Quebec politicians vote on streamer tax

Quebec political parties have passed a motion to implement a provincial sales tax on foreign streamers, less than one week after Heritage Canada unveiled its Creative Canada policy, which doesn’t include a provision to tax online services such as Netflix and Amazon. The vote from the National Assembly of Quebec follows the Canadian government’s announcement that Netflix would invest $500 million over five years in original productions in Canada.

Read the full story on Playback.

Cineplex building new Playdiums  

Cineplex has rebranded its Playdium concept and will be rolling out 10 to 15 new entertainment complexes in mid-sized Canadian communities in the coming years, with the first planned for Whitby, Ont., in 2018. The 30,000 to 35,000-sq. ft. complexes will offer a mix of classic and new-market video games, interactive experiences (including virtual reality) and attractions such as augmented climbing walls and two-level laser tag. About two-thirds of the complexes will be dedicated to games and attractions, with the other third offering food and beverage options. Cineplex’s director of communications, Sarah Van Lange, says the concept will allow the company to incorporate its Cineplex Digital Media and Player One Amusement Group assets.

CBC/Radio-Canada reveals hosts for English-language coverage of Olympic Winter games

Running Feb. 9 to 25, the CBC’s English-language coverage of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, will feature Scott Russell as host of Olympic Games Primetime, broadcasting nightly from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Andi Petrillo and two-time Olympic Games silver medallist Alexandre Despatie as co-hosts of Olympic Games Morning from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and first-time hosts Craig McMorris and Kelly VanderBeek of Olympic Games Overnight from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. The Olympic Winter Games will take place in Korean Standard Time, 14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.