ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing 2008 Mark Awards finalists were announced today and in the running are three Canadian companies.
The Mark Awards competition recognizes the cable industry’s finest marketing and spotlights the creators of the work. Teams of experienced marketing and agency executives chose 172 finalists out of more than 900 entries, each of which will win either a Gold or Silver Mark Award.
The Gold and Silver winners will be announced at the Mark Awards Presentation during the CTAM Summit on Sunday, November 9, from 5:00 – 6:15 p.m. The event will…
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GATINEAU – In an attempt to reflect the converging industries it regulates, the CRTC today issued its first ever monitoring report that covers the entire telecom, cable and broadcast industry.
The first Communications Monitoring Report shows that the Canadian communications industry posted revenues of $51.1 billion in 2007, an increase of 5.7% over the $48.3 billion reported in 2006.
"The convergence of technologies and industries has dramatically reshaped the communications landscape in recent years," said Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., chairman of the CRTC. "This year’s monitoring report gives us our first comprehensive look at the state of the overall…
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TORONTO – Rogers Communications said today that it has priced a US$1.75 billion underwritten public offering of debt securities, consisting of US$1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.8% senior notes due 2018 and US$350 million aggregate principal amount of 7.5% senior notes due 2038.
The net proceeds from the issuance of the debt securities will be approximately US$1.73 billion, which are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of a portion of RCI’s outstanding debt. Pending any such use, RCI may invest the net proceeds in bank deposits and short-term marketable securities. The sale of…
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TORONTO – Rogers Communications share price dipped somewhat today as the company missed analysts expectations, but overall, the wireless, telecom, cable and media company turned in a solid second quarter of 2008, ended June 30, 2008.
Highlights of the second quarter of 2008 (taken right from the RCI press release) include the following:
* Generated continued double-digit growth in quarterly revenue and adjusted operating profit of 11% and 17%, respectively, while net income increased to $301 million (or to $364 million on an adjusted basis), and adjusted operating profit less interest expense and PP&E additions rose 20% to $475…
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DARTMOUTH, N.S.- Newcap Inc. announced today it will pay Haliburton Broadcasting $18.95 million for 12 FM stations in Central and Northern Ontario.
The press release doesn’t specify the stations exactly, but Haliburton owns 12 English-language radio licenses across Ontario’s cottage country and into northeastern Ontario which are branded Moose FM.
The stations are all generally A/C, classic rock or light rock stations and several are the only local FM signal in the market. The Moose stations’ frequencies and towns are: 106.3 North Bay; 93.1 Timmins; 97.7 Bancroft; 99.5 Bracebridge; 93.5 Haliburton; 105.5 Huntsville; 101.3 Parry Sound; 98.1 Cochrane; 94.1…
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OTTAWA – The Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC), based at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, has asked the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to open an investigation into targeted web advertising.
Using certain technologies, including deep packet inspection, Canadian ISPs can identify tendencies of its users in order to better target the web ads sent to their computer screens as they search. The idea is to deliver better, more relevant ads to consumers and deliver better, more relevant customers to advertisers.
The practice, known as behavioral targeting, is used in many jurisdictions, such as…
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TORONTO – Rogers Sportsnet has announced it will increase the number of Toronto Maple Leafs games it will televise to 28 this season, more than any other broadcaster. All telecasts will be available in high definition on Rogers Sportsnet HD.
Sportsnet will also broadcast an exhibition game between Toronto and the Buffalo Sabres on September 22nd, which is at no cost to fans to attend.
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DARTMOUTH – Newcap and Rogers Broadcasting Limited have agreed to exchange radio stations subject to approval from the CRTC.
Newcap will exchange its CFDR AM broadcast licence in Halifax, Nova Scotia and receive in return Rogers’ CIGM AM licence in Sudbury, Ontario and $5.0 million. Both parties have simultaneously submitted applications for this transfer of assets along with applications requesting conversion of the AM licences to FM.
"If approved by the CRTC, this transaction will improve service to the public with superior FM quality signals in both Halifax and Sudbury. We have owned CFDR for over 20 years, and…
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TORONTO – The unions and guilds that represent Canada’s professional performers, directors and screenwriters are lining up in support of The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) efforts to secure equitable agreements for program rights in negotiations with the major private broadcast networks, as well as the CBC.
"We support the independent producers’ position that equitable terms of trade agreements are needed to secure fairer deals for program rights," said Stephen Waddell, national executive director of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA). "Reaching fair terms for granting rights is a struggle with which we…
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A NUMBER OF PEOPLE have mentioned through 2008 that this has been an especially tumultuous year for the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance, and some have questioned its vitality.
Regulatory changes, economic challenges, member company departures thanks to acquisitions, more new technology. Aren’t all of these issues conspiring to damage the CCSA and its membership? In a word: No. In a few more words: These are the very challenges the CCSA has confronted head-on since its origination. 2008 doesn’t present anything new.
Members have always come and gone. Founding member Fundy Cable is long gone, for example. However, when 500,000-plus-customer…
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