TORONTO – The CRTC should set a date to force over-the-air broadcasters to end to analog distribution, Rogers Communications says in its submission filed today with the commission as part of its TV policy review.
The commission should maintain its requirement for traditional broadcasters to build digital transmission facilities, but it should also mandate an end to simultaneous analog transmission, the company says.
With the proliferation of digital technology and increasing consumer demand for choice, the commission should move to a “more flexible, market-driven approach to regulation,” the cableco says. Viewers are expecting to be able to watch their…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The consumer groups who appealed the CRTC’s February decision directing monies in so-called "deferral accounts" to rural broadband builds learned today the Federal Court of Appeal has granted them leave to appeal the decision.
The CRTC directed Canada’s ILECs to charge customers a little extra and deposit the money in accounts which in February the Commission said it would be best spent on developing the broadband infrastructure in rural markets.
There is about $650 million in the bank and consumer groups, composed of the National Anti-Poverty Organization (NAPO) and the Consumers Association of Canada (CAC), sought…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – "It wasn’t so long ago that we lived in a society dominated by broadcast mass media operating with analog technology," reminisced Canadian Association of Broadcasters CEO Glenn O’Farrell in a speech on Thursday.
A veteran of the broadcast world (O’Farrell launched CanWest Global’s Quebec properties), O’Farrell and the association is struggling with the new media world. "(W)hile mass media is still a powerful force, the universe is becoming more and more populated by narrowly targeted digital media offerings," he told those gathered at the Broadcast Executives Society lunch at the Four Seasons Hotel. "In fact, we are…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Speakers have been announced and sessions outlined for the 2006 Canadian Association of Broadcasters convention, set for Vancouver November 5-7.
The early registration deadline (where attendees get a rate break) ends on Friday.
The theme for this year’s CAB Convention – New Realities. New Rules. – "reflects the tremendous rate of change that Canada’s private broadcasters are experiencing," says the association.
"From the explosive growth of new digital technologies to an unprecedented level of regulatory review, 2006 is shaping up to be a watershed year for Canada’s private broadcasters," adds a release.
In keeping with well-established tradition,…
Continue Reading
AS WE MOVE INTO FALL, it’s getting closer and closer to the end of Charles Dalfen’s term as chairman of the CRTC.
His busy term expires at the end of the calendar year and he will apparently not be offered a second term.
According to a well-placed source in Ottawa, Dalfen was offered a one-year extension but he declined, asking the government to grant him another full five-year term or not at all.
So, who’s going to sit in the top chair at the Commission? Names that have been making the rounds among Ottawa communications types – and their…
Continue Reading
GRAVENHURST, Ont. – After Monday’s lunch where EastLink won the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance member of the year award and CTV the supplier of the year award, AGM delegates filled the Taboo Resort Boathouse to listen to what the CRTC had to say.
The much-anticipated panel featured Ontario regional commissioner Rita Cugini, vice-chair broadcasting Michel Arpin, executive director Len Katz, senior director distribution policy and applications and head of dispute resolution Randy Hutson and CCSA president and CEO Alyson Townsend.
With the demise of the Canadian Cable Television Association, Townsend talked about the CCSA’s new regulatory focus on behalf…
Continue Reading
GATINEAU – The CRTC is relieving some cablecos of certain regulatory obligations regarding their local voice over Internet protocol services, but only in cases of “hardship” for small carriers.
The now-defunct Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association had asked the commission to relieve certain competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) from several requirements. In 2005, the commission determined that local VoIP services would be regulated as local exchange services.
The relief is being granted to Group 2 CLECs (non-dominant Canadian carriers offering local VoIP services through a reseller) with fewer than 10,000 subscribers.
These “small CLECs” will not have to meet and…
Continue Reading
MONTREAL – Six telecom pioneers and industry leaders will be officially inducted into the Canadian Telecommunications Hall of Fame next month.
The 2006 Telecom Hall of Fame Laureates are Edward S. "Ted" Rogers (CEO, Rogers Communications Inc.), Edward S. Rogers, Sr. (Communications Inventor and Wireless Wizard), Donald L. Hings (Inventor of the Walkie Talkie, Burnaby, B.C.), Leila Wightman (Rural Telephone Pioneer, Clifford, Ontario), Francis Dagger (Public Ownership Advocate for the Prairies), and Ernest E. "Ernie" Saunders (Dean of Canadian Telecom Law and Regulation, Montreal, Quebec), says the press release.
The 2006 Hall of Fame Special Recognition Award will go…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Saying that the hearings and subsequent licensing of a new pay TV player boosted its expenses, Corus Entertainment eliminated 83 positions on Tuesday as part of an overhaul of its content and television division.
The restructuring will see producer Nelvana folded into the television division and a new lifestyle, drama and movies group created.
Most of the job cuts are in Edmonton, as Move Central’s base is moving to Toronto. Corus’ Calgary offices will remain.
Having come out of a strategic planning session in May with the theme "Core and Explore," the company has decided to…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – According to CanWest Global CEO Leonard Asper, things are looking up for Global Television.
"Looking at the fall (ad) bookings, it’s looking good," Asper told the BMO Capital Markets Media and Telecom conference on Tuesday in Toronto. "It looks like the trough is over and we’re on our way up. How far up? I don’t know."
Once a ratings leader, Global Television began to slide over two years ago, ceding much the overall ratings lead – across the board – to CTV. But, with popular U.S. shows such as Prison Break, 24, House, Deal or No Deal,…
Continue Reading
