TORONTO – Anchored by Canadian content, CBC’s 2016–17 television lineup will include 9 new original series and 25 returning titles.
New primetime series include crime-thriller Shoot The Messenger (8×60), focused on the complicated relationships between crime reporters and the police, and miniseries Pure (6×60) about Mennonites who control one of the most efficient drug-trafficking operations in North America. New comedy shows include Kim’s Convenience (13×30) and Workin’ Moms (13×30), while new factual series include This Is High School (6×60), featuring real life at a British Columbia high school, and docu-series True North Calling (7×30), which follows a group of young Canadians as they carve out…
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VANCOUVER and MONTREAL – The heads of three private Québec broadcasters have taken exception to comments made by CBC/Radio-Canada president and CEO Hubert Lacroix this week that they claim “mischaracterized” their position on the role of the public broadcaster.
Speaking Tuesday at an event at the University of British Columbia about the Corp’s ongoing transformation, Lacroix all but accused some unnamed Canadian private broadcasters of trying to “undermine” public broadcasting to stave off competition.
“Some private broadcasters have suggested that the solution to their declining revenue is to limit what CBC does for Canadians to some sort of "status quo" or…
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The story of a mostly unwanted TV package implemented clumsily and reported on thoughtlessly
MY 80-YEAR OLD MOTHER-IN-LAW now pays $24.99 a month for her cable TV. That’s her monthly price. No other fees. No add-ons except HST. It is the skinny basic package. She’s glad to have it.
She is a Rogers customer in Hamilton who only really wants to watch CHCH and The Weather Network. This package is perfect for her.
How did I secure such a price while apparently all Canadians can’t figure out this new package and are outraged by the additional charges that can be applied that…
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Outlines fresh approach to local news
OTTAWA – The national public broadcaster got a relatively easy ride at the Heritage committee on Thursday. CBC/Radio-Canada was given the opportunity to explain how its recent $675 million increase in funding would affect local news and its operations in general.
During its appearance, the broadcaster noted it is transforming its newsrooms to a multiplatform environment where there will be a single assignment desk for TV, radio and digital. The expectation is that all journalists will have to file for all platforms.
Decisions to shift news operations based on digital first mantra and adopt…
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OTTAWA – The CBC is asking the CRTC to allow it to continue selling ads on its Radio 2 and ICI Musique (formerly Espace musique) properties for another two years.
The CBC’s application, which was filed in March and released by the CRTC this week, asks that the radio services continue to broadcast paid national advertising through August 31, 2018, which is also the end of the services’ licence term.
The Commission first agreed to CBC's request in May 2013 but only for three years. At that time, the CRTC said that any extension beyond August 31, 2016 would require the…
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VANCOUVER – RTDNA Canada, The Association of Electronic Journalists, has released the 2015 nominees for its National awards.
The RTDNA’s national awards represent the best in national storytelling on all platforms and highlight that journalism is a team endeavour. Once again, the calibre of entries has been world class and they reflect the rich tapestry and depth of journalism in Canada. Despite growing pressures in newsrooms across the country, great storytelling is as strong as ever, reads the news release.
The winners will be announced at the annual RTDNA National Conference, set for June 2 – 4, 2016 at the Shangri-La Hotel…
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VANCOUVER – RTDNA Canada, The Association of Electronic Journalists, has unveiled the 2015 nominees for its Network awards.
The winners will be announced at the annual RTDNA National Conference, set for June 2 – 4, 2016 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Toronto.
"The RTDNA’s network awards once again highlight the depth and scope of outstanding storytelling in Canada,” said RTDNA Canada president Ian Koenigsfest, in the news release. “….and despite another year of challenges in our industry, this year’s winners are world class."
The nominees are:
Dave Rogers Award – Long Feature – Radio
– AMI Audio: Contact, The Flag at 50
– AMI Audio:…
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OTTAWA – Cell phones have pulled ahead of tablets as Canadians’ technology of choice for staying connected, informed and entertained, according to two new reports from Media Technology Monitor (MTM).
Cell Phone Revolution: Analysis of the Anglophone Market examines the use of mobile phones with a focus on the increasing ownership of smartphones, exploring market trends, smartphone activities and the companies that provide wireless service.
Highlights from the report include:
– Cell phones have become a nearly indispensable device for Anglophone Canadians, with nine in ten Anglophones now report owning one;
– Over three-quarters of Anglophones have adopted the smartphone with close…
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YELLOWKNIFE, NT – Bell Mobility is offering a $1 million settlement in a class action lawsuit launched by two Yellowknife men who claimed that the mobile carrier charged for non-existent 911 services.
The lawsuit, filed in 2007, alleged that Bell charged a 75-cent monthly fee for 911 emergency phone service, a service that doesn't exist in Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon communities excluding Whitehorse.
Bell was found liable despite numerous appeals, and according to a CBC report, is offering to settle the lawsuit for $1,016,336.57 including interest and court costs. It also affects about 25,000 other customers in the North who signed a contract with Bell…
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TORONTO – Sirius XM Canada’s parent has agreed to recapitalize the company by way of a go-private transaction, the satellite radio service said Friday.
U.S. partner Sirius XM Holdings is offering $4.50 per share cash, Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (SIRI) shares or Canadian shares exchangeable into SIRI shares. The total transaction consideration is approximately $351 million, and represents a premium of 22.3% to SiriusXM Canada's unaffected closing share price on February 11, 2016.
SiriusXM Canada's largest Canadian shareholders, CBC, Slaight Communications, and Obelysk Media, are supportive of the recapitalization, says the news release. CBC is planning to sell its stake in…
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