OTTAWA – Canadians’ interest in 3D TV is minimal, however, their interest in high definition television is at an all-time high, according to the latest TV Quality Survey.
The survey, done annually by Ottawa-based Canadian Media Research Inc., was conducted in November-December 2010, among a sample of of some 1,483 Canadians aged 18-plus.
Some 35% of respondents indicated that they already owned an HDTV set, and the size of the group who said they are not at all likely to purchase an HD set shrank to just 28%, its lowest since the survey began tracking. By comparison, consumer interest in 3D…
Continue Reading
“COME WITH ME. I’LL show you why I wanted to be president of the CBC.”
Those were CBC president and CEO Hubert T. Lacroix’s first words to me last week as we sat down in the meeting room overlooking the Montreal skyline and St. Lawrence River at Radio-Canada’s headquarters. I jumped to my feet and followed him into his office.
Just inside his door is a headless mannequin dressed in a whimsical suit, topped with a bowler cap. “It might be a bit before your time but do you know who this is?” he asked me, excitedly. I wrack my brain…
Continue Reading
GATINEAU – In the CBC’s application to the CRTC for a new digital transmitter for CBAT-TV in New Brunswick, the Corp proposes to cease over-the-air television broadcasting in Saint John, N.B.
“The analog transmitter associated with CBAT-TV is located on Mount Champlain and provides service to both Fredericton and Saint John,” notes the Commission’s summary of the CBC’s application. “The proposed digital transmitter would be located in Fredericton and would provide service only to that market. The proposal would therefore result in a loss of over-the-air television service to the residents of Saint John.”
The city has a population of about…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – CTVglobemedia Inc. says that it stands to lose up to $6.5 million in advertising revenue just by airing two public service announcements (PSAs) about the impact of the upcoming digital transition on over-the-air TV viewers.
According to the CRTC’s proposed regulations for the digital TV transition, broadcasters must begin airing the two PSAs no later than March 31, 2011. The first, which must will air six times per day to start and eight times daily beginning one month prior to the shut off, will inform viewers that analog OTA signals will cease on August 31, 2011. At least 25% of the PSAs must run…
Continue Reading
WHILE MASSIVE SPENDING cuts at one bankrupt broadcaster led it back into the black in 2010, another that was home to the Olympics saw the Games both boost – and drag down – results.
According to the aggregate financial data submitted to the CRTC by all English and French language OTA broadcasters and posted to the Commission web site recently, all lost money, save two.
• Those two are Quebecor Media’s TVA (which recorded a PBIT of $49 million in the 2010 broadcast year (ended August 31, 2010) and the former Canwest Global stations (now part of Shaw Media) which…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Kirstine Stewart has had the ‘interim’ label removed from her title after officially accepting the role of executive vice-president of CBC’s English Services, the public broadcaster said Monday.
"The broadcasting landscape continues to change rapidly. CBC has before it an opportunity to deepen its relationship and engage with Canadians in new ways. Kirstine Stewart is just the person to lead CBC into that future," said president and CEO, Hubert T. Lacroix, in the announcement.
Stewart, who was formerly general manager of CBC Television, took on interim EVP title last August after Richard Stursberg was abruptly let go. Lacroix…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – CBC has kicked off a national multi-platform health initiative designed to inspire Canadians to get healthy.
The Live Right Now campaign, which will be supported across CBC’s radio, television and on-line platforms, will encourage, educate and support Canadians to make small, manageable changes that will have a big impact on their health.
Elements include an interactive on-line community, a national call-to-action called the ‘Million Pound Challenge’ where Canadians looking to lose weight are encouraged to pledge to lose a combined total of one million pounds by July 1, and an exclusive CBC News series called Canada Weighs In which…
Continue Reading
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
