TORONTO – A day after Ted Rogers called him out as a possible “corporate welfare bum”, Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau swung back at Rogers (albeit not as colourfully) using one of the niftiest bits of technology we have on the planet – that isn’t available in Canada.
After proclaiming himself “speechless” over Rogers’ comments, Peladeau began his speech to the Empire Club of Toronto by holding aloft an Apple iPhone, and scolded the big three incumbent wireless players (Rogers, Bell Canada and Telus) for not yet having the device in Canada. (The iPhone is a GSM device, however,…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Rogers Digital Cable customers can train for their next Canadian Idol audition in the comfort of their own home with their TVs as the company today launched Karaoke On Demand.
The service is free to all its PersonalTV customers in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland with a digital box.
And, to celebrate the launch of Karaoke On Demand, Rogers is giving away karaoke microphones to the first 500 customers who order a digital box and sign-up at www.rogers.com/karaoke.
Customers can choose from up to 600 songs ranging from the latest pop singles to classic rock and oldies. Using their remote…
Continue Reading
MONT TREMBLANT – There’s just a couple of days left to register for the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance annual general meeting.
Canada’s independent cable operators, their programming and technical suppliers and a distinguished cast of guest speakers will highlight the three days at the base of the mountain.
The event begins Sunday evening with the president’s reception from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and the real meat of the conference is Monday, with Tuesday set aside for the annual – and much anticipated – golf tournament.
Monday’s speakers will be:
* Dean Prevost, Chief Corporate Officer at MTS Allstream Inc.,…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – The NBA’s Toronto Raptors will be seen on five different channels this year, including the CBC, the team announced Wednesday.
All 82 regular-season contests will be televised nationally and for the first time, all of them in high definition (HD). This also marks the sixth straight campaign that the entire regular season schedule will be aired locally.
"We are excited to once again partner with The Score, TSN and Rogers Sportsnet, plus welcome CBC,” said Tom Anselmi, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment executive vice-president and chief operating officer, in a press release. “In addition, Raptors NBA TV…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The rising number of media outlets, many of which are controlled by the same conglomerates, isn’t evidence of a diversity of voices on radio and television, the CRTC was told Wednesday.
Several media unions on Wednesday stated the pooling of media resources from different cities across a chain of stations under the same ownership didn’t equate to more perspectives in the news. Also, requiring a reporter to produce a story for multiple platforms – TV, radio and the web – is contributing to lower quality reports as journalists aren’t left with enough time to research background documents and…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – As Industry Canada ponders the rules that will surround next year’s advanced wireless spectrum auction, Rogers Communications CEO Ted Rogers was in Ottawa today to reiterate just where he and his company stand, while saying the company might be looking to spend between $500 million and $1 billion.
While potential national newcomers like Quebecor and MTS Allstream are demanding spectrum set asides, or caps on how much the incumbents can buy and other favours like mandated tower sharing/roaming in order to get into the wireless business cheaper than they would in an open auction and open…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Not to be confused with diversity in terms of getting more visible minorities on the air, next week’s diversity of voices will be about getting more voices, period, on the air.
The hearing beginning next Monday should be an interesting one, because it will likely hinge on the number of media outlets now available (hundreds or innumerable, if you count the web) versus the number of Canadian media owners (not so innumerable).
“There are more services available to more Canadians than there were 10 years ago,” Canadian Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Glenn O’Farrell told Cartt.ca…
Continue Reading
VANCOUVER – GSM technology is coming to Northern British Columbia as Rogers Wireless said today it is making a $10 million investment in the region to build out the Global System for Mobile communications technology for its wireless voice and data network.
The network expansion will be along the corridor stretching from Prince Rupert to Prince George, one of the fastest growing areas in British Columbia.
The first phase of the network expansion will bring Rogers Wireless service to Prince Rupert and Terrace in November of this year, with the towns of Smithers, Kitimat and Hazelton to follow throughout…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Industry protests over recommendations in the just-released Dunbar-Leblanc report are bound to follow fast and furious in the next few days.
After all, the report recommends the CRTC re-examine simultaneous substitution, possibly reduce the amount of independently produced programming required, and be more pro-active in adjudicating competitive disputes, including distributor undue preference with regard to affiliated TV channels.
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) on the eve the 315-page report, entitled “Review of the Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting Services in Canada,” was released was already voicing its opposition.
Stating it had “significant concerns” with the report prepared by…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Astral Television Networks announced a pair of appointments this week.
Mark Waschulzik has been promoted to the position of Director, Affiliate Marketing. Most recently he has been managing key accounts (such as Rogers, EastLink and Videotron) in addition to his regular duties as Manager, Affiliate Insight & Analysis. “His account experience, analytical background and historical perspective provide him with a unique ability to evaluate new growth opportunities and to ensure they are developed in line with corporate objectives, in tandem with other departments and on budget,” said a company memo from Domenic Vivolo, senior vice-president sales and…
Continue Reading
