Etan Vlessing
Former CBC and Fox Sports exec Doug Sellars dies, age 50
The Toronto native was head of sports at the Canadian pubcaster before moving to Fox Sports in 2000.
Shaw Media buys out stakes in Mystery TV and The Cave specialties
Shaw Media will have 100% control of the specialty channels after the deal with its Quebec partner, pending CRTC approval.
Michael MacMillan’s Blue Ant Media to buy High Fidelity HDTV
Canadian publisher Torstar Corp. is also taking a 25% stake in Blue Ant Media for $22.7 million after it completes the High Fidelity HDTV transaction.
CBC going commercial-free Christmas Day
Wireless retailer TBooth is sponsoring the day on the national pubcaster.
CTV acquires spooky mid-season drama The River
The ABC Studios adventure-horror series is the latest acquisition by the top-rated broadcaster for its winter 2012 campaign.
Citytv signs affiliate agreement with SCN in Saskatchewan
Ad opps are available for Citytv programming, which will air on the province’s educational broadcaster from 3 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. daily.
MTV Canada rolls out homegrown Jersey Shore companion show
The Canadian channel will also debut MTV Creeps on Jan. 5, where social media judges critique new media addicts.
TSN plans multi-platform coverage of 2012 World Juniors
TSN plans comprehensive digital coverage of the Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 tournament that gets the channel NHL-sized TV audiences.
OWN Canada to premiere Million Dollar Neighbourhood
The series challenges 100 families to collectively raise $1 million in 10 weeks to ease their financial problems.
CRTC licenses Bell Media ‘Movies’ channel
The ad-supported channel is the latest movie-themed TV offering to compete with Netflix Canada and other over-the-top digital platforms.
Bell Media lands rights to Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management
The former Two and a Half Men star appeared on CTV Monday night to tell Canadians he was returning with his latest sitcom.
Rogers and BCE unwrap $1.32 billion deal for MLSE
Zenith’s Sunni Boot weighs in on the deal, expected to add Canada’s top pro TV sport properties to the schedules of TSN and Sportsnet.
CRTC accepts Bell Media’s ‘Confession’
The Category 2 digital channel will focus on TV shows about “people and organizations that uphold law and order in our society.”
The Heretics coming to Shaw, TMN and Movie Central
The Canadian co-produced European costume drama will begin filming next summer.
Bell Media acquires Kiefer Sutherland web series for Audi promotion
The broadcaster secures exclusive Canadian rights to The Confession for its CTV.ca, CTV Mobile and CTV iPad app platforms.
