Search Results for: crtc

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers’ Purdy says the company’s TV Everywhere will launch November 17th

NEW YORK – While the latest CRTC hearing into the regulated video system will be in full swing in Gatineau, Rogers will be unveiling its TV Everywhere portal, senior vice-president David Purdy told a conference panel on Wednesday. Rogers customers will be able to get content from 15 channels, Purdy told his audience at the Broadcasting & Cable/Multichannel News’ On Screen Summit and eventually, they will be able to go mobile with their TV. Cartt.ca originally reported on this upcoming launch earlier this year. Click here for the full story on Multichannel.com. Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

NETWORK MANAGEMENT: Commission calls for network transparency

OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Canadian ISPs will have to do better at telling their customers what their network management practices are, the CRTC said this morning. The Commission introduced a new framework (as Cartt.ca told you yesterday was coming, complete with hearing background) to guide Internet service providers in their use of Internet traffic management practices which will, among other things, require ISPs to inform consumers of their practices. “Canada is the first country to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to Internet traffic management practices,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, chairman of the CRTC, in the press release. “The centrepiece of our… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CMG launches campaign to save small-town free TV

TORONTO – The Canadian Media Guild and Openmedia.ca have launched a campaign to save free local TV signals for Canadians living in small towns after the industry’s transition to digital. The transition could impact 11 million Canadians living in smaller cities and rural areas, the group said in a statement on Tuesday. CRTC rules say OTA only has to stay on in communities larger than 300,000, plus provincial and territorial capitals. “The Guild has presented research to the CRTC and to broadcasters on how they could use the new digital technology to improve TV service in smaller communities by sharing transmitters”, the… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Commission to announce network management decision tomorrow

GATINEAU – The CRTC will make public its decision on network traffic management tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. The network management hearing (dubbed by many as the network neutrality proceeding) concerned how various web traffic is treated by all of the big ISPs and how that affects other businesses in Canada. We covered that hearing in July here, here, here, here, here and here. Watch this site tomorrow morning for the decision, and another on the MTS Allstream and Teksaavy request to review and vary the CRTC’s recent decision on usage based billing. Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

NTV signs on to Local TV Matters campaign

ST. JOHN’S – Newfoundland Broadcasting’s NTV has joined the Local TV Matters campaign. "The coverage of special events provided by NTV brings our people closer together and provides us all with the sense of community”, said Doug Neal, SVP of Newfoundland Broadcasting, in the announcement. “It is important that viewers understand the issues related to cable and satellite providers and how the current regulations allow them to take the signals of televisions stations for free and charge their subscribers for them, while paying nothing to the television station originating the signal. The future of local TV is at stake. It’s… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

TV Alliance demands consumer participation in upcoming FFC hearing

OTTAWA – Consumer coalition TV Alliance is calling on Heritage Minister James Moore to ensure that consumers can participate in the upcoming public hearing on billing practices for TV services in Canada. “The Heritage Minister directed that special hearings take place for consumers on the TV debate, but consumers are being denied fair treatment in the process," said Alliance advisor Michael Janigan, in a statement. "The Minister should not support a two-tier consultation process, with privileged industry riding in first class while consumer groups ride in coach if at all." The call comes in response to last month’s Order in Council… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CMF Focus Group: How different will the new fund look?

TORONTO – The new board of the new Canadian Media Fund launching in April is new and much smaller – with a much more prominent voice from the companies which must funnel a piece of their revenue into it – but how, exactly, will the administration of this $300 million money pot change as compared to the old CTF? The BDUs (Rogers, Shaw, Bell, et al), which have to contribute 5% of their revenues to this fund to create Canadian content challenged the way it was run almost three years ago and said they should have more… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Take issue to the airwaves, says Local TV Matters coalition

TORONTO – Members of the Local TV Matters campaign are encouraging radio stations across Canada to dedicate airtime to the fee-for-carriage debate to help consumers understand the issues. In a press release on Thursday, the coalition, which consists of CTV, /A\, Global, CBC, and CHEK News, encouraged Canadians to “to call in and ask the tough questions”. "The more Canadians talk and learn about the issues, the more support grows for local TV and our reasonable and practical solution," said Paul Sparkes, CTVgm’s EVP of corporate affairs, in the release. "Let’s talk about it because the solution is simple: let us… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Wind will offer E911 at launch

TORONTO – Wind Mobile has chosen CommScope’s Andrew solution to provide its forthcoming network with enhanced 911 service. “We are committed to creating the best wireless experience for Canadians which also includes ensuring their safety in times of emergency,” said Wind CEO Ken Campbell, in the announcement. “Enhanced 911 technology helps ensure that emergency responders are better able to locate the position of a caller. That way, even if the caller is unable to speak or unsure of where they are, they can rest assured that help will be on its way.” The Andrew solution includes a combination of Assisted-GPS and… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Reality TV coming to Canwest

OTTAWA – Canwest has received CRTC approval for a new channel known as Reality TV. The national, English-language category two specialty channel will air reality-based programs, including competition-based reality and do-it-yourself makeover programs, according to its application. Canwest further indicated that 35% of both the broadcast day and the evening broadcast period programming would be offered in high definition. www.crtc.gc.cawww.canwest.com Continue Reading