(Continued From Page 40) 42 seven O&O stations and six O&O Noovo (terrestrial French-language TV networks owned by Bell Media in Quebec) stations. Both CTV and CTV-2 are under Stewart Johnston, SVP, Content and Sales. Bell Media has four payTV channels and five streaming services, including flagship Crave, which has 3.1 million subscribers. In addition, it has 25 specialty channels, 10 FAST channels (seven in English and three in French), and 103 radio stations. Bell Media production entities are scattered among its sports and news division, and its live daily productions for CTV. In distribution the picture is a bit foggier. The only information provided was that Bell Media is “a partner” of Canadian production house Sphere Media, which acquired U.K.-based content distributor Abacus Media Rights. On the books, Bell Media has a Bell Media Studios and a Bell Media Distribution, but neither one will be exhibiting at MIPCOM. Instead, Cohan will be walking around the Palais as a participant, since Bell Media “is also a major buyer and a commissioner.” He said that he has a “respected partner in Abacus,” and that “we’re going to help rebrand Canadian content, making it a global recognized brand partnering with the best creative. And distribution will be part of the story. We’re going to be more active in international distribution.” Cohan expects “the distribution market to be healthy,” and to be making “great global Canadian content that travels, and be available across all platforms.” After all, he said, “I know a couple of things about distribution.” Plus, “Canada is a diverse place, and Toronto is the most international city in the world.” When we pointed out that Canada has supplied talents (above and below the line) to Hollywood, and asked how he plans to keep some of it in the country, Cohan answered that he doesn’t care where the Canadian talent lives. However, BCE has shown appreciation for the global model envisioned by Cohan. He said that his primary challenge is to “drive a transformation from a legacy broadcast model to a digital content media leadership position,” and to figure out whether streaming is better under a pay model or it’s better to make money in the advertising market. In terms of numbers, in 2023, Bell Media’s operating revenues reached C$3.117 billion (U.S.$2.27 billion) versus C$3.254 billion in 2022. Adjusted earnings in 2023 hit C$697 million (U.S.$507 million). But the challenge is not to recoup the 4.2 percent revenue drop, but to put its scattered revenue streams in order. If the challenges are comparable to when Cohan took on a leadership role at A&E, the size of the businesses are not. Bell Media has 5,000 employees compared with A&E Networks’ 1,000-plus workforce, and while Bell Media’s revenue reached C$3.12 billion under Cohan, A&E Networks generated $2 billion in annual sales. (By Dom Serafini) VIDEOAGE October 2024 Sean Cohan Do you want distribution at MIP Cancun and ATF?
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