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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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,”…
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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…
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BANFF – Industry reps from the Canada Media Fund, Telefilm Canada and the Canadian Media Production Association presented highlights to attendees at the Banff World Media Festival being held this week on a new national promotion strategy and new branding to promote Canadian content.
CMF president and CEO Valerie Creighton, Telefilm Canada executive director Carolle Brabant, and CMPA president and CEO Michael Hennessy are part of a working group focussing on increasing awareness and interest in Canadian content and on developing partnerships with various industry leaders. The project, initially dubbed “Watch Canada,” evolved from a symposium…
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OTTAWA – Shaw Communications now has 100% ownership of specialty channel TVtropolis after the CRTC approved its application in a decision Tuesday to acquire Rogers’ 33% interest in the Category A service for a reported $59 million.
The acquisition of Rogers’ remaining interest in TVtropolis is part of a number of transactions between Shaw and Rogers announced in January. At that time Rogers said it would acquire Shaw’s cable system in Hamilton, Ont. and secure an option to purchase Shaw’s Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum holdings in 2014. Rogers said it would also enter into…
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TORONTO – Global hopes you’ll tune in July 3 to watch Canada’s shortest game show.
At 90 seconds in length, the new program is actually a commercial featuring the grand prize winning segment of Royale’s 50th anniversary Golden Kittens Search Contest that will air during that night’s episode of Entertainment Tonight Canada.
The segment will look exactly like a game show featuring ET Canada host Rick Campanelli and five selected finalists filmed on a custom-built set in Toronto. Robert Irving, president of Irving Tissue Corporation, makers of Royale bathroom tissue, will present the grand prize…
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