CALGARY – Cable and media conglomerate Shaw Communications announced this morning consolidated revenue for the three and nine month periods of $1.33 billion and $3.90 billion, respectively, was up 4% and 3% over the comparable periods last year.
Total operating income before amortization of $585 million improved 3% over the comparable quarterly period and the year-to-date amount of $1.72 billion was up 6%, says the press release. Free cash flow for the three and nine month periods was $138 million and $543 million, respectively, compared to $203 million and $379 million for the comparable periods last year. Increased operating income…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Canadians who bundle their television, Internet and telephone services with the same provider are generally happier customers and are likely to recommend their provider to family and friends, according to a J.D. Power report released Thursday.
According to the Television Provider Customer Satisfaction Study, 83% of customers bundle their TV and Internet service with the same provider, while 17% subscribe to just TV service with their telecom provider. Among customers who bundle, 59% also have telephone service with their provider—commonly referred to as a triple-play package.
(The Television Provider Customer Satisfaction Study measures overall satisfaction with television providers based…
Continue Reading
GATINEAU – The CRTC today approved the $3.2 billion purchase of Astral Media by BCE Inc., but Bell’s regulatory people have MUCH paperwork to file before July 29th in order to satisfy the various conditions of the approval. That said, there doesn’t appear to be anything surprising in the decision which could scuttle the transaction.
As most are well aware, this is the second time Bell attempted to purchase Astral, as the Commission said no to the original 2012 deal last October.
Bell executives pronounced themselves pleased Friday morning, and so they are obviously okay with all the conditions, all of…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Will the CRTC approve the deal to let BCE Inc. take control of Astral Media? After weeks of speculation (and 15 months since its intitial bid for Astral was announced), that question will finally be answered Thursday, as the CRTC has confirmed it will release its decision about the Bell/Astral merger June 27, at 4 p.m.
Cartt.ca editor and publisher Greg O’Brien will be in Ottawa tomorrow at the media lock-up at 2:30 p.m. to view the decision just prior to its official release. CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais will address the…
Continue Reading
WINDSOR, ON – CBC announced today that its CBC News: Windsor at 6 newscast will be expanding to 90 minutes in September 2013, however it is cancelling the station’s nightly 10-minute news format at 11 p.m. in order to support the expanded news show.
“We’re pleased to offer an expanded news format as part of our commitment to CBC’s 2015 strategic plan,” said Shawna Kelly, managing editor of CBC Windsor, in a release. “CBC Windsor is looking forward to providing more local services aimed at deepening our community connections.”
CBC says the expanded newscast, in addition…
Continue Reading
LOS ANGELES, CALIF – The Bell Media Agency has been recognized with a Global Excellence Award for marketing team of the year at the PromaxBDA Awards held last Thursday.
Bell Media Agency also won 20 global excellence and 26 North American medals in various categories for its CTV, Much Music, TSN, Space, BNN, Bravo, CP24, and Discovery networks and specialty channels at this year’s awards, in addition to its first-ever win of the marketing team of the year award.
With this year’s wins, Bell Media Agency has garnered more than 300 Promax awards, which recognize…
Continue Reading
WINNIPEG, TORONTO, MONTREAL, CALGARY – As residents of Calgary and other communities in southern Alberta struggle to clean up in the wake of last week’s extreme flooding, several national and regional broadcasters and telecoms have donated resources to help residents and flood response efforts.
MTS Allstream today announced that it will be supporting disaster relief efforts with a $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross. The national communications provider is also sending one of its Toronto-based employees, Ella West, to help lead the relief effort in the role of director of relief operations for the Red Cross.
Continue Reading
TORONTO – The realities of the wireless market in Canada and globally continue to tell most people that no matter what the federal government tries or what anyone says, chances are slim that a fourth viable wireless player in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario will find success.
Add BMO Capital Markets telecom, cable and media analyst Tim Casey to the chorus of those who believe the federal government has muddled and mishandled the wireless file and that there doesn’t seem to be a way forward to its stated political goals. Noting that Industry Minister Christian Paradis has been on record several…
Continue Reading
CALGARY, ALTA – Shaw Communications said today it has donated $1 million to Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, the first official charity partner of the Shaw Charity Classic golf tournament.
Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta helps families face childhood cancer by providing programs and funding in four areas: camp; research; hospital programs; and scholarships. Since its inception in 1991, Kids Cancer Care has sent thousands of children affected by cancer to camp thanks to the generous support of the community.
“Family is at the very core of what Shaw Communications is all about,”…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Specialty investment company Difference Capital Financial announced today the appointment of Jim Shaw and Ivan Fecan to its board of directors.
Shaw is best known for his 12 years as CEO of Shaw Communications. He joined the company his father founded in 1982, moving through a succession of leadership positions in the company. Under his leadership as CEO, the share price of Shaw Communications increased 11% per year and the company became a leader in the North American cable industry. Currently, he serves as a director of Shaw Communications Inc. and United Communities L.P.
Fecan was president and CEO…
Continue Reading
