MONTREAL — Five years after it finally added the American cable channel to its television service, Vidéotron is dropping AMC, refusing to renew its carriage contract. The channel will disappear on February 12.
"Because we operate in a regional and not national market, it's difficult for Vidéotron to meet the many demands and financial requirements of AMC," reads a statement from Vidéotron. "In addition, according to our observations, viewing of AMC dropped over the last year."
(Ed note: If there was ever a time to pull AMC from the lineup, it’s now, as there is no original first-run programming scheduled until…
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I WAS NOT SURPRISED to learn that one of Jim Shaw’s role models was former U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
In his time, Churchill was considered a political outsider, a brash maverick, seemingly unwavering in his convictions, fiercely loyal to his homeland and someone who inspired similar loyalty in so many others. Along the way of course, Churchill was exactly what his country needed at the time and he found enormous successes – but his sometimes irascible nature also antagonized more than a few.
For those of us who have been in the cable industry for a while, there are many…
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A hard-nosed businessman, he made a brilliant cable territory swap, competed ferociously with Telus and pulled Global television from the Canwest inferno
FEW OCCASIONS BETTER illustrated the cultural divide between the world of the western bottom-up entrepreneur and that of Ottawa’s top-down public service bureaucracy than when Jim Shaw and Konrad von Finckenstein crossed swords in a hearing room.
There, front and centre of the raised platform bearing commissioners, would be the multilingual von Finckenstein, a six-foot-something-awesome lawyer who was chief legal adviser on the original North American Free Trade negotiations, served as head of the Competition Bureau, became a Federal…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications vice chair and former CEO Jim Shaw has died at the age of 60, the Shaw family announced today.
“It is with great sadness that the family of James R. Shaw (Jim Shaw) announces his passing on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018 after a brief illness,” reads a statement from the family.
“A leader and visionary who never stopped caring for others,” says the statement, Jim is survived by his wife Kathryn, his mother Carol, his father JR, his children Haley (Fred), Parker (Megan), Kennedy, Kathryn’s children Monty, Katelyn, Carly, his mother-in-law Janet, his sisters Heather (Jim) and…
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TORONTO – With “Music’s Biggest Night” just around the corner, Rogers Media announced that City has extended its current deal with the Grammy Awards to continue as the Canadian broadcaster for another three years.
Running through 2021, the extended agreement includes both the live awards ceremony and the annual Grammy telecast specials. City has also renewed its digital rights, giving Canadians a front-row seat to their favourite artists with live-streaming of both the Grammy Premiere Ceremony and awards broadcast, available online and on mobile, in addition to coverage across other Rogers Media outlets.
“Working in lockstep with the Recording Academy over the last…
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LONDON, ON – Former CCSA exec Jennifer Salmon is one of a number of new hires unveiled by logistics company Drexel Industries.
Salmon, who's departure from the CCSA was announced at its AGM in October, is now vice president of operations, responsible for leading all operational aspects of the business including warehousing, logistics, customer on-boarding, contract negotiation, human resources and Drexel’s corporate culture.
John (JD) Abram was named vice-president of sales, responsible for all sales activity for Drexel encompassing wholesale distribution, third party logistics, and the company’s DAZN over-the-top strategic partnership. Prior to joining Drexel, Abram had a six year tenure…
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VANCOUVER – Rogers and Fido customers are connected across Vancouver’s full SkyTrain system now that LTE and voice access expansion work in Burquitlam Tunnel on the Evergreen extension of the Millennium Line has wrapped up.
Rogers said that customers will experience a seamless wireless network across the SkyTrain system, allowing them to stream and do more while on the go. The Rogers network will also provide 911 emergency access to all SkyTrain riders, regardless of their wireless carrier.
“Our customers want to stay in touch wherever they are, including while using public transportation like the SkyTrain,” said Rogers’ regional VP Perm Jawanda,…
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MONTREAL – More than half of the 19 documentaries receiving funding from Telefilm Canada will be produced, directed or written by women, the organization said Friday.
Telefilm unveiled the 19 English- and French-language feature-length documentaries that are receiving nearly $2.3 million funding through the Theatrical Documentary Program, in partnership with the Rogers Group of Funds. The list of projects is available here.
“This year again the selected projects show great promise, and we are delighted to see women playing prominent roles,” said Telefilm executive director Carolle Brabant, in the news release. “Indeed, the women on the teams for these films…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has sided with Rogers in its dispute with the Iristel group of companies over an alleged case of traffic stimulation.
In December 2016, Rogers asked the Commission to intervene after it accused Iristel of “being unjustly enriched by gaming the regulatory framework for local competition” by profiting from the higher local termination charges applicable in the Northwest Territories. Iristel denied the claims.
On Wednesday, the CRTC determined that Iristel had given itself an undue preference and subjected Rogers to a corresponding undue disadvantage.
“The Commission therefore directs Iristel and any of its affiliates, within 30 days…
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TORONTO – Rogers is donating $500,000 over the next five years in support of North America's first Sport for Development facility, MLSE LaunchPad.
Located in downtown Toronto, MLSE LaunchPad is a 42,000 square foot facility where youth facing barriers use sport to recognize and reach their potential. Rogers' support will be directed towards the Ready For School program which gives youth from Toronto’s Moss Park area the opportunity to participate in programs that promote academic engagement and positive attitudes towards school while being physically active.
"Rogers is committed to helping youth in the Toronto community reach their full potential and…
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