Exclusive: Michael MacMillan retired from the world of television 17 years ago. Except, he didn’t.
The Canadian film and TV producer and business exec had made his name as CEO and Chairman of Alliance Atlantis, the company that built the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation franchise into a worldwide phenomenon, before its broadcast unit was sold off in 2007 to Canwest Communications and Goldman Sachs — making a lot of cash and taking a well-earned early retirement.
However, just four years later, he was back to do it all again.
MacMillan launched Blue Ant Media in 2011, originally as a Canadian channel operator, much the same as Alliance Atlantis had operated. However, just like his previous company, network ownership was only a means to an end — owning content was always the real play.
In the 13 years that have followed, Blue Ant has transformed from a channel operator to a content company playing in the international rights ownership game,...
The Canadian film and TV producer and business exec had made his name as CEO and Chairman of Alliance Atlantis, the company that built the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation franchise into a worldwide phenomenon, before its broadcast unit was sold off in 2007 to Canwest Communications and Goldman Sachs — making a lot of cash and taking a well-earned early retirement.
However, just four years later, he was back to do it all again.
MacMillan launched Blue Ant Media in 2011, originally as a Canadian channel operator, much the same as Alliance Atlantis had operated. However, just like his previous company, network ownership was only a means to an end — owning content was always the real play.
In the 13 years that have followed, Blue Ant has transformed from a channel operator to a content company playing in the international rights ownership game,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The shape of Blue Ant Media’s combined studios and rights business is coming together.
Following the Canada’s Drag Race producer’s acquisition of Canadian compatriot MarbleMedia in August, the as-yet-unnamed production and distribution business has set out its leadership teams under Co-Presidents Mark Bishop and Matthew Hornburg, we can reveal.
Bishop and Hornburg previously led MarbleMedia, which has production and sales operations in Canada and the UK. Merging their business with Michael MacMillan’s Blue Ant has created Canada’s latest major content business, the name of which will soon be unveiled.
Here’s a rundown of the new structure: Hornburg’s unscripted development will see Jennifer Harkness taking the factual entertainment development reins from Blue Ant’s LA office. Over in Toronto, Kelsey Espensen (Best in Miniature) will lead unscripted entertainment and Steve Gamester (Inside the Statue Wars) heads specialist factual development.
Following the Canada’s Drag Race producer’s acquisition of Canadian compatriot MarbleMedia in August, the as-yet-unnamed production and distribution business has set out its leadership teams under Co-Presidents Mark Bishop and Matthew Hornburg, we can reveal.
Bishop and Hornburg previously led MarbleMedia, which has production and sales operations in Canada and the UK. Merging their business with Michael MacMillan’s Blue Ant has created Canada’s latest major content business, the name of which will soon be unveiled.
Here’s a rundown of the new structure: Hornburg’s unscripted development will see Jennifer Harkness taking the factual entertainment development reins from Blue Ant’s LA office. Over in Toronto, Kelsey Espensen (Best in Miniature) will lead unscripted entertainment and Steve Gamester (Inside the Statue Wars) heads specialist factual development.
- 11/22/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
After taking a look back at House II: The Second Story (a favorite of mine since childhood) and House of 1000 Corpses (which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year), JoBlo’s own Lance Vlcek continues his The Best Scene video series by digging into what he feels is the best scene from the 1995 classic Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight (watch it Here). Lance’s choice for the best scene in this one is the scene where Billy Zane’s character The Collector gives up his cowboy disguise and reveals his true nature. You can hear all about it in the video embedded above!
Directed by Ernest Dickerson from a screenplay written by Mark Bishop, Ethan Reiff, and Cyrus Voris, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight has the following synopsis: Ex-soldier Frank Brayker is the guardian of an ancient key that can unlock tremendous evil; the sinister but charming...
Directed by Ernest Dickerson from a screenplay written by Mark Bishop, Ethan Reiff, and Cyrus Voris, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight has the following synopsis: Ex-soldier Frank Brayker is the guardian of an ancient key that can unlock tremendous evil; the sinister but charming...
- 11/16/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
A new heavyweight is about to make a splash in the unscripted ring.
Canadian production-distribution powerhouse Blue Ant Media, the producers of “Canada’s Drag Race,” has acquired “Blown Away” outfit MarbleMedia — a deal that merges two of Canada’s most global-facing industry players.
The acquisition sees Toronto-headquartered Blue Ant Media merge its production and distribution operations with MarbleMedia into one studio and rights business. Blue Ant Media boss Michael MacMillan, the former CEO of Alliance Atlantis, tells Variety that discussions have taken place for around a year. “Neither company needed to do this,” he says, “but it seemed like a really smart idea for us all.”
Formed in 2011, Blue Ant Media has grown into a leader in factual and unscripted content. Its stable of shows include “Canada’s Drag Race” for World of Wonder and Crave; “Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks” for Prime Video; the doc series “Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies...
Canadian production-distribution powerhouse Blue Ant Media, the producers of “Canada’s Drag Race,” has acquired “Blown Away” outfit MarbleMedia — a deal that merges two of Canada’s most global-facing industry players.
The acquisition sees Toronto-headquartered Blue Ant Media merge its production and distribution operations with MarbleMedia into one studio and rights business. Blue Ant Media boss Michael MacMillan, the former CEO of Alliance Atlantis, tells Variety that discussions have taken place for around a year. “Neither company needed to do this,” he says, “but it seemed like a really smart idea for us all.”
Formed in 2011, Blue Ant Media has grown into a leader in factual and unscripted content. Its stable of shows include “Canada’s Drag Race” for World of Wonder and Crave; “Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks” for Prime Video; the doc series “Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies...
- 8/10/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Canadian film and TV productions with American actors attached in key lead roles might not have to grind to a halt on soundstages in Toronto and Vancouver after SAG-AFTRA called for a history-making strike stateside.
On July 10, days ahead of the strike action, leading SAG-AFTRA officials met with agents representing top-tier Hollywood actors and said union members would be allowed to work on Actra (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) projects in Canada as a double strike featuring American writers and actors gets underway.
And that has Canadian indie producers eyeing waivers from SAG-AFTRA to get American talent working on local originals. “They (SAG-AFTRA) have begun to announce certain waivers that they’ve granted to indie projects. And I would expect that they are not trying to shut down the indie world internationally and that they will find ways to be reasonable and help the producers work,” Shawn Williamson,...
On July 10, days ahead of the strike action, leading SAG-AFTRA officials met with agents representing top-tier Hollywood actors and said union members would be allowed to work on Actra (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) projects in Canada as a double strike featuring American writers and actors gets underway.
And that has Canadian indie producers eyeing waivers from SAG-AFTRA to get American talent working on local originals. “They (SAG-AFTRA) have begun to announce certain waivers that they’ve granted to indie projects. And I would expect that they are not trying to shut down the indie world internationally and that they will find ways to be reasonable and help the producers work,” Shawn Williamson,...
- 7/17/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Marblemedia has wrapped production on the upcoming half-hour teen comedy series “Davey & Jonesie’s Locker,” Variety confirms.
The 10-episode, single-camera series filmed in Toronto and has been co-commissioned by Prime Video in Canada, Australia and New Zealand and Hulu in the U.S.
“Davey & Jonesie’s Locker” hails from showrunner Evany Rosen and follows two best friends, Davey and Jonesie, who feel “out of step with their peers and the banal backdrops of their high school existence.” When they discover their locker is actually a portal to a multiverse, they set off on new adventures. The joke? Those adventures entail alternate versions of their high school, with offbeat iterations of their classmates.
“Fortunately, these audacious and creative besties are ready to make the most of this vacation from reality by leaving their mark on every universe they visit… even if it means choosing interdimensional chaos while they’re at it,...
The 10-episode, single-camera series filmed in Toronto and has been co-commissioned by Prime Video in Canada, Australia and New Zealand and Hulu in the U.S.
“Davey & Jonesie’s Locker” hails from showrunner Evany Rosen and follows two best friends, Davey and Jonesie, who feel “out of step with their peers and the banal backdrops of their high school existence.” When they discover their locker is actually a portal to a multiverse, they set off on new adventures. The joke? Those adventures entail alternate versions of their high school, with offbeat iterations of their classmates.
“Fortunately, these audacious and creative besties are ready to make the most of this vacation from reality by leaving their mark on every universe they visit… even if it means choosing interdimensional chaos while they’re at it,...
- 6/12/2023
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon’s Prime Video is bringing the story of Canada’s most famous children’s entertainer to the world. The streamer has confirmed the start of production on an untitled “Mr. Dressup” documentary, based on the life and career of Ernie Coombs.
The doc will celebrate the origins and history of the children’s show and its legacy of valuable lessons. In addition to including insights into the relationship with Rogers, the project uses unseen archival footage, interviews with series puppeteers and musicians, the Coombs family, and other notable Canadians who discuss the impact the series had on them.
Rob McCallum (“Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe”) directs and co-writes with Jordan Morris (“Nintendo Quest”).
American-born Coombs came to Canada in the early 1960s as one of Fred “Mister” Rogers’ puppeteers for the 1961-64 CBC children’s program “Misterogers.” Coombs then immigrated...
The doc will celebrate the origins and history of the children’s show and its legacy of valuable lessons. In addition to including insights into the relationship with Rogers, the project uses unseen archival footage, interviews with series puppeteers and musicians, the Coombs family, and other notable Canadians who discuss the impact the series had on them.
Rob McCallum (“Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe”) directs and co-writes with Jordan Morris (“Nintendo Quest”).
American-born Coombs came to Canada in the early 1960s as one of Fred “Mister” Rogers’ puppeteers for the 1961-64 CBC children’s program “Misterogers.” Coombs then immigrated...
- 9/29/2022
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
A new documentary will explore the life of Canada’s most legendary children’s entertainer, Mr. Dressup.
The alter ego of Ernie Coombs, Mr. Dressup entertained and educated five generations of Canadian youngsters through his iconic CBC daytime series, which aired from 1967 until 1996.
On Thursday, Sept. 29, Prime Video announced the start of production on the new Canadian Amazon Original documentary focusing on Mr. Dressup, with filming to start in fall 2022.
During a television run of nearly 30 years, Coombs delighted youngsters who watched, introducing them to puppets Casey and Finnegan, along with his iconic “tickle trunk,” a repository for all manner of inventive costumes.
Read More: A Retro Holiday Clip Of Mr. Dressup Shared On Twitter Is Making Canadians Nostalgic
“The feature-length documentary celebrates the origins and history of Canada’s favourite children’s show, ‘Mr. Dressup’, which built a legacy of kindness, patience, inclusiveness, and creativity in 4,000 episodes across 29 years on CBC in Canada,...
The alter ego of Ernie Coombs, Mr. Dressup entertained and educated five generations of Canadian youngsters through his iconic CBC daytime series, which aired from 1967 until 1996.
On Thursday, Sept. 29, Prime Video announced the start of production on the new Canadian Amazon Original documentary focusing on Mr. Dressup, with filming to start in fall 2022.
During a television run of nearly 30 years, Coombs delighted youngsters who watched, introducing them to puppets Casey and Finnegan, along with his iconic “tickle trunk,” a repository for all manner of inventive costumes.
Read More: A Retro Holiday Clip Of Mr. Dressup Shared On Twitter Is Making Canadians Nostalgic
“The feature-length documentary celebrates the origins and history of Canada’s favourite children’s show, ‘Mr. Dressup’, which built a legacy of kindness, patience, inclusiveness, and creativity in 4,000 episodes across 29 years on CBC in Canada,...
- 9/29/2022
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
The sixth season of Paramount+ original series “Seal Team” has a new official trailer ahead of its September 18 premiere. Produced by CBS Studios, the series will debut episodes of its ten-episode season weekly on Sundays on Paramount+.
The show stars David Boreanaz, Max Thieriot, Neil Brown, Jr., A.J. Buckley, Toni Trucks and Raffi Barsoumian. The military drama follows the professional and personal lives of an elite unit of Navy SEALs, who are often deployed on missions worldwide at a moment’s notice.
“Seal Team” is produced by CBS Studios and executive produced by Spencer Hudnut, Christopher Chulack, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, Mark Owen and David Boreanaz. The series is distributed worldwide by Paramount Global Content Distribution. Watch the full trailer below.
Also in today’s TV news:
Streaming
The CNN Originals hub on Discovery+ debuted today in the United States giving subscribers access to a library of CNN content from...
The show stars David Boreanaz, Max Thieriot, Neil Brown, Jr., A.J. Buckley, Toni Trucks and Raffi Barsoumian. The military drama follows the professional and personal lives of an elite unit of Navy SEALs, who are often deployed on missions worldwide at a moment’s notice.
“Seal Team” is produced by CBS Studios and executive produced by Spencer Hudnut, Christopher Chulack, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, Mark Owen and David Boreanaz. The series is distributed worldwide by Paramount Global Content Distribution. Watch the full trailer below.
Also in today’s TV news:
Streaming
The CNN Originals hub on Discovery+ debuted today in the United States giving subscribers access to a library of CNN content from...
- 8/19/2022
- by EJ Panaligan and Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Netflix is set to shake up the bar and spirits worlds with Drink Masters, a reality series out of Canada to debut on Oct. 28 as competing mixologists infuse and blend their liquid art to create fresh takes on storied cocktails.
Similar to other reality competition shows, 12 contestants from across North America have to complete challenges against a clock, with one person getting their marching orders every episode until an Ultimate Drink Master is crowned. But what can be done with a skillet and stove in Top Chef or Chopped can apparently also be done with a cocktail shaker and a bar top in Drink Masters as bartenders shake, stir and pour elixirs to create madcap cocktails, Marblemedia executive producer Matt Hornburg tells The Hollywood Reporter.
“It’s not just about what’s in the glass, but what appears around the glass as part of that experience.
Netflix is set to shake up the bar and spirits worlds with Drink Masters, a reality series out of Canada to debut on Oct. 28 as competing mixologists infuse and blend their liquid art to create fresh takes on storied cocktails.
Similar to other reality competition shows, 12 contestants from across North America have to complete challenges against a clock, with one person getting their marching orders every episode until an Ultimate Drink Master is crowned. But what can be done with a skillet and stove in Top Chef or Chopped can apparently also be done with a cocktail shaker and a bar top in Drink Masters as bartenders shake, stir and pour elixirs to create madcap cocktails, Marblemedia executive producer Matt Hornburg tells The Hollywood Reporter.
“It’s not just about what’s in the glass, but what appears around the glass as part of that experience.
- 8/18/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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