New Discovery Channel series on the hunt for speed freaks
Star Racer, a new docu-reality series slated for fall, is on the hunt for those who have a need for speed. Production is expected to begin in June. Producers for the series will be scouring for 24 potential racers across the country during the Canadian Go Kart season this summer. The show, which follows racers as they vie for the title of Star Racer, is produced by Insight Productions in Toronto. The hour-long series has yet to find a fall timeslot.
Three new series invade MTV’s 10 spot for the summer
The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat will premiere on Monday, May 29 at 10 p.m. The show pits 12 seasoned Real World and Road Rules alumni against 12 eager newbies, hence ‘fresh meat.’ Then, on Wednesday, May 31 at 10:30, Cheyenne makes its weekly debut. The half-hour reality series chronicles the story of musical prodigy Cheyenne Kimball.
Finally, The Hills makes its debut on Wednesday, June 21. The series, a spin-off of Laguna Beach, follows the adventures of Lauren, gal-about-town who just found a new apartment, a new pal to share it with and a killer internship at Teen Vogue.
HGTV picks up new series for July
HGTV went shopping, picking up a bunch of new shows slated for July. Location, Location, Location debuts on Wednesday, July 5 at 9:30. The half-hour series follows British real estate agents in search of homes for choosy would-be homeowners. A Place in the Sun is aimed at house-hunters in search of property around the world. The series premieres on Friday, July 7at 8 p.m. The half-hour House Hunters International airs for the first time on Friday, July 7 at 9:30. Home hunters and their realtors globe-trot in search of properties, while navigating through international red tape. Trading Up in the Sun II pairs a designer and collectible expert as they fix the perfect home in Spain. Its Canadian premiere is on Friday, July 7 at 10 p.m. For those jonesing for unusual homes, there’s World’s Most Extreme Homes on Friday, July 7 at 10:30. The series scours the world for weird property.
BBC Canada picks up Alan Clark Diaries
Thursday, July 6 at 8 p.m. is the North American premiere of Alan Clark Diaries, a half-hour long adaptation of the colourful politician’s diary entries. The show airs weekly on BBC Canada and stars John Hurt and Julia Davis.
Dose halts printing, moves to offer more online and via mobile
The year-old, multi-platform Dose (a property of CanWest MediaWorks) has ceased production of its daily print format and is moving instead into a more comprehensive online service and increasing its wireless content offerings. When asked for comment, Hugh Dow, president of M2 Universal in Toronto says the lack of significant advertising was a big clue. ‘We speculated it to change [its format] to a weekly instead of a daily. That was viewed as more likely and this was not expected and is certainly more drastic.’ Dow says that the paper faced significant competition in the markets where it was offered.
As a result of the change, dose.ca will become the youth channel of the Canada.com network. Perhaps it’s a sign of the times for Dose‘s 18-34 demo. While there has been a lack of advertisers for its print property, dose.ca has gained significantly online. Comscore MediaMetrix reports that monthly uniques number more than 160,000 and a survey done by Ipsos-Reid finds that dose.ca visitors are visiting frequently and spending a lot of time on the site. Dow agreed with the strategy to move Dose online. ‘Without question the digital arena is a considerable avenue of growth. It’s certainly a priority for us.’
Multimedia Frisk campaign is honestly mouth-opening
The folks behind the new Frisk campaign are banking on the notion that honesty is like a breath of fresh air. But what about brutal honesty? The campaign, promoting new Frisk Liquids is entitled ‘don’t be afraid to open your mouth’ and ups brand interactivity by way of a website (openyourmouth.ca) complete with snarky virtual host, talking OOH, and brand ambassadors trained to say what’s really on their minds.
Habbo gets gamin’ with Super Mario Bros. integration
Interactive tween environment Habbo Hotel is getting its game on today with the integration of the revamped Super Mario Bros. video game. Habbo has created a two-part branded maze for inhabitants to join in the game. The mission? To rescue the princess and win a prize pack consisting of a Nintendo DS Lite system and the new Super Mario Bros. The deal, brokered by Starcom Mediavest in Toronto and CHUM Interactive, marks the first time that a video game has been integrated within the online environment. And in addition to the game within, a virtual picnic area, branded the New Super Mario Bros. Garden boasts an online billboard that links to the game site. The integration will be in place for the next two weeks.
GRPs peak in November 2005: BBM Commercial Tracking Grids for Montreal Franco March 2005 to April 2006
Please click the link below to see the 13-month trending of Montreal Franco commercial minute GRPs.
Canadian Smart Living to debut in September
Transcontinental Media will debut a new consumer pub this fall entitled Canadian Smart Living, a mag focusing on consumer electronics and lifestyle. The new mag will be included as a reader premium in more than 200,000 subscriber and newsstand issues of other Transcon titles. Publisher Joe Tersigni says the new publication’s target is typically married or living with a partner, in their 30s or 40s with kids under 18 living in the home. Canadian Smart Living editorial aims to be more female-friendly, reflecting the trend that more women are making the purchasing decisions for consumer electronics. The magazine’s debut issue hits newsstands in early August. A holiday guide is slated for November.
Notes from the media landscape: AOL does VOD
At a time when ad space on auto sites is in high demand, AOL in the U.S. will be launching an auto-themed VOD service. The channel will collate clips that are used in dealers’ showrooms. Other pre-produced content from car manufacturers will also be offered.
BBM Media Snapshot: Do single men buy more flowers as gifts than married men?
* 8.4 million Canadian men (61%) purchased flowers for gifts during the past year.
* 70% of married men purchased flowers for gifts in the past year, compared to only 46% of single men who purchased.
* However, among single men who do buy flowers as a gift, those aged 18 to 24 are almost 4 times more likely to purchase flowers for gifts when compared to the national average.
* 10% of single men who purchased flowers for gifts also used dating services last year (2.7 times more likely than the national average).
* In terms of yesterday exposure, the top media among single men purchasing flowers for gifts are: TV (86%), radio (80%) and Internet (70%). The top media for married men are: TV (91%), radio (87%), Internet (62%) and daily papers (59%).
* The top radio formats among single men who purchase flowers for gifts are: sports (3 times more likely), modern/alternative rock (2.7 times more likely),and urban (2.2 times more likely) when compared to the national average. Married men are 2 times more likely to prefer sports.
Source: BBM RTS Canada Spring ’06, individuals 12+
The preceding information is from BBM RTS, a syndicated consumer-media survey of over 60,000 Canadians, conducted twice a year by BBM Canada. For more information contact Craig Dorning of BBM Canada: cdorning@bbm.ca.
MTV premieres Blowin’ Up
MTV will unleash the comedic reality series Blowin’ Up beginning Saturday, May 27 on CTV as part of the MTV on CTV block of programs. The half-hour show features Jamie Kennedy and his sidekick, Stu Stone, as they claw their way to hip-hop fame. Making cameo appearances are Ice-T, George Lucas, Tara Reid and Russell Simmons. The first episode has Kennedy and Stone getting sage advice from Method Man.
Lalonde new publisher of Metro Vancouver
Maryse Lalonde has joined daily newspaper Metro Vancouver as publisher. Lalonde comes from 24 Hours where she was VP of sales. Her more than 22 years of experience in the print and media industry includes stints at CanWest, Transcontinental and Sun Media groups. Metro Vancouver is a joint venture with CanWest, Torstar and Metro International.
PMB Factoid
People who garden; by education
http://www.pmb.ca
Tvtropolis hooks up with Sears to invade your metropolis in June
CanWest MediaWorks is flexing its multi-platform muscle and aligning with strategic partners to hawk its newest baby. In time for the June 1 launch of specialty Tvtropolis, the net slated to take over where Prime once was — the company is using its TV, print and online properties to give folks a taste of what’s to come.
