Broadcasters and cable companies are again locking horns over the question of U.S. specialty channels – arguing in recent submissions to the CRTC that a plan to insert more Canadian ads on channels such as CNN, A&E and TLC is either necessary for cablers to stay competitive, or, conversely, would undermine long-held rules regarding local and Canadian content.

Cadbury’s Mr. Big is launching a new wrestling-themed 30-second TV commercial – in French and English – nationally on selected programming network television and specialty networks including World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Also in the works (and created by Publicis Canada), a 45-second spot which will be shown in Famous Players and Cineplex/Galaxy theatres and lobby televisions. Running with the broadcast campaign is a consumer contest featuring ‘Mr. Big movie trivia’ to run in Cineplex/Galaxy theatres as well as online sponsorship of Much Music’s The Big One. Cadbury’s media agency is the Toronto-based Zenith Optimedia.

Four weeks into the 2004 fall season and CTV is still showing strong numbers with its programs taking eight of Canada’s top 10 shows and 15 of the top 20 according to BBM Canada. Among adults 25-54, CTV programs are eight of 10 and 16 of 20 with the 18-34 demo. When compared to the same time period last year, CTV gained two and three spots respectively in the top 20 spots in the adult demos 18-49 and 25-54.
Survivor: Vanuatu stayed its course last Thursday, earning 1.835 (A18-49) million viewers nationally, with a total 2 + audience of 2.977 million. According to BBM People Meter Data, the sixth episode earned a 10.6 rating (18 to 49 year olds) in the Toronto market and a 20.6 rating in Vancouver.

Premiering with two back-to-back episodes Discovery Channel’s Ultimate Survival: Everest follows the trials and triumphs of a climbing team set out to conquer the highest mountain in the world. This six-part series airing on Sunday November 18 (at 8 p.m.) is an in-depth look at not only the mountain but the individuals climbing it. The remaining four episodes air nightly Monday, November 15 to Thursday, November 18 (8 p.m.). To countdown to the launch of the new series, Discovery will show a one-hour special Expedition Everest: The Journey Begins on Sunday, November 14 ( 7 p.m.).
And on CTV Travel channel, the net will be highlighting alpine adventure with Mountain Madness Week airing Monday, November 15 to Friday, November 19 at 9 p.m.

On November 9, the Life Network debuts Crash Test Dummy, a new reality series that substitutes mothers with a childless man or woman. Produced by Vancouver based Paperny Films, the half-hour show replaces mom with a relative, friend or neighbour chosen by hosts Charlie Lubiniecki and Dagmar Midcap. For 48-hours, the substitute must cook, clean and tend to the children while dealing with unexpected challenges and demands.

The debut of The Money Show, CBC Newsworld’s personal finance show, originally scheduled as a six-part series to begin airing Sunday, November 7 has been changed to airing only two episodes – Wednesday, November 17 and November 24 at 8 p.m.

The annual Country Music Association Awards show will be coming to Canada in a live simulcast on Tuesday, November 9 at 8 p.m. (on CMT). Before the awards go live, CMT will be airing a special one-hour interview with Shania Twain at 7 p.m.

Next month Insight Film & Video and Shavick Entertainment head into production on Young Blades, described as a next generation of Musketeers set in 17th century Paris. Karen Cliche (Mutant X) stars as a woman posing as a man among the new group of swordsmen. The 22 hours will air on CHUM in Canada some time in Fall 2005 and PAX TV in the U.S. The per-episode budget is in the $1-million range.
The two prodcos are also working on another CHUM project, a $1.6-million MOW. Fatal Reunion, a thriller about marriage and fidelity, stars Calgary resident Erika Eleniak (Baywatch) and Canadian David Millbern (Zolar).
Courtesy sister pub Playback, October 25 2004

St. John’s-based Pope Productions and Toronto’s Shaftesbury Films are now shooting a new half-hour comedy series for Family Channel. Production of 13 eps of Life With Derek wraps Dec. 1.
The series is about two brothers, aged 10 and 15, battling for power after their father remarries, forcing them, their young sister and two teen stepsisters to form an instant family.

Above and Beyond, a $9-million CBC miniseries, will start shooting in the new year. Originally intended to be six hours, the story about one of Canada’s unsung contributions to World War II has been revamped as a four-hour mini. The story focuses on Newfoundland’s Gander Airport, then the largest airfield in the world, and the ‘suicide missions’ that left there to bring much-needed bombers and fighters to Great Britain across the stormy North Atlantic. Copro partners are Pope Productions and Shaftesbury Films.
In addition, CBC is backing the series Atlantic Sound, eight one-hours, which draw on the striking similarities between Newfoundland and Ireland. The dramatic series is about a small radio station in an island community and will start shooting at the end of 2005. Pope is producing with Ireland-based Grand Pictures. Pope’s daytime soap-opera pitch Changing Tides has also been selected as one of 12 finalists in CBC’s countrywide competition. Changing Tides is about a Toronto business that comes to rural Newfoundland set on making big profits.

Television (Specialty) – 4.5 out of 5
Both English and French specialties are having a killer fall season and doing well according to buyers surveyed by Media in Canada. Avails for the most desirable channels are tight right up to December.

It’s been a little more than a month since the fall TV season took off in full swing and speaking with media experts, MIC thought it’d be a good time to determine which Canadian net is winning the all-important Thursday night race.

Le Réseau des sports (RDS) is launching a new all sports news and information service Le Réseau Info-Sports (RIS), tonight at 7 p.m. RIS will broadcast sports news bulletins in 30-minute loops that are updated continuously and coverage will include international, national and regional professional and amateur sports. Luc Bellemare, Yannick Bouchard, Stéphane Langdeau and Patrick Mahoney will be the featured anchors on this new sports news service.