Search Results for: crtc

Radio / Television News

Noovo.ca platform records big growth

MONTREAL – Original content is paying off for Groupe V Media’s online platform Noovo.ca. The company says it has tracked more than 55% growth in viewership and user numbers in 2019 compared to last fall (the numbers are from its own Google Analytics, comparing the periods of September 17 to November 17 in both years). Group V’s originals, whether live or catch-up, is what is drawing viewers online. Noovo.ca saw 15 million views this fall, which is in addition to the 3.5 million viewers who watched live, says the press release. Shows air online concurrently with the TV broadcasts. 1.9 million users… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Wireless Policy Review: The songs remain the same

GATINEAU – After reviewing a dozen of the new submissions made at the CRTC’s  latest wireless policy review submission deadline on Friday, we can confidently say: No one has yet changed their mind since the last rounds of information were filed. The arguments, butressed by some new expert reports in some instances, mostly bolster what has been said and repeated early and often. The incumbent carriers say mandated mobile virtual network operators riding on their networks as wireless resellers will cause them to decrease investment. Poppycock, says the Canadian Network Operators and the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance. “Such threats have never, not… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Wireless Policy Review: Competition Bureau recommends “facilities-focused” MVNOs

Says unfettered MVNOs would jeopardize regional players GATINEAU – Friday was the deadline for the second phase of the comments in the CRTC’s Review of mobile wireless services and all eyes were on the Competition Bureau’s submission, which had the additional advantage of having access to the material filed in confidence, which we had reported on earlier this year. The Bureau’s report determines there is not enough competition in the marketplace, and it even suggests a policy for the Commission to consider. (Does it suffer from “Commission Envy”?) “Bell, Telus and Rogers (the Big 3) possess market power at both the retail… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

The Cartt.ca Podcast: Part II with CRTC chair Ian Scott

Why he wanted this tough job in the first place WITH THE MYRIAD ISSUES facing the CRTC and regulators around the world, chair of the CRTC is a hot seat. Always has been. Always will be. Canadians care deeply about the subjects which the Commission handles on a daily basis, be it wireless phone pricing, email spam and phone scams, Canadian content, or any of the various challenges which fall under the purview of the Regulator. It all impacts our daily lives in the way we communicate, are informed and entertained. Over the course of part two of our interview with CRTC… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

TekSavvy appeals site blocking decision

OTTAWA – On November 15, a federal court judge told internet service providers they have to start blocking unauthorized online services which provide access to programming content over the Internet to which they don’t own the rights, a violation of the Copyright Act. Bell Media, Groupe TVA, and Rogers Media sought the decision to block various priacy sites which bore the “goldtv” moniker or similar urls. On Monday, November 25, independent ISP TekSavvy filed an application to appeal with the Federal Court of Appeal to set aside that decision, saying the judge overstepped… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CRTC kicks off CBC licence renewal by asking Canadians what they think

GATINEAU – The CRTC said today it wants to know what Canadians think of CBC/Radio-Canada’s programming. As part of the CBC/Radio-Canada licence renewal process, which started today, the Commission wants to “ensure the content produced and distributed by the public broadcaster reflects the diversity of Canada’s population, while meeting its needs in both official languages,” reads its press release. “Given changes in the models for the production and distribution of content, the Commission is inviting Canadians to review how CBC/Radio-Canada content is made available to them on various platforms. They will also have an opportunity to share their opinion on how… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

TPIA: Federal Court grants incumbents leave to appeal, and a stay of CRTC’s wholesale rates decision

OTTAWA – The judicial process against the CRTC’s August decision on the final rates for aggregated wholesale high-speed access (HSA) service will go forward – and the decision’s application will remain suspended pending a ruling from the Federal Court of Appeal. This means that the rates in force today are the interim ones set in 2016 and retroactive payments set out in the summer decision are suspended, pending the court’s decision. The FCA had already granted a temporary stay on October 1st. Justice Richard Boivin determined “the implementation of the CRTC Order that could result in a permanent market distortion… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

New Cabinet: Rookie MP handed heritage portfolio; Bains remains at renamed ISED

OTTAWA – Amid new portfolio names and no major change to Navdeep Bains’ duties, one big surprise in the unveiling of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new post-election cabinet on Wednesday was the appointment of well-known Quebec environmentalist, anti-pipeline activist and month-old Member of Parliament Steven Guilbeault (right), as – the new minister of Canadian Heritage. However, OUTtv CEO Brad Danks told Cartt.ca he is “cautiously optimistic” that Guilbeault’s background as a human-rights activist and reputation of being forward-thinking will help the government undertake a “complete overhaul of the broadcasting system” following the release of recommendations early next year by… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

The Cartt.ca Podcast: CRTC chairman Ian Scott (Part I)

"We need new tools to deal with the new environment" IAN SCOTT IS already two years through his five-year mandate as chair of the CRTC. He hasn’t been as active calling hearings as his predecessor, who kept thinking up ways of making sure regulatory departments and the journalists who cover them were always hopping, but the CRTC under Scott has still been very busy. While the Commission is an arm’s length agency, the federal government has been quite keen on pushing a few big issues which, despite what many critics might have to say, are awfully complex… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

ANALYSIS: We need MVNOs because we’re talking about better wireless for everyone

THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT the Canadian wireless industry and the merits (or perils) of new competition from Mobile Virtual Network Operators can leave your head spinning. The number of price comparisons and examples, local or international, can be so disorienting you start confusing up from down, the high-end of the market from people on a budget and Bay St. from Parkdale. This Financial Post opinion piece, for example, calls affordability an ‘alleged’ problem. While it was focused on poking holes in the numbers provided by Timothy Denton in an earlier article, it fails… Continue Reading