Report says putting Corus and Bell together would strengthen Canadian industry
By Greg O’Brien
WITH DIGITAL PLAYERS already claiming the bulk of the revenue and a huge swath of viewing time in Canada, Bell Media and Corus Entertainment must come together if they are to survive amid the growing presence of global streaming players, according to a new report from Scotiabank analyst Jeff Fan.
The report gets to the point in its title: “More Canadian Media Consolidation is Necessary and Inevitable.”
Noting American telcos have recently abandoned their content dreams of late because they need the cash and resources to feed 5G…
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TORONTO — Independent contractor and telecom services reseller Digitcom Telecommunications announced today it has completed the acquisition of 6Telecom, a telecom solution provider based in Sainte-Julie, Quebec, located east of Montreal.
The acquisition helps to expand Digitcom’s national footprint to include the greater Montreal area and eastern Canada, says the company’s press release. Headquartered in Markham, Ont., Digitcom already has a presence in Vancouver and Calgary.
The agreement between the two companies was finalized on May 31, and 6Telecom continues to operate under its own name, with future rebranding to be announced, says Digitcom’s release. Representatives from both companies will continue…
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By Christopher Guly
OTTAWA – The CRTC requires a reassessment of its role as a telecom regulator following its decision last week to reverse its 2019 decision to set lower wholesale broadband rates for third-party internet access providers, NDP telecommunications critic Brian Masse told Cartt.ca during a news conference on Tuesday.
“There is such a variance amongst the predictabilities necessary for a modern administrator that it requires a review,” he said. “The leadership has undermined itself.”
However, the Windsor West MP stopped short of joining several independent ISPs who called for Scott’s removal as CRTC chief.
“He’s put himself in…
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EDMONTON — As Super Channel is set to offer a nationwide free preview this month, today it announced Teri Hart (above) is joining the pay-TV network as entertainment producer and host.
Super Channel’s freeview is running across all four of its channels (Fuse, Heart & Home, Vault and GINX Esports TV Canada), plus Super Channel On Demand, for 10 days from June 14 to 23 (start times may vary and some exceptions apply; check with local providers for details).
In her new role, Hart will host and produce regular weekly IGTV (Instagram TV) video content outlining her hand-picked programming highlights from…
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TORONTO — The indieNET group of broadcasters, which includes CHCH TV, YesTV, CHEK and NTV, is inviting advertisers, marketers and broadcasters to join them for the group’s digital upfront scheduled for Thursday, June 3 at 10 a.m. ET.
During the livestream broadcast, to be hosted by Airtime Television Sales, the indieNET group will announce new fall programming and celebrate the sixth anniversary of their partnership. Clients and advertisers will be able to stream the event live and on demand at indienet2021.com beginning June 3.
Special guests featured during the 2021 indieNET digital upfront include: Kathy Gardner, vice-president of media insights…
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By Ahmad Hathout
GATINEAU – Like deja vu, the immediate impact of a major decision by the CRTC has unfurled in the days immediately following — but the reactions are the reverse of what happened in August 2019.
When the CRTC that summer decided to slash the bulk internet rates smaller providers pay for large network access – and make the rates retroactive so some serious back pay was supposed to go to those independents – the large telecoms announced cuts to investments, including in rural areas. Smaller providers, rejoicing, immediately slashed retail internet prices.
Following Thursday’s decision to go back…
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WINNIPEG — Broadcaster APTN announced this week applications for the Indigenous Music Accelerator (IMA), presented by RBCxMusic, are now open.
The new mentorship program aims to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis musicians actively working in the music industry who are looking to take their career to the next level.
Applications for the program will be accepted until July 15, 2021. Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) will administer the program and work with APTN to select seven Indigenous musicians from across Canada who represent diverse music genres and styles. Applicants will have the opportunity to identify their desired areas of development in…
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Angry competitive ISPs say prices and regulatory distrust will increase
By Ahmad Hathout
GATINEAU – Large independent internet service provider TekSavvy, having been in the process of building its fibre facilities, was gearing up for next month’s critical 3.5 GHz spectrum auction. In January, competitive ISP Distributel purchased telecom Primus. And several other competitive ISPs reduced their prices in light of what they anticipated would be a new era of lower wholesale internet fees.
But those business decisions were based on the assumption the CRTC would choose lower bulk internet purchase rates that at least were between the interim rates set in…
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By Doug Barrett
NETFLIX’S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT that it would establish its Canadian headquarters in Toronto produced considerable excitement – at least in Toronto.
In February, under the heading “making a New Home in Canada”, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos wrote a blog post announcing: “We want to make a new home for Netflix in Canada – opening an office and hiring a dedicated content executive to work directly with the Canadian creative community.”
Then in late April, the company announced Toronto had been selected as “Netflix’s 22nd international outpost” and Sarandos, in the press release, stated: “We’re looking forward to…
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By Ken Kelley
TORONTO – It’s not surprising the proposed Rogers-Shaw merger would be one of the first topics that Rogers president and CEO Joe Natale would tackle at the TD Securities’ virtual Telecom and Media Conference on Wednesday.
While the merger still has a number of regulatory hurdles to clear, including the Competition Bureau, ISED Canada and the CRTC, it did chalk up a victory earlier this week when the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta gave the merger the green light. The court’s approval followed an overwhelming thumbs up from Shaw’s shareholders last week.
“We’re very delighted with…
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