September 2015
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Shaw Media President Upbeat on TV, Web Developments
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Broadcaster® September 2015
Volume 74 Number 6
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IN THIS ISSUE 4 BARBARA WILLIAMS CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY
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Shaw Media President Upbeat on TV, Web Developments
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CANADIAN ACHIEVERS Radio Reunion Heats up Steel Town By Dick Drew
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New directions in TV acquisition, production and delivery are presented by leading manufacturers during IBC; among them Software Generation Limited (SGL), with its content archive and storage management solutions for the broadcast and media & entertainment industries. INSET (Barbara Williams, Executive Vice President, Broadcasting and President, Shaw Media). September 2015
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Shaw Media President Celebrates Anniversary Williams Upbeat on TV, Web Developments
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he conversation took place a month or so before the first anniversary of her newest – and most influential – role in the Canadian broadcast television industry. Just about to wrap her first year as Executive Vice President of Broadcasting and President at Shaw Media, Barbara Williams counts more than 25 years in the industry and several at Shaw Media, so it’s understandable that she “hadn’t really thought about it that way, but yes, it is coming up on a year: will it be a happy birthday? Yes, absolutely!” When promoted to the position, Williams was charged no less than redefining the company, and moving it away from the role of a traditional broadcaster to one of a broader, multi-platform media organization. “[O]ur focus is no longer centered solely on creating longform content designed for a 24-hour schedule,” she said, adding that Shaw needs “to encompass all types of content across platforms – long form, short form, branded content, instructional videos, behind-the-scenes content, Web content, content for social media, and so on.” That presents a terrific opportunity, Williams said, as she and her team “figure out what this new world looks like. “We’ve been in this evolution for a quite while so it’s not all brand new just this year. We’ve accomplished a lot actually; we continue to drive a successful business amidst all the change and we’re looking forward to all that’s ahead. “So, yes, I’ll accept your birthday greetings!” The anniversary comes at a time of change and challenge: recent quarterly earnings reports, for example, show the company to have rather flat revenues and soft ad sales.
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“That’s not an unfair statement to make,” Williams said of such descriptions, but she added that one needs to drill down a bit further to see some “shining moments” below darkened consolidated reports. “We’re holding our own,” she said of the media side of the equation. “There are growth spurts there, and we are also finding new wins and identifying new opportunities” such as new revenue streams opened up by next-generation advertising and analytics platforms. Change and challenge, too, on the staffing front: there’s been “tightening” and cutting that resulted in nearly 100 broadcast people losing their position. At the same time, Williams points out, Shaw is recruiting and hiring new staff, and seeking skill sets well-suited for the new media opportunities she sees. “I don’t ever want to feel at all discouraged about the current skill sets we have; in many cases they’re very adaptable, but we are adding for sure,” with some 40 new positions working with new types of content, new ad opportunities and of course, new media technologies. News is often where those new influences are seen and felt first; Shaw’s newly rebranded Global TV news show and its website are going through “sweeping changes to how news gets produced” and the newsroom is where front-line staffing is actually on the rise. “News is demanding different skills,” Williams explains. “Our news team has been on steady march in pursuit of digital first. By the time a viewer tunes in at 6 pm – and significant numbers still do – they already know a whole bunch about the story. “It shifts what a newscast is: it’s not about the ‘great reveal’ anymore, but it is about the context around a story, and why www.broadcastermagazine.com
TELEVISION
Barb Williams shares a laugh with actor James Spader during the 2015 Shaw Media Fall Preview; she called meeting The Blacklist star a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Two of the country’s top media execs reveal their companies’ plans and partnership for a new streaming content service called shomi, at an event hosted by Shaw’s Williams and Rogers’ Keith Pelley (who has since moved on to ‘green’ pastures).
One of Shaw Media's most popular homegrown shows, Big Brother Canada will soon kick off a national casting call for its fourth season, airing on Global early in 2016.
Series like Rookie Blue, Houdini and Doyle, and The Code are among Shaw Media's original content creations for Global TV.
that story is important to a viewer, even five or six hours later. “We track what’s happening (online); a lot of traffic comes through Facebook, so we see the social response, and we adjust according. There’s tremendous data available from the website, and that certainly influences the TV story.” Williams referenced online numbers that demonstrate value for viewers and advertisers: Globalnews.ca set new monthover-month records in all key metrics in July, and smashed the previous record for Page Views set in March (36,356,121), with 38,539,910 Page Views. Globalnews.ca also set a new record for video segments at 6,547,800 and new records for visits (24,789,789) and unique visitors (12,277,126). “It is a dynamic and sharing-rich world online, so the cultivation and creation of news stories is certainly affected. If news is no longer the reveal, then it can drill down even deeper. Talk about new skill sets.” Strategically, Williams sees media developments triggering
more of a shift than a cut: “We talk about our 95/5; it’s the concept that your resources make up 100, and while we have been putting 95 against that linear broadcast business, five per cent of the energy and skills and resources are put against the broader media side. “Will it go 80/20? I don’t know where it goes,” she said plainly. “I don’t know the timeline, and I don’t know the end-state, but that is the path we are on!” Along with two key travel companions – advertisers and viewers – Williams and Shaw Media are on that new path. “When it comes to their entertainment and media, neither our viewer customers nor our advertiser customers are living in just linear broadcast; it’s a much larger world now. “Yes, it is a big step, and a big new frame for how we think about our business,” she acknowledged. “But you take a lot of little steps along the way.” Like celebrating birthdays.
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Canadian News Hall of Fame Announces New Inductees Two giants of the news business in Canada have been named to the Canadian News Hall of Fame for 2015. The honourees, Peter Mansbridge and Paul Godfrey, will be inducted at a gala banquet in Toronto in late November. Mansbridge is chief correspondent of CBC News and anchors CBC’s flagship nightly news program, The National, and all CBC News specials. His career with CBC News spans more than 40 years. Godfrey is President and Chief Executive Officer of Postmedia Network Inc., Canada’s largest publisher of paid English-language daily newspapers. Over more than 50 years, his career has included long stints in publishing, professional sports management and politics. The Canadian News Hall of Fame was founded by the Toronto Press Club in 1965 as a national program to honour individuals who have made a significant contribution to journalism in Canada. More than 100 men and women have been inducted to date.
Corus Unveils Executive Leadership Team Corus Entertainment Inc.’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Doug Murphy, announced the company’s new Executive Leadership Team, noting the continuity of senior management and alignment around Corus’ strategic priorities. “We are excited about the year ahead. With the deep bench strength of our Executive Leadership Team, a clear vision and strong plan in place, we are focused on the successful execution of our strategic priorities as we evolve the company to meet consumers’ needs in a highly-dynamic and competitive marketplace,” said Doug Murphy. “In July, our Board of Directors approved Corus’ Strategic Plan and the ELT will execute upon this clear strategic framework to return the company to growth in the coming years.” The ELT will be comprised of the 6 Broadcaster September 2015
President and CEO’s direct reports, as well as Judy Adam, Corus’ Vice President, Finance, who reports to the Chief Financial Officer. The President and CEO’s direct reports include: Executive Vice President, Head of Corus Kids, Colin Bohm will oversee all aspects of Corus’ kids business which encompasses the leading kids television brands YTV, Nickelodeon (Canada), Disney Channel (Canada), Cartoon Network (Canada), TELETOON and Treehouse. Bohm will continue to be responsible for all areas of the Nelvana business which houses the company’s international kid’s development, production and distribution activities and is a key element in Corus’ strategic priorities to own and control more content and expand internationally. Bohm will also be responsible for all digital activities and strategies related to the kid’s brands and Nelvana. As Executive Vice President, President, Corus Radio and Corus Média, Mario Cecchini will continue his oversight of Corus’ Radio division, comprised of 39 stations, and Corus Média, which includes the French-language specialty television assets Séries+, Historia, TÉLÉTOON and La chaîne Disney in support of Corus’ strategy to expand into adjacent markets with our networks in Quebec. Cecchini is also responsible for Corus’ three conventional television stations. He will represent Corus as the Chair of Canadian Broadcast Sales, and on the Board of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. Nelvana Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and President, Scott Dyer will continue to lead Corus’ technology strategy and direct infrastructure investments as well as manage the technology teams and resources for both Corporate IT and TV Broadcast. Dyer will also continue his oversight of the company’s publishing operation, Kids Can Press, and Toon Boom. Dyer will return to Nelvana, a role he left in 2006 to oversee the construction of Corus Quay, to assume responsibility of the Nelvana portfolio which falls under Colin’s leadership. Oversight of the strategic planning process will move to Maria Hale, and the corporate development portfolio will return to Tom Peddie. Executive Vice President, Head of
Content Distribution and Pay Television Maria Hale will lead all aspects of the monetization of Corus’ linear and non-linear content domestically with distributors, including oversight of the implementation of the company’s TV Everywhere strategies for all Corus brands and content. Maximizing digital rights and reaching subscriber segments in innovative ways aligns with Corus’ strategic priorities to build scale through partnerships. Hale will chair Corus’ Digital Council and assume responsibility of the company’s strategic planning process. She will continue her oversight of Corus’ Pay TV business, which consists of Movie Central, Encore Avenue and HBO Canada, in Western Canada. Executive Vice President and General Counsel Gary Maavara will continue to oversee all aspects of Corus’ legal matters, regulatory affairs and government relations. As we move into an evolving regulatory environment, Maavara will oversee the requisite regulatory filings to position the company for growth. He will also continue in his role as Corporate Secretary of the company, represent Corus on numerous industry committees and lead the company’s strategies regarding the implementation of the Let’s Talk TV decisions. As Executive Vice President, Head of Corus Women and Family, John MacDonald will oversee all aspects of the company’s Women and Family portfolio which includes W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), CosmoTV, Sundance Channel (Canada), W Movies, ABC Spark and CMT (Canada). MacDonald will also be responsible for all development, production and distribution activities related to the portfolio and will continue to oversee the portfolio’s digital strategies, including the company’s investment in Kin Community. MacDonald ‘s oversight of the development of hit original content for Corus’ Women and Family networks and the distribution of series with international appeal supports Corus’ content and expansion strategies. Executive Vice President, Head of Airtime Sales Gerry Mackrell will continue to head Corus’ airtime sales activities and be responsible for maximizing airtime and sponsorship revwww.broadcastermagazine.com
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enue strategies across all of the company’s Television and Radio brands. Mackrell will continue to lead Corus’ client insights research team, as well as Corus’ sales support and revenue management initiatives in keeping with Corus’ strategic priority to deliver best in class execution to our customers. Mackrell will represent Corus on the Boards of Numeris and Canadian Broadcast Sales. Kathleen McNair is transitioning from oversight of the human resources and corporate communications portfolios and moving into an advisory role (Executive Vice President, Special Advisor to the CEO and Chief Integration Officer) to the CEO where she will partner with the functional heads to champion key strategic initiatives with an emphasis on organizational effectiveness. She will also lead the integration process related to any new business acquisitions in support of the company’s strategic priority to expand into new and adjacent markets. A search is currently being conducted for a new head of human resources, a position that will report into the President and CEO and participate as a member of the ELT. The corporate communications portfolio will move to Susan Schaefer. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tom Peddie will continue to oversee the company’s corporate finance and accounting functions including investor relations activities. Peddie will also oversee Corus’ facilities, real estate and corporate development portfolios. He will continue to lead the company’s financing strategies as Corus executes on its strategic priorities to return the company to growth in the future. As Executive Vice President, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Susan Schaefer will lead the company’s branding, marketing and consumer research strategies for both Television and Radio. She will also oversee Corus’ efforts to build a direct relationship with our viewers and listeners in alignment with Corus’ strategic priority to engage with our audiences. New to her portfolio will be the oversight of Corus’ corporate communications and public relations initiatives. 8 Broadcaster September 2015
D360 Takes CanCon Abroad
Designer Samantha Pynn of Open House Overhaul.
Distribution360 is reporting the sale of some 170 episodes of factual programming from Canadian producers sold to international buyers across the globe, with new deals locked for new series, Open House Overhaul and sold additional seasons of Ghostly Encounters to Destination America (US), alongside new deals for lifestyle and animal programming in Russia. Open House Overhaul (14x30’), has launched with great success, being sold to Foxtel (Australia), Globosat (Brazil), Decasa (Spain and Portugal) in a deal through Kiwi Media, and LiTV (Asia) in a sale brokered by Bomanbridge Media. The series features designer Samantha Pynn redesigning houses on the market to amp up the property value before the next open house showing. Other lifestyle and home programming has been sold to First HDTV (Russia) through a deal with Alati International Marketing. “We are proud that our Canadian factual and lifestyle content is successfully selling internationally and is in demand with broadcasters worldwide,” said Director, International Sales and Acquisition, Kirsten Hurd. “D360 is committed to working with outstanding third-party producers and curating a catalogue with content of the highest-quality that is trending and on the pulse of what international viewers want to watch.” Following a successful 18 episode run, Destination America (US) has licensed the remaining 65x30’ episodes of the Wraith Films Inc. series Ghostly Encounters, which combines re-enactments, interviews and archival photography to tell real world ghost stories.
National Geographic Channels International has also extended its footprint with Tessa & Scott (7x30’), licensing the program for 17 more territories across Central and Eastern Europe, taking the territory total to over 40 countries for their Nat Geo People brand. The Media Headquarters-produced series has also been picked up by Foxtel (Australia). Distribution360 is a marblemedia company.
Bell Media Appoints President Entertainment Production and Broadcasting Bell Media President Mary Ann Turcke announced the appointment of Randy Lennox to the newly created position of President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media, effective immediately. A veteran entertainment executive with more than 25 years of industry experience, Lennox will oversee all of Bell Media’s English independent and in-house entertainment productions for conventional, specialty, pay television, and digital media, bringing the company’s production teams together under one leader. Lennox will also oversee all English and French radio and local television broadcasting and their associated digital assets. Reporting directly to Mary Ann Turcke, Lennox becomes a member of Bell Media’s Senior Leadership Team. Lennox is the leading executive in the Canadian music industry. While the business has endured a myriad of technological and marketplace challenges, he has consistently grown market share and revenue through talent acquisition and strategic alliances. As President and CEO of Universal Music, the country’s leading music company, he was responsible for more than 50% of domestic and international recording artists, who in total have won 178 JUNO Awards. Some of the Canadian talent he has signed or helped elevate to the international stage include Justin Bieber, Shania Twain, Drake, Hedley, Diana Krall, Nickelback, The Tenors, The Tragically Hip, as well as Canada’s newest breakout star, The Weeknd, among others. www.broadcastermagazine.com
Find out more at: sennheiser.com/avx
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Recognized by Macleans magazine for his talent and production work as one of Canada’s Top 50 most influential people, Lennox has been an integral part of the production of The JUNO Awards and the MUCHMUSIC Video Awards for many years. He is also the executive producer for CTV’s Vancouver 2010 anthem “I Believe” and is an executive producer with Insight Productions for Canada’s Walk of Fame. “Randy joins us at a pivotal time as the media industry experiences significant change,” said Mary Ann Turcke, President, Bell Media. “He brings to Bell Media an unparalleled record of success, a deep understanding of the complexities of the entertainment industry, and a passion for creative multimedia content. We look forward to his expertise in creating new revenue opportunities in television, radio and digital, including building strategic alliances and special, tent-pole events for our key brands.” “Bell Media and Universal Music are the leading companies in their respective industries, so I am delighted to take on this new challenge,” said Lennox. “I look forward to working with Mary Ann and the Bell Media team as we enhance our leadership position while growing new strategic opportunities for the business.” Over the past decade, while the music industry has been tackling the biggest challenges in its history including the shift to digital listening and its monetization - Lennox has delivered the leadership and vision to help Universal Music Canada thrive during this period of change. Universal has been named “Company of the Year” for 15 consecutive years at Canadian Music Week, while Lennox himself has been honoured seven times with the Executive of the Year distinction. He was also named International Executive of the Year by the Worldwide Radio Summit in 2014. Lennox has been honoured as a member of the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame and sits on board of directors for Music Canada, The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), Canada’s Walk of Fame, and the board of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall. Lennox’s philanthropic time and 10 Broadcaster September 2015
efforts have raised more than $25 million in Canada while increasing the profiles of numerous charities and causes both nationally and internationally. Lennox recently won a Juno Award for Song of the Year for producing Wavin’ Flag, a single that raised more than $2 million in disaster relief funds for Haiti. Lennox is a director of Music Counts and the Smilezone Foundation, a Canadian charity that aims to improve the lives of children facing illness, disabilities, and physical and emotional obstacles.
standing reputation for producing high quality animation. This transformative transaction extends our footprint into Europe, broadens our content offering to distribution partners and audiences worldwide, combines best in class CGI and 2D, and optimally positions the company for tremendous growth.” Already operating one of North America’s largest animation studios, 9 Story employs over 250 creative and production staff and has produced over 900 half hours of award-winning children’s content.
9 Story Buys Brown Bag Films
New Senior VP for WoodWing Software
9 Story Media Group has purchased Ireland’s animation and content studio Brown Bag Films, the first acquisition for 9 Story following an equity investment from media entrepreneur Neil Court and ZMC, Zelnick Media Capital last year. With headquarters in Dublin, a studio in Manchester and an office in Los Angeles, Brown Bag employs 170 creative and production staff known for producing several award-winning animated children’s series. The company has received Oscar nominations for Give Up Yer Aul Sins (2002), Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty (2010), three Emmy awards for Peter Rabbit (2014), a Peabody award for Doc McStuffins (2015) and a host of BAFTA, Emmy and Annie nominations for their hit shows Octonauts, Bing Bunny, Doc McStuffins and Henry Hugglemonster. Terms of the transaction, which closed on August 17, 2015, were not disclosed. Brown Bag Films will retain its brand, with Cathal Gaffney, Founder and CEO of Brown Bag Films, Darragh O’Connell, Founder & Creative Director, and the senior management team, continuing to lead the company. Brown Bag Films plans to hire an additional 50 staff in the near future as the company looks to reach new markets with its content. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be joining forces with Brown Bag Films,” said Vince Commisso, President & CEO of 9 Story Media Group. “Cathal, Darragh and their team in Ireland have a well established track record and an out-
Scott Smith, new Senior Vice President, North America at WoodWing.
Digital publishing and content marketing firm WoodWing Software has appointed Scott A. Smith as Senior Vice President, North America. Smith will head up operations in Canada and the U.S., offering solutions for content creation and digital asset management to marketing and publishing companies. He joins WoodWing from publishing icon Time Inc., where he worked for more than 12 years, most recently as Vice President, Technology & Product Engineering. Smith will liaise with software vendors in North America to integrate WoodWing´s solutions with leading applications, especially in the fields of WCM, CRM and PIM. To further accelerate growth, he will also acquire www.broadcastermagazine.com
new WoodWing Solution Partners with comprehensive DAM experience in the marketing segment. WoodWing’s publishing system Enterprise – including the editorial management application Content Station – is used in creating, managing and publishing static, dynamic and interactive content for all media channels – print, Web, social, smartphones and tablets. Elvis DAM enables users to securely store and efficiently manage increasing collections of rich-media files. “In the coming months, we will introduce new content solutions and technologies, and we will continue to evolve into a provider of cloud-based applications for marketing departments and agencies, as well as newspaper and magazine publishers,” said RoelJan Mouw, CEO at WoodWing. “We are very pleased that Scott will contribute his extensive field experience in content technologies to support us on our way to establish the new offerings and to
further strengthen our position in the North American market.” WoodWing Software has headquarters in The Netherlands, and has regional sales offices in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific.
Whistler Film Fest Launches Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship The Whistler Film Festival’s (WFF) commitment to supporting the voices of Aboriginal Canadian artists has helped extend its Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship into a three-day creative and business immersion experience To be held from December 3 to 5, 2015 during the 15th Whistler Film Festival + Summit, the Fellowship program has opened up nationally for up to six emerging Aboriginal Canadian film artists with short film, webisode projects, or television pilots, to attend.
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Designed to advance Canadian Aboriginal talent, the program focuses on strengthening and advancing short script projects by facilitating feedback from a group of mentor filmmakers who are successful, well-respected members of the Canadian film community. WFF has confirmed that N. Bird Runningwater, Director of Native American and Indigenous program at the Sundance Institute, will facilitate and mentor the Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship program. “WFF’s Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship is a unique opportunity for emerging Aboriginal filmmakers with short form content, who are looking to establish themselves in the industry and advance their projects from script to screen,” WFF’s Industry Programming Manager Angie Nolan described “The confidence and feedback gained in the Fellowship helps catapult the filmmakers forward, and supports the next generation of Aboriginal filmmakers to
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share their unique voices in the Canadian storytelling landscape.” Short scripts in all genres can be submitted for consideration. Writers must be Canadian citizens and of Aboriginal descent. All rights remain with the filmmaker. WFF has no proprietary interest in any of the projects. WFF’s Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship is sponsored by Canadian Media Fund, Creative BC, and APTN and is supported by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
Conestoga Broadcast TV Student Wins mpGO Award Noreen Rajani, a second-year Conestoga College Broadcast Television student, is the 2015 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Writer/ Producer Specialization Award, a $200 honour sponsored by the Media Producers Group of Ontario (mpGO). Rajani was presented the award by mpGO Chair Carol Ann Whalen, herself an award-winning alumna of Conestoga College’s Broadcast Television Program and co-proprietor of Kitchener’s C to C Productions. “This is the fourth consecutive year that mpGO has sponsored Conestoga
learning opportunity at TSN, from being able to ask questions, to working on the shows, and the amazing people I got to work with. Just being able to take it all in really made my internship enjoyable. “Plus, TSN hired me as a VTR Operator after my internship!” For the award, students are evaluated based on their ability to produce a segment or oversee segments for Conestoga Connected, a weekly awardwinning show produced by 2nd-year students for Rogers Community Television. 2015 Award Carol Ann Whalen and Noreen Rajani. Photo courtesy Rod Currie.
HGTV Canada Green Lights Original Series
College’s Outstanding Achievement in Writer/Producer Specialization Award, and we are delighted to do so,” said Carol Ann Whalen. “The award encourages students to strive for excellence in their work, while supporting them in taking their broadcast TV education to a level that will better prepare them for professional practice. The students have made their grade and now it’s time for them to make their mark in their career life.” “I came into Conestoga’s program wanting to direct live sports broadcast,” said Rajani of her schooling and internship experiences. “I really enjoyed the
HGTV Canada has commissioned two brand-new Canadian original series from two of its most celebrated hosts, Bryan Baeumler (the top-rated House of Bryan, Leave It to Bryan) and Scott McGillivray (Income Property) that give viewers an insider’s look into the personal and professional lives of two of their favourite celebrity contractors. Production is underway on Bryan Inc. (WT) and Moving the McGillivrays (WT) with both series slated to premiere on HGTV Canada in Fall 2016. “Bryan and Scott have each been a driving force behind what makes HGTV Canada the number one destination for
CHQT Celebrates 50th Anniversary They’re COOL. They’re all JOEs. They’ve moved from MOR to allnews, but they have survived all the changes that radio industry can throw at them, including name and format rebrands. Recently, current and former staff celebrated their anniversary and reunited for CHQT Edmonton 50th year on-air. The station’s broadcasts started on August 19, 1965 on 1,110 kHz, with 10,000 watts power delivering an MOR music format. Now owned by Corus Radio, CHQT now hits the airwaves at 880 kHz AM with a power of 50,000 watts with an all-news radio format under the brand name iNews880. The station’s Craig Roskin sent in the celebratory photograph. 12 Broadcaster September 2015
Front Row: Rick Neilsen, Dave Rozak, Irv Shore, Craig Roskin, Murray Blakely, Bob Coe, Doug Shillington. Second Row: Jodie Sinclair, Bill Bagshaw, Shane Blakely, Denise Sawchyn, Terry Balaban, Lee Korber, Debbie Mainwaring, Dolores Schmaltz, Angie Stelmach, Eileen Bell. Third Row: Darrel Stephenson, Charlie Koester, Jay Charland, Perry Konynenbelt, Nancy Kozicki, Glen Yost, Ron Dyck, Diane Pysh, Greg James, Sharon George, Bob Hunter, Bill McGee, Marc Patterson, Brenton Drieger, Bob Layton, Trisha Kindleman. MISSING: Bob Bradburn (former morning announcer) Ed Mason (former morning newscaster) Sid Smith (current Program Director). www.broadcastermagazine.com
TableRock Media to Launch Over-the-Top TV Channels
HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler.
all things home related,” said Christine Shipton, SVP and Chief Creative Officer, Shaw Media. “It’s thrilling to be now working with them on two completely new, original formats that will give our viewers a closer look at their lives – and their work.” In the 13x60 series Bryan Inc., Bryan and Sarah Baeumler are letting viewers in on their journey to buy, renovate and sell homes for profit. In the new 10x60 series Moving the McGillivrays, viewers get a glimpse into a couple’s attempts to build their own dream home. Bryan Inc. is produced by Si Entertainment, Moving the McGillivrays by McGillivray Entertainment, in association with Shaw Media.
There’s a new Canadian direct-toconsumer entertainment company with plans to develop and produce a collection of subscription-based digital channels, to be available on Apple and Android devices, set-top boxes, video game consoles and other platforms when launched for a global audience in 2016. TableRock Media says it will launch a series of Internet-based specialty channels, focused on niche genres such as Guitars, Motorcycles and Aviation, all billion dollar industries that attract a large consumer base within the categories. Content will feature a combination of original productions created and distributed by TableRock, as well as acquired programming. The subscription-based channels will also offer their members access to exclusive events, engagement through social media and community-building forums. TableRock Media is co-founded by Jeffrey Elliott, former founder and CEO of GlassBOX Television. The TableRock executive team includes co-founder and Chief Creative Officer David Hatch, founder of Whistlestop Productions and co-founder and Chief Operating Officer
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Joseph Arcuri, former CFO at GlassBOX Television and President of AOL Canada. “[W]e see an opportunity to provide audiences with premium programming and experiences specifically tailored to their interests,” Elliott said. “[O]ur strategy is to create niche media brands that will complement general entertainment subscription-based offerings for global audiences.” The TableRock Media Board of Directors is chaired by Ken Murphy, co-founder of High Fidelity, HDTV and former President and General Manager at Discovery Channel (Canada). GlassBOX Television and High Fidelity were purchased by Blue Ant Media in 2012. Rounding out the TableRock Media Board of Directors are Henry Eaton, President of Eaton Ventures and Francis MacDougall, Founder of GestureTek.
Gusto TV in the Kitchen with Live FEED Food and cuisine channel Gusto TV served up its own dish of television history with a night of commercial-free culinary television, with a continuous TV feed from the kitchen of one of Canada’s best restaurants, Beckta Dining & Wine Bar, in Ottawa. On the last Saturday in August, Live FEED prepared an uncut, behind-thescenes look at a night in the life of
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GustoTV provided a continuous feed from the kitchen of Beckta Dining in the debut of its Live FEED program.
one of the top fine-dining kitchens in the country. With advance plans of a lively music track and multiple cameras showing different stations in the kitchen, Chris Knight, CEO of Gusto TV was anticipating something quite different from a contrived, reality TV segment; more like high art. “Cooking in a professional kitchen is like performing in a ballet,” he explained in advance of the production, for which Gusto TV would use the “Slow TV” style and apply it to a restaurant kitchen – and not just one: he plans to extend the concept and visit other top kitchen locations in Canada and worldwide. “We think it’s the next big thing in culinary television,” he exclaimed. At press time, Live FEED was scheduled to air for six hours without commercials on Gusto TV, with national carriers including Bell TV, Bell Fibe, Eastlink, TELUS Optik TV and MTS.
Community Media to Converge in Ottawa Canada’s first community media practitioners conference will be held November 22 – 24 at Carleton University, as community television, radio, online platform professionals join with academics and policy makers to discuss and develop new strategies for community media in the digital environment. ComMediaConverge features panels, workshops and a three-day media festival, along with a day-long policy forum which will develop presentations for the CRTC as part of its upcoming review of community TV. “Canada’s community media is in 14 Broadcaster September 2015
flux,” Cathy Edwards, executive director of the Canadian Association for Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS), said in a conference announcement. “Over the last decade, the majority of traditional cable community TV channels have closed, along with many local commercial news sources. Meanwhile, grassroots online and community gaming organizations have sprung up, but funding for community online media is uncertain. “Media may be moving online, but just because people have an Internet connection doesn’t mean they know how to create media, build a web site or shoot a video,” said Edwards. “There still have to be places in the community where people can get these skills. Just the tools have changed.” Conference organizers say they will also be holding focus groups in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal on supporting participatory media creation in the digital environment.
Strategic Partners Launches Dramatic Television Incubator Strategic Partners’ newest initiative connects dramatic television projects with top-level industry executives gives TV producers an opportunity to have their pilot scripts workshopped by a roundtable of international broadcasters and television investors. Nova Scotia producer Marc Almon has been selected to participate in The Dramatic Television Incubators with his project Merciful, which is being developed in association with Bell Media. Quebec producer Nicholas Kinsey will participate with his project, Shipwrecked Lives, developed in association with NRK, the Norwegian public broadcasting company. Sponsored by the Bell Fund, The Dramatic Television Incubator extends the core goals of Strategic Partners, said Director Laura Mackenzie, strategically placing projects in the hands of a hand picked group of experts specifically chosen to provide each project the creative and market advice it needs to be successful. The 18th Strategic Partners takes place as part of the 35th Atlantic Film
Festival, Sept. 17-20. Each year, top Canadian and international industry players, including producers, investors, sales agents, funding agencies, broadcasters and distributors are selected to attend.
A.C. Lighting Receives CITT Achievement Award Toronto-based entertainment technologies reseller A.C. Lighting Inc. was honoured by the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology / Institut canadien des technologies Scénographiques with its 2015 CITT Supplier (Corporate) Achievement Award. A.C. Lighting’s Chief Operating Officer, Penny Watier, received the award on the behalf of the company at the CITT 2015 Awards Banquet, part of the CITT annual conference and trade show, staged in BC in late August. “Over the years, A.C. Lighting has been an avid supporter of CITT,” noted Michael Harris, CITT President in the award announcement. “The A.C. Lighting team in Toronto truly cares about our organization, its members and the industry, which is why we wish to honour and celebrate them, and why we feel that they are deserving of the CITT Supplier (Corporate) Achievement Award for 2015. We thank you.” Formed in 1990, CITT is a national arts service organization that actively promotes the professional development of its members and works for the betterment of the Canadian live performance community. Each year the organization recognizes individuals and companies that excel in their field of live performance in Canada. The CITT Supplier (Corporate) Achievement Award - voted for by its members - recognizes the sustained commitment and contribution a supplier has made to the Canadian cultural industries community with its quality services, as well as the support it has shown to the organization over the years. A.C. Lighting’s Penny Watier described how proud and delighted she was to receive the award on behalf of the entire team at A.C. Lighting: “To be voted the recipients by members [of the organization] is a real honour. The team www.broadcastermagazine.com
Television and Radio, Peterborough, Kingston and Oshawa. As part of the station’s launch, an external marketing campaign will include outdoor and television ads, and reflect the new sound of 96.3 BIG FM.
In-home Live TV Streaming with AccessEvo CITT President Michael Harris, presenting the award to A.C. Lighting Inc.’s Chief Operating Officer Penny Watier.
at A.C. Lighting prides itself on always striving to deliver the highest possible level of customer service and support. To be publicly acknowledged in this way by our industry peers is very special we are privileged to work with fantastic people in this industry who constantly push the creative boundaries of what’s possible with the leading entertainment technologies that we supply. We thank you for this award and your support!”
New in Kingston: BIG FM Corus Radio Kingston launched 96.3 BIG FM (CFMK-FM), a new station featuring big hits and an extensive classic rock playlist, and an on-air line-up on Monday, August 31. New to 96.3 BIG FM, Rudy & Jenn host The Big Breakfast weekday mornings, followed by listener favourite Ange Stever, with radio vet Derek Bolduc anchoring the afternoon drive; Dave McCutcheon is General Manager,
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More and more cable companies, including Access Communications, offer in-home streaming services, based on cable TV subscription packages.
Saskatchewan owned non profit Access Communications Co-operative is offering its customers an AccessEvo live streaming service delivering highdefinition cable TV to connected media devices in or around the home. Customers can self-install a small piece of hardware on the AccessEvo gateway that enables the AccessEvo mobile app to stream all of the channels that Evo customers subscribe to, recorded shows on the PVR, as well as AccessOnDemand. AccessTV ToGo apps include CraveTV, TSN GO, CTV GO, A&E, TreehouseGO, HollywoodSuiteGO and HistoryGO.
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Discovery Channels Find Top Ratings Discovery has found reason to celebrate in 2014/2015 Numeris (BBM Canada) ratings reports, citing a record year of growth for its suite of digital networks, while reclaiming its position as the #1 entertainment specialty channel among total viewers in primetime and among key demos. Three of the four services – Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, and the newly rebranded Discovery Velocity – are on pace to complete the year with their highest audiences on record, while Discovery Science has nearly doubled its audience during the last seven years. “Discovery’s family of digital networks continue to grow by leaps and bounds,” said Paul Lewis, President and General Manager, Discovery. Investigation Discovery viewing is up 23 per cent (Sept. 2014-July 2015 against the same period the previous broadcast year); Animal Planet viewing is up 33 per cent comparing the timeframes. Discovery Velocity has nearly tripled its audience since launching under new branding and scheduling in February 2015 (Numeris (BBM Canada). P2+, 9/1/14 – 8/2/15).
Kaplan Elected Chair at NATPE Andy Kaplan, President, Worldwide Networks for Sony Pictures Television (SPT), has been elected chairman of the board of NATPE; he previously served as vice chairman of the board, and he
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succeeds Jordan Levin who served as NATPE’s chairman for four years. “Andy is one of the most respected television executives in the business and we are delighted that he will serve as our new chairman,” NATPE||Content First President and CEO Rod Perth announced. “Andy’s extensive knowledge of the domestic and international TV and burgeoning VOD and subscription VOD markets, as well as the multiplatform online entertainment network space, will provide NATPE with an enormously valuable perspective as we further expand our global reach. His vast expertise in Latin America, Asia and India further strengthens our relationships with content creators from those
important regions. He is an incredible asset to our association.” In his current role as president, Worldwide Networks, Sony Pictures Television (SPT), Kaplan heads SPT’s global cable and satellite television networks and investments, as well as broadband, video-on-demand and subscription video-on-demand services from the company’s headquarters in Culver City, California. Globally, Kaplan oversees SPT’s branded networks AXN, Sony Entertainment Television (SET), Sony Channel, ANIMAX, and ONE, as well as a portfolio of channels in India. He also oversees Crackle, the studio’s multiplatform video entertainment net-
Nova Scotia Film Community Launches Locations Website
previously provided by the now-shuttered government-run Film & Creative Industries Nova Scotia. The website is intended to fill that gap.” The site has a locations photo gallery, a highlight reel courtesy of Egg Studios, filmography and links to film-union websites, equipment houses, service providers and Nova Scotia Business Inc., which is managing the new Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund.
SIM Closes Halifax Office
In not unrelated news, the SIM Group announced the closing of its production service and equipment rental office in Halifax Citing “the major upset affecting the entertainment industry in the Nova Scotia region with the recently altered tax incentive program”, the company noted a decline in local production activity, an exodus of companies and individuals, and the most recent cut of the tax incentive rebates as another blow to the industry. “The decision to close our Halifax office,” company president & CEO Rob Sim wrote when announcing the closure, was “made with regret, as we have been welcomed into this region and have worked with outstanding professionals. “Halifax has been home to a vibrant production community, and we will remain committed to our customers and colleagues in Nova Scotia, supporting them from our Toronto office.” SIM opened its PS Production Services office in Halifax 1995, and later added a SIM Digital satellite office in 2005. * PHOTO CREDIT CHRIS REARDON
Nova Scotia’s film and television community has a new website to showcase and promote its film locations, service companies and talent, launched in an effort to reinvigorate an industry shown to be suffering from provincial government cuts imposed last spring. “The only productions that have gone ahead since the government cuts in April are projects that came in under the previous film tax credit. Meanwhile, the industry is booming elsewhere in Canada, due to the low Canadian dollar and competitive incentive programs,” said James Nicholson, Business Agent for DGC-ARC. Despite reporting that film crew are leaving town, and local producers are having difficulty getting projects off the ground, site organizers want to prove to the provincial government and the public that a vibrant, viable local industry can provide a positive financial impact for the province. The site – www.filmnovascotia.ca – went live following several weeks of mostly volunteer work spearheaded by long-time locations manager Shaun Clarke, and the Directors Guild of Canada-Atlantic Region. NSBI is co-operating in the initiative. “There is very little production happening right now, and nothing on the books, during what might otherwise have been one of the busiest seasons in years. So we have set up a website and we are offering locations services to producers considering Nova Scotia for their productions,” Clarke added. “We are providing location and scouting services that were
work. Domestically, Kaplan oversees Sony Movie Channel (SPT’s first U.S. multi-platform television network), as well as Cine Sony Television and the broadcast digi-net getTV. He is also responsible for SPT’s equity interest in multimedia entertainment company GSN, which offers original and classic game programming and competitive entertainment via its 80-million subscriber television network and online game sites. He continues to lead the overall growth of SPT’s network portfolio by expanding the channels’ footprint and building new network brands worldwide, in several countries spanning Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa.
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www.broadcastermagazine.com
Tricon Appoints VP of Worldwide Sales & Acquisitions
Karthiga Ratnasabapathy, Tricon’s VP of Worldwide Sales & Acquisitions.
Tricon Films & Television has restructured its distribution arm with the promotion of Karthiga Ratnasabapathy to
the position of VP of Worldwide Sales & Acquisitions. Her responsibilities include furthering the expansion of the company’s distribution and rights management business, in addition to overseeing and growing the distribution team. Jon Rutherford EVP Distribution & Business Development left the company. Since joining Tricon in 2013 to build on the company’s digital distribution strategy, Ratnasabapathy has secured content agreements with some of the largest players in the industry. Well known for her experience and keen understanding of current and emerging digital platforms, she has worked for some of the industry’s top distribution companies. Prior to joining Tricon, she led the digital and transactional team at Entertainment One, where she developed and managed key agreements with VOD, EST, SVOD and linear partners. “Karthiga’s achievements in the ever changing landscape of international and
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domestic distribution have made her a perfect candidate for this position. I’m grateful to Jon Rutherford for all of his hard work and achievements and I look forward to Karthiga taking us to the next level,” said Andrea Gorfolova, President Tricon Films & Television.
Much Digital Studios Announces Brand Partnership Activations Much Digital Studios has joined forces with some of the biggest brands in Canada for youth-targeted media activations, working with PUMA, Bell, and Virgin Mobile Canada on extensive online, mobile, and on-air custom content integration packages. “Much is known for creating impactful youth-targeted opportunities for brands in Canada, and now with Much Digital Studios, brands are able to explore multiple genres, all while con-
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tinuing to engage with Much’s loyal audience,” said Dave Caporicci, Managing Director, Brand Partnerships, Bell Media. “These three activations are just the beginning of the opportunities Much Digital Studios can offer to new and existing partners.” Much Digital Studios’ beauty vlogger Melissa Merk and PUMA are having fun with fitness in three original videos; MDS and Bell are offering fans upgrades to off-campus student housing with free Internet and cash prizes, while Much Digital Studios creators teamed up with Virgin Mobile at summertime music festivals, giving fans side stage viewing, artist meet and greets and more. Much Digital Studios and its roster of 22 creators report a combined subscriber base of 2.1 million.
Creative BC Announces New CEO Creative BC, the non-profit society responsible for promoting the development of creative industries in British Columbia, has appointed Prem Gill as CEO. Gill brings over 20 years of experience in the industry with a diverse background in film and television broadcasting, communications and media, and digital technology. She takes on the role at the end of September. “Prem Gill is a natural fit as the new CEO for Creative BC due to her outstanding relationship building skills, her reputation in Canada as one of the top leaders who matter in film, television and content creation and her passionate commitment to supporting local creative talent across multi-screen platforms,” said Michael Francis, Chair, Board of Directors of Creative BC. “She will play a key role in working with the provincial government, industry stakeholders and staff to help grow BC’s creative industries and enhance the province’s reputation as a worldclass centre for creative content production,” he added. “Creative BC is an important player in developing a growing creative economy that has already seen much success and I am honoured to join and lead a team that continues to advocate 18 Broadcaster September 2015
for the advancement of this sector,” said Gill. “I truly believe in driving a strategy that celebrates the diverse creative industry through film, TV, books, magazines, music and interactive media and know as a community we have the tools we need to see extensive growth. By continuing to push the boundaries, we will position BC as a global leader in innovation and creativity.” Gill has been active in the BC creative community through her work as Director of Production & Original Programming with TELUS and has previous experience in the broadcast industry with CityTV and CHUM. She is Vice-Chair of the board of directors for the National Screen Institute, holds a board of director position with the Vancouver International Film Festival and an advisory position with Women in View. Gill will be taking over from Richard Brownsey who retired as President and CEO of Creative BC at the end of June, having played a crucial role supporting the growth of BC’s dynamic and diverse creative sector.
Hot Docs Appoints New Director of Programming Shane Smith is the new director of programming for Hot Docs, and he’s set to join the team in October. Smith comes to the Hot Docs documentary film fest and industry conference from the Toronto International Film Festival—where he was the director of special projects, overseeing a wide variety of initiatives and events at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, including largescale strategic projects, TIFF in the Park, Nuit Blanche, the digiPlaySpace travelling exhibition, and Short Cuts programming for TIFF. In his previous role at TIFF he was the director of public programs. Smith will head up a programming team that includes senior Canadian programmer Lynne Fernie and a staff of experienced programmers specializing in Canadian and international films. Smith will be responsible for developing the programming vision for the Festival. Smith will contribute to the long-term visioning and strategic planning for the organization, working with
Hot Docs’ Shane Smith.
various departments to help research and shape new initiatives, and with the wider senior management team to help direct existing projects, both online and live-event based. “Shane has built a well-earned reputation as a champion of original and visionary filmmakers, and his innovative programming reflects his own passion to inspire, inform and entertain filmgoers,” announced executive director Brett Hendrie. “His outstanding eye for great docs will help ensure that Hot Docs continues to bring the most outspoken and outstanding films to the Festival every year. I can’t wait for our audiences to meet him.” Prior to joining TIFF in 2010, he held various positions in programming at Spafax Canada, Movieola: The Short Film Channel, and Silver Screen Classics, and spent six years as director of the Canadian Film Centre’s Worldwide Short Film Festival. Smith is a former member of the Organizing Committee of the International Short Film Conference; a former board member of the Centre for Aboriginal Media, presenters of the imagineNATIVE Film Festival. He founded and co-directed OzFlix: Australian Film Weekend in Toronto and Vancouver. Hot Docs also announced that current programming manager Sarafina DiFelice will take on the newly created position of associate director of programming. www.broadcastermagazine.com
NEW Bluebell’s Fibre Interface for Smaller Robotic/POV Camera Systems Bluebell Opticom has introduced the TDM750, a stand-alone or rack-mount-
TDM750 transports HD-SDI and 100BaseT Ethernet signals.
Real Time Dual Channel 1080p H.265 HEVC Encoder
ed module for transporting HD-SDI and 100BaseT Ethernet signals. The unit provides cost-effective fibre connectivity for the growing range of compact and remote HD pan/tilt cameras used in concert halls and government chambers, making it possible to forego copper cabling and increase the distance between the cameras and the control room. Based on Bluebell’s growing BC Series transport system, the TDM750 uses multicore fibre that allows the installer to transport and control a large number of remote cameras over a single cable. The interface requires only two fibres (with an option for singlefibre operation), making it perfect for smaller robotic/POV camera systems that require only a single video path and bidirectional data via Ethernet. It is available as a stand-alone link or in a 19-inch rack, from which it can connect multiple cameras from single or multiple locations. The self-contained module can also be used as a building block in larger optical networks alongside other interface requirements. The TDM750 will be available in the third quarter of 2015.
DVEO is now shipping its new dual input H.265 HEVC encoder, the Flame265 2Ch/IP. It features real-time encoding of content from cameras or video servers equipped with SDI, HDMI, or HD-SDI outputs. It encodes up to two 1080p HD streams, then outputs dual H.265 IP transport streams. The IP output resolution can be 1080p, 720p, 576p, 480p, and formats. The Linux based system supports HLS and other IP output protocols. H.265 is widely expected to replace H.264 as the mainstay of the broadcast and IP video delivery industry, the company reports, noting its anticipated bandwidth requirement reductions of up to 50 per cent, while delivering the same or better quality of video. DVEO’s dual input 1080p resolution TS encoder is ideal for live or multiscreen content distribution, with repurposing of SDI or HD-SDI video feeds for the lowest bit rate. The unit can also be used for testing and demonstrating HEVC.
SGL Speeds Up Avid ISIS Shared Storage Environment Content archive and storage management company Software Generation, Ltd has introduced Direct Connect for use within the SGL and Avid ISIS shared storage environment, letting users working with longer form content quickly transfer high resolution material. Using Direct Connect, clips or sequences over several GBs in size can be archived and retrieved significantly faster, as can shorter clips with high bit rates such as HD trailers and commercials. SGL FlashNet, the engine that drives Avid Interplay Archive, provides customers with an integrated MAM/PAM archive solution. Built around a clustered architecture, which allows virtually infinite scalability, FlashNet provides Avid users with an archive regardless of size, from the smallest TV station to the www.broadcastermagazine.com
largest network operation. SGL’s support for Avid Web Services means that customers can use the archive capabilities that they currently
require, but can employ Avid Integrated Archive at any time in the future without the need to re-archive any content.
The Association of Central Canada Broadcast Engineers, Technologists and Technicians Inc. September 24 - 27, 2015
Horseshoe Resort Barrie, Ontario
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CCBE 2015
FOR THE 2015 CONFERENCE ROOMS WILL BE GOING FAST!
Contact: Joanne Firminger, 1-800-481-4649, information@ccbe.ca, www.ccbe.ca September 2015
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NEW
PlayBox Offers Universal Playout and Streaming Platform PlayBox Technology is adding a cloud based TV delivery platform to its product line-up, having demonstrated the technology at IBC. CloudAir is designed to streamline workflows for running established and start-up television channels, and will be offered on a standard licensing or SaaS (software-as-a-service) basis. It can be operated in fully automated mode with the option of making schedule alterations or live inserts. All CloudAir modules are controlled via a new unified interface, and operated locally or remotely via a standard HTML web browser. Each element of the control interface provides the information an operator needs to process the task in hand, including the freedom to decide the order in which these processes are performed. Automated alerts warn if any element of a schedule requires additional attention before being transmitted.
TV Stations in the Cloud with PlayBox.
Dejero Debuts Modular Video Transmitter Dejero’s new LIVE+ EnGo is a compact camera-mounted or wearable transmitter that encodes H.264 video and transmits it over multiple IP networks.
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LIVE+ EnGo leverages cellular, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and portable satellite connectivity for reliable live broadcasts from virtually anywhere, even a moving vehicle. Its modular design lets swappable wireless modules be attached to customize the system to locally available wireless network infrastructure, and for use around the world. LIVE+ Multipoint is Dejero’s allnew professional video-over-IP distribution network for exchanging HD-quality, low-latency video from location to location, at any time, anywhere. The cloud-based solution enables broadcasters and media organizations to send a broadcastquality live stream from a source location to multiple locations simultaneously, with known and controlled latency at each end point. LIVE+ Multipoint can also be used to exchange recorded content between studios. The company is also showcasing a new strategic technology partnership with small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) manufacturer Aeryon Labs to provide secure, real-time distribution of HD video. Through the partnership, broadcasters will be able to integrate live video captured with drone technology into their newsgathering, sports coverage, and video productions. The Dejero Aeryon solution combines Dejero LIVE+ transmitters and cloud services with the imagery captured by the Aeryon SkyRanger sUAS.
Lowell PRO Power LED Tiffen is showing its Lowel PRO Power LED light, along with other new products across the range. The PRO Power LED, the latest LED light from Lowel, is a compact focusing light available in hi-CRI tungsten or daylight colour. Dimmable without colour shift, the light works with both AC power and its special DC accessory battery system, which can clamp-mount to the stand or be used with a shoulder strap for handheld lighting. It is comparable to a 150w tungsten-halogen fixture with similar optics, and has a wide fresnel 8:1 focus range. The PRO Power LED has a host of available light control and mounting accessories available, plus a full range of compact and versatile lighting kits.
Tiffen’s Lowel PRO Power LED light. www.broadcastermagazine.com
NEW New Features for Clipster Mastering Station
R&S Clipster Supports Mastering and Production Workflows.
Rohde & Schwarz has introduced its next generation Clipster mastering station, based on a new hardware platform with extended I/O capabilities and J2K profiles. The new generation of R&S Clipster enables content creators to work with higher resolutions, higher frame rates, and larger colour spaces. The integrated software version features a new highprecision colour processing engine which offers on-the-fly colour transformations between standardized colour spaces and even customized colour formats. R&S Clipster supports production formats like QuickTime and DNxHD as well as mastering formats that support 4K HDR such as IMF. This incredible range of supported formats is made possible thanks to its significantly improved hardware and software architecture. The hardware accelerator also increases JPEG2000 performance and extends the supported IMF App #2 profiles. Moreover, R&S Clipster has expanded its DCI support up to 4K HFR for cinema. It also offers support for contribution formats such as AS-02 and AS-11, as well as distribution formats such as H.264 and HEVC. The R&S Clipster IMF version is especially suited for IMF mastering and offers a complete solution for UHD, 3D, and Rec. 2020 mastering – including IMF-compliant closed captions and subtitles, CPL markers, and forensic watermarking. www.broadcastermagazine.com
Hiltron Announces HCSCore Universal Satcom Controller Hiltron Communications introduced its latest-generation satellite communications controller. The HCS-Core can be used to power, control and monitor optical-fibre transceivers and to monitor and control antenna heating, as well as a switchover between devices such as downconverters, high-power amplifiers, waveguides, MPEG digital video broadcast encoders and integrated receiver/decoders. The HCS-Core is available in 2U high full-rack-width and half-rack-width versions. The full-rack-width model can accommodate up to 16 modules. One card slot is occupied by the main control module, leaving two for main and spare power supply plus 13 free for whichever modules are required for a specific configuration. The half rack width version has a total of eight card slots.
The full-width 2U version of the Hiltron ComSysCore (HSC-Core) universal satellite communications controller.
Both versions can be powered direct from 24 volts DC and are operated via an intuitive web-based graphic interface. All modules are hot-pluggable to allow easy exchange. Any new or replaced module is automatically sensed and its address registered.
Broadpeak Streamlines Multiscreen Delivery Broadpeak has added a new origin packager with on-the-fly packaging capabilities to its range of streaming servers. Using the BkS350 origin packager, operators can dynamically convert recorded and VOD content into any ABR streaming format while securing content with DRM encryption.
New Origin Server from Broadpeak.
The BkS350 origin server supports a wide range of adaptive bit rate formats, including Apple HLS, Microsoft Smooth Streaming, Adobe HDS, and MPEGDASH, enabling operators to efficiently deliver video content to any screen, including TVs, PCs, smartphones, and tablets. Leveraging HTTP adaptive bit rate technology, the servers guarantee the best possible video quality for all the viewers whatever their device. The BkS350 origin server can be integrated within a comprehensive video delivery system from Broadpeak, or implemented as a standalone product for broadcasters that want to manage their origin server and stream content in various formats via a CDN as a service; operators can package content in any ABR streaming format and their choice of DRM.
W ESTERN A SSOCIATION B ROADCAST E NGINEERS
OF
Please visit our new web site for details on our 2015 convention, WABE’s Educational Initiatives and to download copies of our 2014 papers: www.wabe.ca Mark your calendar for Vancouver, B.C. for our 65th Annual Convention at the Sheraton Wall Centre
October 18th– 20th, 2015 For information please contact: Kathy Watson, WABE Office Manager, info@wabe.ca. Or call 403-630-4907 September 2015
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Radio Reunion in Steel Town BY DICK DREW
A
hot day in Hamilton, It was wonderful to see aka Steel Town, and Don & Helen Johnston, staffers from the glory our news director and sales years of CHML/CKDS-FM secretary, respectively. Don gather for a cool reunion. became News Director at The August celebration CFRB/CKFM Toronto, and was the brainchild of former remained there until he news director Warren Beck retired. (now the News Director of A guy who really made CKPC AM/FM, Brantford, his mark is Ed Preston. enticed by the late Dick He joined in 1947, working Buchanan, owner of the in the music library. When Brantford station, to come I joined he was the Music out of retirement 11 years Director, with a staff of two ago.) full-time assistants. He left in Now, I won’t say he’s 1967 to be a sales rep with old, but Warren did produce RCA; he would soon be VP my very first air shift when and GM of the Canadian Among the former staffers celebrating their time at CHML Radio Hamilton: Warren I started at CHML, green as Record Division, then PresiBeck, Pete Watts and Dick Drew. grass from Courtenay, B.C. in dent. In 1982, he formed his 1961. His hard work and stick-to-it-ness over the years was hon- own record company with his good friend Roger Whitaker, oured by RTNDA with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. exec producing many of Roger’s very successful albums. Being a persistent news-hound, Warren tracked down former Also attending was Fred Napoli, owner of one of the most staffers from coast to coast (me included), many of whom went unique and distinctive voices in commercial radio and documenon to make quite a name for themselves: tary TV (the famous D-Day to History series among them). CHML station manager Bill Hall and wife Norma (who was Two of the greatest time salesmen ever Peter Watts and Bill Bill’s secretary). They left when Bill became a VP with Standard Stoneham were at the reunion reminding me and everyone Broadcasting in London, England. Later, Standard brought Bill within earshot what a lousy sales manager I was and how they back to Toronto, to manage CFRB until he retired. often saved my butt. The already well-established Mayor of the Morning, Paul There isn’t space here to name – or show – all of the great Hanover, joined in 1945. Paul administered to the affairs of the and talented people who attended (there is a great photo colcity from behind a microphone Monday to Friday (after which lection at the station’s website of these and many more alumni), he would fly to Montreal for a live taping as host of a daily TV but each and every one can be proud of their contributions to game show It’s Your Move, created by the same writing team this industry. They’re all Canadian Achievers. behind the phenomenally successful Love Boat, Art Baer and Ben Jolson). Dick Drew worked at CHML/CKDS-FM 1961-77. He has been Now approaching 90, Paul still looks like a million dollars reporting Canadian Achiever stories since 1984, and you can and works out at the YMCA three mornings a week. He knows read about other notable people in his book of the same name. He I will forever be indebted to him for the support, direction and is also a regular contributor to Broadcaster Magazine. encouragement he gave me many years ago.
22 Broadcaster September 2015
www.broadcastermagazine.com
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