OTTAWA – "Disparaging, insulting and abusive," is how the CRTC described comments made by radio host Doc Mailloux during two broadcasts in September of 2003 and February of 2004 on Montreal talk radio station CKAC AM 730.
CKAC was owned by Astral Media at the time, but has since been purchased by Corus Entertainment.
Usually, the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council handles complaints about Canadian broadcasters and the offensive stuff they sometimes say and show on air, but this time, the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) wanted the Commission to deal with statements Mailloux made on air that…
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OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC today approved four new FM radio stations for the national capital region today.
The winners are: * Newfoundland Capital Corporation, for an English-language alternative rock station at 88.5 FM, with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 5,200 watts, (to go with its existing pop station Hot 89-9). * Newcomer CKMW Radio Ltd. (Evanov), for an English easy-listening station at 98.5 FM, with an effective radiated power of 2,961 watts. * Radio Nord Communications, for a French-language pop/rock/urban station at 96.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 1,750 watts. * 3077457 Nova Scotia Limited,…
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OTTAWA – When it does launch its digital television service, Telus doesn’t want to jump through the Commission’s hoops every time it needs to make a competitive move to match Shaw, the western telco has told the CRTC.
Telus needs to be competitively nimble, so to have to ask the Commission for permission to make certain programming additions or alterations poses problems, it says, because it won’t be able to respond in a timely enough manner in its markets.
When contacted by www.cartt.ca today, and asked about the application, which was filed on December 13, 2004 and only made…
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TORONTO – Saying it may appeal, SOCAN today registered its complaints about Thursday’s CRTC subscription radio decision by joining in on the parade of press releases.
“In SOCAN’s opinion, this decision fails to recognize the important provisions of the Canadian Broadcasting Act, and does not offer sufficient protection to Canada’s composers, lyricists, songwriters, and publishers of musical works,” says the release.
SOCAN’s (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) dissatisfaction with the decision is due to several factors, including: * The Canadian content requirements for satellite radio are inconsistent with existing regulations for commercial radio broadcasters…
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TORONTO – Toyota Canada Inc. will offer a satellite radio option for select Toyota and Lexus vehicles, in support of the decision made last week by the CRTC licensing subscription radio in Canada, the car maker said today.
"Satellite radio represents a great leap forward in mobile audio technology," said Stephen Beatty, managing director of TCI. "Satellite radio is currently available for certain Toyota and Lexus models in the United States. We will respond to the lifestyle needs of our Canadian customers, and ensure that they too are given the option of adding satellite radio functionality to their vehicles."…
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BANFF – Canadian broadcasters should be forced to spend 7% of their gross revenues on “indigenous drama”, says the Coalition of Canadian Audio-Visual Unions.
“Spending on Canadian television drama has plummeted since 1999,” the CCAU said in its report released at last week’s Banff International Television Festival, “with 2004 recording the lowest level in seven years.”
“Drama spending by Canada’s English-language private broadcasters bottomed out at $53.6 million in 2004 from a high of $73 million in 1998 – and that’s despite CTV’s regulated drama spending under its transfer benefits,” said Peter Murdoch, co-chair of the CCAU.
“Something has…
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TORONTO – The subscription radio decision should have said something about signal security, and it didn’t do enough for Cancon, says the Canadian recording industry.
Calling the CRTC decision on subscription radio “short-sighted” the Canadian Recording Industry Association said in a press release, “Canada’s broadcast regulator failed to recognize the opportunity to hold the line on music piracy – threatening emerging online music businesses – and undervalued Canadian musical talent,” in the pay radio decision.
“CRIA’s members invest in excess of $50 million annually in the careers of Canadian artists and in the creation, production and distribution of their music,”…
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OTTAWA – When the CRTC gets around to doing its delayed radio review, the satellite radio decision will be front and centre.
Following the CRTC decision released today authorizing the introduction of two satellite and one terrestrial subscription radio services in Canada, the CAB “strongly urges the CRTC to ensure for local commercial radio a fair regulatory environment in a highly competitive marketplace,” said its press release today.
“Subscription radio will compete for audiences, and consequently will have an impact on conventional radio in Canada,” said Glenn O’Farrell, president and CEO of the CAB. “The licensing of these new…
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OSHAWA – Given that XM is already installed in a number of its vehicles, General Motors of Canada said today it welcomes the CRTC’s pay radio decision.
GM Canada will be working with Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR) and its partners to analyze the conditions of license and determine how to move as quickly as possible to address pent-up consumer demand for satellite radio in Canada, said the car company.
"We are eager to move forward to introduce XM radio into our 2006 model year vehicles," said Michael Grimaldi, president of GM of Canada. "Satellite radio is the biggest advancement…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has licensed all three applications for pay radio services in Canada, opening the industry to unprecedented competition and consumer choice.
However, the services will be heavily regulated, unlike their progenitors in the United States. The commission imposed what could be seen as onerous Cancon requirements on the two satellite services: SIRIUS Canada and Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. (CSR). The terrestrial-based service owned by CHUM and Astral Inc. was approved as filed and will have to follow existing regulations for conventional radio (such as having at least 35% Cancon for popular music).
The Commission is requiring CSR and…
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