Search Results for: cbc

Radio / Television News

Walmsley leaves CBC News to replace Stackhouse atop Globe and Mail

TORONTO – David Walmsley will become editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail effective March 24, 2014, the national newspaper announced Wednesday. Walmsley, (pictured), returns to The Globe after 20 months as director of news content at CBC News where he was responsible for all coverage on broadcast platforms, including TV, radio and digital.  He previously spent six years at the paper between 2006 and 2012 where he was successively national editor and then managing editor. “David is rejoining The Globe and Mail at a pivotal time for our industry”, said Phillip Crawley, The Globe’s publisher and chief executive officer, in a memo… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Government assistance to Canada’s entertainment industry costly and inefficient: Fraser Institute

VANCOUVER – Government support of Canada’s film and television industry is expensive and fails to provide a substantial benefit to the country, according to a new study from public policy think tank The Fraser Institute. The study, The Entertainment Industries, Government Policies and Canada's National Identity, examines how the federal government uses regulations and funding to support the production of Canadian films, television, music, books and periodicals and the distribution of entertainment.  It concludes that government policies designed to support the country’s entertainment industry are, in fact, both “costly and inefficient”. Taking issue with Canadian content regulations in broadcasting and… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Hawkins named to CBC/Radio-Canada board

GATINEAU, QC – Cecil S. Hawkins has been appointed to the board of directors of CBC/Radio-Canada for a five year term that began March 6, 2014. Hawkins is president and owner of Canerector Inc., a Toronto-based multi-divisional company focused on metal fabrication and erection that operates more than 60 plants across North America and employs over 3,000 people.  He has also served as chair of the Minister's advisory committee with the Canadian Space Agency, as well as director and trustee of TerraVest Industries. "It is with great pleasure that I announce that Mr. Hawkins has accepted the invitation to join… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games attract 5.3 M Canadians in first three days

TORONTO – The opening weekend of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games drew 15% of the Canadian population to the English-language television coverage provided by the CBC-led Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) broadcast and digital media consortium. Between Friday, March 7th and Sunday, March 9th, 5.3 million Canadians watched at least part of the TV coverage, including Friday’s opening ceremony, CBC reported. Through the CPC’s consortium, which also includes Sportsnet, Accessible Media Inc., Yahoo Sports Canada and SendtoNews, Canadians have access to more Paralympic coverage than ever before.  More than 90 hours of fully accessible TV broadcasts as well as more than 250 hours… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Claire Martin joins Anaïd Productions as managing director

VANCOUVER – Former CBC News senior meteorologist Claire Martin has been named managing director of film and television company Anaïd Productions. For the past nine years, Martin (pictured) has been with CBC News as their senior meteorologist.  Prior to this, she was with Global News Edmonton and Environment Canada.  In her new role, based in the company’s North Vancouver office, Martin will oversee Anaïd’s day-to-day operations and communications, plus work closely with producers on various projects including the critically acclaimed OLN series The Liquidator currently in production on its fourth season.  “We are so proud to have Claire join our award-winning team here at Anaïd Productions,” said founder and executive producer Margaret Mardirossian,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

COMMENTARY: Set-top-box viewing data has not been mined – and that failure is now damaging the Canadian TV business

MOST AGREE THE PRIMARY reasons why Netflix – and for that matter all web-based media – has a growing advantage over traditional media are the streams of data they gather and use to make real-time decisions. It’s the so-called Big Data that web-based companies gather to make magic and produce profits. At Thursday’s Content Industry Connect event hosted by the Banff Media Festival organizers, one attendee (we’re told it was a fellow named Ahmad Iqbal from a company called Atendy) asked what is the best question I’ve heard put to a panel of broadcasters in a very long time, saying:… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Many don’t want edgy; tech produces hits; next Terms of Trade looks like a battle; and the industry must work together to beat Netflix

TORONTO – Many folks love to tell Canadian TV executives what they should – or should not – be doing. Really, anyone with a TV set does that regularly. But when it comes to those with a keyboard and a national platform, or with a famous name or job, their gripes often offend and are taken to heart. At Thursday’s Content Industry Connect day put on by the Banff Media Festival, broadcast executive, investor and producer Peter Sussman kicked off the industry leaders panel by quoting noted thorn-in-the-Canadian-TV-industry’s-side, Globe and Mail TV critic John Doyle. In a fall 2013 column… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

George Stroumboulopoulos to captain new ‘Hockey Night in Canada’

TORONTO – Canadian broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos will lead Rogers’ “dream team of broadcasters” anchoring its NHL national coverage across all Rogers properties, as well as Hockey Night in Canada beginning this fall, Rogers announced Monday. Together with hockey talent Don Cherry, Ron MacLean, Daren Millard and Jeff Marek, the team will deliver more than 500 regular season games across 13 networks and seven platforms, including up to seven games every Saturday night, plus Hometown Hockey every Sunday hosted from communities across Canada, and every game of the NHL Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final.  The announcement comes as Rogers gears up… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CBC is meeting challenges of new viewing environment head on, says CRTC

OTTAWA – Canada’s public broadcaster is not immune to the impacts of new viewing habits and Internet-based platforms, but rather than trying to turn back the clock, CBC/Radio-Canada is embracing new devices and technologies to remain relevant to Canadians, according to the CRTC. Scott Hutton, executive director of broadcasting at the Regulator, noted during an appearance before the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation and Communications that one only needs to look at CBC’s coverage of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics (and its multi-platform efforts), its content licensing agreements with Netflix and its Tou.tv French-language online video on-demand… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

ACTRA names Jean Freeman 2014 Woman Of The Year

TORONTO – The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) has chosen Jean Freeman as its 2014 Woman of the Year. Each year ACTRA’s Women’s Committee bestows this honour on a woman who has shone both in her artistic and advocacy achievements.  Freeman is the fifth recipient of the award, and joins past winners Shirley Douglas, Tantoo Cardinal, Sandi Ross and Mary Walsh. Freeman may best known to Canadian television audiences as the Mayor’s grandmother on the hit CTV series Corner Gas, a role she played for six years.  She was the first actor to join the Saskatchewan branch… Continue Reading