REGINA – It’s been an jarring 18 months for SCN, the former Saskatchewan provincial public broadcaster, and viewers in the province.
Back in the first half of 2010, the government there decided to close the channel down, citing a need to cut costs and get out of non-core government initiatives such as television few seemed to watch. However, just before the government faded it to black, Bluepoint Investments, which is headed by advertising executive Bruce Claassen, stepped into the breach and paid $350,000 for the operation.
The CRTC approved the transaction in late 2010 and altered the…
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TORONTO – Canadians believe that faster network speeds, smaller laptops, and purchases over their wireless device will be part of their future in 2012 and beyond, according to a new survey commissioned by Rogers Communications.
The survey, conducted by Vision Critical earlier this month among more than 1,000 adult Canadian smart phone or tablet users, is the first of the Rogers Innovation Report which seeks to explore Canadians' habits and views on technological innovations.
According to those surveyed, the top technology predictions include:
– Smaller and lighter laptops: 85% of respondents believe that laptops will continue to get smaller and lighter and fit into…
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OTTAWA – BDUs must provide at least 60 days notice to broadcasters before changing their terms of carriage, packaging or retailing of any programming service, the CRTC has reiterated to carriers in a letter this week.
The Commission drove home this point, originally set out in Broadcasting Public Notice 2005-35, at the behest of the Independent Broadcast Group/Le groupe de diffuseurs indépendants (IBG/GDI). In a letter to the CRTC, one that also copied vertically integrated companies Rogers, Bell, Shaw and Quebecor, the group expressed concern that the notice policy might be discounted by the big BDUs.
“If adequate notice is not provided,…
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TORONTO – Rogers-owned Citytv has launched a new app that allows viewers to socialize with fellow Canadians while enjoying their favourite Citytv programming.
The Citytv Social Stream is available now for free download at iTunes Canada, and will officially debut with the Citytv New Year’s Bash on December 31. In addition to live chats with Citytv talent and performers, viewers may also upload their own New Year’s photos. The chat also connects to Twitter, featuring all tweets that include the #Citytv2012 hash tag.
"The Citytv Social Stream App embodies the future of viewer-to-viewer digital interaction while watching live programming," said Andrea Gagliardi, senior…
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TORONTO – CTAM Canada has confirmed its new officers and board members approved for 2012.
The officers are:
– President: David Purdy, Rogers Communications;
– Vice President and Co-Chair Education: Sean Luxton, Insight Sports;
– Vice President and Co-Chair Marketing & Communications: Dominique Cornellier, Astral Télé Réseaux;
– Secretary: Gordon Lee, Corus Entertainment; and
– Treasurer: Ryan Zane, Rogers Communications.
And the board of directors includes:
– Education Co-Chair: Peter Kovacs, Rogers Communications;
– Events Chair: Alyson Townsend, Canadian Cable Systems Alliance;
– Marketing & Communications Co-Chair: Julie Kumaria, Astral Television Networks;
– Marketing & Communications Co-Chair: Jeremy McCarthy, Hollywood Suite
– Member Recruitment Co-Chair: Isabelle Bertrand, AOV;
– Member Recruitment Co-Chair:…
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CORD-CUTTING, OR SHAVING, could take a big, 1.7-billion-dollar bite out of Canadian television distribution revenues by 2017, according to a new report from RBC Capital Markets.
While that sounds pretty painful, the reports authors call that a modest hit to an industry which pulls in some $10 billion annually. The real challenge will be after that, during what they call the 2017-’19 inflection period, where cord-cutting could really accelerate, especially if over-the-top video services grab much more of the premium programming and the traditional industry isn’t proactive.
“Prior to our OTT inflection period, we do not expect the financial impact of…
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TORONTO – Rogers Communications has introduced an app that lets customers stream live TV channels on their iPads, offering the freedom to watch shows from anywhere in the home.
The Rogers Live TV app is available via WiFi to Rogers digital television customers in Ontario who subscribe to Rogers Hi-Speed Internet with a ‘MyRogers’ account. At launch, customers will be able to stream 20 channels through their iPad, with more channels, and a version for Android tablets, coming soon.
"Rogers Live TV app is a key component of our TV Anywhere vision and lets customers experience live TV on their tablets…
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TORONTO – With the lockout over, NBA basketball is returning to Canadian sports networks starting this month.
TSN and TSN2 will post up as the official broadcaster of the Toronto Raptors and the NBA in Canada starting December 25 with a 74-game package including 37 Raptors match-ups. In addition, the channels will carry the NBA all-star game, playoffs, and exclusive Canadian coverage of the NBA finals.
Matt Devlin and Jack “The Coach” Armstrong will call the games, while Rod Black will host coverage alongside analyst Leo Rautins in the TSN Studio and on-site at the Air Canada Centre.
Sportsnet will air 29 regular-season…
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OTTAWA – Some companies are telling Industry Canada that it shouldn’t rush to open up TV white spaces spectrum, while another is saying let’s get on with it.
In reply comments to the consultation (that we first reported on here), the majority urges the department to consider all the pros and cons, ensure over-the-air TV isn’t negatively affected and watch how rollouts in other markets go before making a final decision on how it’s going to proceed. They say this will best ensure Canada gets it right.
As was argued by several parties in…
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TORONTO – Rogers Media announced Monday that Telus will now offer FX Canada to its Optik TV subscribers in Alberta and British Columbia.
Beginning yesterday, Rogers-owned FX Canada is available to Telus Optik TV subscribers in Alberta and British Columbia in standard definition on channel 188 and coming soon on demand and in high definition on channel 690 in early 2012.
The digital specialty launched last month on Rogers Cable, EastLink and Cable Cable.
www.FXCanada.ca
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