Mark Wahlberg Calls On Canada To Restore Film Tax Incentives
Mark Wahlberg is urging the Canadian government to restore federal tax incentives for film production. “We are really trying to encourage the government to reinstate these tax incentives to bring film and cinema back to Canada,” Wahlberg told The Globe And Mail in Toronto. Wahlberg, who has made seven movies in Canada, says a steady reduction in government tax subsidies means fewer Hollywood projects will be made there. Wahlberg’s Canadian-shot films include Fear, Shooter, The Big Hit, and Max Payne.

Shine Group Partners With Photographer & Filmmaker Adrian Steirn
Shine Group has announced an exclusive partnership with Adrian Steirn to develop factual television and digital projects internationally. Steirn has worked in the fields of portraiture, wildlife photography and documentary filmmaking.  The initial partnership is for a two-year period. Steirn’s recent projects include 21 Icons, a series of 21 portraits and supporting short films depicting iconic men and woman who have shaped the history of South Africa and the world. Steirn also was chosen to exclusively chronicle Nelson Mandela’s 94th birthday celebrations earlier this year.

Australia’s Ten Raises Cash To Pay Off U.S. Debt
The Ten Network will use most of the cash from a new stock issue to pay a $A210 million ($US219 million) U.S. debt facility due in March. The broadcaster is raising $230 million by issuing shares priced at 20c, a 38.5% discount on Monday’s closing price. Three of its biggest shareholders, chairman Lachlan Murdoch, Bruce Gordon and James Packer, who collectively control 32% of the stock, said they will take up the offer. Curiously, mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, who owns about 10%, has yet to commit but must make a decision by Friday. Rinehart, Murdoch and Packer have seen their holdings in Ten tumble by more than $350 million this year. The balance of the cash raised will fund restructuring costs and be used as general working capital. CEO James Warburton told the annual general meeting on Thursday local time that the advertising market and the broadcaster’s revenues have continued to deteriorate in the past two months, and Ten’s revenue share is at an historic low. Murdoch said the board is determined that Ten “return to levels of adequate performance.” Directors agreed to reduce their fees by 10% and management will forego short term incentive payments. Its shares have been suspended since Wednesday and will resume trading on Monday.- Don Groves

Prime Television New Zealand Picks Up Rights To ‘The Taste’
Prime Television New Zealand has acquired broadcasting rights for the U.S. version of the cooking competition show The Taste. No-holds-barred chef Anthony Bourdain and British food star Nigella Lawson head a panel of four judges who each mentor a team of competing pro and amateur cooks as they vie to turn out the tastiest dish. The Taste was created by Kinetic Content, Red Arrow’s U.S. production company. The Taste has been picked up by Fox for India, Australia´s Nine Network and M6 in France.