Search Results for: cogeco

Radio / Television News

Independent radio broadcaster files CRTC complaint over pubcaster’s behaviour

GATINEAU – A complaint before the CRTC accuses a big Canadian TV broadcaster of behaving poorly by giving itself an undue preference by outright refusing to air advertising from a radio competitor. The culprit? The CBC. Leclerc Communication, which bought Quebec City radio stations CJEC-FM (WKND 91.9) and CFEL-FM (CKOI 102.1) from Cogeco when the latter acquired Corus Quebec stations in 2011, says that it has tried and failed to buy local advertising on Radio-Canada's Quebec City television station because of a policy the public broadcaster has to refuse advertising to competitors. "We believe that it's imperative to promote WKND 91.9 on… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

GameTV gets fashionable with new series ‘The Fashion Fund’

TORONTO – Attention budding fashionistas: GameTV is bringing fashion-forward reality competition The Fashion Fund to Canada next week, complete with celebrity judges Anna Wintour and Diane Von Furstenberg. Starting February 13 at 8:00 PM ET/PT, The Fashion Fund follows ten aspiring fashion designers vying for the chance to be named the 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner.  The series takes audiences behind the catwalk and showroom floor, sits in on studio visits and a Vogue fashion photo shoot, and culminates with a presentation at NYC Fashion Week and the announcement of the winner. The designers are judged and given feedback by the… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Audet takes a stand. Cogeco CEO calls out the Quebec government on “humiliating” values charter, urges other business leaders to take a stand

MONTREAL – When most CEOs make a speech to a body like the Montreal Board of Trade, it’s usually to sing the praises of their own company – or to demand something be done by government to alter this or that within their own market or industry. Rare is the CEO to come right out and make a strong political stand, but Cogeco CEO Louis Audet did just that Wednesday afternoon, attacking the provincial government for its actions (and inaction) and challenging business leaders to grab the bull by the horns and help drag the province into the future –… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Cogeco Fund invests $3.89M in 39 projects in 2012-2013

TORONTO and MONTREAL – The Cogeco Program Development Fund invested $3.89 million in 39 drama projects in development and production last year, according to its 2012-2013 Annual Report. The independent, private fund encourages the development and the production of new Canadian drama by Canadian writers to be produced by independent Canadian producers, in English or French, or (preferably) in both languages. In total, the Cogeco Fund has invested over $41 million in more than 700 projects since its inception in 1992. www.cogecofund.ca Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, General, Radio / Television News

Canadian academics, consumer groups, question ISPs on data sharing with feds

TORONTO – A coalition of Canadian academics and consumer groups are asking the country’s biggest telecommunications service providers to divulge the extent to which they pass on their customers’ private information to government agencies when asked. Spearheaded by Toronto-based researcher Dr. Christopher Parsons, the organization sent letters to 16 different companies this week, including Bell, Rogers, Cogeco, Shaw, Telus and Videotron, asking them to respond to questions on their data retention and sharing policies.  The telcos were asked to respond or commit to responding by March 3, 2014. “Specifically, we are asking how, when, and why your company discloses information to… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco turns up the heat on residential, business Internet packages

MONTREAL – Cogeco Cable this week launched its new Ultimate 120 high speed Internet package to its residential customers in Ontario and Quebec. The Ultimate 120 package offers download speeds up to 120 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 10 Mbps.  In Ontario, the package also includes a monthly data transfer capacity of 425 GB, while in Quebec, the monthly data transfer capacity is 400 GB. Cogeco also launched a new business high speed Internet package, named Cogeco Business Ultimate, which offers download speeds of up to 120 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 10 Mbps.   The new package… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Bell enlists Canadian organizations, competitors to back mental health efforts

MONTREAL – With eight days until Bell Let's Talk Day on January 28, Bell officially thanked the Canadian companies and associations that are helping spread the word about Canadian mental health. Encompassing media companies, major-league sports teams and associations, which include Bell’s partners and competitors alike, the organizations are providing various platforms for the Bell Let's Talk message, including TV, cinema, radio, newspaper, out-of-home and online advertising, rink boards at major sports arenas, promotional events, and media coverage dedicated to enhancing Canadian mental health.  They include: – Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television – Banff World Media Festival – Basketball Canada – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Radio-Canada -… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cable drives up Q1 profits at Cogeco; company trials new IPTV platform

MONTREAL – Cogeco Inc. kicked off its fiscal 2014 with a 20.7% increase in profits thanks to growth in its cable division, and told investors that it is currently testing a new “evolved video distribution platform”. When asked if the new initiative is designed to cut costs, generate revenue, or assist with customer retention, president and CEO Louis Audet was quick to respond with “all of the above.” “We anticipate that, in the fullness of time, the equipment to support this new advanced video platform will in fact be more advantageous than some of the proprietary technology that we are locked… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Eastern Ontario broadband expansion project sets sites on business parks

HASTINGS COUNTY, ON – Bell Aliant, Cogeco Cable and Utilities Kingston have been awarded contracts to expand high-speed fibre internet connections at more than 50 business parks and clusters across rural Eastern Ontario. The business park project, valued at about $8.9 million, is the latest phase of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) project, a $170 million initiative to expand rural broadband throughout the region.  Created by the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus, the project is supported by federal, provincial, and municipal funding, and private sector investment. The companies are building the new services off of their existing infrastructure, as well as… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CTAM Canada unveils 2014 Board

MONTREAL – CTAM Canada’s newly elected board of directors for 2014 includes a number of familiar names and faces. The executive committee is: – Gary Pelletier from Stingray Digital as President; – Drew Robinson from Shaw Media as Vice-President; – Jennifer Salmon from CCSA as Secretary; and – Jeff Taylor from Rogers Communications as Treasurer. The newly elected 2014 board selected the new chapter executive along with committee chairperson assignments, following the last meeting of the 2013 board on December 10th. Joining the organization are Valerie Heroux from Videotron, Anne Lavigueur from Cogeco, Lisa Purdy from BBC Kids, Andy Garrett from Eastlink, Leanne Shearer from Bell… Continue Reading