OTTAWA – Given the timelines involved in relation to other proceedings already under way, one wonders why the CRTC is even bothering with its latest telecom public notice.
On Thursday, the Commission called for comments on Bell Canada’s application on introducing Bell Digital Voice (PN #2005-9). Thing is, it’s already been approved and there are much bigger fish to fry – some of which are already frying.
Bell Digital Voice is the VOIP (voice over IP) service the company launched in Quebec months prior to the CRTC’s May 12 decision on the matter which said, in part, that…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Three days before the two sides were to face the CRTC, OUTtv and Shaw Communications have settled their disagreement.
The deal means that gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered lifestyle channel OUTtv will be re-packaged on Shaw Cable and Star Choice. OUTtv objected to the way it was being packaged as a stand-alone service, contrary to its rights as a category one digital channel as a must-carry.
Shaw and OUTtv were to face the CRTC for one more ruling on Friday but the channel withdrew the complaint after the two sides came to an agreement last Tuesday. “The Shaw…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – "This appears to be an act of desperation by an association scared of progress," said Gregg Terrence, president of Indie Pool, about the recent jabs the Canadian Independent Record Producers Association has taken at his company.
"CIRPA’s comments are possibly libelous and are disrespectful to thousands of Canadian artists that signed a petition supporting satellite radio. Let’s be clear here, CIRPA represents record companies, lawyers and accountants, not unsigned artists."
Indie Pool, which says it represents 20,000-plus Canadian independent recording artists, reinforced its support for all three satellite and subscription radio applications in its release today.
CIRPA…
Continue Reading
MONTREAL – Canadian Satellite Radio today announced the support of the band Les Trois Accords and singer-songwriter Stefie Shock with a $100,000 contribution.
The money is part of CSR’s initiative to help develop Canadian francophone artists on the international scene.
"We have chosen Les Trois Accords and Stefie Shock because they represent the vibrant and flourishing Québec music scene, which is already making waves in Europe," said Stephen Tapp, president and COO of CSR. "We expect that these exceptional talents will have huge careers internationally, and we’re proud to be able to be there to support them as they…
Continue Reading
REGINA – The Province of Saskatchewan, which owns provincial telco SaskTel, today filed an appeal to the federal cabinet over the CRTC’s voice over Internet protocol decision of May 12th.
"This government is committed to the development of a competitive environment in Saskatchewan, we encourage the entrance of new service providers and we believe in providing the people of this province with competitive choices," Minister responsible for SaskTel Maynard Sonntag said in a statement released today.
"However, we do not believe that this should be accomplished by handicapping Canadian companies in favour of foreign-based providers and other large domestic…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The CRTC’s VOIP decision prevents monopolies like SaskTel from driving newcomers out of the telephony business and the federal cabinet should deny all appeals, says Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association.
"Telephone companies, such as SaskTel, are free to lower prices for VoIP services under the CRTC ruling, but this decision prevents them from driving out emerging competitors, including local cable companies in Saskatchewan, by using the telephone monopoly position to price below cost," said Michael Hennessy, CCTA president.
Hennessy was responding to the Saskatchewan government’s appeal to cabinet today to overturn the CRTC’s VOIP decision (provincial telco…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – With the ongoing growth of his company, Bill Evanov, president and CEO of Evanov Radio Group, announced this week the appointment of Wolfgang von Raesfeld as director of special projects.
Von Raesfeld will work on a variety of special items including overseeing the sales departments for the Evanov Radio Group’s five radio stations.
“With the expansion and growth of the Evanov Radio Group and the CRTC granting new broadcasting licenses to the company in Halifax (Z103.5) and recently in the Ottawa market (98.5 The Jewel), there is a need for additional management personnel,” said the company.
Von…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Canadians with health questions (that aren’t emergencies) may soon be able to dial 8-1-1 to have their questions answered.
The CRTC today approved a request by Alberta Health and Wellness (the provincial ministry of health) to be assigned 8-1-1 as a number people could call with non-urgent health questions.
“Alberta Health and Wellness stated that teletriage service has been identified by all provincial and territorial Deputy Ministers of Health as an important component in primary care restructuring and reform. Teletriage service, as a component of primary care systems, would improve access to primary health care services, the…
Continue Reading
WHITECOURT, Alta. – Just six weeks after the Newcap Broadcasting was granted a license by the CRTC for a station in Whitecourt, the company launched Rock Station 96.7 THE RIG July 1st at 6 a.m.
“For some time now, Whitecourt and area has been awaiting arrival of a new rock station,” says a press release from Newcap Alberta Fox Radio Group general manager Dave Schuck
“The Rig is synonymous with the key oil and gas industries that provide work for thousands of men and women in the area. This Classic…
Continue Reading
WASHINGTON — XM Satellite Radio recently announced it added more than 640,000 new net subscribers during the second quarter of 2005 for a total of more than 4.4 million.
This subscriber gain represents a 53% increase in new net subscribers compared to the second quarter of 2004, when XM recorded 418,000 new net subscribers. Additionally, the 640,000 net subscriber gain represents an 18% increase over the first quarter of 2005 when XM recorded 540,000 new net subscribers.
"This was the best second quarter in the history of XM. The momentum behind XM’s subscriber growth is undeniable. In just one…
Continue Reading
