Bidding starts at $1.54 billion
OTTAWA – The auction of 600 MHz wireless spectrum, when it happens, will favour the smaller newcomers like Freedom Mobile and Vidéotron and looks to offer no payments to TV broadcasters which will be forced off the band.
While the Canadian bandwidth plan is to be harmonized with the United States (something we’ve known for a while), our auction for the valuable low frequency spectrum sure won’t be the same. In its consultation paper released late Friday (Ed note: right before the long weekend, so no questions, media!) Innovation, Science and…
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EDMONTON and WINNIPEG — Local news is getting a revitalized approach in Edmonton and Winnipeg as CityNews announced Thursday its new nightly newscasts in those cities will focus on viewer-driven, original stories that keep local residents up-to-speed on the latest news that matters most.
With the launch of CityNews Edmonton and CityNews Winnipeg, the news programs’ video journalists will be out from behind the news desk and in the community, seeking out the hyper-local stories that matter most to local residents in those markets, parent company Rogers Communications said in two separate press releases announcing the launch of the shows.
“Our…
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TORONTO — The Writers Guild of Canada has joined the ongoing debate regarding the funding of programs of national interest (PNI) that has Canada’s creative community pitted against the country’s three largest broadcasters ever since the CRTC reduced minimum PNI spending requirements in its May broadcasting decision on group licence renewals.
Following on the heels of the Canadian Media Producers Association’s (CMPA) response earlier today to yesterday’s open letter to the CRTC by Bell Media, Corus Entertainment and Rogers Media, the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) released its own press release regarding PNI funding this afternoon.
Saying that…
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MONTREAL — BCE’s strong performance in the wireless market in its most recent fiscal quarter helped to offset softening gains in its wireline business, enabling the company to meet analysts’ growth expectations for both its overall revenue and wireless subscriber increases.
BCE reported operating revenues of $5.7 billion in the second quarter of 2017, up 6.7% from $5.34 billion in the same quarter last year. The company’s adjusted EBITDA was $2.38 billion in Q2 2017, representing a 5% increase from its adjusted EBITDA of $2.69 billion in Q2 2016.
These results were in-line with street expectations, according to a “first look”…
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OTTAWA — The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) shot back at Canada’s English-language private broadcasters today after Bell Media, Corus Entertainment and Rogers Media released an open letter to the CRTC yesterday in which they asked the Commission to maintain status quo on recent broadcasting decisions.
In their letter, the big three broadcasters urged the Commission to stand firm on its recent decisions regarding reduced minimum spending requirements on programs of national interest (PNI) as part of the CRTC’s group licence renewal decision in May.
Bell, Corus and Rogers were responding yesterday to a joint open letter released…
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OTTAWA – While not mentioning the CRTC’s decision on programs of national interest (PNI) specifically, the three largest Canadian broadcasters have sent a letter to Canadian MPs (also printing it as a full page ad in the Parliament Hill newspaper The Hill Times), asking them to ignore the complaints of the creative community and let recent CRTC decisions stand.
The letter, signed by Bell Media president Randy Lennox, Corus Entertainment EVP and chief operating officer Barbara Williams and Rogers Media president Rick Brace says the CRTC undertook a years-long process to overhaul its TV regulations to try and prepare for…
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VANCOUVER — Rogers and Fido customers commuting on Vancouver’s SkyTrain transit service are now enjoying improved wireless service along a stretch of the city’s Expo Line.
Rogers and SkyTrain operator TransLink announced Tuesday new LTE wireless service has gone live at the Columbia SkyTrain station, as well as in the tunnels between Columbia and Sapperton stations.
Rogers and Fido customers can now surf the Internet, make and receive calls, send and receive emails and text messages, and stream video and music on their mobile devices while travelling on this part of Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation system.
“Our customers want to stay connected…
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VANCOUVER — Rogers Communications is increasing its LTE coverage across Vancouver Island to provide Rogers and Fido customers with faster speeds and more seamless network connectivity in several communities on the island.
Rogers is expanding its wireless service at Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa in Langford, at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, in Harewood, Nanaimo, and en route to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal from Victoria.
“Our customers want wireless access wherever they are, whether it’s to keep in touch with friends and family, or do business on Vancouver Island,” said Perm Jawanda, regional vice-president, British Columbia, Rogers Communications, in Continue Reading
TORONTO – Canadian Broadcast Sales has tapped sales industry veteran Gerry MacKrell as its new president, replacing outgoing president and founder Patrick Grierson.
MacKrell (pictured) spent 23 years at Corus Entertainment, most recently as senior vice-president of sales, and prior to Corus, spent seven years at the rep companies Western Broadcast Sales and All-Canada Radio & Television, which became a part of CBS in 1993. He has also been an active member of the CBS Board of Directors, where he provided counsel on sales strategies, industry opportunities and market challenges.
Effective September 1, MacKrell will be at the forefront of offering…
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GATINEAU – Maybe it’s not so bad yet, after all…
The CRTC on Thursday released three different documents breaking down the 2016 results from conventional broadcast, discretionary and on demand, and broadcast distribution undertaking sectors of the Canadian TV business.
The numbers are all almost a year old (filed by the regulated companies at the end of the regulatory broadcast year, August 31, 2016) – so bear that in mind when perusing these highlights. Also, these figures do not include any revenue from broadband, telephony or wireless streams. (As well, the Commission told us the breakdown for…
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