OTTAWA – The CRTC has turned down a request from CBC to add a post-transition digital transmitter to its English-language conventional television station CBAT-TV Fredericton/Saint John.
Noting that the proposal would result in a loss of over-the-air TV service to the residents of Saint John, the Commission cited its Revised licensing framework for over-the-air digital television services policy whereby broadcasters are encouraged to provide digital coverage that matches their current analog coverage.
“The Commission notes that the proposed digital transmitter would be located such that it would provide service to only one of the two markets served by the…
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OTTAWA – The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) said that it applauds the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage for recognizing the importance of fair terms of trade agreements between independent producers and vertically integrated media companies.
As Cartt.ca reported, in a report to the Government of Canada on the impact of private television ownership changes, the Standing Committee recommended that the Government consider the issue of fair terms of trade agreements between independent producers and vertically integrated media companies when reviewing the Canada Media Fund.
“The Committee is to be congratulated for its timely recognition of the need for…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has given its thumbs up to the revised monthly recurring rates and service charge rates for the wholesale line-sharing services of the major incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) Bell Aliant, Bell Canada, MTS Allstream, SaskTel, and Telus.
Line-sharing service is a wholesale service that provides access to the high-frequency band of unbundled copper local loops. Under a line-sharing service arrangement, the co-located competitor provisions its own digital subscriber line access multiplexer to offer high-speed Internet access service to its end-customers.
The Commission also established the conditions under which line-sharing service is to be offered. Click here…
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TORONTO – It will be up to Canada’s Supreme Court to decide on whether Internet service providers (ISPs) are just pipes or actually broadcasters.
On Thursday the Court granted a coalition of Canadian union and guilds leave to appeal a lower court decision issued last July that deemed ISPs “content-neutral,” and therefore not subject to CRTC-regulated Canadian content exhibition or contribution requirements like broadcasters.
During that proceeding, the major ISPs, (many of which are also cable companies), insisted that because ISPs do not select, originate or package programming, they cannot be considered broadcasters. A coalition of content producers and…
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“THIS IS THE EXCEPTION rather than the rule,” Industry Minister Tony Clement told a Parliamentary committee earlier this month regarding the Conservatives penchant for weighing in on CRTC decisions.
He quoted the number six – three varied and three referred back to the Commission – out of 2,200 telecom decisions issued by the CRTC (below is a list of the decisions and how the government ruled). These numbers don’t tell the whole story though. While on the surface six out of 2,200 is miniscule, the fact of the matter is that out of those 2,200 decisions only 30 were…
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OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Rogers Communications has made a $275,000 payment to the CRTC for its use of automated calling devices without consent.
The Commission said Thursday that Rogers was using these devices to notify its prepaid mobile customers of how they could purchase more minutes to avoid a service interruption. Automated calling devices are used to dial telephone numbers and automatically deliver a pre-recorded message. The CRTC’s automatic dialing and announcing device rules prohibit telemarketers from using these devices to sell or promote a product or service unless a consumer has consented to be called by them.
While not admitting fault, after…
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OTTAWA – Sports network The Score had most, but not all, of its proposed amendments to its broadcasting licence approved by the CRTC.
The Commission said Tuesday that the English-language analog service could increase its Canadian programming expenditure requirement and reduce its Canadian programming exhibition requirement; add to the program categories from which it may draw programming; and delete the condition of licence setting its wholesale rate.
However, the Commission denied its request to amend the condition of licence requiring The Score to devote no less than 50% of live sports event coverage in prime time to the exhibition of…
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OTTAWA – Tom Pentefountas, the recently appointed vice-chair of broadcasting at the CRTC, stood firm as opposition MPs on the Standing Committee of Canadian Heritage questioned his ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
He said all the right words in his opening remarks, highlighting the challenges facing the CRTC in the face of convergence and the new realities on online viewing. “Convergence is on the verge of erasing the dividing line between broadcasting and telecommunications,” he said. “That is one of our greatest challenges.
“Moreover, to face this new reality, the CRTC must implement 25 year old legislation….
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OTTAWA – The CRTC will hold a proceeding to review the local, wireless, and toll network interconnection regulatory regimes.
In a notice of hearing issued on Wednesday, the Commission said that the principle objectives of this proceeding are to determine to what extent:
– existing interconnection regimes can be simplified and consolidated;– changes are necessary to enhance competition and, thus, benefit consumers; and– changes are necessary to ensure technological neutrality.
The proceeding will include a public hearing in Gatineau beginning on October 24 and is expected to last approximately five days. Should additional time be required, the hearing…
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OTTAWA – Granted, it’s just another in the thousands of oft-ignored parliamentary committee reports, but a new one released today by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage wants the CRTC to hold a public hearing about whether or not the likes of Netflix, Google TV, Apple TV, etc., should be contributing funds to the Canadian television industry.
The report, “Impacts Of Private Television Ownership Changes And The Move Towards New Viewing Platforms,” was informed by five fall 2010 meeting days which heard from 21 witnesses representing Canadian media companies (big and small), carriers, producers, Continue Reading
