KEITH PELLEY DOESN’T DO caffeine. He’s already wired.
“Can’t drink caffeine,” he says. “I don’t need the energy.”
Late this past summer, the unfailingly exuberant Pelley made the surprising leap from CTV to Rogers Media, jumping from the country’s biggest TV company, the highest rated national TV network and owner of TSN, the top-rated sports channel where Pelley began his TV career, to a far smaller TV business.
At the time, many considered Pelley the odds-on favourite to replace CTV CEO Ivan Fecan. Now, whether Pelley knew for sure the Bell folks were coming in and unlikely to give him the…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The Canadian Government’s decision to oppose a new tax on MP3 players and smart phones as part of its copyright legislation received votes of confidence from the wireless industry and a business coalition, but faced claims of “political manipulation” from ACTRA.
After Wednesday’s announcement, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) issued its opinion in which it said that the government “definitely got this right."
"This is absolutely the right decision for consumers as the Government moves forward with its digital economy strategy”, said CWTA president and CEO, Bernard Lord, in the statement. “We don’t agree that law-abiding consumers should…
Continue Reading
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. – Long-time head of the Canadian Cable Television Association, Michael Hind-Smith, died December 3rd from complications due to cancer. He was 80.
Hind-Smith was the longest-serving CCTA president and CEO and oversaw a period of massive growth and change in the cable business during his 15 years (1975-1990) heading the now defunct organization.
“He was such a good representative for the cable industry,” Rogers Communications vice-chairman Phil Lind told Cartt.ca in an interview. “He had some terrific battles with the CRTC (pay-TV, specialty channels, “6 and 5”, pole access) but he kept the association together for a long time….
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Netflix has added “hundreds of new titles” to its library for Canadian viewers.
The Internet movie and TV show subscription service said Monday that it has signed new licensing agreements with CBC and FremantleMedia Enterprises, as well as extended its existing agreements with New Video, Maple and Sony.
“Adding to the choice of content we offer our members is an ongoing focus for Netflix in Canada,” said Kelly Merryman, VP of content acquisition, in the announcement. “TV content continues to be extremely popular with our members, and we believe that they will be delighted with the expanding list of…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) has reached a tentative settlement on the television and radio collective agreements covering performers engaged by the CBC.
Under the new deal, the agreements will be extended until June 30, 2011, performers will see a rate increase of 1.5%, and the CBC will contribute a new benefits administration fee. All other terms and conditions will remain unchanged.
“The last round of negotiations was long and difficult given we were trying to tackle compensation issues relative to digital media”, said ACTRA national executive director, Stephen Waddell, in a statement…
Continue Reading
MONTREAL – Videotron is forging ahead with 3D content that it says can be viewed with either a 3D television or just an HD set.
The company said Thursday that it will air CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast between the Montréal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs this Saturday in 3D, though customers who have an HD set-top box may also experience the game in 3D if they buy red/cyan 3D glasses with plastic frames which are available now at Videotron stores and counters.
Videotron recently announced a partnership with SENSIO which allows the delivery of anaglyph 3D entertainment “of…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – The first ever 3D broadcast of CBC’s Hockey Night In Canada is coming to TV screens across the country.
Viewers with a 3D-ready television, along with the associated pair of glasses, will be able to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT on December 11. The broadcast will be available free to Bell TV subscribers on channel 1933 (satellite TV) and 1208 (Fibe TV); Shaw Direct subscribers on channel 233/333 (Classic/Advanced); Telus Optik TV subscribers on channel 656 and Telus satellite TV subscribers on channel 1933; and to Vidéotron…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – CBC/Radio-Canada will make available to the public tens of thousands of pages of its records, ranging from the entertainment expenses of its senior executives to the minutes of its board of director meetings.
The public broadcaster said Thursday that “documents of interest to Canadians” disclosed under the Access to Information Act will be posted on its website on an on-going basis as the latest step in its efforts to enhance its accountability to the Canadian public.
"Transparency and accountability are core values that have always guided, and will continue to guide, the way we manage public funds," said president…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Satellite radio competitors XM Canada and Sirius will merge in Canada, just as their American parent companies did over two years ago.
Wednesday’s announcement said that the all-stock merger values the combined company at approximately $520 million, which includes long-term debt of $130 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sirius Canada shareholders will be issued treasury shares of XM Canada parent Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (CSR) representing a 58.0% equity interest in CSR immediately following closing of the transaction. The approximate ownership interest in CSR following closing of the combination transaction will be as follows:
– CSRI Inc., an entity controlled…
Continue Reading
WORD OF MOUTH is one of the most reliable avenues to success for any product.
Television is no different. Hit shows have been hit shows because they strike a chord and people talk about them together over the proverbial water cooler at work the next day or among friends at the rink, for example.
With the mass market adoption of cell phones and their texting capabilities, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other messaging or multimedia platforms, it’s been years since any of us had to wait until the next day to figure out if people are digging what they see from their…
Continue Reading
