TV stations will be moving
OTTAWA – As expected, 30 MHz of an available 70 MHz of new wireless spectrum to be auctioned off next year will be set aside for smaller, regional companies and possible new entrants in an attempt to push additional competition in the Canadian wireless market.
Wednesday evening, just as the federal government shut down for a two week Easter Break, the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada released the much anticipated framework for the auction of 600 MHz spectrum, a band prized for its ability to both travel long distances…
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TORONTO – Rogers Media is seeking CRTC approval to acquire Medicine Hat station 102.1 CJCY from Clear Sky Radio for $4 million.
The acquisition was made public in January, and Rogers is also requesting a new broadcasting licence to continue the operation of the station under the same terms and conditions as those in effect under the current licence.
The CRTC will consider the application at a hearing scheduled for May 31 and interventions/comments/answers are due by April 26, 2018.
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VANCOUVER – Sunday’s broadcast of the 2018 Juno Awards will be live streamed on Twitter for the first time.
A partnership between Twitter and CBC, the program will begin at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT on March 25 at Twitter.com/CBCMusic, with spots from sponsor TD running as pre-roll before the live stream.
In the lead-up and during the event, music fans can Tweet #JUNOS to unlock a custom emoji, Twitter added. In addition, this year’s award show includes a Juno Fan Choice Award, which is voted on by fans through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
According to Twitter Canada, 2018 Juno Awards performers…
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GATINEAU – Today the CRTC said no, for now, to Wi-Fi first mobile operators, effectively shutting down the business plan that was Sugar Mobile, it dramatically slashed the wholesale rates network owners can charge others to roam on their networks, and it gave Rogers, Bell and Telus a month to come up with new skinny wireless data plans for Canadians.
While confirming that Wi-Fi first network operators can not roam on cellular networks and become full fledged resellers, and making no determinations on mandated MVNOs, the Commission decided instead to respond to the federal government’s request to re-examine its wholesale…
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GATINEAU – Late Thursday afternoon we’ll know whether or not Wi-Fi based service providers can roam onto cellular networks.
In a decision (CRTC 2017-56) on wholesale mobile wireless roaming service tariffs on March 1st of 2017, the CRTC excluded Wi-Fi providers from being able to access these rates in order to provide mobile services to Canadians beyond public Wi-Fi zones. Since they’re not facilities-based providers like the main mobile providers, they were excluded in the decision.
In June, however, the federal government asked the CRTC to re-examine that call, saying it wants to explore every option…
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TORONTO – Internet service providers of every size and shape (except one big one) have launched a new coalition to rally Ontarians to help them battle large proposed rate increases for utility pole attachments.
While some local hydro companies have been pushing rates far higher, the Ontario Energy Board wants to set a standard rate across the province of $52 per pole per year, far above the current rate of $22.35. The three largest utilities, Hydro One, Toronto Hydro and Hydro Ottawa, have already boosted their rates to $41, $42 and $53.
Such rate increases for pole attachments will only…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has approved the sale of GameTV from Anthem Sports and Entertainment to Remuda Media Inc. for $6.5 million.
Remuda Media is jointly owned and controlled by Dean Langille, John Philips, 2078677 Alberta Ltd. (William Sawchyn) and 2225926 Ontario Ltd. (Bryan Woodruff), with each holding 25% of the shares.
According a CRTC letter to Anthem subsidiary Game TV Corp earlier this month, the transaction is valued at $6,500,000 for the purchase price and $25,291 for the net working capital that will be transferred at closing. The tangible benefits package of 10% of the transaction will be payable to…
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THE SHALLOW BANALITY of the announcement is what’s initially most irksome.
Today’s press release touted the federal government’s involvement in helping fund leading-edge 5G technology development in Ontario and Quebec – something it says is brand new but was actually announced 17 months ago – and the best three levels of government and five leading tech companies can come up with as a lead is:
“Imagine a world where you start off the day right because your refrigerator has tracked how much food you have and ordered replacement items for you. Your commute…
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TORONTO – Rogers Radio is adding the Zach Sang World Wide Countdown show to its KiSS radio stations through an agreement with Canadian distributor Momentum Media Networks.
Based in Hollywood, popular media personality Sang represents a new generation of radio, connecting younger listeners who are constantly tuned into social media, reads the announcement.
Beginning March 17, the weekly music countdown show will air each Saturday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (local time) on Rogers Radio’s KiSS stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Kingston, and Victoria.
“Zach’s engaging personality combined with his A-list celebrity interviews, pop culture content and social media-driven listener…
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TORONTO – The Canadian Communications Foundation (CCF) has added to its Board of Directors after issuing a call for new members last month.
Effective immediately, the five new members are:
– Isme Bennie: former executive with CTV Specialty Services, CHUM, TV Ontario and Televentures;
– Owen Brierley: executive director of Edmonton Digital Arts College, former executive director of Guru Digital Arts College, and a managing partner of Gystworks; experienced in developing multimedia and online learning resources;
– Paul Cross: program coordinator of the Radio Broadcasting Graduate Certificate program at Humber College;
– Shawn Praskey: vice-president, head of content sales for Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Group,…
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