TORONTO – Canada’s telco TV providers say that they are getting better and better at eating their cable competitors’ lunch, so to speak. And, they have no intention of easing up any time soon.
Bell Aliant, MTS, SaskTel and Telus met with broadcasters and content providers this week in Toronto to chat about their successes and plans for the future. And, they introduced a new member of their informal consortium, TbayTel, who recently began offering digital TV in Thunder Bay, ON.
The majority of the telcos extolled the virtues of their Microsoft Mediaroom platform, particularly how it allows them to offer functionality…
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OTTAWA – Mario Mota, vice-president of broadcasting policy and regulatory affairs at the Canadian Media Production Association has decided to leave the organization, members were informed this week.
After nearly five years with CMPA (formerly the CFTPA) Mota tells Cartt.ca that he intends to work on his private consulting practice he runs with his wife, Boon Dog Professional Services – and may even do some work for the association.
“Over the past four and a half years Mario has been a key asset to the Association,” said CMPA president and CEO Norm Bolen in a note to the membership. “His passion,…
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TORONTO and OTTAWA – Shaw’s acquisition of the TV assets formerly controlled by Canwest Global garnered cautious approval from a number of industry stakeholders.
After the Commission gave its official thumbs up to the deal on Friday, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) issued a statement saying that while it welcomed “the stability (the acquisition) will being to Canada’s broadcasting sector”, it said that the deal’s tangible benefits package “falls short”.
The group, which represents professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada, also said that it is “wary of the extreme level of convergence in Canadian media”….
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GATINEAU – Canada’s major cable companies and telcos are squaring off against MTS Allstream and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre over the CRTC’s authority to mandate broadband as an essential service in the so-called “Obligation to Serve” CRTC proceeding beginning Tuesday in Timmins, Ont.
Comments filed with the CRTC in late August show that Bell Canada, Telus and all of the large cablecos are, not surprisingly, opposed to any Commission intervention on this matter, while PIAC and MTS firmly believe that the CRTC can make broadband essential.
The issue has become a central theme in the proceeding which will cover…
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CALGARY – As has been expected, Brad Shaw, the younger brother of CEO Jim, has been appointed chief executive officer of Shaw Communications, effective January 13, 2011. After 12 years as CEO, Jim has decided to step down and recommended Brad as his successor, the company reported this morning.
The younger Shaw fils has been taking on more of a public profile for the last 12 months or so, appearing at a number of industry events, even leading the Shaw team through much of the Shaw-Canwest purchase hearing in front of the CRTC in September.
(We even speculated, correctly as it…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications will take full ownership of Canwest Global on Wednesday, the company announced this afternoon, just after the CRTC said it approved of the transaction.
"We are pleased with the comprehensive and expeditious review of the transaction conducted by the CRTC. We felt that we had a constructive and positive dialogue with the CRTC, and other interested parties, with respect to the transaction’s impact on the Canadian broadcasting industry,” said CEO and vice-chair Jim Shaw, in a release.
“We look forward to strengthening the Industry going forward through innovation, technology enhancements, additional investment, and a commitment to…
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GATINEAU – Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Shaw Communications will soon own Canwest Global’s TV properties as the final regulatory hurdle was cleared this afternoon.
The CRTC today approved Shaw’s acquisition of the conventional television stations and specialty channels controlled by Canwest Global Communications.
“We are satisfied that this transaction will generate substantial benefits for the Canadian broadcasting system,” said Konrad von Finckenstein chairman of the CRTC, in the press release.
“Shaw will provide the television properties involved in the transaction with stable ownership as they emerge from a period of uncertainty. The broadcasting system also stands to gain from Shaw’s commitment to…
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CALGARY – Consolidated service revenue at Shaw Communications for the fourth quarter and full fiscal 2010 year of $939 million and $3.72 billion was up 8% and 10%, respectively, over the comparable periods last year.
This will be the last full fiscal year as a pure carrier company and under CEO Jim Shaw, as the company will close its purchase of Canwest Global on October 27th and Jim’s brother Brad is slated to take the CEO’s seat January 13th.
Total service operating income before amortization of $423 million and $1.76 billion, respectively, improved 7% and 14% over the same periods. Excluding…
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GATINEAU – Since all of the country’s biggest broadcasters (save CBC) will soon all be owned by Canada’s biggest carriers, the CRTC has announced a new proceeding to examine safeguards to prevent anti-competitive behaviour.
The proceeding will include a public hearing starting on May 9, 2011, in Gatineau, Que.
“The broadcasting industry is being significantly reshaped by a series of major transactions,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, chairman of the CRTC, in the press release. “As a regulator, it’s only prudent that we study the implications to ensure we have the right tools to deal with competitive concerns as they arise….
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TORONTO – Silver Screen Classics and Movieola-The Short Film Channel have been added to the Shaw Cable lineup, reports Channel Zero, the two channels’ parent company.
“Silver Screen Classics offers the best in westerns, musicals, comedies and gritty film noirs,” noted said Cal Millar, president of Channel Zero “and all of it without commercial interruption.”
Movieola features the very best in action, drama and comedy short film, from Academy Award and global film festival winners to cult favourites. “Short form content is a fast growing and in demand programming category in today’s quick-paced society,” said Jennifer Chen, director of programming for…
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