EDMONTON, ALBERTA — Canadian regulators have approved the launch of a new adult-entertainment pay-television channel. Real Productions Inc., based in Sherwood Park near Edmonton, said at least 50 percent of Northern Peaks’ content will originate in Canada. The channel is expected to debut early next year.According to the production company, Canadians are throwing themselves at the opportunity to become part of the effort, too — both as viewers and performers.
“I think a lot of people would be surprised at the number of Canadians who are perfectly willing and interested in adult work,” Real Productions President Shaun Donnelly, told Canada.com, adding that one casting call resulted in a show featuring 100 sex-crazed Candians. “When you watch an adult movie, you want to imagine that that could be you or someone you know.”
Real Productions specializes in amateur content shot in recognizable locations, Donnelly said. The company has produced a library consisting of more than 200 films and 75 TV episodes — some produced for Playboy in the U.S. and Granada Television in England — that will form the initial core of Northern Peaks’ programming. In addition, the studio intends to add original reality and documentary shows, Donnelly said.
Despite receiving a license from the Canadian Radio and Television Commission, Northern Peaks is not quite a done deal. Under the terms of the license, Real Productions has one year to find at least one major Canadian cable company to carry the channel or the license will expire. Donnelly said the company is in talks with all five major Canadian cable companies and expects to find at least one home.
The channel will have to find at least one cable company to carry its programming if Real Productions hopes to meet another term of the CRTC license: The studio must spend at least $1 million on Canadian programming during its first broadcast year.
Northern Peaks is not a source of national pride for all Canadians.
“This is just a huge step in the wrong direction,” Stuart McGrandle, who owns a boxing club down the street from Real Productions’ offices, told the Edmonton Sun.
Echoing what has become a common refrain in the U.S., one mother of four told the Sun, “I think porn is disgusting. I’m a Christian. We don’t like porn. I don’t feel it should be broadcasted.”
Some businesses located near Real Productions’ strip-mall-based studio worry about the effect a porn company will have on the neighborhood.
“I don’t know if it’s going to negatively affect us, but if more people hear about it, our back entrance might not be used as much,” Revolution Cycle Service Manager Jeff Henkel told the Sun. “…[I]t’s definitely an odd situation.”
Despite some citizens’ displeasure now, the CRTC said it received no complaints during hearings about the channel in May.
“We know there [are] going to be naysayers, but … this is going to be a subscription channel,” Real Productions Vice President of Marketing Ashley Corsiatto told the Sun. “This is not going to be in anyone’s home who did not intentionally go out, pursue it and wants it in their home.”
