TORONTO — As the Ontario government officially launches its new Internet gaming market today, opening up the market to commercial online sports betting companies, Bell Media’s TSN and North America online gaming company FanDuel Group announced today they have entered into a multi-year agreement in Canada.
As part of the exclusive agreement, FanDuel will be designated as the official sportsbook partner for TSN, starting first in Ontario. The deal “provides opportunity for scaled expansion into other Canadian provinces and territories pending regulation,” according to a press release.
“FanDuel will deliver its global expertise in mobile sportsbook and casino operations across…
Continue Reading
MONTREAL – TVA Group’s production and international distribution company Incendo announced today its president and CEO Jean Bureau (above) is stepping down.
Quebecor Media’s TVA Group acquired Incendo in 2019. Bureau has been at the helm of the company for over 20 years. Jean-Philippe Normandeau, who joined Incendo in 2013, is staying on as chief operating officer, and will maintain continuity at the company, according to a press release.
“Incendo has made a name for itself worldwide and now enjoys an enviable international reputation thanks to its people’s talent, dedication and professionalism,” said Jean Bureau, in the release. “I will…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – The Canada Media Fund announced today it will invest nearly $366 million in Canadian television and digital media production in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
The CMF, which earlier this week announced it has restructured its leadership, is transitioning “to become a content-centric, platform-agnostic global content fund,” a press release explains.
“The challenges of the past few years gave us all pause to reconsider many things,” said Valerie Creighton, president and CEO, CMF, in the press release.
“These changes created new opportunities. New ways of thinking and of working. We needed to hear from as many of our stakeholders as…
Continue Reading
By Christopher Guly
GATINEAU – Telecom regulation should be carved out of the CRTC’s mandate, said a former commissioner on a panel looking at “what’s next in telecom” at the 10th annual Canadian Association of Wireless Internet Service Providers (CanWISP) conference at the Hilton Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec today.
“We should have a Canadian communications commission based around the idea that the internet is the basic communication method going forward,” said former journalist Peter Menzies (pictured below), a senior fellow of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute who served as vice-chair of telecommunications at the CRTC.
In its final report on Canada’s communications future,…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The National Post reported earlier this week the CRTC could be named the regulator in charge of the upcoming legislation that will compel platforms including Google and Facebook to share revenue with Canadian news organizations.
“Several industry sources told the National Post that, following meetings with the government, they expect the CRTC could be tasked with the new regime,” an article from the National Post says.
A government source told the newspaper the CRTC will have a “light touch” and “will not be doing the arbitration itself – that will be left to an independent arbiter that both…
Continue Reading
Follows announced departures of Sandra Collins and Kelly Wilhelm
TORONTO and MONTREAL — The Canada Media Fund announced today it is restructuring its leadership as the result of the departure of two senior leaders at the CMF – chief operating officer Sandra Collins, who is leaving in September 2022 after 15 years with the organization, and former chief strategy officer Kelly Wilhelm, who left in late 2021 to return to working in federal politics.
The CMF has developed a strategy to grow Canada’s screen-based industries and an Equity and Inclusion Strategy during the last two years, “following in-depth consultations with industry…
Continue Reading
TORONTO — Corus Entertainment announced today the launch of two new scholarship programs that will support post-secondary studies in radio and television broadcasting for students from underrepresented communities in Canada.
The new Susannah Therrien Radio Scholarship is available to students who identify as women and are entering their final year of post-secondary studies in radio in September 2022. This scholarship was created and is funded by Therrien in recognition of her 20-plus years as a sales executive at Corus Radio, explains a press release.
The new Corus Television Broadcast Scholarship is available to students who identify as racialized,…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF), the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and the Canada Media Fund (CMF) announced today the first in-person Indigenous Screen Summit will be held at this year’s festival, which is running from June 12 to 15.
The idea behind the summit is to “shine a light on the diverse talent and exciting screen content being created by Indigenous storytellers in Canada,” a press release explains.
“It will facilitate conversation and empower the goals of Indigenous entertainment industry professionals from Canada and around the world, seeking to connect partners, explore trends, create opportunities, and amplify Indigenous…
Continue Reading
“I’m not building yesterday’s telecom,” founder says
By Amanda OYE
RICHMOND, B.C. – After spending nearly two decades working for a major Canadian telecom, Babbl Communications’ president and founder Jason Speers (above) decided to put what he had learned to use to bring down Internet prices in western Canada.
Babbl is a third-party Internet access (TPIA) provider that was launched last September and currently serves over 40 communities in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Southern Vancouver Island and the Sea to Sky Corridor.
Internet packages, which are currently being offered at a discounted rate, include $35/month for Internet 75, $45/month…
Continue Reading
Telecoms generally against ISED proposal for restricted areas around airports
By Amanda OYE
OTTAWA – Comments submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) Consultation on a Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 3800 MHz Band, show Canada’s telecoms are divided on which, if any, pro-competitive measures should be adopted for the 3800 MHz spectrum auction, expected to be held in 2023.
ISED proposed three options for competitive measures for the 3800 MHz auction – a 50 MHz set-aside, a 100 MHz cross-band cap (this would apply across the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands), or both.
The set-aside option…
Continue Reading
