LAS VEGAS — In another sign that it still has plenty of maturing to do as a technology, 4K video took some steps both forward and backward at the NAB Show here last week.
On the positive side, numerous consumer electronics makers and related vendors unveiled new equipment and solutions for both 4K and its high dynamic range (HDR) cousin, filling the huge exhibit space with Ultra HD (UHD) screens and images. In one of the most prominent cases, Sony unveiled a line of new 4K and HDR products, covering everything from TV cameras to recorders to reference…
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MPs wouldn't bite, though
GATINEAU – Rogers Communications told the CRTC Thursday that the National Broadband Task Force and the Information Highway Task Force can serve as models for a new national broadband strategy.
“And, because a strategy needs leadership to get results, we propose a multi-stakeholder advisory council to oversee the strategy’s implementation,” said David Watt, senior vice-president of regulatory at Rogers, on the ninth day of the Commission’s basic service objective hearing.
Under questioning, he added that this advisory council would be jointly led by the CRTC and the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED, formerly Industry Canada)….
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Or should we consider broadband like roads or sewers?
GATINEAU – If the CRTC is going to implement a subsidy to support the rollout of broadband in rural and remote area, it already has an established approach, the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance told the Commission on Wednesday. It’s called the National Contribution Fund for telephony in high cost service areas.
Chris Edwards, vice-president of regulatory affairs at the CCSA (pictured in a CPAC.ca screen cap), noted that this approach would encourage network investment by smaller providers – the companies that serve rural and remote communities. “Such a subsidy model…
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CEO Laurence talks cable, wireless, media, and hockey, at AGM
TORONTO – Rogers Communications will launch its IPTV service at the end of the year, CEO Guy Laurence told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting in Toronto on Tuesday, which "will take your TV viewing to a whole new level."
Meeting later with reporters, he refused to go into more details other than to say "It looks great, I'm excited about it."
But he also said IPTV wraps into the company's recent efforts in upgrading its cable network to offer 1 Gbps Internet speeds to every home and small business in…
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TORONTO – Independent specialty movie service Hollywood Suite announced today the launch of the new web version of the Hollywood Suite GO app (HSGO).
The newly designed VOD service is an extension of the premium movie channels and is available at hsgo.ca for Hollywood Suite subscribers from Access Communications, Cogeco, Eastlink, Hay Communications, MTS, NorthwesTel, Rogers, Shaw, Shaw Direct, Source Cable, Telus Optik TV, and VMedia.
“We are excited to offer our subscribers another platform to watch their favourite movies from Hollywood Suite, allowing them to experience their cinematic choices, anytime, anywhere,” said David Kines,…
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GATINEAU – In an unprecedented move, CRTC chair Jean-Pierre Blais used a break in the Basic Service Objective hearing to make a significant point through a personal address to the hearing: we’ve decided already that broadband is essential to Canadians. (The full text of that address can be found here.)
“Overall, in a nutshell, witnesses that appeared so far have agreed to a self-evident truth: today, in Canada, broadband is vital,” he said. “So, unless you disagree with this conclusion, let us not spend more hearing time on this self-evident truth. We have other, more important…
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TORONTO – A weak advertising market combined with restructuring costs at Rogers Communications helped to drive down first quarter profits by 3%, the company announced late Monday.
Operating revenue for the period ended March 31, 2016 totalled $3.23 billion, up 2% from $3.18 billion year-over-year, but net income dropped to $248 million from $255 million in Q1 2015. On an adjusted basis, net income fell 4% from $275 million to $263 million, primarily as a result of higher depreciation and amortization and lower adjusted operating profit, partially offset by lower income taxes. Net income this quarter was also impacted by higher restructuring costs.
The…
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TORONTO – Small businesses in Ontario may now sign on for Rogers Ignite for business Gigabit, allowing them faster Internet speeds and unlimited data usage, the company said Monday.
Priced at $199.99, Rogers said that the faster speeds will allow small businesses to accomplish more tasks in a day and accomplish those tasks quicker so that they can spend more time focusing on their customers.
"Internet connectivity and speeds have a direct impact on the productivity and growth potential of a small business," said Charlie Wade, Rogers’ SVP of enterprise products and solutions, in the news release. "Gigabit speeds will give…
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Chair's comments change the focus of the hearing, puts government, industry, on notice, to get their acts together
GATINEAU – The the second week of the CRTC's basic service objective (BSO) hearing featured a rare moment of reflection from CRTC chairman and CEO Jean-Pierre Blais which will now alter the focus of this hearing. Below are Blais' unedited personal thoughts, made just prior to Monday's lunch break.
Those of you who are familiar with CRTC proceedings will appreciate that it is unusual for Chairs to make formal remarks beyond those made at the beginning of the oral hearing.
But this is an exceptional…
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TORONTO – Bell Media and Rogers Media-owned Dome Production is trialing Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) as a development format in delivering High Dynamic Range (HDR) content.
HLG, a royalty-free HDR standard proposed by both the BBC and NHK for live productions, is widely considered to be the best method available of delivering high dynamic range images onto legacy high-definition TV sets, reads the news release. The signals can be seamlessly carried via satellite, cable, IP, and other distribution methods.
HLG also presents an SDR backward compatibility that could deliver a single signal/stream solution for both HDR and non-HDR television sets, eliminating…
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