Search Results for: cogeco

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco adds Mpix OD in Ontario

BURLINGTON – Cogeco Cable has added Astral Media’s Mpix OnDemand today as part of Cogeco’s Ontario digital line-up. All Cogeco Cable Digital television customers who subscribe to The Movie Network and Superstations Movie Package will have free access to Mpix OnDemand, a subscription video on-demand (SVOD) service offering classic movies which are five years or older. www.cogeco.ca www.themovienetwork.ca Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

TQS blames financial squeeze, lack of carriage fees, for 40 job cuts

MONTREAL – In an effort to reduce operating costs, Quebec private TV network TQS has abolished 40 jobs across the province, just as 60% owner Cogeco and its minority partner CTVglobemedia are embarking upon a review of their investment in the broadcaster. Employees learned of the cuts from TQS president and CEO René Guimond. “It saddens us to make this decision,” Guimond said. “We chose to act now to reduce our operating costs so that we can protect our programming schedule. If we hadn’t, the company could have been forced to take more drastic action.” He laid part… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Cogeco/CTV exploring options with TQS

MONTREAL – While things on the cable side of the ledger are clipping along nicely, Cogeco Inc. is now reviewing its options when it comes to Television Quatre Saisons, the Quebec broadcaster it owns with CTVglobemedia. TQS is perennially the third-place network and compared to the company’s cable operations in Canada and Portugal, a small part of the Cogeco puzzle, but because of a challenging TV ad market in Quebec, its owners (Cogeco has 60%, CTVglobemedia, 40%) have retained CIBC World Markets “to assist in assessing the strategic options available to them in connection with TQS,” says the press… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

TMN’s marketing blitz to sack newcomer

TORONTO – They don’t say so directly, but The Movie Network’s upcoming marketing campaign meant to support its upcoming free preview weekend will also likely swallow up the launch of its new competitor, Super Channel. Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 9 and running until Sunday, November 11, the pay channel’s free preview event will showcase the network’s Hollywood-hit movies, HBO and Showtime programming as well highlight its on-demand and high-definition features. “There is no better way for a potential subscriber to experience the value and entertainment of The Movie Network than to sample it for themselves and… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Canada, Portugal, both producing for Cogeco

MONTREAL – Cogeco is making more than a few doubters eat crow these days, given its recent operating results. When it acquired Portugal’s Cabovisao on 2006, there was a lengthy line of complainers decrying the company’s decision to branch out beyond Canada. But, results across the Atlantic have been stellar and the company’s Canadian growth has continued unabated. For the fourth quarter and the full year of fiscal 2007, ended August 31st, consolidated revenue grew 39.7% to $244.3 million and 51.4% to $938.9 million, respectively. Consolidated operating income before amortization increased 40.6% to $102.4 million and 46.6% to… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

BDU and SPECIALTY REVIEW: The Issues

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… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Free fall preview of TMN, Movie Central

TORONTO – Just as new rival Super Channel is launching EastLink, Bell ExpressVu, Cogeco, and Rogers digital customers will be able to see a free preview of The Movie Network November 9 to 11, the broadcaster announced today. And out west, Bell, MTS, SaskTel and Telus will be offering Movie Central for free. The free preview weekend will include Hollywood movies such as The Last King of Scotland, Invincible, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Clerks II and School for Scoundrels; acclaimed HBO series including Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Big Love and Flight of the Conchords; and hit Showtime programming including Dexter,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco adds Leafs HD

MONTREAL – The majority of Cogeco Digital Cable customers in Ontario can now see LeafsTV in high definition. Leafs TV HD will be available for free to the majority of Cogeco Digital Cable subscribers who are paying the HD Access Fee of $5.99 per month and who also subscribe to Leafs TV in standard definition. Leafs TV HD includes exclusive live broadcasts of Toronto Maple Leafs games. "With more than 43,000 new digital subscribers in the three first quarters of fiscal 2007, Cogeco Cable’s Digital Television service offers variety, quality and control that our customers are looking for," said… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Videotron, Bell ExpressVu and Cogeco to distribute RDS HD

MONTREAL – Videotron, Bell ExpressVu and Cogeco cable have all signed on to distribute a high definition version of the sports specialty TV channel, Le Réseau des sports (RDS), when it launches Wednesday. The channel, broadcasting in high definition 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will air all the Montreal Canadiens games during the 1007-08 season, along with all major sports events, including major golf tournaments, the Super Bowl, the Grey Cup, tennis, major league baseball playoffs and Formula 1 races. About 1,000 hours of original HD programming will be produced by the channel over the next… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

National radio sales up 6% in 2007: Canadian Broadcast Sales

TORONTO – National radio ad sales grew 6% in the fiscal 2007 broadcast year, and the first quarter of 2008 was also strong, according to data released Monday by the Canadian Broadcast Sales. “This year’s growth of 6% built on last year’s growth of 6.4% clearly illustrates the continuing strength of radio,” said CBS president Patrick Grierson. “Results were largely driven by Ontario’s 15.3% growth, while British Columbia was up 7.4% and Alberta rose 6%. The first quarter of fiscal 2008 registered a further 6.5% in bookings, according to CBS. In 2007, the top six categories accounted for 62.5%… Continue Reading