TORONTO and OTTAWA – In what could be a first, Internet service providers, consumer groups and independent producers all agreed that Wednesday’s CRTC framework on Internet traffic management practices got it right.
“I didn’t think that we needed any rules, but, they are reasonable, certainly not draconian”, Rogers’ SVP of regulatory, Ken Engelhart, told Cartt.ca. “They’ve picked a middle ground that we can live with.”
Over at Telus, Michael Hennessy, SVP of regulatory and government affairs, largely concurred, calling the new rules “clear and well thought out”.
“I think it was a good decision”, he said in an interview with Cartt.ca. “The…
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VANCOUVER – Astral Media Outdoor has expanded its digital board network to include Vancouver and Toronto.
The digital signs feature LED (light emitting diode) lighting capable of reproducing a multitude of colours in high resolution. Readable during the day or night, the digital boards display six static advertising messages rotating in 10 second intervals.
“Advertisers now have access to the latest outdoor advertising technology in Canada’s top three advertising markets,” said AMO president Luc Sabbatini, in the announcement. “This national digital network reaffirms our commitment to continue leading the industry by providing the most innovative and creative solutions to best…
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TORONTO – Wind Mobile has inked five communication agency partnerships in advance of its consumer launch later this year.
AmoebaCorp is responsible for the creation of the brand’s visual identity and its design implementation across packaging, merchandising and branded facilities, while Breakhouse Inc. has been engaged to design all retail points of sale, from flagship to kiosk, the company said in a press release.
Narrative Advocacy Media is responsible for the development and execution of all public relations campaigns, strategic communications as well as social media counsel, Starcom MediaVest Group is handling its media strategy and buying, and Trapeze Media…
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THIS YEAR’S CTAM Summit is less than a week away – and Cartt.ca will be there.
Looking to stand out in the shifting media and entertainment consumption revolution? Executives from Univision and Quiznos will share tips on how marketers can reach multiple consumer segments during a presentation at the general session of this year’s CTAM Summit.
In related news, Wednesday October 21 is the final deadline to register for CTAM Canada’s annual Summit dinner which will be held at The Cable Center in Denver on October 26, 2009.
The Cable Center chronicles the story of where cable has been, and provides the…
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OTTAWA – Consumer coalition TV Alliance is calling on Heritage Minister James Moore to ensure that consumers can participate in the upcoming public hearing on billing practices for TV services in Canada.
“The Heritage Minister directed that special hearings take place for consumers on the TV debate, but consumers are being denied fair treatment in the process," said Alliance advisor Michael Janigan, in a statement. "The Minister should not support a two-tier consultation process, with privileged industry riding in first class while consumer groups ride in coach if at all."
The call comes in response to last month’s Order in Council…
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TORONTO – The new board of the new Canadian Media Fund launching in April is new and much smaller – with a much more prominent voice from the companies which must funnel a piece of their revenue into it – but how, exactly, will the administration of this $300 million money pot change as compared to the old CTF?
The BDUs (Rogers, Shaw, Bell, et al), which have to contribute 5% of their revenues to this fund to create Canadian content challenged the way it was run almost three years ago and said they should have more…
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WHILE THE TV, CABLE and telecom industries are bogged down once again in regulatory minutiae, Mike Lee has many other things on his plate.
The chief strategy officer at Rogers Communications, both the biggest wireless and cable company in Canada, is not thinking much about wireless phones or cable these days. Instead, he’s up to his neck in the real time web as the CEO of Rogers-funded start-up Thoora.
“I’m spending 100% of my time on new growth,” said Lee in an interview with Cartt.ca. “I’m actually not that tied into cable or wireless.”
Being Canadian regulated industries, the growth yet…
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IT’S TIME FOR CANADA to take a coherent and holistic approach to creating a national digital strategy.
We need an overall vision to guide the current social and economic transformation in the interest of all Canadians, otherwise, debate will be mired in the arcane and fragmented languages of broadcasting regulation, copyright revision, technological innovation, cultural subsidies, and broadband infrastructure.
For Canada to compete in a digital world, we urgently need to integrate these often conflicting narratives, or we risk being left behind.
Digital Britain raises the bar for Canada The release of Digital Britain this past June draws attention to…
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OTTAWA – The government of Canada and Canada’s broadcasters have decided to walk away from their Part II fee legal battle, Heritage Minister James Moore and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters announced today.
"I am pleased to announce that we have been able to reach an agreement regarding Part II Licence Fees received by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC),” the minister said in a statement, which also noted that Canadian broadcasters contribute $20 billion a year to the Canadian economy.
“Under this settlement, our Government is recommending that the CRTC develop a new, forward-looking fee regime that would be…
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TORONTO – History Television will launch its HD service Thursday on Shaw Cable.
History Television joins Showcase and National Geographic Channel as Canwest’s third specialty channel to launch in high definition.
“History Television HD offers viewers an unparalleled viewing experience, combining stunning clarity with industry-leading content", said Barbara Williams, Canwest’s EVP of content, in the announcement. "With over 90% of our primetime schedule in high definition, we are committed to delivering viewers the very best programming from Canada and around the world."
The channel will be available as part of the Shaw HD Plus package. Canwest confirmed that it is currently in discussions…
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