MONTREAL – Videotron took the rather bold step of announcing the addition of Apple Music to its controversial Unlimited Music service, while it awaits the CRTC’s ruling on differential pricing practices (DPP).
The service, which exempts music streaming services like Google Play, Stingray and Spotify from data caps under certain mobile plans, was the catalyst for the CRTC’s recent hearing into differential pricing practices related to Internet and wireless data plans. A decision on that is expected in the first quarter of 2017.
Videotron said Thursday that it is working to expand the list of partners, which currently stands at 15,…
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TORONTO – Viewability is becoming a key concern to Canadian advertisers, with ‘viewable rate’ as a campaign objective now ranking four times higher than one year ago, according to new data by Videology.
The Q3 2016 Canadian Video Market At-A-Glance report analysed all impressions run through Videology's platform in Canada in the third quarter. Most advertisers chose view-through rate as an objective (68%), followed by click-through rate (20%). Viewable rate, now at 16%, jumped from from 3% in Q3 2015.
"There is an increased focus on viewability across our entire industry, so it's not surprising to see these numbers rise," said Videology…
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Netflix, et al, changing the market
GATINEAU – The tipping point is coming.
That was part of the message delivered to the CRTC by Bell Media during its appearance before the CRTC for the company’s group license renewal. Thanks to new content buyers with global reach and enormous purchasing power, securing the rights to foreign content for Canada is getting ever-more expensive.
“Last May, we were in Los Angeles buying our foreign television content,” said Bell Media president Mary Ann Turcke to the commission panel. “There were three shows that we were bidding on and Netflix was the competitor – a competitor…
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TORONTO – RTDNA Canada is calling for nominations for individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and continued excellence during the course of their career in journalism or news management.
The award, of the highest honours bestowed by the association, is for lifetime achievement rather than for a single contribution. Nominees should have a minimum of 30 years of distinguished service to the industry.
The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2016. More information is available here.
www.rtdnacanada.com
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TORONTO and STOCKHOLM – TV Everywhere solutions provider Accedo and Toronto-based TV apps developer Digiflare are merging in a move designed to create a stronger global company.
Accedo co-founder Michael Lantz will be CEO of the merged company, which will remain under the Accedo brand, while co-founder Fredrik Andersson and Digiflare founders David George and Mano Kulasingam will all take on senior leadership positions within the merged organization.
Both companies have worked together in Canada on projects like shomi and are currently working with Rogers, among other initiatives.
“Accedo and Digiflare share the same vision for our industry and a similar…
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TORONTO — Since launching five years ago with 11 full-time employees, under the leadership of Canadian TV industry veterans Jay Switzer and David Kines, commercial-free movie service Hollywood Suite has slowly but surely been growing.
After rejigging its original studio-focused channels a year ago and rebranding them as a quartet of decades-focused channels in anticipation of the rollout of the pick-and-pay regime, company executives believe the company is well positioned for the new market reality of a la carte TV channel choice.
Despite continuing to be small in stature, now employing 14, Hollywood Suite’s success shouldn’t come as too…
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GATINEAU – The demise of Shomi has raised a number of questions regarding the future of domestic streaming services in the face of competition from global competitors such as Netflix, including some from CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais today. But for Rogers Media, it means that partnering with global giants might be the best approach going forward.
Rick Brace, president at Rogers Media, noted during the company’s appearance before the CRTC’s major English language broadcasters licence renewal hearing, that while shomi was a response to Netflix, it quickly became apparent that the cost to acquire programming was escalating quickly and the…
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TORONTO – For the sake of Canada’s broadcast industry and content producers, Internet broadcasters like Netflix cannot be exempted from broadcast regulation any longer, says the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) in its submission for Heritage Minister Joly’s Canadian Content in a Digital World consultations.
“Our system of balanced regulation has created a world-class industry – if new Internet-based broadcasters don’t have to play by the same rules, this system won’t work in the future,” said national executive director Stephen Waddell, in a statement. “Netflix hauls $620 million out of the country every year without paying a…
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OTTAWA – Three Canadian programs won the Shaw Rocket Prize for best in kids and youth programming as well as the best in digital experience at an industry gala held this week in Ottawa.
DHX Media’s Kate & Mim-Mim and Slugterra (pictured) plus Breakthrough Entertainment’s Anne of Green Gables each won a $25,000 prize after earning the most votes by children from across the country.
"On behalf of the Shaw Rocket Fund, we would like to congratulate Kate & Mim-Mim, Slugterra and Anne of Green Gables for producing quality kids and youth television shows which incorporate innovative digital experiences that Canadian…
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OTTAWA – The Wireless Code plus customer service improvements by the country’s wireless and Internet providers helped to cut telecom service complaints for a third straight year, the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) said Thursday in its annual report.
The report, Guidance In A Sea Of Change, showed that the CCTS received 8,197 customer complaints in 2015-16, down 18% from 9,988 in 2014-15, and that it increased its resolution rate two points to 89%. Wireless services complaints once again topped the list with 50.3% of all complaints, followed by 26.5% for Internet, 19.6% for local telephone service and 3.6%…
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