Tag Archives: CTV

Headline, Industry News

Has ‘Lost’ lost its way?

Leave a comment

NEW YORK (AP) _ Flash back to last fall: With intense buzz surrounding "Lost," ABC split Season Three in two, hoping to launch new shows "The Nine" and "Day Break" and eliminate grumbling about reruns.

Cut to the present: Not only has ABC cancelled both new shows (which got good reviews but few viewers), but the resulting "Lost" mini-season deflated the island drama’s momentum, leaving many fans and critics disappointed, discouraged and worried that "Lost" may have lost its way.

The formerly white-hot drama about plane crash survivors on a remote island returns Wednesday at 10 p.m. EST for 16 new uninterrupted episodes. ABC bumped it an hour later to steer clear of Fox’s "American Idol" juggernaut and CBS’s solid "Criminal Minds."

Part of what had made "Lost" so extraordinary was the gradual unveiling of new information that unlocked the secrets behind each character and the surreal island as a whole. But during last fall’s six episodes, "Lost" hastily compressed too much into too little time.

The first three episodes of the mini-season began in true "Lost" fashion. As multiple cliffhangers from the explosive second season finale were resolved, new questions surfaced for every question answered.

Soon, however, the eagerly anticipated unveiling of The Others’ compound and the extraneous introduction of additional plane crash survivors became a bombardment of too many new faces and foreign environments.

Familiar favourites were suddenly lost in a convoluted crowd.

Also, the fates of those who did receive considerable air time were rather difficult to digest. It was disconcerting watching Jack, Kate and Sawyer, three of the show’s most beloved characters, suffer as powerless, manipulated lab rats in cages.

It’s hard to be optimistic with the all-too-frequent reminder that favourite characters can be tortured or killed at any time. Consider the rapid demise of Mr. Eko. He was the only survivor with the strength and conviction to stare down the island monster. So it was disheartening to witness the amorphous black smoke mortally toss the powerful Nigerian around like a rag doll.

This felt especially drastic since Eko was killed almost immediately after twice cheating death _ first by surviving the hatch explosion, then by escaping a polar bear.

None of the protagonists are saints, but viewers still cheer for their imperfect heroes to succeed in overcoming obstacles. The current story lines of retribution and undue punishment merely reinforce the miseries of defeat.

Just like cast members constantly reminded of their lack of job security, "Lost" fans are now aware that they have to enjoy the ride while it lasts. Serialized television can abruptly change course _ or end _ at any time.

Headline, Industry News

Fox Cancells "The O.C."

Leave a comment

Fox has canceled its teen soap drama "The O.C."

The show’s last episode will air Feb. 22, finishing out its fourth season, the network announced Wednesday.

"’The O.C.’ season four finale will also be the series finale," said Josh Schwartz, the show’s creator and executive producer. "This feels like the best time to bring the show to its close. Thanks to the hard work of our cast, crew and writers, we have enjoyed our best season yet, and what better time to go out than creatively on top. …For a certain audience, at a certain time, ‘The O.C.’ has meant something. For that we are grateful."

"The O.C." has fallen in the ratings every year it has been on the air. The first season 2003 averaged a 4.2 rating among adults 18 to 49, according to Nielsen Media Research. The second averaged 3.3; the third 2.7; the fourth is suffered a 1.8 average rating.

Headline, Industry News

Canadian Idol New Audition Rules

Leave a comment

TORONTO, Dec. 19 – As Eva Avila finalizes plans for her 2007 national concert tour, CTV announced today details on the search for the next Canadian Idol. As revealed on eTalk last night, Canadian Idol’s Season 5 Audition Tour begins Saturday, January 27 in Vancouver before hitting malls in nine more cities across the country through mid-April. eTalk also revealed a new approach to the audition process that will now provide Canadian Idol hopefuls with the option of playing musical instruments while auditioning for the vocal competition, broadening the scope of the search for the winner.

Auditions will be held in the following 10 cities on the following dates.

Venue information will soon be announced (all information subject to change):


—————————————

City  Dates
—————————————

Vancouver, BC  January 27/28
—————————————

Calgary, AB  February 10/11
—————————————

Saskatoon, SK  February 17/18
—————————————

Winnipeg, MB  February 24/25
—————————————

London, ON  March 3/4
—————————————

Montreal, QC  March 10/11
—————————————

Ottawa-Gatineau  March 17/18
—————————————

Halifax, NS  March 24/25
—————————————

St. John’s, NL  April 4
—————————————

Toronto, ON  April 12/13
—————————————

Previously, auditions for Canadian Idol were strictly an a cappella process. Now, in a North American first, performers are welcome to accompany themselves, adding a new musical component to the audition phase that could return later in the series.

"We are very excited about musicians being able to accompany themselves in the auditions," said Executive Producer John Brunton. "Canadian Idol remains a vocal competition, but we’re hoping this new element brings out people who may have never considered auditioning before."

Competitors will be judged evenly on their singing, whether playing instruments or singing a cappella. Those choosing to play an instrument will also be judged on their playing abilities.

In 2004, Canadian Idol was the first Idol program in the world to feature instruments on a non-performance show in Season 2. Following Canada’s lead, several other Idol shows went on to emulate this element, including American Idol. Considered one of the most innovative Idol programs in the world, Canadian Idol once again pushes the format as competitors could possibly continue to perform instruments as the series progresses through the summer of 2007.

As in Season 4, the 2007 Canadian Idol "Easy-Access" tour makes it easier than ever to audition. There is no need to line up as competitors can choose the day and time they want to audition: registration is open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on each day of auditions. As well, almost all of the auditions are scheduled on weekends and most of the auditions will be held at malls.

Auditions for Canadian Idol are open to all Canadians between the ages of 16 and 28 (inclusive) as of February 1, 2007. Complete rules and regulations as well as registration forms will be posted at idol.ctv.ca in early 2007.

Season 5 of Canadian Idol will return to CTV this June, building on the success of the series’ fourth season. Starting off the season with a record 12,000 auditions, Season 4 ended with an astonishing 36.4 million votes cast by viewers – more than one for every man, woman and child in the country.

Season 4 reached 55 per cent of the English Canadian population, meaning that one out of every two people in the country watched some part of the series last summer.

Headline, Industry News

Internet, mobile affect on broadcasters

Leave a comment

GATINEAU, Que. (CP) _ The impact on broadcasting by new technologies currently outside the regulatory realm has been marginal, says a report by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission _ but it warns that quick action is needed to hold them at bay.

The report predicts that Canadians’ rising use of unregulated electronic platforms, such as the Internet and mobile networks, will have an increasing effect on regulated broadcasting. It says these shifting patterns, while marginal so far, need to be addressed within three to seven years or it may be too late.

The report, The Future Environment Facing the Canadian Broadcasting System, urges the "detailed and ongoing monitoring of developments in the evolution, contribution and impact of audio-visual technologies," saying it is essential to the formation of informed public policy.

"The Canadian broadcasting system must remain relevant in a global digital environment and must meet the diverse needs of Canadians of all cultures," said CRTC chairman Charles Dalfen.

"This report is an important step in providing policy-makers with the information needed to make decisions that will ensure the ongoing health, contribution and relevance of the Canadian broadcasting system."

The report says Canadians still receive the vast majority of programming through regulated broadcasts.

But acting on order from Heritage Minister Bev Oda, the agency that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications has begun three years of regulatory framework review of radio, TV and broadcasting distribution, focusing on the role of technological change.

"The CRTC will continue to seek ways to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden to ensure that our measures are as effective and efficient as possible," it said in a statement Thursday.

Front Page, Industry News

CTV’s ‘Corner Gas’ Secures Lucrative U.S. Syndication Deal

Leave a comment

TORONTO (CP) _ Brent Butt, the star, creator and producer of CTV’s hit comedy "Corner Gas," has two lifelong dreams: to appear on the "Late Show With David Letterman" and to play goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

One of those dreams _ only one of them, however _ might be a trifle closer to coming true with the announcement Friday that "Corner Gas" has secured a U.S. distribution deal with American cable network Superstation WGN. The two-year, 88-episode deal with the Chicago-based network will make the series available in nearly 70 million U.S. homes beginning in 2007.

"Being the greasy nightclub comic that I am, I’ve always wanted to be on Letterman because the man’s a master, so who knows," Butt says with a laugh. He is quick to acknowledge, however, that net-minding for the Leafs will forever remain a fantasy.

Butt, who plays Brent Leroy on the half-hour comedy, says he continues to be stunned at how successful his brainchild has become since it first aired on CTV in January 2004.

"It’s been pretty whirlwindy right from the start; I mean it’s been so much more than I expected or anyone else expected," Butt said in a telephone interview Friday.

"When we got nominated after the first year for an international Emmy, I remember thinking: ‘How the hell did this happen?’ I am sort of feeling that way today as well."

Americans already like "Corner Gas," says Butt, who hears from U.S. fans watching the show via satellite. That’s because "Corner Gas" is not so Canadian that non-Canadians don’t get the dry humour revolving around life in a rural setting.

"I even had someone from Sweden who watches it there tell me it reminds him exactly of the town where he grew up in Sweden," Butt says. "It’s a universal thing. It’s the kind of show that people tell their friends about, around the watercooler at the office the next day _ the humour isn’t exclusively Canadian."

Indeed, "Corner Gas" is now licensed internationally to broadcasters serving 26 countries, including Australia, Iraq, Finland and Morocco, following in the footsteps of the other CTV mega-hit, "Degrassi: The Next Generation." The Degrassi kids were even mobbed in September during an appearance in New York City.

Even bigger things might be ahead for "Corner Gas," if Butt has his way. Just like that other Canadian runaway hit, "The Trailer Park Boys," Butt hopes "Corner Gas" might also be destined for the big screen.

"We’ve talked a lot about that, and we’re very serious about it," he said. "I’d really like to see that happen somehow."

The Saskatchewan-born Butt came up with the idea for the series after wondering what his life would be like if he hadn’t pursued standup comedy. The first episode of the show attracted 1.2 million viewers _ a huge number for a Canadian audience _ and has never gone below the million-viewer mark, regularly holding its own against American fare like "The Simpsons" and "Deal or No Deal."

Posts navigation