Articles by David Friend, The Canadian Press

Nov 21 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Picking up her third Grammy nomination is wonderful in itself, but for Nova Scotia opera singer Barbara Hannigan this one feels especially personal. It's because members of the recording academy selected "Benjamin: Lessons in Love & Violence" for best opera recording. The project was written by English composer George Benjamin with Hannigan's voice specifically in […]

Nov 21 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — John Mann, whose voice rang through countless Canadian celebrations as the lead singer of Celtic-inflected Spirit of the West, has died after a battle with early onset Alzheimer's. He was 57. The Calgary-born singer and songwriter who was perhaps known best for the boisterous pub anthem "Home for a Rest," died peacefully in Vancouver on Wednesday […]

Nov 20 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Jessie Reyez built her reputation as a potent voice in Canada's music scene, and on Wednesday the Toronto-raised singer picked up her first Grammy nomination on a path to global career ambitions. The 28-year-old singer-songwriter joins fellow homegrown acts Shawn Mendes and Drake as the marquee Canadian contenders at the 2020 Grammy Awards, a year that's dominated by […]

Nov 19 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — A Federal Court is ordering Canada's internet service providers to block websites for a company selling pirated television online, deeming that such a move wouldn't infringe on freedom of expression or net neutrality. The decision, issued Friday, affects Gold TV, an IPTV service that offers thousands of traditional TV channels for a nominal fee, streaming over […]

Nov 19 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Greg Wells won a Grammy for "The Greatest Showman" soundtrack, and crafted songs with Adele and Katy Perry, but even those wild experiences couldn't prepare him for the cinematic adaptation of "Cats." About five weeks before the film opens in theatres, the Peterborough, Ont.-raised musician is chatting by phone from a London recording studio. […]

Nov 15 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Michael Buble's suave likeness is headed for the halls of wax infamy alongside British royalty. The Canadian pop crooner took to social media to announce he's being replicated at Madame Tussauds wax museum in London. He'll be in good company at the tourist hotspot, which already houses wax versions of Ed Sheeran, Jamaican sprinter Usain […]

Nov 13 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Disney Plus is warning subscribers that some of Walt Disney's most beloved classics might contain "outdated cultural depictions." A number of films available on the streaming platform, which launched Tuesday, included cautionary notes in the plot descriptions about problematic representations in some of the characters. Numerous titles from Disney's extensive library carry the warning, among them "Peter Pan," a […]

Nov 12 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Disney Plus got off to a strong start on Tuesday by tossing Canadian viewers a bone — and it wasn't just a remake of "Lady and the Tramp." The Walt Disney Company's new subscription platform unveiled a comprehensive offering of nearly 500 films and 7,500 episodes of TV shows, and the lineup almost mirrored what was available on the same-day launch in the […]

Nov 7 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Drake rapped about starting from the bottom, but his new venture in the cannabis industry is certainly a higher business. The Toronto-raised performer has signed an investment partnership to launch More Life Growth Co., a licensed cannabis producer that'll be based in his hometown. The deal, struck with Canopy Growth Corp., gives Drake a 60-per-cent […]

Nov 7 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Controversial holiday standard "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is returning to playlists at Bell Media's radio stations starting next week. A spokesman for the Canadian broadcaster says feedback from listeners has led the company to reintroduce the 1944 duet after yanking it out of rotation last Christmas season. Bell was among numerous radio operators who effectively banned "Baby […]

Nov 6 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Nunavut rapper FxckMr has seen the darkness and wants to share his story. Living in Iqaluit for most of his life, he watched friends and family in the northern community endure incredible challenges, among them depression, addiction and suicide. He's faced a few of them himself, and emerged on the other side. Sitting in a Toronto cafe, the […]

Nov 5 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Netflix is putting financial support behind the next generation of filmmakers under a partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival. The streaming giant says it's made a three-year commitment to back TIFF's Industry programs that provide professional development and business opportunities for burgeoning talent. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. Netflix will subsidize TIFF's […]

Oct 31 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Whether you're hunting for prestige drama or nail-biting action, narrowing down your November streaming TV options won't be easy. Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus join the growing number of companies vying for viewers' attention this month, and both are putting major hype behind their offerings. Apple kicks off the month with an ambitious […]

Oct 30 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — As the battle for TV viewers intensifies, Bell Media says it has struck an agreement for the exclusive Canadian rights of original series made for the upcoming U.S. streaming platform HBO Max. The pact with Warner Bros., announced Wednesday, will secure a fresh selection of programming to help fortify Bell's Crave streaming brand in an increasingly crowded market when Apple […]

Oct 30 2019 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Choosing how to spend your time in front of the television has never been so difficult, and the decision isn't about to get any easier. On Friday, Apple TV Plus becomes the latest player to dive into the already crowded selection of streaming services, offering up a buffet of original programming it hopes will […]