Search Results for: cbc

Radio / Television News

DTH Policy Review: Time for satellite companies to carry ALL local TV stations, say broadcasters

GATINEAU – Canada’s public and private broadcasters are urging the CRTC to implement a local-into-local signal carriage regime for the country’s direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast distributors, saying the time has come to force them to comply with the provisions in the Broadcasting Act. Private broadcasters Canwest and CTVglobemedia acknowledge in their submissions to the Regulator for 2010-488, the review of the direct-to-home satellite distribution policy, that Shaw Direct and Bell TV have capacity constraints, but this doesn’t take away from the fact the TV stations are harmed financially when they aren’t carried. “Unfortunately, where a local television is not… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Broadcasters pay tribute to Canadian culture

TORONTO and MONTREAL – CBC and Astral are joining various cultural organizations across the country to celebrate the arts and cultural life of their communities. The inaugural Culture Days weekend will run from September 24 – 26 at numerous locations across the country, offering free events designed to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians. CBC will get the party started Thursday by taking over Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with CBC LIVE! – a star-studded lineup of broadcasts, live events, music and celebrity meet and greets. "As one of Canada’s largest cross-country cultural organizations, CBC… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

DTH Policy Review: Canwest, CTV, want Shaw, Bell satellite divisions to carry all local TV signals

GATINEAU – Canada’s public and private broadcasters are urging the CRTC to implement a local-into-local signal carriage regime for the country’s direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast distributors, saying the time has come to force them to comply with the provisions in the Broadcasting Act. Private broadcasters Canwest and CTVglobemedia acknowledge in their submissions to the Regulator for 2010-488, the review of the direct-to-home satellite distribution policy, that Shaw Direct and Bell TV have capacity constraints, but this doesn’t take away from the fact the TV stations are harmed financially when they aren’t carried. “Unfortunately, where a local television is not… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Shaw, Commission, spar over length of cable license renewal in prelude to Tuesday’s merger hearing

CALGARY – “Put yourself into my shoes,” CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein asked Shaw Cable’s executives. The chair made the plea during an exchange Monday morning at the Airport Four Points Sheraton in Calgary during the day-long hearing into the western cableco’s applications to renew most of its cable licenses. Due to a number of regulatory transgressions and questions over the years, (especially concerning advertising messages on some of its community channels that were contrary to the regulations, and treatment of some specialty channels), Shaw was granted only a short term license renewal by the CRTC back in 2008… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

U.S. carriers can now access music Galaxie

MONTREAL – Stingray Digital said today it is making its Galaxie Digital Music Service available in the U.S. market. Galaxie is 50 uninterrupted and commercial-free digital music channels delivered by cable, satellite or IPTV directly to consumers’ homes. "Stingray Digital is already an established provider of music-related VOD content to U.S. multi-channel operators through the brands The Karaoke Channel and Concert TV. We are now expanding our music services with the Galaxie music channels for operators who are seeking an alternative source for digital music programming," said Eric Boyko, president of Stingray Digital. "Galaxie is already an established digital music service… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

It’s back to school for Barrie

TORONTO – Radio veteran Andy Barrie is joining Toronto’s Ryerson University as distinguished scholar in residence in the Faculty of Communication & Design for the 2010-11 academic year. Barrie, who left CBC Radio One’s Toronto morning program in March, will develop a special interview series focusing on media and communications, act as an advisor to undergraduate and graduate students, and be a resource to students and faculty members in their innovative research initiatives.  He will also have a hand in shaping curriculum content at FCAD, which is internationally recognized for its strong journalism and broadcasting programs. “It’s almost impossible for… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Author Atwood wades into SunTV News debate

TORONTO – Canadian author Margaret Atwood is contributing to the hype around Quebecor’s proposed new Sun TV news channel – whether she means to, or not. Earlier this week, Atwood tweeted that she’d signed a petition called “Stop Fox News North” at avaaz.org, and encouraged others to join her.  The petition, among other allegations, accuses Prime Minister Harper of “trying to push American-style hate media onto our airwaves, and make us all pay for it”, and calls on him to “immediately stop all pressure on the CRTC on this matter”. This sparked a swift, and sharp, opinion-editorial piece… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Quebecor asks for a cat 2 license for SunTV News with a must-carry twist it says it deserves, needs

GATINEAU – On November 19th, the day after the CRTC is set to wrap up its look at the DTH satellite TV policies, the Regulator will hear Quebecor Media’s request for a SunTV News category two digital specialty service license. With much fanfare back in June, the company made public its plan for a new news channel featuring “hard news” during the day and “straight talk” at night. In its original submission to the Commission, QMI proposed to shutter its money-losing SunTV station in exchange for a category one digital license, which would make the channel a must-offer… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CBC takes on Canadian satellite operators

OTTAWA – Hundreds of thousands of Canadians are being deprived of access to their local CBC or Radio-Canada signal, and it’s up to the CRTC to right that wrong, according to the ‘pubcaster. CBC/Radio-Canada is asking for the public’s help as the CRTC prepares to review its policies for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution.  In a statement on Wednesday, it said that Bell TV carries only nine of 14 CBC stations and eight of 13 Radio-Canada stations, while Shaw Direct carries only 10 of 14 CBC stations and six of 13 of Radio-Canada stations. Conventional television licensees have argued in the past… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

The puck drops next month on CBC, TSN

TORONTO – The imminent arrival of Fall also marks the start of hockey season. CBC’s Hockey Night In Canada announced an 87-game schedule starting with preseason play on September 25th, and regular season play on October 7, 2010, the NHL’s opening day of the 2010-11 season. Its schedule also includes the all-Canadian outdoor NHL Heritage Classic between Montreal and Calgary at McMahon Stadium in Calgary; the 2010 NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, featuring an outdoor showdown between Washington and Pittsburgh; the 58th NHL All-Star Game on January 30, and its popular Hockey Day in Canada on February 12… Continue Reading