Search Results for: cbc

Radio / Television News

Netflix surpassed its $500M commitment already; continues to invest in Canada

Company partners with Screen Nova Scotia, too TORONTO – Two years ago, streaming giant Netflix made a public commitment to invest at least $500 million in movies and television shows produced in Canada, both in English and French, over five years. The company, which sure is being mentioned a lot during the election campaign and may well face additional mandates to make and display Cancon in the future, announced last week it has already exceeded that and has no plans to slow its spending here, which has helped contribute to a boom in… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Broadcasters reveal gender parity action plans

OTTAWA — Canada’s broadcasters are committing themselves to achieving gender parity in TV and film production, where 50% of key creative roles will be held by women by 2025. On Tuesday, the CRTC posted the results so far from its Women in Production initiative to promote gender parity, which included the formation of a steering committee and the convening of a summit in December 2018 that brought together executives from Canada’s largest public and private broadcasters. Those broadcasters have now published their respective action plans for achieving gender parity in key creative positions, such as producer, director, writer, showrunner,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

CJF launches “Doubt It?” to combat fake news

Campaign urges Canadians to employ critical thinking TORONTO – The Canadian Journalism Foundation launched its new Doubt It? campaign today, which the group hopes will help Canadians learn the skills and tools to combat fake news and misinformation. “Its goal is simple: teach Canadians to understand the difference between fact-based journalism and fake news in our digital and social media-driven world,” reads the press release. The campaign uses humour, actionable advice and collaborations with respected Canadian media personalities to remind people of three simple steps anyone can take to put their inner skeptic to work: Doubt it? Check it. Challenge it,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Liberals will tax and regulate digital giants if they win

OTTAWA – The federal Liberals want multinational tech giants, such as Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple, to “pay their fair share” and presumably help offset the $9.3 billion in new investments the Liberal Party announced for 2020-21 in its detailed platform released on Sunday. If Justin Trudeau’s Liberals hang onto power, they plan to introduce a 3% tax on revenue generated through the sale of online advertising and user data by digital companies with global revenues of at least $1 billion a year, and Canadian revenues of at least $40 million a year. This new tax… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Bloc would create Quebec’s own Commission

OTTAWA – Since we’ve reported on the broadcasting and telecommunications proposals of the Liberals, NDP and the Greens, we’re taking a look at the Bloc Quebecois platform. The Conservatives have yet to release their platform. While the last three we mention will not form the government, they could, however, be asked to support a minority government. The price of that support could be found here. The separatist Bloc, according to news reports, is gaining ground in pre-election polls in Quebec. QRTC The… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Thunderbird appoints Brian Paes-Braga as new board chair

Ivan Fecan steps away from executive chair role VANCOUVER — Thunderbird Entertainment Group announced Thursday that industry veteran Ivan Fecan is transitioning from his role as executive chair of the board to focus on developing and producing premium content for the company, such as the award-winning sitcom Kim’s Convenience. At the same time, Thunderbird announced the appointment of Brian Paes-Braga (pictured) as the new chair of the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Paes-Braga has been an active member of the board of directors since October 2018 and is a large shareholder of the company. “I wish to personally thank Ivan Fecan… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Dragons’ Den returns with Desjardins and Canadian Tire as two new sponsors

TORONTO — CBC’s Dragons’ Den will kick off its 14th season this week with Desjardins and Canadian Tire joining standing sponsor BDC as new partners of the show. This season of Dragons’ Den premieres Thursday, September 26 at 9 p.m. (9:30 p.m. NT) on CBC and the CBC Gem streaming service. The two new sponsors, Desjardins and Canadian Tire, will focus on innovative activations, giving back and supporting entrepreneurs in some special moments that these partnerships will bring to the show. Through its GoodSpark program, which will be showcased in the upcoming season, Desjardins is supporting social entrepreneurs with additional financial… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rural broadband conference adds to speaker line-up

NORTH BAY – Canada’s first annual Rural & Remote Broadband Conference has announced additional rural community influencers who will address conference attendees on November 12-14. Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson, chair of the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) will tell delegates why he believes broadband should be considered an essential service, an idea for which he made headlines. The first Q&A session will be led by Melanie Pilon, Dubreuilville Ontario’s economic development officer. She is also co-chair of the Northeastern Superior Region Broadband Network (NSRBN) – a group of five First Nations and five municipalities who have come… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Greens would break up media conglomerates and boost the CBC

Party would cap wireless prices, too By Christopher Guly OTTAWA – Were she to become Canada’s next prime minister, Green Party leader Elizabeth May told Cartt.ca she would “take on Facebook and Google because they’re a threat to Canadian journalism and are sucking out revenues.” “They’re calling themselves platforms and not wanting to be called publishers, but clearly they’re publishing,” she added. As part of its 2019 election platform unveiled on Monday, the Greens would reform Canadian anti-trust laws “to enable the break-up of media conglomerates,” and “close the loophole that exempts social media platforms from collecting taxes on… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

CCSA Connect 2019: The Alliance honours its best

KELOWNA — The Canadian Communication Systems Alliance opened its 2019 Connect conference on Monday afternoon by presenting its 2019 Tuned-In Canada awards. Now in its sixth year, the awards are a nationwide competition highlighting the excellent work performed by CCSA members — independent, local providers of internet, television and telephone services across Canada. Winners in each category were determined in two ways: 1) by the most votes/highest score received, and 2) by the most votes/highest score received per capita subscribers. Since CCSA is made up of various sized members, this system levels the playing field for all. Votes for the three public… Continue Reading