Search Results for: industry canada

Radio / Television News

Rogers wants CTF split into two funds

GATINEAU – The Canadian Television Fund should be split in two: one with public money to meet government policy objectives, and the other with private money to support hit shows, Rogers Communications told the CRTC on Tuesday morning. During day two of the week-long hearing into the CTF’s revenue and governance models, executives told commissioners that increasingly the CTF—originally the Cable Production Fund supported entirely by the cable industry—“is viewed as a public policy instrument for the Canadian government” instead of a way to encourage broadcasters to air popular shows, said Rogers’ Vice Chairman Phil Lind. To qualify for… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CTF poll says Canadians support made-in-Canada television

OTTAWA – To kick off today’s CRTC hearings on the Canadian Television Fund (CTF), actors, producers, writers and directors release results of a new poll that said “a strong majority (71%) of Canadians believe it is important to have access to Canadian television programming distinct from American programs.” And, “the poll also reveals that an overwhelming majority of Canadians feel the government and cable and satellite TV companies should invest resources to help ensure that Canadians have access to television programs that reflect Canada and its people,” reads the release. The Harris/Decima poll commissioned by the Directors Guild, the… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus takes Montreal City Hall

MONTREAL – It’s not a big deal in terms of its dollar value, but this one has to sting a bit at Bell. Telus announced today it was selected as Ville de Montréal’s primary telecommunications partner in 10-year deal estimated at $87 million. Of course, Bell Canada’s national headquarters is in Montreal. Under the deal, Telus will provide and manage Internet Protocol (IP) based voice and data services for the city’s more than 300 administrative offices across the island. “Today, Ville de Montréal has placed their trust in Telus to upgrade their communications services to our state-of-the-art IP technology,”… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

COMMENTARY: People won’t stand for it

AFTER SPENDING A LOT OF time thinking about and writing about the idea of charging a new fee for something people can get for free – over-the-air, broadcast television, that is – there’s always one inescapable conclusion: It’s going to make them mad. It was a front-page issue in the conventional TV policy hearing in late 2006 (and was ultimately denied due to lack of evidence) and it’s now part of the 2008 broadcast distribution undertaking and specialty service policy hearings coming in April: So should conventional broadcasters get a subscriber fee or not? On the one hand, broadcasters –… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

More leadership positions set at Canwest

TORONTO – Today, it’s the new marketing folks who are front and centre in a Canwest personnel release, post Alliance Atlantis merger. Walter Levitt, Chief Marketing Officer at Canwest Broadcasting officially announced the senior team that will lead the newly integrated marketing organization. “Our new leadership team brings together the country’s most talented and experienced broadcast marketing executives,” said Levitt, in the release. “Canwest has an unbeatable portfolio of television brands, and we are excited about the growth opportunities that lie ahead.” The following members of the team, taken directly from the Canwest release, will be reporting directly to… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

TV still the mass-market leader

TORONTO – Television in Canada continues to outperform all other media, the Television Bureau of Canada reports today. Despite concerns in some circles regarding the effect an ongoing writer’s strike might have on viewership, numbers received by the TVB profile a robust and thriving industry (Ed note: So much for this argument, then 😉 “Overall, television’s numbers have remained stable across key adult demographic categories, compared to a year ago,” says Theresa Treutler, president and CEO of the Television Bureau of Canada, in the press release. “More important, is the fact that television has a staggering five-to-one or larger… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

WFN, Sportsmen’s shows, cast out for more customers

TORONTO – WFN: World Fishing Network and Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows have announced a strategic partnership for the 2008 season that will see both companies team up to promote their brands to Canada’s rapidly growing fishing enthusiasts. “As two of the premier leaders in the Canadian fishing industry, WFN’s partnership with the Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows is a win-win for both companies and more importantly, for fishing fans across Canada,” said Christopher Doyle, vice-president of marketing for Insight Sports, the operating company for WFN, in a press release. “The Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows are Canada’s premier outdoor consumer events… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Look shrinks in Q1, likes AWS auction rules

TORONTO and MONTREAL – Look Communications revenue and EBITDA dropped in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, ended November 30, 2007. Financial highlights for the first quarter ended November 30, 2007 included the following: * Gross revenues for the quarter ended November 30, 2007 were $5.4 million compared to $6.6 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2006; * Operating expenses decreased $0.3 million or 6.5% to $4.5 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2007 (quarter ended November 30, 2006 – $4.8 million); * EBITDA for the quarter ended November 30, 2007 was negative $0.5 million compared to… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CWC announces annual award winners

TORONTO – Four women, along with one company, are being recognized by Canadian Women in Communications for their contributions to Canada’s communications industry and their work to promote the advancement of women within the industry. The CWC’s annual awards presentation takes place on Feb. 26, 2008, at the CWC 2008 Annual Awards Gala in Ottawa. The Gala reception begins at 5 p.m., with the dinner and the awards presentation starting at 6 p.m. The event regularly attracts over 600 of Canada’s top communications VIPs, government representatives and industry leaders to the Ottawa Congress Centre. Confirmed to attend this year’s… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Canwest shuffles sales deck

TORONTO – The line of direct reports to Errol Da-Ré, executive vice president, sales at Canwest Broadcasting has been clarified. This announcement follows the CRTC’s recent approval of Canwest’s acquisition of the broadcasting assets of Alliance Atlantis and last week’s announcement of new senior executive responsibilities. “These individuals possess the experience, skill and passion required to help guide us through the next exciting chapter of the company,” said Da-Ré, in today’s release. “I look forward to working with this talented group as we leverage our industry-leading channels and web sites to take Canwest Broadcasting to new heights in innovative… Continue Reading