Everything about Industry News, eh?

Industry News

Vice acquires full control over Vice Canada studio and Viceland content library

From a media release:

Today VICE Canada announced that they have acquired full ownership over their studio business and VICELAND content library, following the end of their joint venture with Rogers Media and the subsequent end of Rogers Media’s minority position in VICE Studio Canada. VICE Canada will be announcing new partnerships in the Canadian market soon.

The core pillars of VICE Canada’s business remain, including the award-winning VICE Studio Canada, a thriving digital business that reaches millions of Canadians a year and VIRTUE the global creative agency, born inside of VICE Media, developing content programs and platforms for the world’s largest brands.

First announced in October of 2014, with VICELAND launching in February of 2016, the Rogers Media/VICE Canada partnership produced over 130 hours of original Canadian programming. VICELAND’s content recently received 12 Canadian Screen Award nominations including, best comedy series (Nirvanna the Band the Show), best documentary program (RISE), best factual series (Payday), best lifestyle program (Dead Set On Life) and best news or information program (Terror).

In 2017 VICE Canada announced an exclusive deal with Bell Media to broadcast the Emmy award-winning VICE News Tonight and later that year announced a partnership with W5 to produce two documentaries focused on the opioid crisis.

VICELAND will remain on air until March 31st 2018.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

Rogers Media and Vice Canada agree to terminate joint venture

From a media release:

Rogers Media today announced it has agreed with VICE Canada to terminate their joint venture in VICE Studio Canada and VICELAND.  As a result of the termination, Rogers Media has transferred its interest in VICE Studio Canada to VICE Canada, and VICELAND will cease broadcasting on March 31, 2018.  VICELAND content will continue to be available to Canadians on VICE.com.

In this crowded content universe and as audience habits change, we continue to evolve our strategy to deliver unique content to Canadians.

We plan to redirect our Canadian content funding to other Canadian content initiatives that better align with our portfolio and brands.  Content ownership remains a core part of our strategy and we will be actively exploring new content opportunities that appeal to a broad audience.

We are excited to work with Canada’s talented creative sector to create compelling Canadian content that resonates with viewers here at home and around the world.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

Look Mom! Productions launches production on new adult animated comedy, Gary & His Demons

From a media release:

Look Mom! Productions, Blue Ant Media’s Toronto-based, animation studio has launched production on Gary & His Demons (16×11’), an animated comedy that centres around 45-year-old Gary. He’s tired. His hairline is receding, he wears horn-rimmed glasses and he’s just chased his final demon before his long-overdue retirement. But Gary soon discovers that his boss has again failed to find his replacement and Gary will be forced to keep fighting demons for eternity. But nothing can change Gary’s fate. He’s the chosen one, whether he likes it or not.

Based on a short form pilot from the Bite on Mondo Incubator, Gary & His Demons is produced in partnership with LA-based, MONDO. The series is set to premiere on MONDO’s’s channel on VRV in Spring 2018. As part of this announcement, Blue Ant International will add Gary & His Demons to its premium scripted offering to buyers worldwide in late 2018.

The series is created by Mark Little, known for his work on Picnicface, Space Riders and Mr. D., and has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Little also serves as Head Writer, Co-Director and the voice of Gary. Gary & His Demons is Executive Produced by Josh Bowen (Executive Producer and Creative Director, Look Mom! Productions) and Wendy Willis and Pia Chikiamco (MONDO’s Six Point Harness studio). The series is Co-directed by Lou Solis, known for his work on Ugly Americans, Moonbeam City and the Secret Path.

Look Mom! Productions announced its launch in late 2017, along with two new animated, action-comedy series for the kids 6-11 category Toy Hunters (26×11’) and Cloudface (26×11’).

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

The Weekly with Wendy Mesley launches Jan. 14 on CBC

From a media release:

As first announced in July 2017, new CBC News Sunday morning show THE WEEKLY WITH WENDY MESLEY will launch Sunday, January 14 at 11 a.m. (11:30 NT) on CBC and CBC News Network, focused on the intersection of media, technology and politics.

In the new half-hour program, Mesley will put players from media, business and politics in the spotlight as she pushes for answers and transparency, and provides critical analysis on how the newsmakers of the week are delivering their messages.

From political pressure and corporate interests to technological manipulation and old-fashioned spin, the program will go behind the headlines to reveal the hidden and sometimes surprising forces shaping the news, providing a deeper understanding of what’s happening in the world by illuminating the influences at play behind the big stories of the week.

The show will broadcast live from CBC in Toronto and feature a wide range of Canadian and global contributors and guests.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail