CMPA Prime Time: Experiments in video are risky and difficult

By Perry Hoffman

OTTAWA - There’s little doubt the digital sphere and alternative viewing platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon and others are changing the broadcast landscape. Broadcasters and programmers, though, say they aren’t shying away from the challenges, and instead are taking the long-view and experimenting with different types of content.Some, such as Shaftesbury, are going digital first with niche content. It’s online-only Carmilla, a teen vampire LGTBQ focused program produced by its digital arm Smokebomb, has attracted about 53 million viewers over multiple platforms through its three seasons.Christina Jennings, chair of the board and CEO at Shaftesbury, explained in the Media...