Search Results for: crtc

Cable / Telecom News

Commission considers requests to add more foreign channels to eligibility list

GATINEAU – The CRTC is considering requests from Videotron and Rogers Cable to add more foreign channels to the list of eligible satellite non-Canadian services that can be carried here on digital. The commission is calling for comments on the proposed addition of seven services, described below from the cablecos’ proposals. From Videotron: * XXL, a service from France, entirely in the French language and offering adult content, mainly erotic films, series, and magazine programs programmed in a four-hour block that is repeated throughout the broadcast day, seven days a week. From Rogers: * De Pelicula Channel, a niche… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Even more ethnic Cat 2 licences approved

GATINEAU – Approvals of new Category 2 ethnic digital TV channels are coming fast and furious, as the CRTC today approved 10 more networks today, having announced 10 new licences yesterday.  The latest to be approved are Hebrew TV, Jamaican TV, Korean TV, Filipino TV, Russian TV, and Chinese TV (all from the Canadian Ethnic Broadcasting Corporation), Channel Punjabi and Music India Television (from Surjit S. Gill, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated), Mehfil TV (from Jaswinder Khosa, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated), and Jyot TV (from Davinder Jhattu, on behalf of a… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Yet more third-language Cat 2s approved by CRTC

GATINEAU – The CRTC today announced the approval of 10 new Category 2 third-language digital TV channels. The commission has approved Music Television Español, Spanish Sports TV1, Spanish Sports TV2, Spanish Entertainment TV 1, Spanish Entertainment TV 2, Italian Entertainment TV (all from Telelatino Network Inc.), FLS Movie Channel (from Fairchild Television Ltd.), and Venus TV—Indian Pop Music, Venus TV—Punjabi Pakistani, and Venus TV—Sikh Culture and Religion (all from Golden Tunes Productions Inc.) Music Television Español would be devoted to the Spanish-speaking community, airing music-related programming such as videos, concerts, performances, movies, and artist interviews. It would broadcast not… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers applies for its own pay audio service

TORONTO – Rogers Media has applied to start its own pay audio service to compete with Galaxie and Max Trax. In its application to the CRTC, Rogers proposes to operate a pay audio service with at least 30 channels, available through the digital set-top box, providing commercial-free music in a variety of formats, similar to the existing services. If approved, and the service is carried by Rogers Cable, the cableco would have to carry a third-party pay audio service because of the affiliation, Rogers noted in its application. The Rogers Media application did not make a clear case for… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Carrying sat rad on BDUs changes the game, CAB submits

OTTAWA – If the CRTC allowed BDUs such as Telus to carry the Canadian satellite radio services, it could “fundamentally” change the sat rad business plans, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters says in a submission. In commenting on Telus’ proposal to air either or both of XM and Sirius Canada on its digital cable services in British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec, the CAB noted that the commission had originally licensed the satellite radio services to be carried via satellite directly to consumers. “BDU distribution was not contemplated in the applications and the Commission, in licensing these services, imposed obligations on… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC reaffirms VOIP decision; local forbearance to be examined

OTTAWA – The VOIP decision will stand, with a "but". Today the CRTC re-affirmed its May 2005 decision on voice over Internet protocol. Federal cabinet told the Commission in May of this year to reconsider that decision after all but one of Canada’s ILEC’s filed an appeal. However, the Commission did signal it’s prepared to alter course when it deems necessary. Specifically, it "declared that competition in local telephone service is taking hold more firmly than anticipated," said this morning’s press release. "As a result, the CRTC is taking steps to reassess certain aspects of its… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

UPDATE: CRTC reaffirms VOIP decision; local forbearance to be examined

OTTAWA – The VOIP decision will stand, with a "but". Today the CRTC re-affirmed its May 2005 decision on voice over Internet protocol. Federal cabinet told the Commission in May of this year to reconsider that decision after all but one of Canada’s ILEC’s filed an appeal. However, because of the sheer speed in which Canada’s incumbent local exchange carriers are losing customers, the Commission did signal it’s prepared to alter course when it deems necessary and will already re-examine its March 2006 decision on local forbearance. Specifically, it "declared that competition in local telephone service is… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Rogers wants new reg approach

TORONTO – By the end of this year, more Canadians will have broadband than cable TV. That it just one of the points Rogers Communications made in its submission to the CRTC today on the future environment facing the Canadian broadcast system. As instructed by Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda in a speech at the Banff TV Fest, the CRTC is conducting a broad ranging proceeding which is looking for input on the impact that new technologies are having on how Canadians access audio-visual content and the impact that is having and will have on the Canadian broadcasting… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

VOIP decision splits commissioners: ILECS are losing market share? “So what.”

OTTAWA – While three Commissioners dissented with the majority in today’s renewed VOIP decision, not all balked for the same reasons. While commissioners Stuart Langford and Barbara Cram agreed with the confirmation of the 2005 VOIP ruling but not the announced review of the local forbearance decision, Andrée Noel simply reaffirmed her opposition to the first VOIP decision. "I agree with the majority that the regulatory regime for local voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services decision is correct and should be reaffirmed," wrote Langford. "I disagree absolutely, however, with the majority’s determination… to reconsider the suitability of one of… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

David Keeble leaving CAB

OTTAWA – Senior vice-president policy and regulatory affairs David Keeble has resigned from the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. After leaving his spot as senior director, strategic planning and regulatory affairs at the CBC, Keeble became a consultant and has worked for CHUM, Bell Canada, Canadian Heritage, the CBC and the CRTC. Keeble joined the CAB in the fall of 2004 but has decided to return to consulting, he told Cartt.ca. Today was final day No replacement has been chosen. www.cab-acr.ca Continue Reading