Search Results for: rogers

Radio / Television News

City TV app joins Apple TV

TORONTO – Rogers’ City TV has launched its video app on Apple TV (fourth-generation), becoming the first major Canadian over-the-air broadcaster to do so, the company said Thursday. Available now in the App Store, the City Video app allows viewers to catch their favourite City prime-time shows on demand in HD, plus uses Apple iCloud technology to sync shows and viewing progress across iOS devices for easy viewing from one device to another. Multiple dynamic in-app advertising, content, and sponsorship integration opportunities are currently available throughout the various features of the app, reads the company's news release.  “We are committed to enhancing the experience and convenience of viewing… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC sets out rules for disaggregated wholesale broadband

OTTAWA – Rogers Communications and Videotron must go back to the drawing board for parts of their respective disaggregated wholesale broadband offerings after the CRTC said Wednesday that while some of their head-ends meet the criteria, others do not. Telecom Decision 2016-379 comes after a proceeding to determine if Bell Canada, Cogeco Cable, Rogers and Videotron's proposed network configurations comprise of access facilities as laid out Telecom Regulatory Policy 2015-326 (the wholesale broadband ruling).   That ruling determined that while wholesale broadband access would still be mandated, it would only be available in a disaggregated model going forward, meaning that no… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Rogers elevates Maich to SVP digital content, publishing

TORONTO – Roger Media has promoted Steve Maich to an expanded role as senior vice-president of digital content & publishing, effective immediately. Maich (pictured) is responsible for driving the media company’s digital strategy and growth, including digital content creation, monetization, and data development. He will also continue to lead its publishing business, a role he has held since 2012.   Prior to his role as SVP of publishing, Maich was editor-in-chief and publisher of Sportsnet magazine and Sportsnet.ca, group publisher of Rogers’s consumer business magazines (Canadian Business, PROFIT, and MoneySense), editor-in-chief and publisher of Canadian Business, and executive editor at Maclean’s.  Maich will… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Rogers, Sportsnet ice integrated brand campaigns for World Cup of Hockey

TORONTO – Rogers and Sportsnet are pulling out all the stops in support of the official start of World Cup of Hockey this weekend. In addition to a campaign covering TV, radio, digital and print, Rogers is trying out “experiential activations” such as having fans interact with players while they try on a Team Canada hoodie in augmented reality.  On September 17, a national Snapchat lens will allow fans to take snaps of themselves which simulate an appearance on the big screen at the Air Canada Centre after a goal, while activation at the Scotiabank Fan Village allows hockey lovers… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers customers may Tweet for help

TORONTO – Rogers is offering self-service to its customers through Twitter's new business support features, allowing them to direct messaging Rogers or Fido from their phone, tablet or computer. Twitter's new business support features allows users to have a direct, secure, continuous chat with a live care team representative without having to follow the page. Customers may keep track of the conversation and respond at their convenience.  In addition to a simplified page and published service times, the profile also allows Rogers and Fido to pin the most timely, service-related tweets on their newsfeeds, allowing customers to quickly find the… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Canada needs new branding, policy, for digital world, says Rogers CEO

“Time to stop being defensive” TORONTO – Newly designated with permanent residency status, Rogers Communications CEO Guy Laurence has some advice for the federal government as it begins the complex and difficult work of redefining Canada’s cultural policy. Laurence spoke Wednesday at the Canadian Club in Toronto and said his adopted home faces a “once-in-a-lifetime” position to redefine its brand on a global stage and stake out a leadership position in culture. Canada doesn’t have the gun culture of the U.S. (nor the ongoing electoral circus), has a stable economy and political infrastructure, fewer terrorism worries than other… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Twitter launches video streaming apps, but content won’t come with it here

SAN FRANCISCO – Twitter is offering new live streaming video apps for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Microsoft's Xbox One users as it continues its foray beyond microblogging. The company said Wednesday that the free apps will feature all of its available live streaming video (such as NFL Thursday Night Football games and content from MLB Advanced Media and the NBA) plus curated content from Vines and Periscopes. Twitter's Apple TV app will offer side-by-side screens for live video as well as Tweeted video clips. Anyone with these devices, regardless of whether they have a Twitter account or… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

ANALYSIS: How the FCC’s set top box rules can kill Canadian television

Without a major regulatory change, the traditional TV industry here faces a chilling future IF THE CRTC DOESN’T, at long last, review the 1999 New Media Exemption Order, the Canadian TV industry as we know it may well perish in the next five years, at the cost of billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs – all while production of Canadian content shrivels to whatever the CBC makes. Last week, the Federal Communications Commission reached a compromise deal with the subscription TV titans in the States over the American regulator’s so-called push to “unlock the… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Investigation Discovery, Discovery Science free preview kicks off September 22

TORONTO – Bell Media’s Investigation Discovery (ID) and Discovery Science will both be opening up for a four week free preview September 22 through October 19. The timing will coincide with the launch of new ID series Las Vegas Law, Vanishing Women plus new special Adnan Syed: Innocent or Guilty? (pictured), featuring the convicted murderer and subject of the acclaimed Serial podcast.  Highlights from Discovery Science include the debut of new series How To Build…Everything and Alaska Mega Machines. The four-week preview is available through television service providers including Bell and Bell Aliant, Cogeco, Eastlink, MTS, Rogers, SaskTel, Shaw, Shaw Direct, Telus,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

SKINNY BASIC HEARING: Bundling is not like a loyalty program, argues PIAC; Blais says “make my day”

Says BDUs fight comparison tools GATINEAU – That some broadcast distributors say their bundling programs are very much like loyalty points is wrong, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) told the CRTC on the second day of a hearing into flexible channel packaging (read our coverage from day one here). The organization, which filed joint submissions in the proceeding with the Consumers Association of Canada (CAC), argued that because TV providers are treated like common carriers under the BDU regulations, the rules say they can’t unjustly discriminate against a certain class of customers. This is… Continue Reading