OTTAWA – "Community radio in Canada punches far above its weight. Despite being under-resourced, the sector makes unique and vital contributions to culture and pluralism," says Ian Pringle, a member of the first ever board of directors for the Community Radio Fund of Canada.
"The establishment of the Community Radio Fund will translate into a stronger, more vibrant broadcast system in Canada. It is long overdue and much needed."
The CRFC recently held its first annual general membership meeting and board elections in Ottawa. The members of the first CRFC board of directors are: Jean-Francois Côté, Victoria Fenner, Jean…
Continue Reading
GATINEAU – The CRTC will take another look at three requirements associated with its Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.
The Commission taking another look at the three scenarios below: “to ensure that these rules, which include the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) Rules and the Automatic Dialing and Announcing Devices Rules, are applied in a fair and efficient manner,” says the release.
* First, certain telemarketing calls and faxes are, by statute, exempt from the National DNCL Rules, including those made by or on behalf of electoral candidates that are members of registered political parties. However, some candidates in municipal,…
Continue Reading
GATINEAU – The CRTC today granted eight new radio station licenses in Alberta, five in Edmonton and three in Red Deer. Harvard Broadcasting was granted two of the new licenses.
In Edmonton, the Commission approved applications by CTV, Harvard Broadcasting, Rawlco Radio and John Charles Yerxa (although CTV and Harvard have to submit new frequencies in 90 days).
In Red Deer, approvals went to Harvard, Touch Broadcasting and L.A. radio.
In the decision, the Commission noted that Yerxa “will be a new player both in the Edmonton market and in the Canadian radio industry. As such, approval of its…
Continue Reading
GATINEAU – Following up on a federal government request made this summer, the CRTC said today it will look into broadcasting services offered to French- and English-language communities in a minority situation.
The Commission will hold a public hearing on this matter starting on January 13, 2009.
In its public call for comments today, the CRTC is asking Canadians to share their views on a number of specific questions relating to:
* The availability and quality of French- and English-language broadcasting services in French and English linguistic minority communities * The challenge of providing, in those communities, broadcasting services…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – "Without a doubt culture played a central role in this election,” said Richard Hardacre, ACTRA’s national president, in summing up Tuesday’s election.
“We hope that Prime Minister Harper heard the concerns of the thousands of Canadians who spoke up during the campaign and will make culture a priority in the coming months… We welcome the Conservatives’ campaign commitment to scrap their plans to give bureaucrats arbitrary powers to withdraw or withhold tax credits from Canadian films and television productions. And now the Prime Minister has an opportunity to re-consider his $50 million dollars in cuts to arts…
Continue Reading
GATINEAU – The much talked-about CRTC hearing into new media has been scheduled for February 17th, the Commission announced this morning.
While commissioner Michel Arpin recently said the Regulator does not want to regulate new media, the proceeding, according to the Commission is being undertaken “to gain a better understanding of broadcasting in the new media environment.”
In 1999, the Commission exempted from regulation services that distribute broadcasting content over the Internet because 11 years ago, broadcasting on the Internet was nearly non-existent.
In 2007, it also exempted broadcasting services that are received through cell phones and other mobile…
Continue Reading
PAUL TEMPLE SUGGESTS that the current economic crisis should give The CRTC pause to consider whether the world has changed in the 6 months, since the CRTC’s hearings on BDU and Specialty services. No doubt.
As he writes in his commentary from this morning, entitled: “Is the economic crisis a cautionary tale for our broadcasting system?”
“As governments around the world pour money into the financial sector to correct the sins of the past, you can be sure it’s too little too late. You can’t roll back history. Are we headed for the same crisis in Canadian broadcasting? Will we…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Canwest has inked a deal to put its primetime programming on-demand on Rogers Cable (on Channel 100) from October 15.
More than 60 hours of network Global and E! programming will be free on VOD, including first-run shows such as House, Family Guy, Heroes, 24, Prison Break, the Office, Knight Rider and My Own Worst Enemy.
Soap operas The Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives will also be included on VOD.
But David Purdy, vice-president and general manager of Television at Rogers Cable Communications, warned this VOD model will not be sustainable in the…
Continue Reading
WHAT A DIFFERENCE a day makes.
Or so they say in politics. Perhaps in the broadcast and cable regulatory environment it takes a little longer than a day, but the world has most definitely changed since last spring’s broadcast distribution undertaking and specialty & pay policy framework hearing in Ottawa. A quick look today at the headlines tells us in no uncertain terms that “Canada heading for recession, say economists” (CBC.ca), and that “Investors panic, markets plunge as crisis spreads in Europe, Asia” (Globe and Mail).
As the credit crunch deepens and consumers begin to rein in their spending,…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – The 2nd annual Insight Entertainment Industries Summit will run October 22-23 at St. Andrew’s Club and Conference Centre in Toronto.
The event is aimed at senior executives and counsels from the film, television, new media, gaming, music and print media industries who are involved in content creation, development or distribution.
The keynote luncheon address will be given by Namir Anani, executive director of Policy Development and Research at the CRTC.
The conference program co-chairs are Alan Sawyer, principal consultant, Two Solitudes Consulting, and Susan Abramovitch, partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson, LLP.
Topics include issues facing each content genre,…
Continue Reading
