This week, CHML’s Scott Thompson–as he tends to do lately–was in full rant mode immediately prior to our weekly radio chat. The topic de jour was The Globe and Mail sitting on the story that the provincial government made massive, million-dollar payouts to the very teachers unions they are now (sort of ) bargaining with. The
David S. Goyer admits things get all Game of Thrones this year on Da Vinci’s Demons. The third and final season of the historical fantasy series began Saturday on Super Channel and Starz. That episode can be streamed now in Canada on Super Channel on demand. I spoke with Goyer–best known as the writer behind such
The Jays final at bat–Friday’s Game 6 of the ALCS–brought a record take to Sportsnet. The first three hours of the broadcast drew an estimated, overnight 5,052,000 viewers. An astounding 3,998,000 hung in there for the 42-minute rain delay, followed by 5,365,000 who watched to the bitter end. Sportsnet rounded that off by issuing a
This week, CHML’s Scott Thompson wanted to talk about the election. “Does this mean CBC is out of danger?” asks Scott. There have been hints from the Liberals that they will find more money for arts and culture in general. Whether this translates into automatically replacing the $150 million the Harper government cut over three
The big loser in Monday’s Canadian federal election? Media companies who raked in record revenues over the course of that 78-day campaign. The tens of millions spent by the Conservatives on all those, “He’s just not ready” ads plus further tens of millions spent by the Liberals and the NDP, plus assorted special interest groups,
While in Cannes two weeks ago to attend MIPCOM, I had a lovely visit with Valerie Creighton, the President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund (CMF). Besides her funding responsibilities, Creighton is a tireless advocate for Canadian content and she has the passion and vigor for the job. We sat in these horribly uncomfortable chairs
John Oliver weighs in on Canada’s federal election and nails it. Makes Oliver’s dissection of the bumbling Fords look like a valentine. Consider this gem: “Canada is America’s next-door neighbour, and Stephen Harper is her dick-head boyfriend.” The host of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver seizes on an obscure, lame-ass law forbidding outsiders to weigh in
UPDATED: The numbers posted by the victorious Toronto Blue Jays during the ALDS are incredible: an overnight, estimated 4.85 million viewers watched that unforgettable fifth and deciding game on Sportsnet Wednesday night, peaking at a staggering 8.1 million by the final out. That tally followed 4,377,000 viewers for Game 4 vs Texas on Thanksgiving Monday afternoon and