OTTAWA – Integrating digital and traditional television platforms, leveraging international financing, and giving consumers choice in their TV services. These were some of the major themes explored during the first panel session at the Canadian Media Production Association’s annual Prime Time event in Ottawa which featured executives from the production, distribution, and programming sectors, all of whom have their own, often differing, views on what needs to be done to the system.
It was agreed, though, that the broadcasting sector must take a longer term view and decide where it wants to be in three to five years, rather than…
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OTTAWA – The Canadian government got its wish for four wireless carriers in each region of the country in its recently completed 700 Mhz spectrum auction, which netted federal coffers $5.27 billion.
Overall, the results of the auction show that it was the Big Three that divvied up the majority of the spectrum even though they were limited on buying prime spectrum in the B, C, C1 and C2 blocks. While Rogers Communications focused on the prime B band and the A block, Bell Canada and Telus licence purchases appeared to complement each other in the C2 and the unpaired…
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HALIFAX – Eastlink Wireless turned one this month and seems poised to continue its ambitious rollout.
Currently available in Nova Scotia and PEI, Eastlink Wireless launched wireless on Valentine’s Day in 2013 after investing close to $200 million in building an LTE network, in addition to $25 million spent on wireless spectrum in 2008. It has just spent more than $20 million on 700 MHz wireless spectrum in Nova Scotia and PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Northern Ontario, areas where it currently has cable/home phone/broadband customers.
To date, it has sought to differentiate itself from competitors through tactics that…
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TORONTO – Robert J. Ross has been tapped as the new president of the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA), taking over from Robert Briskman, technical executive for Sirius XM Radio, who has served as NABA president since 2012.
Ross, who is CBS’ SVP of East Coast Operations, is also a longstanding member of the NABA Board of Directors and Executive. According to the announcement, he comes to the NABA presidency at a time of "ongoing change for the broadcasting industry and with it, an array of new challenges and opportunities regarding how broadcasting is distributed to a digital multi-platform world".
“Bob…
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TORONTO – This Friday, February 21st, marks the deadline for CTAM members wishing to apply for a scholarship to attend the CTAM-U Executive Management Program at the prestigious Harvard Business School.
One successful applicant will be selected to attend the week-long program, which provides industry executives with an intensive and intimate learning program led by Harvard Business School professors and key industry luminaries. The stimulating curriculum is built around detailed case study problems that are used to challenge the minds of the participants.
CTAM Canada pays for the candidate’s tuition, accommodation, meals, books, and materials. The scholarship is valued at approximately $10,000.
Past participants…
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OTTAWA – The 700 MHz spectrum auction has ended and Industry Minister James Moore will announce the results late Wednesday.
A statement issued by Industry Canada Tuesday evening invited media to a 30 minute lock-up to be followed by the official announcement by Minister Moore in Ottawa at 5:00 PM ET on Wednesday. Cartt.ca will be there.
Reuters appeared to break the news in a story that quoted unnamed sources who claimed that the “main thrust of the auction had been finished at least a week ago”. Industry Canada said prior to the auction that it would publish the winners, their licence packages and…
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TORONTO – Registration is now open for the inaugural CommTech East show, which will take place April 15 and 16, 2014 at the Mississauga Convention Centre.
Held in conjunction with SCTE Ontario Chapter, the Eastern Canada show is a new addition to the multi-industry CommTech show. It will feature more than 25 technical sessions and 80-plus exhibitors. Rogers has been announced as the show's sponsor.
Professionals from the cable, telecom, wireless, ISP, government, utilities and related industries are invited to attend.
CommTech West will be held later in the spring on May 28 and 29, 2014 at Calgary’s Coast Plaza Hotel and Conference…
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GATINEAU – Rogers Communications refuted accusations of charging unjust wholesale rates for Canadian wireless carriers and denied undue preference for U.S. Wireless carriers in its 32-page reply to the CRTC’s proceeding investigating domestic wholesale wireless roaming rates.
The Commission is investigating whether there has been discrimination in higher wholesale rates charged to domestic wireless companies while American carriers receive preferential deals.
The CRTC received interventions and replies over the past two weeks from Bell Canada, Quebecor Media, Telus, EastLink, Wind, Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), Benjamin Klass, Canadian Network Operators Consortium Inc. (CNOC), Commissioner of Competition, Fibernetics, Lynx Mobility Inc., MTS…
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TORONTO – Sports producer Gord Cutler has been appointed SVP of NHL production, Sportsnet and NHL president Scott Moore announced Thursday.
Cutler will take up his new post on February 18, and will be responsible for all on-air production elements of Sportsnet’s NHL coverage on all platforms, including national and regional games, all playoff games and the Stanley Cup Final, special events and non-game events, and studio broadcasts, to deliver best-in-class hockey experiences to fans across Canada.
“My working relationship with Gord extends close to 30 years. He is one of Canada’s top sports producers, possesses incredible hockey knowledge, and understands…
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TORONTO – Bell Media will open two new regional production development offices in Vancouver and Winnipeg, the company announced Wednesday.
Bell Media has hired senior industry executive Michele McMahon (pictured) as a development manager to run the new Vancouver office, which is set to open on Monday, Feb. 17.
The office in Winnipeg will open on March 3, and will be headed by new development manager Brandice Vivier.
Both McMahon and Vivier will report to Susan Makela, Bell Media’s director of independent production and Canadian programming management.
“These appointments reiterate Bell Media's commitment to Canada's creative and vibrant independent production community,” said Corrie Coe, SVP of independent production,…
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