Breakthrough Entertainment


Breakthrough, Birman making Hinges of History series

Breakthrough Entertainment and Daniel H. Birman Productions are teaming to make a doc series based on Thomas Cahill’s best-selling book series Hinges of History. The books look at key events that shaped Western Civilisation and Canada-based Breakthrough and US-based Birman will develop it as a multi-part series for TV. “Cahill’s writing style gives us a […]

Breakthrough makes kids & family hire

Canada-based producer and distributor Breakthrough Entertainment has hired Martha Sepulveda as its new development and production chief for kids and family programming. She will work up Breakthrough’s kids and family slate from its Toronto offices, and report to Joan Lambur, executive VP, Family Entertainment. Sepulveda joins Breakthrough from Canadian kids producer Sinking Ship where she […]

Breakthrough makes reality hire

Breakthrough Entertainment has recruited Chantal Jackson as head of development, alternative content as the Canada-based producer and distributor pushes more deeply into reality programming. Jackson will be based in Toronto and work alongside Beth Fraikorn, who Breakthrough recently hired to run its new New York office, as head of alternative content. Jackson will develop original […]

State of the industry: Canadian kids TV

Digital disruption and an end to regulatory protection has some in the Canadian kids business worried, but while content providers have one less broadcaster to pitch following the sell-off of Astral Media’s assets, they are optimistic that the same new platforms threatening traditional TV will provide them with greater global reach. Mark Dillon reports. The […]

Breakthrough opens New York office

Canada-based producer and distributor Breakthrough Entertainment has opened up an office in New York. Beth Fraikorn has assumed the newly-created position of head of alternative content US and will oversee production and development and relationships with US content companies. She joins Breakthrough from Remarkable Content Group, the packaging and sales agency she founded. “Under Beth’s […]

Craig McGillivray rejoins Breakthrough Entertainment

Craig McGillivray has joined Breakthrough Entertainment as vice president of distribution. McGillivray is returning to Toronto-based producer and distributor Breakthrough, having served stints at DHX Media, as territory manager for Asia, Australia, Latin America, and Canada, and at Carrie Mudd and Neil Court’s Peacock Alley, where he was vice president, distribution. In his first stint […]

Blue Ant hires distribution director

Canada-based producer, channel operator and distributor Blue Ant has hired Kate Blank as director, international sales. She joins Blue Ant from Breakthrough Entertainment, where she was director of international distribution, covering Germany, France, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and the UK. In her new role at Blue Ant she will cover the Asia Pacific region, German-speaking territories, […]

Raft of Asian deals for Breakthrough

Canada-based producer and distributor Breakthrough Entertainment has struck a raft of Asian deals ahead of the ATF market in Singapore, which kicks off later this week. National Geographic has taken pan-Asian rights to travel series Rustic Adventures: Italy, which it will show on its Nat Geo People channel. On the kids side, Discovery has bought […]

Breakthrough acquires film firm Joker

Canadian film and television company Breakthrough Entertainment has acquired North American prodco Joker Films. Joker is a film-focussed producer, sales and packaging company founded by Tim J. Brown. Joker will be incorporated into the Breakthrough fold with Brown becoming executive VP, feature films, and reporting to Breakthrough’s president, distribution, Nat Abraham. Earlier this year, TBI […]

Management buy-in at Breakthrough Entertainment

Nat Abraham and Michael McGuigan (pictured left) have bought into Breakthrough Entertainment, joining founders Ira Levy and Peter Williamson (pictured below) as partners in the producer and distributor. Financial details were not disclosed but president of distribution Abraham and long-service CFO McGuigan, become partners under the new structure having secured financial backing in what they […]