Andrew Coyne writes:
"The most talked about show on American television this year isn’t on television. House of Cards, a $100-million political thriller (based on the British show of the same name) does not appear in any network’s schedule, has never been broadcast, yet has been seen by millions of people — streamed over the Internet to Netflix’s 30 million U.S. subscribers, at any time and in any configuration (one, some, or all 13 episodes at once) that suits them.
"Netflix is hardly alone in this space. Hulu, Amazon, AOL, Crackle, plus dozens of smaller startups are all busily ramping up the range and quality of online content they provide, hoping to emulate Netflix’s success. There is, indeed, something of a gold rush on for content online. Yahoo has just bought Saturday Night Live’s entire back catalogue. YouTube now offers full-length feature films alongside its traditional repertoire of skateboarding dogs. . . .
" . . .now I want to take you to a committee room in Gatineau, Que., where the CRTC is holding hearings — in 2013, not 1968 — on whether to require cable companies to carry, and their subscribers to pay for, a raft of new and existing channels that have been unable to persuade subscribers to part with their money on their own. That is, the applicants are asking to be added to the bundle of channels known as “basic cable,” which every cable subscriber in the country is obliged to take. Never mind channels — bundles! It’s almost charming, it’s so anachronistic."
The full column
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Agency withdraws casting call for CBC show that specified ‘any race except Caucasian’
A casting call to hire a new CBC host that specifically said white people need not apply has been withdrawn, with the casting agent offering apologies for the mistake.
The original ad for the host of a children’s show, posted on the casting agency’s website under a CBC logo and on Craigslist, said: “Please only submit [an audition tape] if you match the following criteria: Male between the ages of 23-35 years; Any race except Caucasian.”
A new version of the ad removes the race reference, but maintains the sex and age restrictions and that applicants “must be able to carry a tune,” “ability to dance or move well is a bonus,” and should be “not afraid to show a silly side,” among others.
The revised casting call was issued and the Craigslist ad deleted Monday after critics on Twitter started questioning the restriction.
More
The original ad for the host of a children’s show, posted on the casting agency’s website under a CBC logo and on Craigslist, said: “Please only submit [an audition tape] if you match the following criteria: Male between the ages of 23-35 years; Any race except Caucasian.”
A new version of the ad removes the race reference, but maintains the sex and age restrictions and that applicants “must be able to carry a tune,” “ability to dance or move well is a bonus,” and should be “not afraid to show a silly side,” among others.
The revised casting call was issued and the Craigslist ad deleted Monday after critics on Twitter started questioning the restriction.
More
Monday, April 29, 2013
Excellent background to CBC exec's move to Twitter
The Globe and Mail's Simon Houpt writes:
In a sharp illustration of how the media landscape is shifting from traditional companies to new media powerhouses, Kirstine Stewart, one of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s top executives, announced her surprise departure on Monday to head up the first domestic office of Twitter.
Ms. Stewart, the CBC’s executive vice-president of English-language services, will become the managing director of Twitter Canada, where she will focus on partnerships with media companies, other brands and advertisers.
More
In a sharp illustration of how the media landscape is shifting from traditional companies to new media powerhouses, Kirstine Stewart, one of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s top executives, announced her surprise departure on Monday to head up the first domestic office of Twitter.
Ms. Stewart, the CBC’s executive vice-president of English-language services, will become the managing director of Twitter Canada, where she will focus on partnerships with media companies, other brands and advertisers.
More
CBC VP Kirstine Stewart resigns to join Twitter
CBC senior executive Kirstine Stewart is leaving the corporation to oversee the new Canadian office of Twitter.
Stewart has been CBC's executive vice-president of English language services, heading all television, radio and online services, since her appointment in January 2011.
She is leaving the position immediately to join Twitter, an internet social networking and microblogging service based in San Francisco.
More
Stewart has been CBC's executive vice-president of English language services, heading all television, radio and online services, since her appointment in January 2011.
She is leaving the position immediately to join Twitter, an internet social networking and microblogging service based in San Francisco.
More
CBC’s Don Cherry’s remarks that women shouldn’t be in male dressing rooms continue to spark controversy
Don Cherry says the men’s locker-room is no place for a woman.
The outspoken CBC hockey broadcaster made the comments during his weekly Coach’s Corner segment of “Hockey Night in Canada” on Saturday night while discussing the controversy around Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Keith Duncan.
Keith was criticized earlier in the week after delivering what some considered a sexist post-game putdown to a female radio reporter in Vancouver.
Keith was criticized earlier in the week after delivering what some considered a sexist post-game putdown to a female radio reporter in Vancouver.
Cherry believes the reporter — Karen Thomson of Team 1040 — shouldn’t have been allowed in the Blackhawks dressing to begin with.
“I don’t believe women should be in the male dressing room,” said Cherry, causing his broadcast partner, Ron MacLean, to grimace.
The whole Star story
The whole Star story
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