TICK, TICK, TICK. There are 407 days left until the end of analog over-the-air television in the major markets the CRTC has identified as must-switches (just look up and to the right to see our countdown clock).
Last week the CRTC, as we reported here, said 857,000 households in major markets will be left without viable TV signals because they use older analog sets fed by rabbit ears or some other sort of antenna because they continue to receive their television off-air.
It also okayed a "Freesat" type of alternative (free service for a small package “local” stations, after…
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OTTAWA – Don’t expect the government to take the lead or to extend the digital transition deadline beyond August 31, 2011.
That appears to be the message behind a short statement issued by Heritage Minister James Moore on Friday, hours after the CRTC released its guidelines on the process. Referencing his speech at the annual conference of the Canadian Chapter of the International Institute of Communications in December 2008, Moore said that he “expects industry-led solutions that will ensure a smooth transition for consumers”.
"The transition to digital is inevitable”, Moore said in his speech. “The CRTC has set a deadline of August 31,…
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MANITOULIN ISLAND, ON – OmniGlobe Networks has brought broadband access to the unserved and underserviced communities across Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario.
The broadband network, which is now fully operational, is designed to allow ‘open access’ service, enabling local Internet service providers to offer the service to their existing customers, and customers a choice of providers.
With an aim of enhancing the existing infrastructure and providing access to more than 80% of the District of Manitoulin Island, OmniGlobe said that the nine-tower build has extended broadband coverage from Meldrum Bay to Wikwemikong. Communities located around Barrie Island, Evansville, Gore Bay, Kagawong,…
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TORONTO and OTTAWA – We don’t envy the job that Industry Minister Tony Clement and Heritage Minister James Moore have ahead of them as they try to balance the often conflicting demands of Canada’s numerous copyright stakeholders.
After initial reactions from the likes of ACTRA and others to the new draft copyright legislation released last week, one suspects that the old adage ‘you can’t please everyone’ will once again hold true.
The Sameulson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) said that Bill C-32 “offers many important and welcome exceptions and creation rights”, but at the same time…
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TORONTO – The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT) will continue the film and television-related programming of the Audio-Visual Preservation Trust, including the Astral Restoration Program.
Dedicated to protecting and promoting Canada’s audiovisual heritage, the AV Trust was founded in 1996 but folded in the fall of 2009 as a result of recent funding cuts.
"As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, it is particularly fitting that we have been provided this unique opportunity to broaden the scope of our work to include the restoration and preservation of Canadian film and television," said ACCT CEO Sara Morton, in the announcement. "Understanding…
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MONTREAL and TORONTO – The government’s new copyright legislation will bring Canada in line with international standards while promoting home-grown innovation and creativity, according to Industry Minister Tony Clement and Heritage Minister James Moore.
"Today we are introducing a copyright bill that offers a common-sense balance between the interests of consumers and the rights of the creative community," said Minister Moore, in a statement on Wednesday. "The bill is flexible, reflects the changing behaviours of consumers and the evolution of technology, and responds to what we heard in the consultations."
Noting the popularity of Web 2.0, social media, and technologies like…
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OTTAWA – The federal government has pledged over $200 K towards a new French language radio station in Ottawa called radio communautaire francophone d’Ottawa (RCFO).
In an announcement on Friday, Heritage Minister James Moore said that the $224,531 in funding came from his department’s Strategic Funds of the Community Life component, and will be put towards the station’s startup costs.
"Our Government is a leader in this country in supporting the development of official-language minority communities," Minister Moore said in a statement. "RCFO will contribute to the growth of the Ottawa Francophone community by fostering a sense of identity among its members. The…
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THE TRANSITION TO DIGITAL television in Canada is officially Heritage Minister James Moore’s to deal with, but Industry Minister Tony Clement doesn’t want to see the August 31, 2011 deadline moved.
That was the word we received directly from Industry Minister Tony Clement on Friday during an interview (which you’ll read below) in his Parliament Hill office.
Cartt.ca readers will know we’ve been prodding the industry and the federal government about their inaction on the transition to digital broadcast television. Using our bully pulpit here and directly with the ministers on Twitter (they are @TonyClement_MP and @mpjamesmoore).
In a…
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OTTAWA – Lobby group OpenMedia.ca took centre stage Tuesday at the House of Commons Committee on Canadian Heritage concerning the future of media.
In an effort to “ignite Canada’s digital media revolution”, OpenMedia.ca said in a statement that it brought “citizen voices to Ottawa” on issues such as net neutrality, media ownership, independent media, and broadband access.
The Committee on Canadian Heritage is exploring the developments in emerging and digital media, how these developments are affecting Canadian cultural industries, and what federal institutions could do to assist Canadians and Canadian cultural industries.
The group is also scheduled to appear at…
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OTTAWA – Edward W. Boyd is the newest member of the board of directors of CBC/Radio-Canada, Heritage Minister James Moore announced Monday.
Boyd has been CEO of 58ninety Inc., a Toronto-based agency that provides digital marketing solutions to clients such as Unilever, Molson Canada, and Expedia, since 2006.
Prior to that, Boyd worked as principal at Counterpart dsr, an agency specialized in maximizing the use of Internet and direct marketing, and also served as president and GM of Iceberg Media.com, a pioneering Canadian Internet broadcaster and provider of custom streamed music solutions.
www.cbc.radio-canada.cawww.canadianheritage.gc.ca
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