SOME FILED REAMS of digital paper with the Commission (Rogers Communications’ submission was 132 pdf pages and a few appendices), while others were more concise (Shaw’s was just nine pages, plus a couple of research reports)
Anyway, we’ve read more than a few thousand words and identified what appear to be the primary issues facing the CRTC with its review of the policies governing broadcast distribution undertakings (all licensed video providers) and specialty services. The hearing is set for February 4 in Gatineau.
Below is a bit of a synopsis of what the BDUs are asking for and what…
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Dear Editor,
ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. asserts that the primary policy objective of the CRTC should be to lessen Canadian protection and facilitate an accelerated importation of foreign channels.
Well, the fastest and most economically efficient way to accomplish that would be to cease protecting Canadian cable companies from U.S. distributors like Comcast and DirecTV.
However, that would be against the law – and would trigger a precipitous dismantling of our once-proud broadcasting system.
Canada is the only country in the world that competes 24 hours a day, and live, with the behemoth U.S. entertainment machine.
We have a unique…
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TORONTO – The Radio Television News Directors Association Canada said today that the award for Best Radio News Information Program will be named after the late broadcaster Peter Gzowski.
“There are some people whose voices you remember. Peter Gzowski had one of them,” says the RTNDA release. “At 28, he became the youngest-ever managing editor of Maclean’s magazine. But Peter Gzowski will be best remembered as the voice of Morningside. During his 15 years as host of the CBC Radio program, it is estimated he conducted some 27,000 interviews. The list of his awards and honourary degrees is long….
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OTTAWA – Rémi Racine has been appointed to the board of directors of the CBC), Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, announced today.
"Mr. Racine’s credentials will make him an excellent member of the Board of Directors of the CBC," said Minister Verner. "I am confident that his experience will greatly benefit the CBC."
Racine has been president, CEO and executive producer of Artificial Mind and Movement (A2M), a creator and developer of 3-D interactive video games, since 1999. From 1996 to 1999, he was CEO and executive producer of Behaviour Interactive and…
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OTTAWA – The Canadian Association of Broadcasters will induct nine Canadians into the CAB’s Broadcast Hall of Fame at a special luncheon ceremony on Tuesday , November 6, 2007 at this year’s CAB Annual Convention in Ottawa.
The Hall of Fame recognizes Canadians in private broadcasting or related industries who have achieved outstanding success in helping raise industry standards from a material or humanitarian standpoint.
The inductees who will be honoured at the luncheon are:
Raynald Brière , RNC MEDIA Inc., Montreal, Quebec
Bruce Hogle , retired, Edmonton, Alberta
Harvey Glatt , retired, Ottawa, Ontario
Fred Latremouille , Rogers…
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TORONTO – The producers of Little Mosque on the Prairie, Canadian comedian and author Don Harron, producer, writer and director John Kastner, the writing team behind Mr. Dressup, broadcast journalist Tony Burman and singer and actor Tom Jackson will be awarded special Gemini awards this year, it was announced Wednesday.
Harron, who has been performing on television and radio, stage and through the pages of various books since 1936, was awarded the Earle Grey Award for his impressive body of work and contribution to the international profile of Canadian television.
Kastner picks up the Academy Achievement Award, which was…
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TORONTO – Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean has extended his contract with CBC for another seven years. The new deal, terms of which were not released, starts with the 2007-08 season and continues to the end of 2013-14, the year the public broadcaster’s deal with the National Hockey League expires.
“For millions of Canadians, Ron is the face of CBC Sports, and we are absolutely thrilled to continue our partnership with him for the long term,” said CBC Sports executive director Scott Moore. “He is the best in the business and has played an integral role in…
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OTTAWA – The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) today announced the finalists for the prestigious Gold Ribbon Awards, honouring excellence in private broadcasting. The awards will be presented during the CAB 2007 Convention in Ottawa on November 5th and 6th.
The Gold Ribbon Awards honour achievement in broadcasting in various categories including community service, breaking news, humour, public affairs, and promotion of Canadian talent. The CAB has again this year broken records for the number of entries received, with a total of 544 submissions – an increase of 5% over 2006. Radio and Specialty/Pay/Pay-per-view entries broke new records with…
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TORONTO – That’s the question the Alliance for Children and Television will attempt to answer on November 29 when ACT will host the second Children, Youth & Media Conference.
This event is the only one of its kind to bring together Canada’s creators, producers and broadcasters of children’s and youth programming. This year’s theme, “Are We Listening?”, promises to generate lively discussions through a series of sessions and panels on key screen-based media issues for Canadian children and youth.
Below are a few highlights on the agenda:
Broadcasters’ Panel: Representatives from BBC Kids, CBC, Corus Entertainment, Family Channel, Teletoon…
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TORONTO – VisionTV, Canada’s multi-faith and multicultural television network, has produced a one-hour panel discussion program to accompany its broadcast of the controversial two-part mini series “Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story”.
VisionTV is streaming the panel discussion in full on its web site prior to broadcast. This is the first time the network has pre-released a program online.
The four-hour Prairie Giant miniseries, produced by Regina-based Minds Eye Entertainment, airs on Tuesday, Sept. 25 and Thursday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. and midnight ET/6 p.m. and 9 p.m. PT.
The discussion program, “Prairie Giant – Beyond the Controversy”…
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