Search Results for: crtc

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC nails two window and door companies for telemarketing violations

– OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Green Shield Windows and Doors and Peak Windows and Doors have paid $100,000 in penalties as part of settlements over violations to the country’s telemarketing rules. The CRTC said Wednesday that its investigations found that both Green Shield and Peak failed to subscribe and pay all applicable fees to the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) operator, resulting in the companies making telemarketing calls to consumers whose numbers were registered on the list.  Green Shield paid a penalty of $65,000 and Peak has forked over $35,000. In addition to paying monetary penalties, both companies have ceased making telemarketing… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

V Media Group buys MusiquePlus, MusiMax from Bell Media

– MONTREAL – V Media Group is buying Frech-language music channels MusiquePlus and MusiMax from Bell Media, the companies announced Tuesday.  Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed, and the transaction is subject to approval by the CRTC and the Competition Bureau. The move comes as part of Bell Media's requirement to divest of certain properties to comply with regulatory conditions attached to its acquisition of Astral Media last July.  After selling off Family, Disney XD and Disney Junior last week, Bell Media has now entered into agreements with buyers for all of the properties it was required… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Investigates, Radio / Television News

SPORTS TELEVISION: Without sports, there is no TV business.

Will its popularity save the bundle or will its rising costs help kill it? An exclusive Cartt.ca investigation into how the sports fan supports the whole system. IT’S RATHER UNLIKELY the typical member of Leafs Nation has any idea that his devotion to the blue-and-white leads to the making of the likes of Bomb Girls, Murdoch Mysteries, Orphan Black, Rookie Blue, Destinées, Heartland, Toute la verité and dozens of other Canadian TV series. However, the money which that fellow and all sports fans (true blue, bandwagoners or casual viewers) pay for the likes of TSN, Sportsnet, their offshoots and other smaller… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Investigates, Radio / Television News

SPORTS TELEVISION: Capitalizing on our passion for sports will remain the best defence against cord-cutting, say the broadcasters

A FEW YEARS AGO, when digital video recorders first appeared on the scene, many predicted big trouble for the TV industry. Broadcasters sued or threatened to. After all, if people could record their favourite shows and zip through commercials when watching them hours or even days later how long would it take advertisers who want their messages to be seen and acted on rightnow to lose faith in television's all-encompassing power? But while many feared the power of the DVR (or PVR), those on the sports side almost welcomed it as an affirmation of the drawing power of that content. They… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC wireless code now in force

OTTAWA – The CRTC’s new wireless code of conduct officially came into effect Monday, designed to make it easier for Canadians to understand their contracts for cellphones and other mobile devices, plus outline their basic rights. The wireless code will apply to all new contracts signed as of December 2, 2013. It will also apply to existing contracts that are renewed or extended, or where the key terms are amended, as of that same date. In addition, the code will apply to all wireless contracts as of June 3, 2015, regardless of when they were signed. Among other things, the wireless… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Shaw realigns senior management

CALGARY – Shaw Communications has tweaked its senior management structure in a move it claims will “better enable its strategic decision making ability and to improve the efficiency and enhance the customer-centric alignment of its operational management”. The company said Monday that following changes are effective immediately: – Peter Bissonnette, president, has agreed to postpone his previously announced retirement until December 2015.  In addition to his current duties, he will also assume responsibility for Shaw's regulatory and government affairs activities and strategic priorities, as well as providing support and leadership for Shaw's social responsibility activities. This is an important move for… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

DHX Media buys Family, Disney XD and Disney Junior for $170M

HALIFAX and TORONTO – Children's entertainment company DHX Media is buying Family, Disney XD, and the English- and French-language Disney Junior channels from Bell Media for approximately $170 million in cash, the companies announced Thursday. The deal comes as part of Bell Media's requirement to divest some properties to comply with regulatory body conditions attached to its acquisition of Astral Media last July.  The transaction is expected to close in 2014 pending approval by the CRTC and the Competition Bureau. "The acquisition of these high-quality Canadian channels represents an exciting new addition to DHX, one that complements and enhances all areas… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Analysts doubt Rogers’ new NHL power play will produce big profits

TORONTO – Rogers’ new 12-year $5.2 billion broadcast and multimedia deal with the NHL may have grabbed headlines across the country, but will likely have little impact on the company’s bottom line, say industry analysts. Rogers Communications executives said Tuesday the deal will be immediately EBITDA-accretive to its Media division, predicting an influx of $25 – $35 million in the first year, rising to more than $60 million per year after that.  But Dvai Ghose, managing director/head of research for Canaccord Genuity, pointed out that Rogers Media only accounted for 4% of the parent company’s 2013 third quarter adjusted EBITDA. In… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

MTS tweaks policies in advance of Wireless Code deadline

WINNIPEG – With the CRTC’s Wireless Code of Conduct set to kick in within the week, MTS said that it is putting the finishing touches on its policies to bring them in to compliance. The company said Wednesday that as per the Code requirements, it will soon provide customers with alerts that notify them when their data use surpasses defined thresholds, in order to help customers manage their data consumption when travelling outside of Manitoba.  It will also provide wireless contracts in alternative formats such as braille, large font, and PDF, upon request. In August, the regional telco announced plans to… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

The Cartt.ca Interview: CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais talks #talktv, communicating, and outcomes

AT THE 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit, just a day after the CRTC released its Wireless Code of Conduct, Commission chairman Jean-Pierre Blais told delegates, essentially, what’s good for your business should be good for the customer – and vice versa. In his June 4 speech, he quoted Mary Kay Ash, the enormously successful founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics – a brand built on direct personal relationships who said: “Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, 'Make me feel important.' Never forget this message when working with people." Blais went on to note: “Mary Kay… Continue Reading