CBC whipped through their virtual, on-line Upfront 2021 presentation Wednesday like it was an Olympic event — fitting since they’re Canada’s host broadcaster for both this summer’s Tokyo Games as well as the Beijing Winter Games in 2020. It took just 33 minutes for the public broadcaster to promote 35 new and returning series from
Fire up the Tiki torch and pass the Doritos: CBS is bringing Survivor back next fall. The 20-yearold reality series will return after a year off due to the coronavirus pandemic. Its return will be not a moment too soon for Global, which has feasted on their most valuable import and sagged without it in
NBC and Fox added just three new shows to their fall schedules. ABC announced Tuesday that they can do it in two. Upfront Week has become “Name That Tune.” So far, this does not leave content-starved Canadian networks with much to import. Buyers from CTV, Citytv and Global can binge the entire list of new
The Fox Network — now part of the Disney media empire — plans to add just three new shows this fall. They are: The Big Leap is a feel-good drama focusing on a diverse group of down-on-their luck characters who risk it all in a reality show dance competition. The whole thing builds to a
CTV’s at home, virtual upfront presentation for advertisers took a while to start streaming Tuesday afternoon. The same thing happened Monday to Rogers/Citytv/Sportsnet. Before we all make with the media companies that can’t run media jokes, these presentations are complex productions shared with thousands of ad buyers simultaneously, on a variety of systems, across Canada
I wondered if any of the Canadian networks would dare use phrases such as “the most coveted new series of the season” to hype their September schedules. After all, thanks to COVID-19, this is a year with a record low number of American rookies to cherry pick. There weren’t even pilots to watch. It’s like
Monday morning, the newly-christened Rogers Sports & Media kicked off two days of Catch up, Up Front week in Canada. Catch up, Up Front –say it with me, you’ll get used to it. Things began at 9 a.m. with “Breakfast with Banks,” something all Canadian television executives have probably been doing the past 12 –
As it is with everything else, this is an unusual year for TV networks. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing, the major US broadcasters had to cancel their pricey upfront launches in New York in May. Instead of talent and producers doing the annual ad market meet and greet — and in