Commercial viewing ratings are closer to reality in the U.S. with the news that Nielsen Media Research will begin offering minute-by-minute TV measurement data next fall. The expanded National Respondent Level Data File will incorporate respondent level (people meter panel member and household) viewing data for all national programming sources and will flag minutes of programming with commercials.

A new campaign recently launched by Jetsgo and produced by Montreal-based ad firm Braque included two 30-second TV spots targeting the Toronto area and other markets. The campaign is looking to further boost awareness of the discount airline.
Toronto-based Media Dimensions designed the multi-media strategy behind the campaign. It focused on environments frequented by heavy business flyers, in order to achieve increased awareness of Jetsgo identified by utilizing proprietary intel from PMB, NadBank and RTS. The newspaper campaign secured premium positions such as front-page banners in select dailies across Canada, while outdoor capitalized on sites most travelled by the target demographic, such as the Gardner Expressway in Toronto and various strategically placed TSAs. The TV campaign also includes closed captioning sponsorship of national news programs.

Looking to revitalize and consolidate their audience VisionTV is making its first foray into lifestyle programming with a number of series concepts currently in development. The multicultural broadcaster is seeking broadcast partners at this year’s MIPCOM in Cannes, France (Oct. 4-8). Projects include the design series, Divine Restoration (for delivery January 2005); reality series Prenup Challenge (June 2005), D.I.Y.-G*D (June 2005), and Gospel Challenge (Fall 2005); the series Shrine which showcases famous shrines (Fall 2005) and Daily Practice where you get a glimpse into the everyday life of various spiritual leaders (TBD).

Conceptual Films, a Toronto-based film, television and new media firm has two series in development. Hitting the female 18 to 50 year old demographic, First Look is a half-hour lifestyle reality series hosted by Canadian Fashionista Jeanne Beker and shows daily life at the fashion magazine FQ. High-end product placement, sponsorship, and web site advertising opportunities are available with the new fashion series.
Along with UK distributor TWI, Conceptual Films is also working on This Old Spouse, which features a team of ‘mind, body and style specialists’ working to renovate ailing relationships. This series is targeted at women 18 to 35 years of age and ad opps, which include program sponsorship, web site ads and brand placement are available.

The Toronto-based Lone Eagle Entertainment is currently in production of 10 episodes with Global Television Network for the initial, Canadian launch of the new reality series, The Temps. The new hour-long series, which is geared towards 17 to 34 year olds (male and female), takes a hidden camera look into the world of temporary employment and the stress and transformation individuals undergo at a new workplace.
Lone Eagle also inked a deal with Fox World for the worldwide format rights to the new series.

In a two-hour premiere episode, airing Sunday, Oct. 17 (8 p.m.) on CBC TV, host Wendy Mesley kicks off the new series, The Greatest Canadian. The series countdowns the top 50 great Canadians as nominated by the public last spring. From there the debate begins as the subsequent episodes focus on each of the top 10 nominees.
Over the following six weeks, 10 high-profile Canadian advocates will each argue the case for his/her top 10 nominee in hope of convincing viewers to vote for their choice. These one-hour programs will air on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
http://www.cbc.ca/greatest

Brian Burke, former Vancouver Canucks president and GM, joined the TSN’s NHL broadcast crew as an analyst for Classic games during NHL on TSN: Wednesday Night Hockey, as well as a regular contributor on SportsCentre.
Exclusive to TSN, Burke started his run on SportsCentre on Tuesday (Sept. 28).

New series Austin Stevens: Snakemaster is set to make its world premiere on Animal Planet, Tuesday, Oct. 5 (8 p.m.). The 13-episode series follows Stevens as he travels the world to explore and photograph some the world’s rarest and deadliest snakes and reptiles.
http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/austinstevens/austinstevens.html