Category: Press Releases

(Toronto, ON) June 21, 2021 – Join TLN Media Group in celebrating Canadian Multiculturalism Day on  Sunday, June 27th. Showcasing the unique stories that celebrate our country’s diversity, the network’s flagship channel TLN TV presents a specially curated all-day marathon of culturally significant original Canadian productions.  The lineup features dramas, documentaries, variety and children’s series in English, and Italian or Spanish with English subtitles. PLUS catch the live broadcast of Copa America 2021 match featuring Brazil vs Ecuador, starting at 4:50P/et. 

As Canada’s most influential multicultural media company, TLN Media Group takes great pride in its longstanding tradition of producing unique top-quality programs with the participation of a culturally diverse roster of writers, directors, and production crew.  Made by multicultural Canadians, for ALL Canadians to enjoy, TLN Media Group’s extensive catalogue of original productions connects communities with the passions that make their cultures unique and makes these stories accessible for future generations.

As part of our daylong lineup of multicultural festivities, also enjoy a series of special messages from TLN personalities and VIP leaders sharing what multiculturalism means to them including:  Honourable Pablo Rodriguez (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons),  Honourable Bardish Chagger (Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth), Lidia Bastianich (Lidia’s Kitchen), David Rocco (Dolce Vita Series), Camila Gonzalez (TLN & Univision Canada host) and Antonio Giorgi (Mediaset Italia Canada host).

Our goal is to inspire and unite all Canadians now more than ever and celebrate the beautiful and diverse mosaic of our country.

Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day with TLN Media Group – Sunday, June 27 starting at 9A/et, only on TLN TV. Click Here for the lineup.

About TLN Media Group (TMG)

At 35 years young, the original single ethnic TV channel “Telelatino” has grown and evolved into TLN Media Group, an independent, immigrant-owned organization. TMG is Canada’s most influential multicultural media company, connecting communities through storytelling and shared experiences.

As a multicultural advocacy leader, TMG selects, curates, produces and commissions unique and culturally significant TV and digital content distributed both in Canada and worldwide through TMG Worldwide Media Distribution.

TMG’s flagship TLN TV channel has evolved into an English language friendly channel providing multiculturally rich content. Additionally, TMG operates Canada’s most widely distributed foreign language TV channels led by Spanish language leader Univision Canada and top Italian language services Mediaset Italia Canada and TGCOM24 news network. TMG also launched and manages Canada’s first and only Heritage language channels for kids, Telebimbi and Teleniños; EuroWorld Sport TV, a channel dedicated to sports fandom; and is active in producing and promoting cultural events and festivals. For more information visit www.tlnmediagroup.com.

About TLN Television | tln.ca TLN is Canada’s multiculturally rich English-friendly TV Channel. Uniting cultures through shared experiences, colourful personalities take us on adventures abroad & at home in the kitchen. Add big movies, music specials & live international soccer & that’s our recipe for bringing more colour into the lives of Canadians. TLN TV is a TLN Media Group TV channel available from coast to coast.

COMMENTARY: Rights squatters, Euro 2020, and Bill C-10

By Aldo Di Felice
Read full article

CARTT.ca (Toronto, ON) June 14, 2021 – FOR MILLIONS OF CANADIANS, Euro 2020 is already a disappointment, and it all has to do with what happens when the powers-that-be allow “squatting”. No, I am not talking about a new soccer tactic.

One year delayed, the 2020 UEFA European Championship kicked off on June 11, in Rome, Italy. The month-long tournament will see 36 matches played between 24 national teams in stadiums spread across 11 European cities. Like the Olympics, it’s a sporting competition with global significance, attracting a multinational, multilingual following. It will draw a projected total live event audience of 4.7 billion in 229 territories via 137 broadcast partners in every language imaginable.

And for the fans among us 36 million Canadians, we can enjoy watching our favorite team in the language of our choice… just so long as it is English or French!

Fans of the “lucky four” – Scotland, Wales, England, and France – will be happy to watch match commentary in their preferred languages from understandably biased British announcers on TSN, or their French counterparts on RDS.

But Croatian Canadians watching their team play England are inclined to turn down the volume on the British “homers” calling the match. And that will be repeated for every fan watching his team paired up with one of the lucky four. Many Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Greek, Ukrainian, Turkish, Polish, Dutch and German fans, to name a few, will be gritting their teeth.

Living in one of the most multiculturally and multilingually diverse countries in the world is not something that is properly reflected by our Canadian broadcast system. “Serving the needs and interests of Canadians” is supposed to be the cornerstone of CRTC policies. But third-class treatment of multilingual ethnic Canadians continues to be the norm in Ottawa. Even when 20% of Canadians, over 7 million of us, identify a non-official language as that most often spoken at home.

Other jurisdictions around the world do not allow media companies to engage in “rights squatting” with respect to programs and events of national importance, because it deprives consumers.

“Of course, that is a market they themselves have shaped into a lopsided consolidated industry dominated by a handful of diversified giants.”

However, the CRTC permits Canada’s media giants to license multilingual rights to big events like Euro2020 – and then not make them available. And yet the CRTC does have a rule that prohibits TV channels like ours from “withholding” programs from carriers, meaning media giants can buy and withhold key ethnic rights from Canadians, but ethnic channels cannot withhold their programming from carriers.

How does that make sense?

Which brings us to Bill C-10, the tortured proposal to update Canada’s broadcasting laws for the first time in three decades. We also happen to now be in the third decade since the CRTC last looked at the issue of an ethnic broadcasting policy. That’s a long time to wait to resolve the systemic exclusion and marginalization of multilingual ethnic communities in our broadcasting system.

Of course, we have raised these issues, and others, many times but the CRTC and government policymakers have sidestepped the entrenched systemic biases against Canada’s multilingual ethnic communities. On the rare occasions when Ottawa’s bureaucrats address these omissions, they typically rationalize their inaction by referring to “market forces”. Of course, that is a market they themselves have shaped into a lopsided consolidated industry dominated by a handful of diversified giants.

But let us be clear, it is not the job of Canada’s media industry giants to address systemic inequities that are commercially unappealing. It is the job of Ottawa policymakers to do so and so far, they have not done a good job for multilingual ethnic Canadians.

For that reason, a group of like-minded organizations came together in early 2021 as the Canadian Ethnic Media Coalition (CEMC). CEMC has been proposing simple amendments to Bill C-10 that would finally include multilingual and ethnic diversity in the system’s priorities. Diversity in our broadcast system should include 1. A diverse workforce, 2. Diverse leadership, 3. Linguistic diversity and; 4. Diverse ownership and control. All four elements are necessary to achieve true diversity and break down systemic barriers. Our broadcast system and Canadian society will be better for it. The coalition also includes Ethnic Channels Group, the Canadian Ethnic Media Association, and the Canadian Ethnocultural Council.

And for Canadian sports fans out there who love hearing their “immigrant languages” when watching TV, we are proud to say that our Univision Canada TV channel is now broadcasting the Copa America, South America’s equivalent top soccer tournament. In the world’s most exciting soccer language, Español! And we will also be bringing next month’s Olympic games to our TV audiences in Spanish and Italian, including the soccer matches!

Our multilingual broadcasts of the Olympics are thanks to the foresight and progressive thinking of our national broadcaster CBC, with whom we have collaborated many times over the past 20 years to bring multilingual Canadians the programming they crave, in the languages they speak.

Aldo Di Felice is president, TLN Media Group Inc.

CALLING ALL COPA AMERICA FANS!
The South American Soccer Championship Kicks Off This Weekend Exclusively on Univision Canada

Sunday June 13 – Saturday July 10

(Toronto, ON – June 13, 2021) –Tune in to Univision Canada, the exclusive Canadian home of the Copa America from June 13-July 10 to watch the crown jewel of South American soccer. Univision Canada is your ticket to all the action as the world’s best teams and the games top players; Messi (Argentina– FC Barcelona), Neymar(Brazil– PSG), Suarez (Uruguay– Atletico Madrid), Vidal (Chile / Inter Milan), Mina (Colombia – Everton), compete for the South American Championship.

The action kicks off with host country Brazil facing off against Venezuela Sunday, June 13 at 4:30P/et.  The Gooooal! Crazy coverage of the 28 match tournament features daily recaps and explosive Spanish language commentary.

Will your team take home the coveted title this year? Visit univision.ca for the complete tournament schedule and subscribe to our newsletter to receive daily Copa America match updates.

¡ATENCION FANATICOS DE COPA AMERICA!
EL Campeonato Sudamericano De Fútbol Comienza Este Fin De Semana En Exclusiva por Univision Canada

Domingo 13 de junio – Sábado 10 de julio

(Toronto, ON – 13 de junio de 2021) –Univision Canada se convierte en exclusiva en la sede canadiense de la Copa América 2021, la joya de la corona del fútbol sudamericano, del 13 de junio al 10 de julio. Univision Canada es tu boleto para ver toda la acción de los mejores equipos del mundo y los mejores jugadores; Messi (Argentina- FC Barcelona), Neymar (Brasil- PSG), Suárez (Uruguay- Atlético de Madrid), Vidal (Chile / Inter de Milán), Mina (Colombia – Everton), compitiendo por el Campeonato más esperado.

La acción comienza con Brasil, el país anfitrión, enfrentándose a Venezuela este domingo 13 de junio a las 4: 30P / et. ¡Golazoooo! La intensa cobertura de los 28 partidos del torneo incluye resúmenes diarios y los atinados comentarios de los mejores cronistas deportivos en español.

¿Quién se llevará a casa el codiciado trofeo este año? Visita univision.ca para ver el calendario completo del torneo y suscribirte a nuestro boletín informativo para recibir actualizaciones diarias de los partidos de la Copa América.

For more information contact:
Bruna Aloe, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing | 416.744.5745 | [email protected]

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About TLN Media Group (TMG)
At 35 years young, the original single ethnic TV channel “Telelatino” has grown and evolved into TLN Media Group, an independent, immigrant-owned organization. TMG is Canada’s most influential multicultural media company, connecting communities through storytelling and shared experiences.

As a multicultural advocacy leader, TMG selects, curates, produces and commissions unique and culturally significant TV and digital content distributed both in Canada and worldwide through TMG Worldwide Media Distribution.

TMG’s flagship TLN TV channel has evolved into an English language friendly channel providing multiculturally rich content. Additionally, TMG operates Canada’s most widely distributed foreign language TV channels led by Spanish language leader Univision Canada and top Italian language services Mediaset Italia Canada and TGCOM24 news network. TMG also launched and manages Canada’s first and only Heritage language channels for kids, Telebimbi and Teleniños; EuroWorld Sport TV, a channel dedicated to sports fandom; and is active in producing and promoting cultural events and festivals. For more information visit www.tlnmediagroup.com.

About TLN Television | tln.ca TLN is Canada’s multiculturally rich English-friendly TV Channel. Uniting cultures through shared experiences, colourful personalities take us on adventures abroad & at home in the kitchen. Add big movies, music specials & live international soccer & that’s our recipe for bringing more colour into the lives of Canadians. TLN TV is a TLN Media Group TV channel available from coast to coast.

Now more than ever, seniors are in need of our support. TLN Media Group, Canada’s most influential multicultural media company, announces the launch of the network’s annual month-long multilingual Elder Abuse Prevention Public Service Announcement Campaign which will run from June 1^st – 30^th 2021 during Senior’s Month in Ontario.

TLN Media Group has produced 30-second PSA messages in English, Spanish and Italian languages, with the national campaign broadcasting on TLN Television, Univision Canada and Mediaset Italia TV channels with corresponding online content on respective digital platforms.

The focus this year is on raising awareness and helping with the prevention of financial abuse towards senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse in Canada, where 1 in 5 seniors experience being taken advantage of in theft, fraud, and many other forms of financial abuse. Abusers can be people who are close to their victims such as a family member, or they may be professional criminals who target the elderly via phone or internet.  Whether misusing or stealing a senior’s assets or forcing them to sign legal documents they do not understand, it is important to recognize that the abuse is not acceptable.

TLN Media Group is dedicated to the wellbeing of seniors across Canada and our goal is to provide awareness of financial abuses targeting seniors in an effort against fraud and financial exploitation, and to ensure that we are looking after of some of the most vulnerable members in our community. Seniors should be equipped with the information to protect themselves, to make informed decisions on whom to trust, and to be aware of available assistance programs.

As a multicultural media leader in our Canadian ethnic communities for nearly 4 decades, TLN Media Group understands it is especially important to address these more vulnerable groups on these important issues in their first language of choice.

Join TLN Media Group in helping to protect our seniors- if this is happening to you or someone close to you, ask for help from your bank or another family member.

Break the silence. Stop the Abuse.

This past weekend, Toronto Sun’s columnist Rita DeMontis shined a light on TLN Media Group’s latest Original documentary “Internment: The Untold Stories (Il Confino: Una Storia Mai Conclusa)”. 

TLN Media Group CEO, Aldo Di Felice, reminisced with DeMontis about their respective lived experiences growing up Italian in the Toronto of the 1960’s through the 80’s—overcoming the collective psychological inferiority complex. A burden imposed on Italian Canadians by the establishment and society, the lasting effects of government sponsored race based discrimination.

DeMontis writes, “Unwarranted shame is a terrible burden to carry one’s whole life.”

TLN’s timely documentary made its premiere on TLN TV and Mediaset Italia May 28th and 29th—following the historic apology from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons for the internment and incarceration without trial of Italian-Canadians during the Second World War.

Click here to read DeMontis’ story about TLN Media Group’s documentary special on the events of the 1940s that reverberated for decades.

For additional information contact:
Bruna Aloe | Senior Director of Communications & Marketing | 416.744.5745 | [email protected]

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About TLN Media Group
At 36-years young, the original single ethnic TV channel “Telelatino” has grown and evolved into TLN Media Group, an independent, immigrant-owned organization. TLN Media Group is Canada’s most influential multicultural media company,connecting communities through storytelling and shared experiences.

As a multicultural advocacy leader, TLN Media Group selects, curates, produces and commissions unique and culturally significant TV and digital content distributed both in Canada and worldwide through TMG Worldwide Media Distribution.

TLN Media Group’s flagship TLN TV channel has evolved into an English language channel providing multiculturally rich content. Additionally, TLN Media Group operates Canada’s most widely distributed foreign language TV channels led by Spanish language leader Univision Canada and top Italian language services Mediaset Italia Canada and TGCOM24 news network. TLN Media Group also launched and manages Canada’s first and only Heritage language channels for kids, Telebimbi and Teleniños; EuroWorld Sport TV, a channel dedicated to sports fandom; and is active in producing and promoting cultural events and festivals.

About TLN Television
TLN is the television destination for putting more colour in your life! We are home to programs that unite cultures through shared experiences and memorable moments. Delightful personalities take us on scenic adventures in far off places and at home in the kitchen. Add big movies, music specials and regular live international soccer and this is our recipe for bringing more fun, more joy and more colour into the lives of millions of Canadians. TLN Television is part of the TLN Media Group family of channels and is available in nearly 6 million homes across Canada.
Rogers 35/28/599 HD / Ignite 651| Bell TV/Fibe 700 | Shaw Direct 801 | Cogeco 18/32/1115 | Vidéotron Illico 250 / Helix 356 |Shaw 65

About Mediaset Italia
Featuring programming from Italy’s leading TV broadcast group, Mediaset Italia brings the best of Italian TV to Canada. The 24 hour Italian-language TV channel includes the best entertainment, variety, fiction, comedy, sports and news programming direct from Italy complemented with Made in Canada community pleasing original shows. Mediaset Italia is a TLN Media Group owned channel and can be seen from coast to coast in nearly 3 million homes on all of Canada’s largest pay TV platforms.
Rogers 784/ Ignite 653 | Bell TV / Fibe 698 | Vidéotron Illio 249 / Helix 354 |Source 505 | Cogeco 111

(Toronto, ON) May 24, 2021  – Fellini famously said “a different language is a different vision of life.” And in that spirit, TLN TV delivers the ‘Italy at Home’ Film Festival. Enjoy a specially curated month-long TV event, from May 24–June 17 every Mon–Thurs at 9P/et, featuring 16 ALL NEW HIT FILMS from Italy, and all from the comfort of home!

Discover the Italian in all of us with a spectacular lineup of English subtitled films and documentaries from some of the most acclaimed names in Italian cinema.

TLN takes great pride in its 35-year leadership as the country’s purveyor of Italian films.

For additional information contact:
Bruna Aloe | Senior Director of Communications & Marketing | 416.744.5745 | [email protected]

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About TLN Television
TLN is the English-language specialty TV channel that adds colour to life through a rainbow of culturally connected programming and initiatives. The TLN lineup delights mainstream appetites for rich multicultural lifestyle and entertainment programming.  From international music specials and sports, exclusive and original food and travel series, to blockbuster films and unique original productions, TLN entertains and inspires a colourful life. TLN is part of the TLN Media Group family of channels.

About TLN Media Group
At 35-years young, the original single ethnic TV channel “Telelatino” has grown and evolved into TLN Media Group (TMG), an independent, immigrant-owned organization. TMG is Canada’s most influential multicultural media company, connecting communities through storytelling and shared experiences.

As a multicultural advocacy leader, TMG selects, curates, produces and commissions unique and culturally significant TV and digital content distributed both in Canada and worldwide through TMG Worldwide Media Distribution.

TMG’s flagship TLN TV channel has evolved into an English language friendly channel providing multiculturally rich content. Additionally, TMG operates Canada’s most widely distributed foreign language TV channels led by Spanish language leader Univision Canada and top Italian language services Mediaset Italia Canada and TGCOM24 news network. TMG also launched and manages Canada’s first and only Heritage language channels for kids, Telebimbi and Teleniños; EuroWorld Sport TV, a channel dedicated to sports fandom; and is active in producing and promoting cultural events and festivals.For more information visit www.tln.ca

TLN Media Group is proud to announce that its original documentary Malocchio Moderno: A Superstition That Shaped The Italian Culture, has won a series of awards across the international film festival circuit including:

• • Florence Film Awards – Best Feature Documentary and Best Original Score
  • REALE Film Festival MILANO – Best International Film
  • CIFT TORONTO – Official Selection
  • Vegas Awards – Best Indie Feature – Award of Excellence
  • -Best Director/Feature – Award of Prestige
  • Hollywood Gold Awards – Gold Award – Feature Documentary
  • -Silver Award – Original Score

TLN Media Group’s newest original documentary tells the story of an ancient superstition that has wreaked havoc on the psychological development of many Italian-Canadian children. It’s called the ‘Malocchio’. The malocchio translates to mal=bad and occhio=eye or otherwise referred to in English as the evil eye. According to Italian folklore, those giving the malocchio can cause harm to others. Told through the personal life experiences of its Writer and Director, @Anthony Sarracco, this compelling story explores the fear and fascination with this centuries-old superstition, and its subject matter will undoubtedly resonate with Italian-Canadian viewers who will have their own unique stories to share.

A TLN Special Presentation: The 42^nd Annual CEMA Awards
Sat, Jan 23, 2021 | 5P/ET

TLN Media Group Canada’s most influential multicultural media company is proud to partner with Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) to present the 42nd Annual CEMA Awards for Journalistic Excellence on TLN Television, Saturday, January 23 at 5P/ET.

Through this collaboration, the best work of some of Canada’s top multicultural journalists over the past year will be showcased from coast-to-coast in a special 90-minute television presentation.

As multicultural media leaders that have championed the production of culturally significant TV and digital media for nearly 4 decades, TLN Media Group is proud to partner with CEMA to celebrate the hard-earned achievements of professionals alike in the multicultural media industry.

The CEMA Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the categories of Print, Radio, Television, Internet, Podcast News, Podcast Feature, Documentary, Innovation, and, new this year, Community Engagement.

This year’s CEMA winners are:

PRINT

Joanna Chiu, Journalist, Toronto Star, for Confessions of a Model Minority

RADIO

Dora Konomi, and Irene Anargyrou, Hosts/Producers, Doralicious Show, Agape Radio for Save Baby Michael

TELEVISION

Raul Dudnic, Producer, Noi Romanii, OMNI Television for The Ethnic TV Producers

INTERNET

Camille Dundas, Editor-in-Chief, ByBlacks.com for The Allyship Series

PODCAST – NEWS

Ed Gough Jr., aka Dr. Vibe, Producer/Co-Host, The Dr. Vibe Show, for R U Listening? The Black Community Speaks! Politicians Listen!

PODCAST – FEATURE

Renato Zane, Producer/Anchor for Covid: Coast-to-Coast

DOCUMENTARY FILM

Les Sereda and Steve Glassman, Producers/Directors for Dancing on Eggshells. The Making of Shumka’s Ancestors and Elders

INNOVATION

Haytham Hamad, CEO and Chief Editor, Hala Canada Media.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Vita Shtivelman, Project Creator, Et Cetera, for “In Flanders Fields” – A Canadian Multilingual Project