GATINEAU – Reply comments filed with the CRTC on Friday on its broadcasting distribution undertakings and specialty services policy review don’t show anyone has changed their minds. They’ve mostly dug right in, as expected.
(And, we’ll set aside the fee for carriage debate right away for this particular piece. Over-the-air broadcasters and producers who look to see more funds flow their way want consumers to pay a fee for conventional TV stations. Cable and satellite companies do not. We’ll dive deeper into the issue in a later story.)
This story, however, is a tale of two extremes. We looked…
Continue Reading
GATINEAU – The CRTC flexed its regulatory muscles this morning, pressuring the soon-to-be-owners of Bell Canada to more clearly spell out who will control the corporation.
As readers are no doubt aware, a consortium led by the Teachers’ Private Capital, the private investment arm of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, along with Providence Equity Partners and Madison Dearborn Partners, bid $51 billion (debt included) to take the country’s largest telco private.
Given that the new Bell will continue to own a couple of assets that fall under strict regulatory control (namely its TV distribution unit headed by Bell ExpressVu…
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading
