Search Results for: rogers

Radio / Television News

Al Jazeera English launches on SaskTel

TORONTO – Al Jazeera English launched on SaskTel this week, making it available to over 97,000 SaskTel maxTV subscribers through channel 58. The international news channel, which launched in Canada in 2010, is now available through Telus, Bell TV, Rogers, Cogeco, Shaw Cable, Videotron, MTS Allstream and CCSA member cable systems.  Al Jazeera already reaches more than 250 million homes in over 130 countries around the world. “Subscribers to SaskTel maxTV service now have access to Al Jazeera English’s comprehensive offering of news, documentaries and programmes from over seventy bureaus worldwide,” said Kimeran Daley, head… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC confirms tab contracts fall under new Wireless Code

OTTAWA – The CRTC cleared up confusion around how the new Wireless Code applies to wireless services with tab billing models (tab contracts) in response to queries from Rogers and Telus. Under a tab contract, the customer obtains a device at a reduced upfront cost and the amount of the device subsidy goes onto the customer’s “tab.” Thereafter, a percentage of the customer’s monthly bill is used to “pay down” their tab. In its response, the Commission also provided clarification on how the maximum early cancellation fee may be calculated for tab contracts, and what… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Corus’ Murphy added to panel at OAB conference

MARKHAM, ON – Corus Entertainment COO Doug Murphy will join the panel of the executive town hall session next week at the Ontario Association of Broadcasters’ fall conference. Moderated by radio executive Ross Davies, the session will ask high level industry executives from different areas of the broadcast industry to provide their perspective on the state of radio, television and advertising.  Other confirmed panelists include: – Caroline Gianias; EVP trade & communications activation, Aegis Media;– Patrick Grierson; president, Canadian Broadcast Sales;– Catherine Kelly; VP electronic operations, BBM Canada;– Geoff Poulton; president, Vista Radio;– Raj Shoan; Ontario Commissioner, CRTC; and Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

New attempt to sell Mobilicity to Telus reportedly fails

OTTAWA – The federal government has quashed another try by Mobilicity to sell itself to Telus. According to a Globe and Mail report on Wednesday, Industry Canada confirmed late Tuesday that it provided a confidential answer to Mobilicity about a potential transaction that the small carrier was trying to complete while under court protection from its creditors. Although IC declined to comment on the substance of its response, the story says that sources confirmed that government officials turned down the proposed sale.  Telecom analyst Dvai Ghose, Managing Director/Head of Research for Canaccord Genuity,… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

This week in Choice: Cassaday says a-la-carte could lead to overall gains; Netflix on set-tops?

THURSDAY WAS DARN BUSY (in fact, as we write this, it’s Friday morning). The CRTC launched its national conversation with Canadians on our TV system and each of Rogers Communications, Corus Entertainment and Shaw Communications released their latest quarterly results. A common theme among the public appearances by CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais in Laval and Toronto, as well as the conference calls led by Rogers CEO Nadir Mohamed, Corus CEO John Cassaday and Shaw CEO Brad Shaw was how providing more choice for consumers when it comes to… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Revenue up but wireless down at Rogers

TORONTO – Rogers said Thursday that third quarter revenues increased by 2%, aided by growth in its cable and media divisions. Consolidated revenue for the period ended September 30 was $3.22 billion, up from $3.18 billion at the same time last year.  Net income under standard accounting was down slightly to $464 million from $466 million last year, while adjusted net income was $501 million, up from $495 million. The company reported a 4% revenue growth in its Cable division to $873 million; a 12% increase at its Media division to $440 million; and an… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

City serves up new BT iPhone app

TORONTO – Rogers-owned City has launched a new iPhone app for its popular local morning show brand Breakfast Television. Available free at the App Store, the app allows viewers to wake-up with its built in custom alarm clock, and then watch a live, full-screen video stream of their local show.  It also includes content such as weather and traffic customized for its six local editions in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. www.breakfasttelevision.ca Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CABLE-TEC 2013: Look for more apps on cable boxes as U.S. MSOs standardize on RDK

ATLANTA – It looks like other major North American and international cable operators may soon join Comcast in deploying new cable boxes outfitted with standardized software for IP video set-tops and gateways. In fact, at least three other large MSOs — Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Liberty Global  –  either have already committed to rolling out cable boxes equipped with the new Reference Design Kit (RDK) software bundle or are strongly considering doing so over the next year. Speaking at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo Show here earlier this week, leading technologists from all three cable companies expressed… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telecom 2013 kicks off next week

TORONTO – Don’t miss Telecom 2013, the annual telecom showcase and forum for telecom, IT, and contact centre managers. Scheduled for October 29 – 30 at the Old Mill Toronto, the event offers a unique chance to meet and exchange with key industry suppliers and independent experts.  The event is organized by Neotelis and industry partners include Bell, Avaya, HP, Microsoft, Cisco, Genesys, Rogers, Telus, and many others. For registration and more information, click here Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

COMMENTARY: Industry must embrace feds a-la-carte push. It’s the only option

INDUSTRY MINISTER JAMES MOORE likely caused a number of folks in the Canadian subscription TV business to choke on their turkey this Thanksgiving weekend. In a few media interviews, Moore dropped a preview bomb of this Wednesday’s Throne Speech by saying the federal Conservative government will make it its business to micromanage sectors of the economy, beginning with dismantling the TV channel packaging practices of Canadian broadcasters and broadcast distribution undertakings. “We don’t think it’s right for Canadians to have to pay for bundled television channels that they don’t watch,” he told CTV’s Question Period in an interview broadcast Sunday… Continue Reading