MONTREAL – Superior Court Justice Claude Larouche must remove himself from an on-going defamation case involving Quebecor Media head Pierre Karl Peladeau, the Quebec Court of Appeal ruled Wednesday.
Peladeau’s defamation suit against Sylvain Lafrance, VP of Radio-Canada, was filed after Lafrance was quoted in a 2007 article saying, "This guy (Pierre Karl Peladeau) walks around like a hoodlum and is about to derail one of the world’s most successful television broadcasting systems." According to a report in the Montreal Gazette, Lafrance was referring to a decision by Quebecor-owned Videotron to suspend its payments to the Canadian Television Fund (now the…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Look for a number of new TV stations from the likes of Rogers and the CBC to hit the Canadian airwaves.
The CRTC approved five applications from Rogers this week for national, English-language Category 2 channels. Specifically:
– The Competition Channel, which will air reality-based programming, including competition-based reality and do-it-yourself makeover programs;
– Contessa, which will feature programming on relationships, lifestyle, beauty, trends and style, and focus on the interests and needs of working women aged between 25 and 54 years;
– Epic TV which plans to show classic television programming;
– Luxury Living featuring all things that can bring a…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – CBC News is on-the-move with the launch of a new mobile app on Tuesday.
The CBC News Mobile App, available for download on iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry and Android devices, provides real-time access to breaking news, local news and weather; tools to help users share information, pictures and video with CBC News and others; and, customizing technology that allows individuals to shape and package how and what they view on their device.
"Whether it’s at their desks or on their devices, Canadians want real-time access to the news and information that matters to them. CBC News is putting that power at their fingertips,…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – One of hockey’s best-known personalities has renewed his contract with Hockey Night in Canada through the 2011-2012 NHL season, the CBC has confirmed.
Don Cherry will continue to team up with host and longtime partner Ron MacLean on the popular segment Coach’s Corner, which will air on Saturday nights and throughout the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The terms of Cherry’s contract were not disclosed.
“We’re delighted to announce that the venerable hockey icon Don Cherry has signed on for another season and will continue to provide hockey’s liveliest and sometimes provocative commentary,” said Kirstine Stewart, EVP of CBC English…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Three major actors in the Canadian broadcasting sector say they are bullish on the future of the system in the face of new technologies and changing consumer TV viewing behaviour.
CBC/Radio-Canada, Astral Television Networks and Shaw Media said they have taken steps to ready themselves for new consumer content consumption behaviour resulting from new mobile technologies and other emerging platforms. They noted they did this even in the face of a significant advertising downturn resulting from the global financial recession.
During a panel moderated by former Global TV News anchor Kevin Newman, representatives from the three companies…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The jury is still out on whether the iPad and other tablet devices will irreversibly alter the current Canadian broadcasting environment, but there are signs, even within the seven months since Apple’s iPad was introduced in Canada, that mobile video viewing habits are beginning to transform.
According to research done by CBC/Radio-Canada, a healthy chunk of Canadians are already using devices that allow for time shifting, including 4% who watch TV from a playback device like a DVR. As well, 3% of Canadians already have an iPad, the research indicates.
Mark Allen, director of strategic analysis in CBC’s…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – The Television Bureau of Canada Thursday announced its 2011 board of directors.
Rita Fabian, executive vice president of sales and marketing for CTV conventional and specialty, will continue as chair, while Errol Da-Ré, senior vice president of sales at Shaw Media, will remain vice chairman. Mitch Dent, executive vice president of TV sales at Rogers Media, will continue as secretary, and Lori Legault, vice president of national sales at Shaw Media, will fulfil the role of treasurer. Along with TVB President, Theresa Treutler, the above form the board’s executive committee.
Completing the board of directors are: Sally Basmajian (vice…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – With an application before the Commission for a new sports channel license, Shaw Media has hired Christos Nikitopoulos as vice-president, sports programming.
He will be responsible for developing an integrated, multi-platform sports broadcasting strategy for Shaw Media, says a company spokesperson. He began work February 7th.
Nikitopoulos has worked in sports media for over 14 years, most recently as vice-president of programming and revenue planning for the Olympic Media Consortium. Prior to this, he held a number of senior positions within CBC Sports, most recently as director, digital content and partnerships.
www.shawmedia.ca
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Every match of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup of soccer will be broadcast live in Canada thanks to CBC Sports and Rogers Sportsnet joining forces, the two companies announced Thursday.
Coverage will begin Sunday, June 26 on CBC when Canada opens the tournament against host Germany.
The partnership will see CBC air all matches involving Canada, plus three of four quarterfinals, the semi-final, bronze and gold medal matches, all live. Rogers Sportsnet will air one quarterfinal match live, while also providing encore broadcasts of the quarterfinal, semi-final, bronze and gold medal matches. Additionally, in the early rounds, Rogers…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Partisan politics were on full display during Minister of Canadian Heritage James Moore’s appearance before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage yesterday. While Moore was there to talk about the mandate and funding of the CBC/Radio-Canada, a good part of his time was spent responding to criticisms regarding the appointment of Tom Pentefountas as vice-chair broadcasting at the CRTC.
During Moore’s hour in front of the committee, the chair had to interject a number of times to ensure MPs remained on track with their questions. The committee also passed a motion requesting that Pentefountas appear to…
Continue Reading
