OTTAWA – Canadians need an “enforceable, comprehensive wireless code” in light of the number and type of complaints highlighted in the Annual Report of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS), according to telecommunications advocacy group Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).
The CCTS Annual Report, released Thursday, indicated that 60% of all complaints received were from wireless service customers. The CCTS also handles internet and wireless service problems for Canadians after being given the mandate by the CRTC.
"The CCTS can only do so much: the wireless industry needs to step…
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OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) have welcomed three new enforcement agencies to the International Do Not Call Network. Agencies from the Netherlands, Portugal and Japan attended the network's 2nd annual meeting, which was held on October 19, 2012.
Through the International Do Not Call Network, members from 15 countries are cooperating on enforcement and education activities. They are also working with the industry to find technology solutions to ensure do-not-call regimes are protecting and empowering consumers. The CRTC and ACMA serve as the network's co-chairs, and the U.S. Federal Trade…
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DENIED. We’re still surprised (and most anyone who tells you they feel otherwise is pretty much full of it).
I mean, many of us had suggested a full-on denial could happen – and the overall tone of the public hearing last month surely had some believing it was a possibility, but it was pretty difficult to find anyone who would actually say with any certainty before Thursday afternoon this deal would be nixed. The CRTC hasn’t really fully said “No” to a significant deal since Vidéotron tried to buy CFCF in the 1990s and Power Corporation wanted to buy Quebec…
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HALIFAX – Bell Aliant is expanding its programming line-up on Community One, Atlantic Canada's community television channel. Premiering this month are seven new programs showcasing a mix of technology, business, sports, gaming, travel, entertainment, and interviews with regional personalities. All new programs are free for Bell Aliant FibreOP TV customers and can be found on channel 1 and online.
"Each new TV program gives viewers a fresh and edgy sample of the Atlantic region's unique cultural flavour," says Andre LeBlanc, VP Residential Markets. "We are excited to make the Community One experience even better…
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TORONTO – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) says its program budget helped trigger more than $1.3 billion in production volume in 2011/12, according to its just-released online annual report that outlines its role in shaping Canada’s creative economy and digital future.
“The Canada Media Fund achieved unprecedented funding levels that enabled us to build on the previous year’s successes and to continue to provide valuable and measurable support to Canada’s television and digital media industry,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO in a statement. “The overall program budget dedicated to the creation of Canadian screen-based…
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CAIRO – Egyptian telecommunications company Orascom Telecom Holding says its proposing to increase its voting stake in carrier Wind Mobile following changes which have eased Canada’s foreign investment rules.
This past March Industry Minister Christian Paradis said Ottawa would lift restrictions on foreign investment in firms with less than 10% of market share by revenue. Under the plan to be voted on next month by shareholders, Orascom would align its voting shares with its ownership stake by increase its voting shares to…
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TORONTO – The 48th Annual Crystal Awards, which celebrate the power of radio creative, will be held March 20, 2013 at a new venue and time.
The Crystal Awards honour outstanding achievement in agency and station radio creative from across Canada, celebrating innovation and highlighting a broad range of industry sectors and features a $10,000 cash grand prize for the winning entry. The awards ceremony take place at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel (Grand Ballroom) with a complimentary reception at 5:30 pm followed by the dinner and ceremony at 6:30…
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OTTAWA – Bell Canada claims the CRTC, in its decision to kill the company's $3.4 billion takeover of Astral Media, ignored its own rules, created a bunch of new ones, was based on incorrect market share calculations and because of that it has asked the federal government to directly step in.
Calling the CRTC decision “absurd,” on Monday, BCE Inc. submitted a request to the federal Cabinet that it issue a policy direction under Section 7 of the Broadcasting Act that directs the CRTC to follow its existing policies when reviewing change of control transactions in broadcasting,…
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TORONTO – CBC Revenue Group has named Jim Kozak its new Director of Sales, Olympics and Sports Partnerships.
Kozak brings more than 15 years of sponsorship experience to role and will be responsible for overseeing CBC’s sales for the 2014 and 2016 Olympic Games, the Pan-Am Games, and the FIFA World Cup among other major CBC sports properties. Kozak joins CBC on October 29 and will report to Alan Dark, General Manager of the CBC Revenue Group.
"We are pleased to welcome Jim to CBC," said Alan Dark, General Manager, CBC Revenue Group. "He…
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IN ITS FULL DECISION to deny Bell Canada’s request to purchase Astral Media, the CRTC addressed a number of the issues which arose over the months-long process and public hearing held in Montreal during the week of September 10th.
The rest of the industry would probably do well to heed the advice doled out in this decision.
THE CRTC WON’T COUNT THE YANKS: “For clarity, the Commission considers that ‘total television share’ is based on viewing to Canadian commercial television services, consistent with the Commission’s Communications Monitoring Report (CMR) and past practice. While the Commission recognizes that…
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