OTTAWA – CBC has submitted a new programming proposal to the CRTC for its category 1 specialty service known as bold.
As Cartt.ca reported, the Commission directed the CBC to come up with another programming strategy that was consistent with the channel’s original nature of service, (programming reflective of the living realities of rural Canadians), after rejecting the CBC’s first attempt last April. The CRTC also dictated that the channel’s nature of service must be sufficiently specific and representative of the programming strategy, and be non-competitive with any existing specialty services.
CBC’s application, which was made public on Wednesday,…
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TORONTO – An Ontario politician is taking aim at what he calls "the unfair billing practices" of Canada’s wireless service providers.
According to a report by Canadian Press, Liberal David Orazietti introduced draft legislation Tuesday, and is urging Ottawa and the other provinces to join the fight.
If passed, Orazietti’s private member’s bill would reduce cancellation fees, make advertising regarding the costs of using a cellphone more transparent, and clarify contracts so that Ontario consumers know what they’re paying for.
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TORONTO – Sadia Zaman, the executive director of Women in Film & Television – Toronto (WIFT-T) is leaving the organization after three years to take on the newly-created role of director, CBC Centres.
Zaman committed to work closely with the WIFT-T board of directors to ensure a smooth transition. She will continue to lead the team through its Crystal Awards next month before beginning her new role at the CBC on January 4, 2011.
“It has been very fulfilling to work with the exceptional staff and board,” she said in Monday’s announcement. “I’ve been so inspired by how hard women work in this industry,…
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OTTAWA – Passengers on Air Canada flights will soon have on-demand access to daily news programming produced by CBC in English and by Radio-Canada in French.
Content will be presented in 30-minute packages in both official languages, updated twice daily, and available on airline’s personal seatback video screen starting this month. The service will be rolled out in stages across Air Canada’s fleet.
"We’re proud to be able to make our news available on the country’s largest airline," said Jennifer McGuire, GM and Editor in Chief of CBC News, in a statement. "On the ground or now in the air, Canadians…
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SHERIDAN SCOTT KNOWS she’s going to have to improvise somewhat when she opens her panel session at the International Institute of Communications Canadian chapter conference on November 22.
Her panel is called “taking stock of national digital strategies” and is scheduled to happen about two hours after Industry Minister Tony Clement is scheduled to speak. He is expected to give a progress report on where he and his ministry are in crafting Canada’s national digital strategy – a process the minister kicked off in May (Some are also expecting an update on the federal governments thinking on…
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OTTAWA – Longtime civil servant and former CBC president Al Johnson died Tuesday in Ottawa. He was 87.
A native of Saskatchewan, Johnson occupied a number of senior management positions within the provincial and federal public service before serving as president of the CBC from 1975 to 1982.
Johnson, who was also a teacher, researcher, political consultant, and professor at Queen’s University, received a number of awards and honours, including the Vanier Medal for his leadership in public administration, and a Companion of the Order of Canada.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, four children and one granddaughter.
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TORONTO – A day after his surprise departure from CBC, Scott Moore has been named to the new position of president of broadcasting for Rogers Media. Rogers also announced that Leslie Sole will be promoted to the newly created position of chief content officer.
"The breadth of industry knowledge that Leslie and Scott bring to the table will be of great benefit," said president Keith Pelley, in Wednesday’s announcement. "It’s an exciting time in our industry and Leslie and Scott will ensure that Rogers Media is positioned to perform in a feverishly competitive environment."
Beginning December 6th, Moore will oversee…
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TORONTO – Scott Moore, director of CBC Sports and general manager of the CBC Revenue Group, is leaving CBC effective immediately.
Tuesday’s surprise announcement did not include details on Moore’s next steps, though Cartt.ca has learned that announcement is scheduled to be made on Wednesday. Responsibility for CBC Sports will be assumed on an interim basis by its senior director David Masse, while broadcast industry veteran Jack Tomik will lead the CBC Revenue Group, responsible for marketing, sales and business development.
"Scott’s tenure covered an eventful period in the Canadian broadcasting industry generally and at CBC as well," said Kirstine Stewart,…
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GATINEAU – Since all of the country’s biggest broadcasters (save CBC) will soon all be owned by Canada’s biggest carriers, the CRTC has announced a new proceeding to examine safeguards to prevent anti-competitive behaviour.
The proceeding will include a public hearing starting on May 9, 2011, in Gatineau, Que.
“The broadcasting industry is being significantly reshaped by a series of major transactions,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, chairman of the CRTC, in the press release. “As a regulator, it’s only prudent that we study the implications to ensure we have the right tools to deal with competitive concerns as they arise….
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TORONTO – CBC announced the appointment of veteran journalist Kirk LaPointe as its new ombudsman, effective November 1.
LaPointe replaces Vince Carlin, whose mandate will officially expire December 31, 2010.
The CBC ombudsman acts as an appeal authority for members of the public who are dissatisfied with the public broadcaster’s journalistic and information programming. The office is independent of CBC program staff and management and reports directly to the president and, through the president’s office, the CBC’s board of directors.
LaPointe will be based in CBC’s Vancouver office, where he lives, but will work from other CBC locations regularly as part of…
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