Richard Stursberg, EVP of CBC English television, let a couple of intriguing cats partway out of the bag yesterday with an invitation to the March 27 launch of two new digital channels.

Except for the names of the two on-demand channels, and their general content, all details are still hush-hush. What MiC can tell you is that Bold TV will feature "unconventional drama, exclusive performing arts and audacious comedy," and Documentary will "deliver award-winning programming from Canada and around the world."

Rumour has it that Bold TV is actually a rebranding of Country Canada. Maybe so, but what's known about the new programming seems a far cry from Hinterland Who's Who.

Since 2003, 20 of the past 22 quarters have produced positive results which, says the latest report from Canadian Broadcast Sales, "underscores radio's vibrancy, flexibility and attractiveness as a reach medium." Read More

Canwest's all-entertainment net has a new show that applies a bit of tech - and a bit of Go Fug Yourself - to the art and arguments of fashion criticism. Read More

Toronto's OUTtv has signed a programming and supply deal with US-based here! Network that will see both of the gay and lesbian nets sharing new series for the fall sked.

OUTtv, which recently sold nearly 60 hours of programming to here!, will air the US net's Dante's Cove (starring Canadian Charlie David, co-star of OUTtv's Bump!) and feature films.

Last year, the two nets worked together to produce the gay detective feature films Ice Blues and On the Other Hand, Death, as well as a documentary called Martinis & Murder: Inside the Donald Strachey Mysteries.

OUTtv is also launching a new website at www.OUTtv.ca, which features show clips, highlights, extras, blogs, newsletters and other programming info. COO Brad Danks says the site was "designed as a fully functional broadcasting platform."

OUTtv has more than doubled its subscription base in the past two years and now has more than 500,000 subscribers across Canada.

Absolutely, according to a national campaign for Discover Boating Canada that kicks off next week. Read More

HarperCollins has skedded a decidedly high-tech technique to support the May 16 theatrical launch of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Dubbed "Read It Before You See It," the digital effort by the publisher, in partnership with Special Ops Media, will roll out Web 2.0 applications including Facebook, Neopets and MySpace for the fabled C.S. Lewis Narnia children's book series.

The campaign includes Caspian digital assets to be released to various online portals as well as the development of a microsite at www.harpercollinschildrens.com/narnia that will feature sweepstakes, games and other promotional activities.

From KidScreen Daily

Sears climbed 22 spots this week, almost but not quite ousting Telus Mobility, which hit #1 for the fourth consecutive week. Winners made it onto the chart, at #10, for the first time this year. Top climbers were Volkswagen, at #65, and TVO, at #67. Check out which other marketers heavyed up on radio, by category and brand, in the Toronto market this week.

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