GATINEAU – Day two of the hearing into the acquisition of Bell Canada by a consortium of private equity interests wrapped up in about half an hour this morning as CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein decided to reconvene March 11.
After hearing Ontario Teachers Pension Plan president and CEO Jim Leech respond to many of the Commission’s concerns raised yesterday – and that certain answers to some queries would not be forthcoming for a few days – von Finckenstein said (and we’re paraphrasing here) that the two sides needed more time to exchange information, get additional information and digest…
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GATINEAU – Internet protocol television (IPTV) is officially on ice for 2008 at Bell Canada.
During Monday morning’s hearing into the acquisition of Bell by a group led by the Ontario Teachers pension plan, CEO George Cope confirmed what was already an open secret, that it has no plans to deliver digital television terrestrially over the Internet backbone until 2009 at the earliest.
CRTC vice-chair telecom Len Katz was inquiring about including the value of Bell’s terrestrial cable license (to be served using IPTV) in the calculation of transaction benefits. Cope confirmed that Bell, with a digital TV service already…
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REGINA – SaskTel today cut its long distance rates today while also asking the CRTC for permission to raise certain local rates.
The Saskatchewan Crown corporation announced further rate changes “in light of continued competitive and regulatory pressures,” the company said today. The savings in its long distance plans include:
* A $3 reduction in its anytime North America unlimited LD plan * A reduction from seven cents to five cents per minute outside plan hours on its evenings and weekends North America unlimited LD * And its straight rate North America savings plan has seen a reduction from…
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REGINA – After three weeks of testing its signal, Regina’s True Country, Big Dog 92-7 officially launched Wednesday with ‘Gone Country’, the mega-hit from country music superstar Alan Jackson.
For the next two weeks, each time Big Dog 92-7 plays ‘Gone Country’ the tenth person to call the contest line will win $500.
“We’re thrilled to finally begin our service to the community. The welcome we’ve received already has been heartfelt and warm, and we’re looking forward to meeting our fellow country music fans on the streets and at future events,” said Mike Shannon, the station’s general manager.
At…
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OTTAWA – CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein didn’t touch much on the Canadian Television Fund (CTF), but did announce Thursday morning that the Commission would hold a hearing on new media in the fall or winter.
“I have nothing to say on that subject today, except that our decision and recommendations will be released in a timely manner,” von Finckenstein told a room of producers and other delegates at the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA)’s Prime Time annual conference in Ottawa.
Canadian Heritage minister Josee Verner in a speech Friday night that kicked off the conference…
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OTTAWA – The answer to the question of what’s going to happen to the Canadian Television Fund won’t be coming from the CRTC after all.
Less than two weeks after hearings into the fund and a CRTC task force report written on it late last year, the federal government announced late Wednesday it will decide what to do.
In her speech marking the opening of the Canadian Film and Television Producers Association 2008 Conference, “Prime Time” Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Josee Verner said that while it wants recommendations from the CRTC, which took…
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OTTAWA – Marc Patrone has been hired as a full-time member of the CRTC announced Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today.
“I’m delighted to welcome Mr. Patrone to the CRTC," said Minister Verner, in a release. "During his career, he has been involved in numerous aspects of television news-gathering and production. His experience will greatly benefit the CRTC."
Patrone has been involved in the broadcasting industry for a number of years, says the release. His professional experience includes service as a producer-writer with the Atlantic Television System; a writer-broadcaster with Broadcast News/Canadian…
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GATINEAU – On Friday, the CRTC issued a request for proposal asking for a contractor to carry out investigations of all telemarketing complaints, as it said it would last month.
The selected bidder will also monitor compliance with the telemarketing rules and with the National Do Not Call List.
Interested parties must submit proposals that demonstrate that they meet certain requirements. Amongst other factors, bidders must:
* Provide a company profile describing their relevant knowledge and experience.
* Possess a qualified management team capable of developing and implementing investigation and compliance services regarding telemarketing complaints for the duration…
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TORONTO – The Directors Guild of Canada filed comments yesterday with the CRTC in support of public disclosure of aggregate financial data for over-the-air television and radio broadcasters.
DGC requested that revenue and expenditure information for media giants such as CTVgm, CanWest and Rogers be made public “in order to evaluate the manner in which CRTC policies are being applied, and the extent to which broadcasters are contributing to the system,” says the Guild’s release.
"This information is critical for analytical purposes. Without this data, industry stakeholders cannot properly participate in the public process," said Brian Anthony, DGC national…
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GATINEAU – Licensing a new network based on the fact that it is promising to air its content in high definition is not a good enough reason to add to an already crowded TV market, interveners told the CRTC today during its hearing into licensing a pair of new HDTV broadcasters.
“Ultimately, HD is just a technical format,” said Rael Merson, president and CEO of Rogers Broadcasting, who noted that most Canadian broadcasters are offering many hours of high definition content already. “It is quality content, not technology that drives demand,” added Marie Griffiths of intervener CHCR.
Entrepreneur John…
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