GATINEAU – Saying that two proposed purchases would violate its common station ownership policy, the CRTC has denied Jim Pattison Broadcast Group’s application to purchase two more stations in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
In 2007, Pattison agreed to buy CKIZ-FM Vernon from Rogers Media and CIGV-FM Penticton from Great Valleys Radio for undisclosed purchase prices.
However, Pattison already owns two FM stations in Kelowna, which is less than 60 kms from either of Penticton or Vernon and the proximity means that such concentration of ownership in the valley runs contrary to CRTC policy, says the decision.
“As set out…
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GATINEAU – Reply comments filed with the CRTC on Friday on its broadcasting distribution undertakings and specialty services policy review don’t show anyone has changed their minds. They’ve mostly dug right in, as expected.
(And, we’ll set aside the fee for carriage debate right away for this particular piece. Over-the-air broadcasters and producers who look to see more funds flow their way want consumers to pay a fee for conventional TV stations. Cable and satellite companies do not. We’ll dive deeper into the issue in a later story.)
This story, however, is a tale of two extremes. We looked…
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MONTREAL – Four unnamed suitors have submitted bids for Quebec’s financially strapped TQS television network, but neither Rogers Communications nor RNC Média (Radio Nord Communications), who have been rumoured as suitors for the troubled French broadcaster, are among them.
TQS and the court-appointed controller, RSM Richter, said late Monday that four offers were received by the Monday deadline and they will be evaluated in the coming days. TQS entered bankruptcy protection in December and the courts gave the company until this week to find firm offers.
“The deposit of these four firm offers demonstrates the industry’s interest in TQS…
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MEDICINE HAT – The region is a country hotbed but today Rogers Broadcasting launched new FM radio station Rock 105.3 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
The first rock station in the local market will feature artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nickelback, AC/DC and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
In order to accelerate the launch of this newly licensed station, Rock 105.3 will initially broadcast from a "boom box" and trailer from the Trans Canada Highway. A permanent facility will be secured in the future. Rogers has appointed Rogers’ broadcasting executive and Alberta native, Tony Marsh, as general manager….
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TORONTO – The simple act of making sure advertisers mention their web address in their radio ad will boost those clients’ sales says a further analysis of the Foundation Research study released last month by the Radio Marketing Bureau.
“Over the past few years we’ve seen some significant growth in the marketing power of radio when combined with the Internet,” said Chris Bandak, president of Foundation Research Group. “This year was no exception and traditional radio ranks highest as the medium most used in combination with the Internet. So how does it work? A clever spot plays on the…
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TORONTO – “2007 was a year of continued solid growth in customers, revenues and cash flow while at the same time we further de-leveraged our balance sheet, simplified our corporate structure and laid the groundwork for returning increasing amounts of cash to our shareholders," said Ted Rogers, president and CEO of Rogers Communications, in the press release announcing his company’s fourth quarter 2007 results.
"While we have much to do in continuing to reinforce our services and systems, I am confident that we are exceptionally well positioned to carry on our growth and success in 2008 and beyond."
Consolidated…
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OTTAWA – CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein didn’t touch much on the Canadian Television Fund (CTF), but did announce Thursday morning that the Commission would hold a hearing on new media in the fall or winter.
“I have nothing to say on that subject today, except that our decision and recommendations will be released in a timely manner,” von Finckenstein told a room of producers and other delegates at the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA)’s Prime Time annual conference in Ottawa.
Canadian Heritage minister Josee Verner in a speech Friday night that kicked off the conference…
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TORONTO – Toronto high school students can help reduce e-waste and support local food banks under Rogers Communications new Phones-for-Food High School Challenge.
Today at Daily Bread Food Bank, with John Gerretsen, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, grade 12 students from Earl Haig, Central Technical and RH King Academy High Schools entered the race to collect as many used wireless devices as possible over the next month.
The school that gathers the most cell phones per graduating student by March 26th will win $3,000 towards the graduating class’s commencement ceremonies. Second and third place schools will be awarded $1,250…
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OTTAWA – Minister of Industry Jim Prentice has been “about to” introduce new copyright legislation for about three months now at least, according to Ottawa sources.
Perhaps March will be the month it happens…
In the meantime, the Business Coalition for Balanced Copyright has submitted a position paper to the minister “urging the government to strike a balance in copyright reform that reflects the needs of users and creators,” says its letter.
Besides the members in the headline, the BCBC also includes smaller stakeholders like EastLink, Cogeco Cable, SaskTel, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association and the Retail Council of…
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TORONTO – On Monday, the Biography Channel kicks off a comprehensive rebranding of the network, now to be called Bio, the network for ‘Great People Watching’.
Bio will feature a new on-air look, logo (below), and shift in focus to reality programming and features on current newsmakers around the world. “Bio will provide Canadians with top-quality programming and special series that connect viewers with top personalities – from the Hollywood tabloid and pop culture favorites to the business and political juggernauts of the day,” says the release.
“We are excited to build on our already successful brand with the…
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