CCR Short Takes

ACTRA members ratify new production agreementCanadian actors belonging to the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) voted 96% to ratify a new independent production agreement (IPA) with the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) and the Association of Producteurs de Film et de Télévision de Québec (APFTQ). The IPA covers all terms and conditions of employment on independent film and television productions in Canada. The agreement includes increases in minimum fees of 1%, 1.5% and 2% in the three years of the deal. It also includes an almost 9% increase in the ACTRA extra hourly rate over the term of the deal as well as a 32% increase in the cap on the producer’s maximum retirement contributions. The current IPA expires in December. CanWest launching CoolTVCanWest Global Communications Corp. is launching its jazz digital specialty channel CoolTV on September 4. "We are extremely excited about the launch of CoolTV and anticipate a positive response from jazz lovers and all music lovers from across the country," said Ross Porter, VP of programming for CoolTV. The channel will be distributed by satellite TV distributor Bell ExpressVu LP and Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.’s digital TV service. CRTC to consider MTS’ VOD application at public hearingThe CRTC has set September 29 as the date for a public hearing to consider a licence application by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. to operate a regional English-language video-on-demand programming service (Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing 2003-7). Also on the agenda is an application by St. Joseph Corp., on behalf of Tom Weber, to acquire the assets of the Category 2 digital specialty channel Inner Peace Television Network. There are also a number of radio applications. Comments are due by September 4. CanWest refinances $940 millionCanWest Global Communications Corp. announced August 29 that it had refinanced about $940 million of its existing senior secured credit facilities. The move should save the company about $8 million in interest charges. Silver Lining, Mainframepartner on animated seriesSilver Lining Productions and Mainframe Entertainment are co-developing and co-producing a new animated adventure series for preschoolers called Small and Friends. The project is based on the best-selling children’s book series by Debi Gliori that features Mr. Bear. The series will consist of 26 half-hour episodes, each made up of two 11-minute stories. Novus wants to get signal from non-Canadian satellite serviceNovus Entertainment Inc. has applied for a licence amendment that would allow it to source KSTW (IND) Tacoma/Seattle from a non-Canadian satellite service (Broadcasting Public Notice 2003-45). The CRTC confirmed late in 2001 that small cablecos could source U.S. 4+1 signals from non-Canadian sources (CCR, Dec. 19/01). Comments on the Novus application are due by September 17. Telefilm supports coproduction talk at Vancouver film festivalTelefilm Canada is sponsoring the International Têtê-à- Têtê meetings designed to foster coproductions and international sales, which will be held at the 2003 Vancouver International Film Festival. "This is an ideal opportunity for Canadian producers to reach out and partner with filmmakers from around the world, from increasing product visibility through direct contact with sales agents to meeting with international commissioning editors for a project," says Earl Hong Tai, Telefilm Canada’s western regional director. Alliance Atlantis to spin offstake in film distribution unitAlliance Atlantis Communications Inc. announced September 2 that it had filed a preliminary prospectus for an initial public offering of units of a Movie Distribution Income Fund. The fund is being created to acquire an unspecified minority stake in the company’s distribution business in Canada and the United Kingdom. Alliance Atlantis will then use the proceeds of the offering to reduce its $500-million debt. Buyers of the fund will become part owners in Canada’s biggest movie distributor. Aliance Atlantis’ distribution arm is responsible for the release of major films, such as Lord of the Rings. The unit controlled 19.9% of the Canadian motion picture market in 2002. CHUM reaches agreement to broadcast Genie AwardsCHUM Ltd. has reached an agreement with the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to broadcast the 24th Annual Genie Awards. The Genies will air May 1 on Citytv Toronto, Citytv Vancouver, and CHUM’s specialty channels Bravo! and Star! "We are constantly looking for new opportunities to bring Canadian films to our viewers. As the broadcast partner for the Genies, we’ll be able to utilize our long history and experience in providing a stage for Canadian film and talent in addition to leveraging the promotional strength of CHUM’s strong channel brands across the country," says Marcia Martin, VP of production at CHUM Television. In the past, the awards have been broadcast on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. FRV Media closes deal to acquire content producer Gestion AltauFRV Media announced September 3 that it had closed its acquisition of Gestion Altau Inc., a television content producer. FRV Media was also granted the right of first refusal for the television adaptation of the contents, at October 3, 2002, of the library of Graficor Inc., a publisher of educational material formerly owned by Gaetan Morin. Groupe Altau was founded in 1999 by Jean Langevin and Benoit Johnson. Since its founding, it has produced more than 500 hours of original Canadian content. "This transaction will allow Groupe Altau to accelerate its growth and exchange resources and expertise with other FRV Media companies," says Groupe Altau president Langevin. "We know FRV’s management team and we’re happy to have them among our business partners." Astral selling AM radio assets, CFOM-FM to Morin/ChamberlandAstral Media Inc. announced September 2 that it was selling its AM radio stations in the province of Quebec and CFOM-FM in Quebec City to a business venture headed by Gaetan Morin, owner and president of Groupe Morin, and a holding company belonging to Sylvain Chamberland. Chamberland is president and general manager of CKAC-AM and the Radiomédia network. Morin and Chamberland have agreed to pay $12 million for the seven AM radio stations and CFOM-FM. The transaction is subject to CRTC approval.

CCR Short Takes

Broadcast | September 4, 2003

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