Netflix Continues Global Expansion With Toronto Hub

Netflix is continuing its global push to set up shop all over the world and strategically sprint ahead as the defacto streaming powerhouse in the digital media marketplace. Recently, the mega streaming service announced that a new production hub would be coming Canada’s way. Eight sound stages and thousands of square feet in office space will be leased from Pinewood and Cinespace studios in Toronto. It’s estimated that the hub will create close to 2,000 Canadian industry jobs per year.

BACKSTAGE

Torstar reports early success in digital subscription strategy

Torstar Corp. reported some early success in its strategy of building its paid online subscriber base.

The Toronto-based news company said that in the three months since launching paid subscriber offerings on its flagship thestar.com, the firm ended the year with almost 10,000 digital subscribers.

“After a year of hard work required to lay the foundation to support key advances in digital subscriptions and digital advertising capabilities, we are now beginning to see initiatives roll out in the market,” John Boynton, president and CEO of Torstar, said in an investor conference call Wednesday.

THE RECORD

Cogeco Peer 1 to become standalone market leader backed by Digital Colony

Cogeco Peer 1, a leading provider of colocation, network connectivity and managed services, today announced plans to become a standalone business following its sale to Digital Colony, a global investment firm dedicated to strategic opportunities in digital infrastructure. Digital Colony has reached a definitive agreement with Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX:CCA) to acquire Cogeco Peer 1, which will remain headquartered in Toronto and adopt a new brand.

VIRTUAL STRATEGY

Watch Spike Jonze commercial for weed retailer (VIDEO)

Director Spike Jonze presents the history of the US’s racist/classist war on marijuana in this commercial for MedMen, a cannabis retailer with shops in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

BOING BOING