OTTAWA – Making sure to set aside cash for TV broadcasters from the auction of 600 MHz wireless spectrum just might drive the prices to be paid for that spectrum too high for some to participate.
Arguments from the integrated wireless/broadcasting companies that they should get a portion of the proceeds from an auction of the 600 MHz band to pay for the transition to new over the air (OTA) frequencies should be dismissed, argues Wind Mobile.
The company notes that setting aside money from a 600 MHz auction could result in higher spectrum licence costs because the integrated…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications second quarter revenue came in at $1.34 billion and at $2.73 billion for the first half of the fiscal year, which are increases of 5% and 3%, respectively, the company announced this morning.
Total operating income before restructuring costs and amortization of $557 million improved 5% over the comparable quarter while the year-to-date amount of $1.16 billion improved 2% over the prior year. The company’s Q2 and first half ended February 28.
Chief Executive Officer, Brad Shaw said, "The positive operating momentum continues across our businesses. We are seeing the financial and operational benefits of…
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LAS VEGAS – With revenues in the traditional subscription TV business trundling along at 1-2% growth – even though subscribers are not cutting or trimming their subscriptions in real numbers yet – expect all the big media companies to jump into the over-the-top pool, if they haven’t already. The potential global growth is too big to ignore.
That was part of the message this morning during a National Association of Broadcasters Super Session panel diving into the burgeoning business that is OTT video.
While the number of people who say they want to cut or trim their subscription TV bill still…
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TORONTO – Guy Laurence insists he’s merely in the foothills of a long climb, pulling along with him the Rogers Communications brand.
He’s surely been active in his 15 months as Rogers CEO (Can it only be 15 months? So much has been done.) Since the announcement back in September 2013 that he would be the new CEO (Laurence officially started December 2 that year), Rogers purchased the national NHL rights in a $5.2 billion, 12-year deal; spent another $3.3 billion on wireless spectrum; unveiled a new Rogers 3.0 plan that is driving the restructuring of the…
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TORONTO – Shaw Media today announced various organizational changes as the media company reshapes its business to better compete in an “evolving media landscape,” the company announced this afternoon.
The changes are based on its plans to redefine the organization from that of a traditional broadcaster to the broader focus of a media organization, reads the release. The organizational realignment is focused around strengthening the two core pillars in Shaw Media's business: Content – the creation, acquisition, scheduling and promotion of content across platforms; and Revenue – the measurement, delivery, monetization and optimization of content across all platforms.
The immediate result…
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TORONTO – Former Bell Media exec Catherine MacLeod has been named as the new president of the Television Bureau of Canada (TVB), replacing Theresa Treutler who stepped down from the role last December.
MacLeod was most recently SVP specialty channels and Bell Media production, where she was responsible for the brand and programming strategies across all of Bell Media’s non-sports specialty television and digital assets, including Discovery, Bravo, Space, Comedy, Much, MTV, and TheLoop.ca, plus was responsible for in-house production and original digital video content. Prior to that, MacLeod was VP business and legal affairs at Bell Media,…
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TORONTO – Shaw Media’s Showcase is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a new look and logo designed to reflect the channel’s “big and dramatic sensibility”.
Beginning this week, viewers will see a refreshed brand, on-air and off-air, infused with colourful creative elements that complement the channel’s famed character-driven dramas and blockbuster movies, reads the announcement. The channel’s distinctive new logo, a throwback to the original Showcase logo, anchors all of the on-air elements, from station ID bugs to advertiser billboards, and is complemented by a vibrant and interchangeable colour scheme used in customized brand image spots. The channel’s new tagline…
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DENVER and TORONTO – Just in time for spring, World Fishing Network will be available on a free preview to cable, satellite and telco subscribers in North America for the month of April and into early May.
Dedicated to the angling lifestyle, the network’s programming includes instruction, tips, travel, tournaments, cooking, boating and outdoor recreation with some of the most recognized personalities in the angling community. Starting April 4, World Fishing Network will begin airing 21 new and returning shows with new episodes, including original productions JP DeRose Breaking Boundaries, Bill Boyce’s Cali and Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi, along…
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OTTAWA–GATINEAU – Canada’s new emergency alert system may have officially launched this week, but it can’t reach all Canadians after some of the country’s biggest TV service providers, including Bell and Shaw, have delayed its full rollout.
Known as Alert Ready, the system notifies Canadians of emergency situations over their radios and through their televisions. Issued by emergency management officials such as fire marshals, police officers and public health personnel, the alerts are meant to warn the public of dangers to life and property, like severe weather, water contamination and industrial disasters, as well as Amber Alerts.
While all cable and satellite…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications has named Vito Culmone as its executive vice-president and chief financial officer, effective June 1, 2015.
With more than 25 years of experience as a financial professional, including 15 years as a senior financial executive, Culmone (right, in his LinkedIn photo) most recently served as CFO for Calgray-based WestJet Airlines Ltd., where he built a strong reputation for his ability to build sustainable shareholder value, reads the announcement. He also has held leadership positions at Molson Inc. and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
"We are excited to attract one of the country's top business and financial executives to become…
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