Just For Laughs picks new CEO

Charles Décarie has been appointed president and CEO of Groupe Juste pour rire (Just For Laughs Group). Industry veteran Décarie worked for Cirque du Soleil from 1999 to 2016 in various senior management positions. The leadership role was previously held by former JFL founder and president Gilbert Rozon, who stepped down following allegations of sexual assault in 2017. Rozon was charged with rape and indecent assault by Quebec prosecutors in December 2018. In March 2018, an investor group comprised of Groupe CH, Bell Media, ICM Partners and Canadian comedian Howie Mandel acquired the company.

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Sportsnet offers annual pricing for SVOD

Specialty channel Sportsnet has offered a new pass option for subscribers to its OTT product, SN Now+. Instead of only having the option to pay month-to-month, viewers can purchase a full year’s subscription with a single payment. The regular pricing for the membership is $249, however a $199 membership is available until March 31. Monthly pricing for SN Now+ costs $27.99. The move is timed with the start of the MLB regular season, with the Stanley Cup and NBA Playoffs looming in the near future. Additionally, Sportsnet has reached a streaming agreement with NTT IndyCar Series, and will now be able to air all 17 races live on SN Now+ beginning this Sunday.

Corus picks up a new true crime podcast

Corus Entertainment’s podcast network, Curiouscast, is diving even further into one of the most popular genres of podcasts: true crime. The new series Crime Beat launched earlier this week. Hosted by veteran crime reporter Nancy Hixt, the series will take a look at high-profile crimes beyond the headlines and discuss the cases she’s covered, which have left a lasting mark on her life. Curiouscast has signed numerous true crime series including Nighttime and Dark Poutine.