VANCOUVER and HAMILTON – Broadcast Dialogue publisher and Momentum Media Marketing president Shawn Smith is acquiring Cartt.ca, Canada’s cable, radio, television, and telecom industry digital publication.
Greg O’Brien, Cartt.ca’s founding publisher who is now news director at CHCH Television in Hamilton, will stay on as editor emeritus and contribute occasional editorial content, while acting in an advisory role during the transition period.
“Seventeen years ago, I formed CARTT.ca to provide comprehensive coverage of the rapidly converging electronic media and telecom industries and I have so enjoyed my time covering such a dynamic industry and all the interesting people working in it,” said O’Brien, in a press release….
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Alan Hibben to step down from role as director on Sept. 1, 2022
HALIFAX – Kids and family entertainment company WildBrain Ltd. announced today it has appointed Rita Middleton (above), CEO and interim CFO of International Solar Solutions Inc., as an independent director on the WildBrain board of directors.
Middleton has over 25 years of experience in strategic management, “including operational start-up, dynamic growth environments, and industry regulatory and public company compliance,” a press release says.
“She has more than 10 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, including carbon-emission credits development, ocean tidal energy, and most recently the manufacture…
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OTTAWA – In response to a report from the industry committee urging the federal government to block Rogers’s proposed takeover of Shaw Communications, Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne declined to comment on the matter specifically but pointed to a number of policy developments that he says will help alleviate concerns about telecom competition and prices.
In March, the committee recommended that the government block the proposed deal on the grounds that it allegedly would stunt competition. If ISED – which is reviewing the spectrum licensing portion of the deal – permits the merger, the committee urged the government…
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TORONTO – Millions of dollars were injected into Southern Ontario businesses with the local filming of Netflix’s popular show The Umbrella Academy, according to an analysis by Oxford Economics.
The analysis found that the filming of the show’s second season saw local wages and salaries accounting for 59 per cent of production spending and the rest on local goods and services, with a total contribution of $111 million to Ontario’s gross domestic product.
A Motion Picture Association of Canada press release added that, from procurement of props and costumes to transportation and accommodations, the show supported more than 980…
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Licencing decision gives CBC more latitude, concerning some commissioners about mandate
GATINEAU — Canada’s broadcasting regulator is taking a new approach to the objectives of the government-funded CBC/Radio-Canada Wednesday, as it shifts the focus on spending over certain hourly quotas in the hopes of supporting a broader range of diverse Canadian programming over more platforms.
Following a lengthy proceeding that included a 14-day public hearing in January 2021, the CRTC announced today the five-year renewal of CBC/Radio-Canada’s broadcasting licences until August 31, 2027, saying the commission is adopting a “modern approach”…
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OTTAWA — Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, passed third reading in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon and cultural associations in the country were quick to celebrate.
The legislation, which heads to the Senate and is currently in a pre-study phase, seeks to amend the Broadcasting Act to give the CRTC the ability to regulate online content, including having large tech platforms contribute more to the promotion of Canadian content.
The Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE) said in a press release it was “relieved and pleased” Bill C-11 passed the third reading.
“CDCE…
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Looking back, going forward
By Bill Roberts
BANFF – When a wonderful, record-breaking gathering like the Banff World Media Festival 2022 folds the tent, there’s frequently risk of returning to the world of emails and routine that hauls one unwillingly back to “normal”.
But often, as Bruce Cockburn warned, “the trouble with normal is it only gets worse!”
Looking back at this year’s festival, it’s understandable, but still a shame, that there’s no award or popular recognition for the panel or workshop that most resonates with the change imperatives and aspirations of today’s Canadian media sector.
If there was, Being Counted: Canada’s First Race-based…
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TORONTO, CALGARY and MONTREAL – Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Quebecor Inc. announced late Friday night they have reached an agreement for the sale of Freedom Mobile to Quebecor in a deal valued at $2.85 billion, subject to regulatory approval.
Rogers initiated a process of selling Freedom several months ago, after the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne released a statement saying he would not permit Rogers to acquire all of Shaw’s wireless assets.
The sale of Freedom to Quebecor “will ensure the presence of a strong and sustainable fourth wireless carrier across Canada,” a press release says. “The…
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OAKVILLE – The Weather Network announced today it will air a weekly documentary series Power to the People on Fridays (at 7 p.m., 10 p.m., and 1 a.m.), starting tonight.
The series, consisting of six episodes with more to follow in the Fall, “explores the renewable energy revolution empowering Indigenous communities across Canada,” a press release says. “Each week, host Melina Laboucan-Massimo uncovers fascinating renewable energy or sustainable living projects driven by Indigenous Peoples.”
“It’s not just about renewable energy and climate solutions, but it’s also about addressing the wrongs of the past and moving towards true reconciliation. I think it’s…
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VANCOUVER – Telus announced today it is deploying its new 3500 MHz spectrum on its next-generation 5G wireless network, bringing faster speeds to Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Victoria.
“With the rollout of the 3500 MHz spectrum, businesses, industry innovators, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and Telus customers alike will have access to Telus’ ultrafast and reliable 5G network,” a press release says.
“As Telus continues to deploy its new spectrum through 2022 and 2023, more regions will gain access to its increasingly responsive network and faster speeds enabling the next wave of 5G capability, driving further innovation and growth within Canada’s digital…
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