Search Results for: crtc

Radio / Television News

New CMF initiatives aim to boost female-led content

TORONTO – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has unveiled a series of tangible measures that it pledged to put in place to increase women in key roles on CMF-funded productions. The organization said Wednesday, on International Women's Day, that the initiatives will include concrete changes to the CMF’s guidelines and policies, a commitment to achieving gender parity in all juries that are put in place to evaluate projects, and support for third-party initiatives, among other measures to be implemented in the upcoming fiscal year and subsequently. According to research conducted in different markets around the world and by the CMF’s own… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Canadian media companies need scale to compete globally, fight piracy, says Bell’s Oosterman

TORONTO — The media industry is “filled with promise”, said Wade Oosterman, group president for Bell Canada, but competing in a global economy offers a wide variety of battles to be fought on many fronts. For Bell, deploying fibre and wireless networks is very expensive – while funding TV content also takes a lot of cash, he said, adding that media companies also need a regulatory environment that doesn’t hinder their ability to compete against the likes of Netflix, Amazon and Apple TV. Oosterman, who oversees Bell Media, Bell Mobility, and Bell Residential and Small Business, made his comments during a… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Pentefountas parting ways with Stingray

MONTREAL – Former CRTC vice-chair Tom Pentefountas is leaving his role at Stingray Digital Group next month for new, unspecified opportunities. Since joining Stingray in November 2015, Pentefountas (pictured) has overseen international sales development and forged relationships with sales agents and TV operators in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, while based in London. "Contributing to Stingray's international growth has been a very rewarding professional experience," said Pentefountas, in a statement.  "It is now time for me to strike the right balance between my professional obligations and my family and this requires me being closer to home." "On behalf of… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Commission sets final terms and conditions (not rates) for wholesale mobile wireless roaming tariffs

GATINEAU – Today, the CRTC announced changes to the proposed final terms and conditions for the mandated mandated wholesale roaming offered by Bell, Rogers and Telus. The changes, once implemented and approved by the Commission, “will ensure that, among other things, the incumbents’ tariffs (i) reflect the policy established in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2015-177; (ii) define the scope of mandated wholesale roaming to avoid potential anti-competitive behaviour by the incumbents; (iii) recognize the principle that the incumbents are not required to provide access to their networks to service providers and their customers that do not qualify… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

UPDATED: CRTC gives Ice 50 days to get Sugar Mobile customers off Rogers network

GATINEAU – The CRTC today told Ice Wireless that allowing its Sugar Mobile customers to roam constantly on the Rogers Wireless network violates its roaming agreement and that it has 50 days to stop. As Cartt.ca has reported, Ice had applied to the CRTC for relief against Rogers Communications after the national operator told Ice more than a year ago it was violating their agreement – and it would be terminating that contract, along with roaming service to Sugar customers. Ice Wireless operates a mobile network that includes coverage in the three Canadian Territories and some… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Commission wants input on TV, BDU regs; on-demand requirements, Cancon commitments

OTTAWA – The CRTC is seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations and the Television Broadcasting Regulations. The Commission said Friday that the amendments seek to: – provide terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) with greater flexibility in making their contributions to local expression and direct-to-home BDUs with the ability to claim an allowable contribution for locally relevant news programming; – provide financial support to over-the-air television stations; – reflect policy changes regarding the operation of community channels; – streamline logging requirements for over-the-air television stations; – eliminate the daily Canadian content requirement for over-the-air television stations; – update language and references for consistency;… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC partners with New Zealand regulator in fight against spam

OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC has signed a memorandum of understanding with the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs to fight unsolicited commercial electronic messages (spam) and the threats they pose to citizens in both countries. Canada and New Zealand are members of the Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network (UCENet), an international network of enforcement agencies responsible for spam and unsolicited communications.  This agreement, announced Thursday, say the two agencies pledge to share information and intelligence, where permitted by the laws of each jurisdiction, regarding spam. “This agreement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to work closely with partners to fight unlawful communications and protect Canadians… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC to review competitor quality of service regime

OTTAWA – The CRTC is calling for comments as it prepares to undertake a review of the competitor quality of service (Q of S) regime. The existing competitor Q of S regime has been in place since the Commission finalized the rate rebate plan (RRP) for competitors in 2005.  Noting the number of changes to the telecommunications marketplace and to the Commission’s regulatory measures since then, the Commission said Thursday that it is seeking feedback on whether a competitor Q of S regime continues to be required and, if so, how it should be structured. Interventions and comments should be submitted to… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Modernized CRTC, new CanCon definition, more public funding, among themes in #DigiCanCon report

Minister Joly says "timing was right" GATINEAU, QC – Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly is sharing some of the input she received during her recent consultations on Canadian Content in a Digital World. Based on feedback collected by Ipsos via the online portal, in-person events, social media discussions and mail and e-mail submissions, What We Heard Across Canada: Canadian Culture in a Digital World, released Tuesday, identified the following eight key themes and messages heard during the consultation: – Showcasing Canada’s cultural sector: increased support for production of Canadian content as well as sustained efforts on marketing and communication will help underscore… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Ride TV canters in to Canada

FORT WORTH, TX – Equestrian lifestyle channel Ride TV is gearing up to gallop on to Canadian television screens. Sponsored by Telus, the service is set to be added to the list of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution in Canada later this week by the CRTC. Available in high definition, Ride TV is devoted exclusively to the horse and rural living lifestyle. The channel is owned by Ride Television Network, a privately held corporation based in Fort Worth, and produces over 90% of its own content which includes live championship equestrian sports, children's programming, documentaries, and reality shows. "This… Continue Reading