GATINEAU – The CRTC hearing into Rogers Communications’s proposed acquisition of Shaw Communications wrapped up Friday with a reply from Rogers during which the company argued the deal is good for Canadians and for the broadcasting system despite what interveners have said over the past week.
“As our panel highlighted on Monday, there is no question that this transaction is in the public interest,” said Ted Woodhead, senior vice-president of regulatory at Rogers.
“It embraces the transformational moment we face, positioning Canada’s broadcasting system for a strong and sustainable future. With Shaw and Rogers joining forces, Canadian consumers will enjoy more…
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Bell says there are no safeguards that will fix the problems with the proposal
By Amanda OYE
GATINEAU – Intervenors delved deeper into concerns about the impact of Rogers Communications’s proposed acquisition of Shaw Communications on local news and competition Thursday, during day four of the CRTC hearing on the matter.
At the hearing Unifor, a union that represents 5,000 workers in the broadcasting and film industries, presented the Commission with a perspective on what the approval of the transaction could mean for employment and labour in local journalism.
The “broadcast sector in Canada is facing an employment crisis,” said Katha…
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LUDLOW, NB – Rogers Communications announced today it is expanding its fibre network to connect 366 homes and businesses in Ludlow, New Brunswick.
This is a $1.3 million investment to expand Rogers’s fibre network by 60 kilometres, which “will bring Rogers leading services to the community, including Rogers Ignite Internet with up to 1.5 gigabit speed and Ignite TV, Rogers revolutionary TV service,” a press release reads.
“Today’s announcement builds on our commitment to expand our fibre in communities throughout the Miramichi region and offer local residents and business owners reliable, high-speed internet,” said Matt MacLellan, president of the Atlantic region…
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GATINEAU – More concerns about Rogers Communications’s proposed acquisition of Shaw Communications were shared with the CRTC during day three of the hearing, Wednesday.
While the day’s presentations showed the deal definitely has its supporters, it also highlighted the many concerns there are about the consequences of the deal in its current form on the Canadian broadcasting system generally, and on independent broadcasters and consumers specifically.
TLN Media Group Inc. and Ethnic Channels Group Limited, who presented together to highlight issues specific to Canadian ethnic independents, told the Commission that despite their opposition to the deal in their written submission, they…
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HAMILTON, Ont. – Rogers Communications acquired Clearable, a telecommunications technical consulting firm based in Hamilton, Ont., this past September.
Clearcable helps “enable appropriate technology and services for advanced communications by augmenting the existing or building the internal operations for its service provider client base,” according to the company’s website.
The company continues to operate as did before its acquisition by Rogers.
“Since 2004, Clearcable has and continues to focus on promoting, delivering, and supporting broadband connectivity in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities of all sizes,” said Rob McCann, founder of Clearcable, in an emailed statement to Cartt.ca.
“The pandemic has shed light on…
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GATINEAU – The CRTC heard how the approval of Rogers Communications to acquire Shaw Communications’ broadcast assets will impact other organizations in Canada’s broadcast system on Tuesday during the second day of the Commission’s hearing into the matter.
“While the merger makes sense for Rogers and Shaw for their future, it has the unintended consequence of potentially all but destroying the independent broadcasting sector,” said Brad Danks, CEO of OUTtv and OMG Media Group, who participated virtually at the hearing as part of a panel (pictured above) representing Independent Broadcasters Group (IBG).
Danks argued if the deal goes through, Rogers will…
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Commission asks Rogers to further consider proposals from interveners
By Amanda OYE
GATINEAU – Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications extolled the virtue of their proposed merger on the first day of the week-long CRTC hearing into the broadcasting side of the deal while Commission panel members grilled them on safeguards and the public interest.
“Joining forces with Rogers not only makes sense for Shaw, it makes sense for Canada,” Brad Shaw, executive chair and CEO of Shaw Communications told the Commission. “Combining the complementary assets of our two companies allows Rogers and Shaw to invest so much more than the sum of…
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VANCOUVER — In response to the state of emergency in British Columbia due to recent flooding, Rogers Communications announced last week it is donating $1 million to B.C. Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) through a new multi-year partnership.
The donation will provide “immediate and long-term support to critical search and rescue services in B.C.,” reads a Rogers press release issued last Friday.
It will also support BCSARA’s legacy fund as well as “new technology and specialized equipment for the 79 local teams and 3,000 professional volunteers, all of whom have been called upon to conduct air, swift water, and marine rescues…
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MCQUADE, NB – Rogers Communications announced today it is investing $1.5 million to connect 320 homes and businesses along Route 490, near McQuade, New Brunswick to high-speed Internet.
This will involve expanding Rogers’s fibre network across 30 kms. The company expects construction to be finished by the end of next year.
“Once completed, residents and businesses will have access to the full suite of services including Rogers Ignite Internet with speeds of up to 1.5 gigabit per second and Rogers leading IPTV service, Ignite TV,” a press release says.
“Rogers network investments, which have exceeded $60 billion over the past three decades,…
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GATINEAU – Despite attempts to delay it, the CRTC hearing into Rogers Communications Inc.’s application to acquire Shaw Communications Inc.’s broadcast assets will begin Monday, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. MT/11 a.m. ET.
“Edward Rogers, Brad Shaw and members of their respective executive and regulatory teams will be appearing on next weeks panel,” a Rogers spokesperson confirmed with Cartt.ca via email.
The CRTC announced this morning the hearing will be held in a hybrid format and as such, only parties appearing in person will be allowed in. It will be available to watch on the CRTC’s website.
Throughout the week,…
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