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MONTREAL: The deal between Bell Media and Cirque du Soleil for a joint venture to create content for multiple platforms has closed, with the new entity to be led by Jacques Méthé. The Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil Media will develop content for television, film, digital and gaming platforms. Méthé will …

BEVERLY HILLS: Netflix members in Canada will have the chance to watch the new season of the comedy Arrested Development, which is being resurrected for a fourth run exclusively for the online streaming service. Netflix Canada is offering the first three seasons of the show, which ran on FOX and …

TORONTO: Shaw Media has licensed the sci-fi series Defiance from NBCUniversal Television Canada to launch in spring 2013 on Showcase.  The one-hour series airs in the U.S. on Syfy. A collaboration between Syfy and Trion Worlds has brought about the first-ever convergence of TV and Massive Multiplayer Online gaming, as …

OTTAWA-GATINEAU: The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has blocked the proposed takeover of Astral Media by Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE), which is now asking for the federal Cabinet to intervene in the decision. The CRTC struck down BCE’s bid to acquire control of Astral’s TV and radio services because it …

HALIFAX: Call Me Fitz, a dark comedy, has begun production on its fourth season, which is slated to feature Michael Gross. Starring Jason Priestley, Call Me Fitz is about a used-car salesman named Richard Fitzpatrick and his alter-ego, Larry. In the show’s new 10-episode season, Michael Gross (Family Ties) will portray …

MONTREAL: Astral Media has confirmed that it is still in discussion with Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) over its proposed takeover, despite the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) having shot down the first deal. The two are continuing to pursue regulatory approvals for Bell’s takeover of Astral, including filing another …

MONTREAL: Astral Media and Bell have revised their arrangement agreement and submitted a new proposal to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) after formally withdrawing the request to the federal Cabinet for a policy direction to the CRTC. The plan for Astra to join together with Bell Media was …

TORONTO: Shaftesbury has secured the worldwide distribution rights for the digital reality show The Avenue, along with signing a first-look deal with the series executive producer Scott Fisher and his company Foreground. Produced by Foreground through a partnership with Youth Culture, The Avenue is comprised of 18 15-minute episodes. The …

TORONTO: XII Tribes Entertainment is working with producer/director Amir Azimi on a number of projects currently in development and production, including the gaming-style competition series Hunter Force. The 12×30-minute Hunter Force is developed by Azimi, along with Dylan Harrison and Glen Turpin. It is valued at $2.5 million per season. Production …

LOS GATOS: Subscribers to the Canadian Netflix service are gaining access to a wealth of drama series and films from the Warner Bros. catalogue, including the supernatural hit The Vampire Diaries. As part of a pact with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, Netflix customers in Canada can watch seasons one …