ReGenesis sold to US markets →

Industry News

In the news: Many cheer CRTC decision on CTV/CHUM merger

June 11, 2007 Diane Wild

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.”