TORONTO – "Approving the applications will only further the interests of those who do not want the Canadian broadcasting system to remain fair and competitive and open to new and independent Canadian voices and entrants.
"In addition , it is impossible to marry the applicants request for long term, protected status with the idea that the Commission should be supporting and encouraging investment and innovation in the Canadian broadcasting system," says High Fidelity HDTV in its intervention submitted today on the so-called "digital basic" 9(1)(h) hearing.
In anticipation of the digital migration of analog specialty services, the CRTC asked…
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GATINEAU – In preparation for the migration to digital of all analog TV, the CRTC told existing analog specialty services in February of 2006 that in order to maintain their legacy positions on the cable lineup it was prepared to entertain applications for "digital basic" status.
So, channels such as YTV, The Weather Network and CBC Newsworld submitted such applications, asking they maintain their spots on the dial and their mandated rate structure even when all channels are someday distributed digitally.
What the Commission maybe didn’t expect is that three new channel applicants also submitted requests to be granted digital…
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TORONTO – The Fight Network continued its unprecedented (especially for an independent digi-net) growth with the announcement Monday it has signed a two year contract to supply America One Sports with television programming.
The initial programming package covers mixed martial arts – which is the fastest growing sector of combatant sports – and which will be closed-captioned for the hearing impaired. A total of 26 hours of mixed martial arts will be carried during the agreement’s initial phase.
Brokered by Trajectory Sports & Media Group, this agreement represents the first major U.S. market television programming deal for Canadian-based The…
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GATINEAU – After months of waiting (it took CTV until almost Christmas to submit its application to the Commission to purchase CHUM Ltd.) the CRTC will hear the request at a public hearing beginning April 30th.
In July, Bell Globemedia (now CTVglobemedia) announced a $1.4 billion purchase of CHUM Ltd. from the Waters family ($1.7 billion if assumed debt is included). If approved, CTV will take ownership of the Citytv broadcast stations across the country, numerous popular specialty channels like MuchMusic, Space and Star! as well as 33 radio stations.
As for the secondary market A-Channels, CTVgm will sell…
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TORONTO – CBC Television today announced the appointment of Scott Moore as executive director, CBC Sports, effective March 5.
"As a Gemini and Emmy award-winning producer with an international reputation for innovative sports production, Scott has a wealth of knowledge and experience which will provide a tremendous benefit to the CBC," said Richard Stursberg, executive vice-president of CBC Television, in a press release. "Sports are a key part of the CBC’s service to Canadians."
Most recently, Moore owned an independent production company, Vancouver-based Top Notch Studios, where he was involved in the Athens and Torino Olympic Games, the Melbourne…
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OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Providing emergency alerts to TV viewers will continue to be a voluntary thing for the industry, the CRTC said today.
In a public notice, the Commission set out its approach for the establishment of emergency alert services in Canada, and in another decision also issued today, the Regulator allowed public authorities to use 911 databases in order to improve the effectiveness of telephony-based emergency public alerts.
"According to the Broadcasting Act, the Canadian broadcasting system should serve the needs of Canadians," said Michel Arpin, vice-chairman, broadcasting, of the CRTC, in a press release. "It is vitally…
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TORONTO – Inspired by Rosalie Tremblay, music director of CKLW-AM in Windsor from 1967-1984 “The Rosalie Award” honours Canadian women in broadcasting who have blazed new trails.
Next week, Jane Hawtin will be recognized and honoured for her achievements by friends and peers at the 3rd Annual Women in Broadcasting Breakfast, March 9, 2007.
A broadcaster, producer and entrepreneur, Hawtin began her career in radio in 1976 at CKLC in Kingston. She piled up a number of firsts including first female news director in private radio (Q107) and first female talk show host in private radio (CFRB 1010). When…
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OTTAWA – With two major crises reaching public climaxes just before Canadian film, TV and new media producers gathered here for their annual Prime Time conference last week, the event could easily have become two long days’ journey into denouement.
Instead, although frequent quips proved tensions still simmer following the ACTRA strike and the uncertain future for the Canadian Television Fund, PT’s agenda (which included a speech from new CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein) focused on improving industry performance amid some encouraging 2005-’06 news.
Volume up The Canadian Film and Television Production Association’s annual Profile report says…
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TORONTO – The Association of Electronic Journalists said Monday that nine people will be honoured with the 2007 RTNDA Canada Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The awards will be presented at the RTNDA Regional Pro Dev Seminars in Toronto on April 28; Regina on May 12; Halifax on June 2; and at the BC Regional Awards Banquet on June 21, during the RTNDA National Conference being held in Vancouver.
The 2007 RTNDA Canada Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are:
Gord Martineau of CityTV Toronto. Gord Martineau has been the face of CityTV for 30 years. But he got his start in radio…
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WASHINGTON and NEW YORK – With both companies still awash in a sea of red ink, XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio today announced they will merge in an all-stock merger with a combined value of approximately US$13 billion, which includes net debt of approximately US$1.6 billion.
Under the terms of the agreement, XM shareholders will receive 4.6 shares of Sirius common stock for each share of XM they own. XM and Sirius shareholders will each own approximately 50% of the combined company.
There are no details as yet for what will happen with Sirius Canada and XM Canada….
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