* Television: In recent years, publicly traded...

* Television: In recent years, publicly traded independent film and TV companies have tended to be risky investments, but that doesn’t prevent new ones from entering the market. The latest is Toronto-based Atlantis Communications, which raised $48.6 million in an initial stock offering this week. Founded 15 years ago by Michael MacMillan and Seaton McLean, Atlantis is one of Canada’s leading independent TV suppliers, specializing in family-oriented programming, including “The Ray Bradbury Theater” on USA Network and “African Skies” on Showtime. Atlantis said it will use the funds raised through the stock offering to fund program development and production and acquire related businesses.