Search Results for: cogeco

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco’s Q1 profits buoyed by MetroCast acquisition

MONTREAL – Cogeco Communications credited its purchase of U.S. cableco MetroCast for a 15.1% increase in revenues for its first quarter of fiscal 2019 ended November 30, 2018. Profit for the period dipped 3.1% to $79.1 million, of which $26.2 million was attributable to owners of the Corporation, resulting mainly from increases in depreciation and amortization, financial expense and integration, and restructuring and acquisition costs, that were partly offset by the improvement of adjusted EBITDA and a decrease in income taxes. Revenue reached $674.0 million, up from $585.7 million in the same period last year, driven by growth of 16.3% in its… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Customer service problems over, Cogeco’s new leadership looks for growth

MONTREAL — Cogeco says its customer service problems are finally over. After a customer management system upgrade went awry in 2018, causing frustration for its Canadian cable and broadband clients, the company says the problems have been resolved, and up to 600 additional short-term staff have completed their work and left the company, at a cost of about $11 million. Its 22 customer management systems have been successfully replaced by one. "It's behind us," president and CEO Philippe Jetté told journalists on Friday before Cogeco's annual shareholders' meeting in Montreal, his first since taking over from longtime CEO Louis Audet (at… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco bows out of 600 MHz auction but says wireless still an option

All applications due last week MONTREAL – Cogeco Communications said that it will not participate in next year’s 600 MHz spectrum auction but will still “explore opportunities” in the wireless market. In a surprising announcement late Thursday, the company said that basing the structure of the auction on large geographic areas makes it “uneconomical” for the company. “We continue to actively and strategically pursue opportunities to enter the wireless market in order to offer a complementary service to our customers and expand our business,” said Cogeco’s SVP strategy and CTO Luc Noiseux, in the statement.  “Following the acquisition of spectrum licenses… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Cogeco completes acquisition of 10 radio stations from RNC Media

MONTREAL – Cogeco Media’s network of radio stations officially expanded to 22 on Monday after parent Cogeco Inc. wrapped up its purchase of 10 French-language regional radio stations in Quebec and Ontario from RNC Media. The $19.2 million transactio received CRTC approval on October 11. The new stations are located in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (Planète 104.5 in Alma, Planète 93.5 in Chibougamau, Planète 99.5 in Roberval, Planète 100.3 in Dolbeau-Mistassini, and Radio X 95.7 in Saguenay), in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Capitale Rock 104.3 in Val-d’Or, Capitale Rock 102.1 in La Sarre, and WOW 96.5, in Val-d’Or), in Lachute (Pop 104.9) and in Hawkesbury (Pop… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco launches managed Wi-Fi for business

BURLINGTON, ON – Cogeco Connexion is offering a customizable, cloud-based managed Wi-Fi solution designed for small and mid-market businesses. A complete service that offers integrated equipment, installation, and support, Cogeco Connexion's Managed Wi-Fi solution provides enhanced internet access as well as scalable Wi-Fi capabilities plus a management portal to customize settings (i.e. Wi-Fi access for guests) and get insights on Wi-Fi usage. The company added that the Wi-Fi solution is professionally designed and tailored to specific customer requirements, installed by experts and monitored remotely to ensure a fast and reliable Wi-Fi experience. "More than ever, our business customers are asking for enhanced… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco expands gigabit offering in Quebec

MONTREAL – Cogeco Connexion has launched its residential and business gigabit Internet offering in “targeted” Quebec markets. The up to 1 Gbps service is now available in Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, Saint-Hyacinthe, Rimouski and Saint-Adèle, the company said Thursday.  This includes next generation Internet Wi-Fi equipment, as well. "Today's announcement is further evidence of our unwavering commitment to providing our customers the means to effectively navigate evolving technology as well as to meet their changing needs," said president Ken Smithard, in the news release. "More than ever, our customers are asking for increased Internet capabilities to support their gaming, streaming and browsing needs… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco’s Louis Audet named 2018 Global Citizens Laureate by the United Nations Association in Canada

MONTREAL – Cogeco Inc. executive board chairman Louis Audet has been selected as the United Nations Association in Canada’s (UNA-Canada) 2018 Global Citizens Laureate. Each year, UNA-Canada names a global citizen laureate by selecting a Canadian who shares and invests in ideas, people, and community.  Audet received the honour at a dinner held Wednesday in Montreal. “This year’s Global Citizens Dinner paid special tribute to Mr. Audet’s uniquely Canadian model of success within the global community and recognized him for his dedication as a Canadian corporate leader who continuously gives back through his active involvement with charitable, educational and community organizations,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco unveils new SVP of public affairs, communications

MONTREAL – Cogeco Inc. has named Marie-Hélène Labrie to the position of senior vice-president of public affairs and communications. Labrie (pictured) joins Cogeco after ten years at Montreal cleantech firm Enerkem, where she was most recently SVP government affairs and communications.  Cogeco’s announcement said that Labrie has more than 20 years of broad experience in government relations, public communications and marketing. “Marie-Hélène’s extensive knowledge of government relations, marketing and communications as well as her diverse background in both traditional and new media make her an ideal candidate to take the helm of Cogeco’s Public Affairs and Communications team,” said Cogeco president… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Customer care issues a drag on Cogeco’s 2018 results

MONTREAL – While Cogeco Inc. has a financially solid year, the company noted in its 2018 fourth quarter and year end results released Wednesday continued to be impacted by ongoing issues with its customer care management software upgrades. In the fourth quarter, ended August 31, 2018, revenue for the Canadian and U.S. cable and broadband operator increased by 14.1% over the fourth quarter of 2017 to reach $660.0 million while adjusted earnings before interest taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 14.8% to hit $288.6 million; Free cash flow hit $55.3 million, an increase of 6.7%. The increases were driven… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CRTC grants Cogeco’s $18.5 million radio purchase

OTTAWA – The CRTC has given its blessing to Cogeco’s plan to buy 10 French-language regional radio stations in Quebec and Ontario from RNC Media. The new stations are located in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (Planète 104.5 in Alma, Planète 93.5 in Chibougamau, Planète 99.5 in Roberval, Planète 100.3 in Dolbeau-Mistassini, and Radio X 95.7 in Saguenay), in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Capitale Rock 104.3 in Val-d’Or, Capitale Rock 102.1 in La Sarre, and WOW 96.5, in Val-d’Or), in Lachute (Pop 104.9) and in Hawkesbury (Pop 102.1). The Commission said Thursday that it "considers that the RNC stations integrated into Cogeco could benefit from economies… Continue Reading