THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL (IFC) and Salter Street Films announced that the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has approved a license to operate
THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL CANADA, a new specialty television programming service for digital distribution. The license is for a Category 1 service with guaranteed carriage.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to extend the IFC brand into the Canadian market and to showcase independent film to a wider audience,” says IFC Executive VP/General Manager Ed Carroll. “The partnership reinforces IFC’s position as the leading network for independent film in North America.”
The strategic partnership between IFC and Salter Street Films will result in THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL CANADA having access to IFC product including cutting-edge original programming and on-air branding elements. The partnership will also include the joint development and production of television content for US and Canadian channels.
THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL CANADA is Canada’s first English-language television service dedicated to independent film, the filmmaking process, and the world of filmmakers, and will provide a forum for Canadian films. With a strong commitment to Canadian content, THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL CANADA also has the unique advantage of an American platform for Canadian productions through its relationship with IFC and the network’s connections in the US film community. Salter Street Films is the majority shareholder of IFC Canada and Triptych Media of Toronto is a minority shareholder that brings close ties to the Canadian independent production community to the new service.
“THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL CANADA will be a driver in the rollout of digital services and Salter Street Films is delighted to have won this leader among Category 1 applications,” remarks Catherine Tait, President and COO of Salter Street Films. Salter Street Films has also won 20 licenses for new specialty television services in the competitive Category 2 arena.
The Independent Film Channel (IFC), managed and operated by Bravo Networks, is the first and most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film presented 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial-free. IFC Entertainment, a division of IFC, consists of IFC Productions, a feature film production company; IFC Films, a theatrical film distribution company; Next Wave Films, a finishing funds company; and IFC Originals, which produces original programming for the network.
Salter Street Films is an integrated entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes original film and television programming as well as Internet products and services. Salter Street’s television programs include the award-winning and top-rated CBC comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Made in Canada (broadcast in the US as The Industry on PBS affiliated stations); The Awful Truth with Michael Moore (broadcast in Canada on Bravo!, in the US on Bravo, The Film and Arts Network and on Channel 4 UK); the family drama Emily of New Moon (broadcast in the US on Encore’s WAM! Family Channel); and the science fiction series LEXX (broadcast in Canada on Space: The Imagination Station and in the US on the Sci-Fi Channel).
Contact:
Kim Becker/Elektra Gray
516-803-4543/4542