TORONTO – Credit ratings agency DBRS Morningstar announced Tuesday it has downgraded Corus Entertainment’s issuer rating to BB (low) from BB and also its senior unsecured notes to BB (low).
“The credit rating downgrades reflect DBRS Morningstar’s concerns that Corus’ near- to medium-term earnings will remain under pressure as a result of a contraction in advertising revenue affected by the confluence of several factors, including a softening economic outlook, strike activity (now resolved) affecting content creation, and an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape,” reads a DBRS Morningstar press release.
The agency, however, has…
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By Ahmad Hathout
KITCHENER, On – Bell has filed this week an application to the CRTC requesting the regulator get involved in a dispute over disrupted access to a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) building in Kitchener.
The telecom alleges that on or around September 24, the owner or manager of the 12-unit legacy MDU at 203 Mausser Ave. had cut its in-building copper wiring, which caused an outage for some residents.
Bell alleges a letter from the owner/manager dated August 21 was circulated to tenants of the building, but not the telco, saying it was unilaterally removing all of Bell’s wiring and to…
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WHITEHORSE, Yukon – Bell’s Northwestel is now the telephone service provider in Atlin, British Columbia after agreeing to take over the transport link from the incumbent Telus.
Telus told the CRTC during the April hearing on the far north that it had an agreement in principle that would see the transfer of the incumbency to Northwestel. The move made sense because Telus did not have its own transport route for that community, instead leasing a stretch of 1,300 kilometres from Northwestel.
“Atlin is a part of the north, it just makes sense for them to be a part…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Bell said Tuesday it wants foreign streamers to partner with the domestic broadcasters to co-produce and distribute Canadian content at home and abroad.
Representatives from the broadcaster said on the second day of the CRTC’s examination of the implementation of contributions to Canadian content funds that it is challenging to monetize CanCon because it’s distributed over a small population.
While Bell said a growth in production funds will help make more content, there’s also the opportunity to nudge for cooperation with the digital platforms.
“We’ve tried on several occasions to co-produce, to look for opportunities to make true…
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TORONTO – As the CRTC’s three-week hearing on the implementation of the Online Streaming Act got underway Monday in Gatineau, the Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-Canada) published results of a new survey it commissioned from spark*insights that shows Canadians see global studios and streaming companies as valuable contributors to Canada’s film and TV sector.
MPA-Canada advocates for the major international producers and distributors of movies, TV and streaming programming in Canada. Some of the global studios it serves include Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery (HBO).
According to spark*insights’s…
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Correction: A previous version of this story erroneously said the CMPA does not believe there should be a mandatory base contribution. In reality, it is asking for a mandatory base of no less than five per cent.
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau said Monday that the stonewalling of the federal government by foreign platforms on legislation that would require them to pay to host news links will likely mean that they will also scoff at any requirement for them to pay a base contribution to Canadian content.
The CRTC is proposing a mandatory base…
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Quebecor announced Monday that Videotron has officially launched its wireless discount brand Fizz in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton as a beta launch.
Canadians in the western provinces can find more details at fizz.ca by selecting Alberta or BC from the website’s top menu.
Fizz is offering deeply discounted plans during the beta including a 40 GB data plan for $4 per month for six months, and a 50 GB plan for $5 per month for six months. Customers need a compatible phone that is VoLTE-certified with Fizz to activate a mobile plan.
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By Ahmad Hathout
Bell has filed Thursday a challenge to the CRTC’s decision to force it to negotiate access to its last mile fibre network, saying it will cause “irreparable harm through the loss of customers and revenues.”
The claim in the Federal Court of Appeal asks for an immediate stay on the CRTC’s decision until the court decides on the case. Bell said it meets the three-part legal test for a stay, including that this is a serious issue to be tried, that this will cause irreparable harm to it, and the balance of convenience leans in its favour over…
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Advisor, Affiliate Relations (Telework/Hybrid) (French Services)
Job Requisition ID: JR00000298
Status of Employment: Temporary Long-Term (Fixed Term)
Apply locations: Montreal, QC, Toronto, ON
Primary Location: 1000, Rue Papineau, Montreal, Quebec, H2K 0C2
Position Language Requirement: English, French
Deadline Date: 2023-11-23 11:59 PM
Work at CBC/Radio-Canada
At CBC/Radio-Canada, we create content that informs, entertains and connects Canadians on multiple platforms. Our successes and accomplishments are driven by embodying and upholding values, which include creativity, integrity, inclusiveness and relevance.
Do you think you have the ability and drive to keep up with this exciting, ever-changing industry? Whether it be in front of the camera, on air, online or behind the…
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Eastlink says claims are ‘inaccurate’
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Third-party competitors using Eastlink’s network are asking the CRTC to find the cable company guilty of negligence when a network outage this summer that affected tens of thousands of Canadians allegedly caused “significant economic and reputational harm” to them.
Competitors City Wide, Frontier Networks, and Purple Cow Internet allege in the Part 1 application dated November 9 that Eastlink disconnected their customers’ service for 24 hours starting July 3 due to an error caused by a new software update to the company’s billing system that they said incorrectly flagged all of the…
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