TORONTO – In a digital media world where TV viewers can choose when and where they want to be entertained, content producers and distributors are betting big on live events as a way to keep people engaged with their TV channels.
“Live events such as the Oscars, Grammys, Golden Globes and BAFTAs are front-and-centre in our coverage planning,” said, Michael Dutton, global director of entertainment products for the Associated Press (AP), who participated Wednesday afternoon in a panel discussion on “The Future of Entertainment” at the Digital Media Summit in Toronto as part of Canadian Music Week 2014.
AP licenses video…
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TORONTO – Describing radio as an industry “under attack (because) everybody wants our audiences,” Eric Rhoads, publisher of U.S. industry magazine Radio Ink, kicked off the “Inside the Executive Suite” discussion at Canadian Music Week last Wednesday by asking Canadian radio executives how many hours a week they typically work.
While answers varied, it’s safe to say Canadian radio bosses are working upwards of 60 hours a week to lead their respective organizations through the ongoing migration to digital platforms.
Paul Ski, CEO of radio and regional broadcast operations for Rogers Broadcasting, said his work schedule is “very fluid” but added:…
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IT IS UP TO CEO HUBERT LACROIX to show whether he believes it is his good fortune – or his utter misfortune – to lead the CBC at this point in time. Despite all the talk about a new, five-year strategic plan to get to 2020 and a silly new “conversation” with Canadians he announced Monday, Lacroix must know already what he wants, and must, do. And, is it ever going to hurt. The changes that must be made to the CBC will run far deeper, and wider, than the 650 layoffs which were announced last month.
It will alter…
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OTTAWA – “Combined, the new entrants spent about $3 billion to acquire spectrum, build networks and go after subscribers,” said John Bitove, the chairman of foundering wireless company Mobilicity – as well as the yet-to-launch Feenix Wireless, which purchased spectrum in this year’s 700 MHz spectrum auction.
He was speaking to delegates at the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Biennial National Conference on New Developments in Communications Law and Policy held in Ottawa last week in a session on the success, or failure, of Canadian wireless policy. Panellists, which also included economist Steven Globerman, Rogers’ Ken Engelhart, and lawyer George…
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TORONTO – Telelatino marked Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo on Monday with the launch of Spanish-language TV channel Univision Canada.
A rebrand of TLN en Español, the channel will air programming such as Hispanic daily morning show Despierta America, entertainment news show El Gordo y La Flaca, long running variety show Sábado Gigante, prime time telenovelas and specials including the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.
“This is a milestone moment in Canadian Spanish language media,” said Telelatino Network president Aldo Di Felice, in the announcement. “Univision is the most recognized and respected Spanish language media brand in North America and is…
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OTTAWA – Spending on tangible public benefits related to the acquisition of regulated Canadian broadcast television assets declined significantly to $108.8 million (all for English-language benefits initiatives) in the 2012-2013 broadcast year, according to new research from research and consulting firm Boon Dog Professional Services.
For the year ended August 31, 2013, spending on television benefits by various Canadian broadcasters dropped 39% ($68.3 million) from a record high of $177.1 million in 2011-2012. Of that $108.8 million, 76% ($82.7 million) went to on-screen/programming-related initiatives – primarily the creation of new Canadian programming – and the remaining 24% ($26.1 million) went…
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LOS ANGELES – Despite the increasingly powerful competitive threat posed by large Internet video providers like Netflix, some top cable executives believe that Netflix may start producing some benefits for them as well.
Speaking on an opening panel of the Cable Show here Tuesday, the optimistic MSO executives argued that Netflix may actually come to the aid of the cable industry now that a number of cable operators have struck peering or carriage deals with the online bide king. They seemed hopeful that these recent deals, such as last week's carriage agreements between Netflix and three…
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OTTAWA – Sun News has cracked the programming lineup at Bell.
The network said Wednesday that it has secured “a long-term spot” on Bell TV's basic satellite television and in Bell Fibe packages, and will also soon be available for the first time ever to Bell Aliant customers. Viewers can find Sun News Network on Bell Satellite TV on channel 506, on Bell Fibe channel 531 (or 1531 for HD) and on Bell Aliant channel 232.
The network said that the agreements follow a CRTC ruling in December “that told cable and satellite TV providers to treat all Canadian news channels…
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TORONTO – Alan Dark is leaving CBC’s Revenue Group to become vice president of national sales for Rogers Media, effective May 26.
In this newly-created role, Dark (pictured) will be responsible for implementing a compelling and differentiated go-to-market OneCall strategy to drive advertising revenue that leverages Rogers’ media assets and brands. Based in Toronto, he will also set the strategic direction for the national sales teams, including the five national agency teams, sports, and specialty.
Dark has more than 16 years of experience in broadcast and digital media sales, integrated media development, sales strategy, strategic planning, and business development, most recently…
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VANCOUVER – From restaurants and coffee shops to dry cleaners and yoga studios, Canadians can now earn points and redeem offers at local small businesses in Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary thanks to the launch of Vicinity.
Vicinity, a Rogers Communications company, gives customers access to a single loyalty card that can be used to redeem offers and collect rewards across a network of participating small business locations. Customers may register for a Vicinity rewards loyalty card at any participating local business or online, and track their points through their online rewards profile or on the Vicinity mobile app available on Android and iPhone smartphones.
Small…
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