TORONTO – It’s not just about choice, it’s about how that choice is defined.
According to the Canadian Independent Distributors Group (CIDG), which lost its final offer arbitration dispute against Bell Media just over a week ago, the CRTC appeared to agree with the communication giant’s definition of choice which, simply put, is the more television channels that Canadian viewers can buy, the better.
But is choice about volume, or is it the ability to pick only the channels that viewers actually want to watch?
According to the CIDG, made up of Cogeco, MTS and the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA), their consumers…
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OTTAWA – While Friday’s CRTC rulings may indeed eventually pave the way towards more choice for consumers in the selection of TV channels, what remains unclear is whether that “choice” will truly be driven by Canadian viewers or continue to be shaped by the country’s biggest broadcasters and television service providers.
Friday’s CRTC decision, which chose Bell Media’s final offer over the one presented by the Canadian Independent Distributors Group (CIDG), noted that “both parties’ offers moved in the direction of providing more consumer choice”, plus contained “incentives to provide a wide choice of programming in the broadcasting system, and…
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OTTAWA – Communications giant Bell Media was batting .500 Friday after the CRTC awarded it a win, and a loss, in two final offer arbitration disputes between it and the Canadian Independent Distributors Group (CIDG) and Telus.
In its decision on Bell Media versus the CIDG, a group consisting of the CCSA, Cogeco and MTS, the Commission noted that both sides made “significant strides” to resolve the issues between them, and that both offers provided commercially reasonable terms and more consumer choice.
The CIDG final offer affiliation agreement, however, was “inconsistent” with the standstill rule of the Commission’s vertical…
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QUISPAMSIS, N.B . – CCSA is expanding its VOD offerings with the addition of Teletoon on Demand (English, French and Jr. French) and renewing agreements for Teletoon, Teletoon French and Teletoon HD.
“We are very pleased to extend our contractual relationship with Teletoon which provides popular programming to CCSA members and their subscribers,” says Alyson Townsend, CCSA President & CEO in a statement. “This renewal is a testament to the positive and productive partnership that continues to grow between our companies.”
“Teletoon Canada Inc. has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with CCSA,” said Trent Locke, Vice President, Business Operations, Teletoon Canada Inc….
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QUISPAMSIS – The CCSA has finalized a master affiliate agreement with Teletoon Canada for the distribution of its new family-orinted channel Cartoon Network.
Launching July 4, Cartoon Network targets kids and families through animated and live-action content from 6:00 am ET/PT to 9:00 pm ET/PT, while Adult Swim brings irreverent, funny programming to young adults from 9:00 pm ET/PT onwards.
The deal includes content available on demand, and across broadband and mobile platforms, in both standard and high definition.
“CCSA is excited to make this announcement just in time for the Canadian launch of Cartoon Network on July 4th,” said CCSA president…
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TORONTO – CTAM Canada has declared its first CTAM Canada U course “a huge success”, and promises to return with another session next year.
More than 40 Canadian CTAM members packed the inaugural class last month at Corus’ Toronto headquarters to hear Harvard Business School Professors Bharat Anand and Rajiv Lal present five cases, including an analysis of the strategies used by Apple and Netflix, as a starting point to explore key issues in today’s highly competitive environment.
The students, who hailed from Astral, CCSA, Corus, Stingray Digital, WFN, the CRTC, Rogers, AOV, A&E, Hollywood Suite, Super Channel, Teletoon, TV5 Quebec, Ogilvey…
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QUISPAMSIS, NB – Online registration is now open for this year’s CCSA Connect conference.
Scheduled for September 23 – 25 at the Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka, ON, the annual event is open to all independent cable operators who are current members of the CCSA, plus program/signal suppliers, equipment suppliers and association members.
The registration fee for conference delegates is $750 per person plus tax, which includes access to the Sunday evening reception, Monday breakfast, lunch, cocktail reception, gala dinner and entertainment. It also includes the Monday speaker sessions and the Connect Showcase tradeshow.
Click here for more information or to register….
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TORONTO – This is the last chance to register for the CTAM panel ‘Sports Television: Will the Goose Stop Laying it’s Golden Eggs’ taking place on Tuesday, May 29 at the CBC building in Toronto.
Moderated by Cartt.ca editor and publisher Greg O’Brien, the lively discussion will feature John Levy, chairman and CEO of The Score; Jeffrey Orridge, executive director of sports properties for CBC; David Purdy, SVP of content for Rogers Communications, and Sean Riley, SVP of Fox Networks as they share their thoughts on whether the rights to live sports and league content will continue to drive the TV business or whether…
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QUISPAMSIS, NB – The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) has completed a master affiliate agreement for the distribution of Alliance Films video-on-demand (VOD) content which will be transported by Montreal-based Vision Globale.
CCSA members may launch the Alliance Films library of services in the coming months. Upcoming VOD releases from the independent filmed entertainment company include The Hunger Games, Goon, The Woman in Black, Mirror Mirror and The Artist.
“CCSA members welcome this opportunity to provide their subscribers the strong on-demand offering provided by Alliance Films,” said CCSA president and CEO Alyson Townsend, in the announcement.
www.ccsa.cable.ca
www.alliancefilms.com
www.visionglobale.com
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TORONTO – CTAM Canada is once again inviting members to the Rogers Centre in Toronto to see MLB's the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Baltimore Orioles on May 29, 2012.
Prior to the game, join members for a lively panel discussion on the escalating costs of programming with participants from the sports leagues, the programmers and the television distributors. The panel discussion begins at 4:30 pm across the street at the Canadian Broadcast Center, 25 John Street Entrance, 10th floor.
The event is free to CTAM members, and new members may attend for $55.00 which includes a one year subscription to…
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