GATINEAU – Since video-on-demand is one of the key components in the cable company arsenal when battling the new, over-the-top video providers for viewers, the CRTC needs to scrap most of its regulations governing VOD, according to Shaw Communications.
In its final reply to the vertical integration hearing (as well as in its OTT fact-finding submission), Canada’s largest TV distributor suggest preserving Canadian content exhibition requirements for VOD, but not much else.
In its final submission on the vertical integration proceeding, the company identifies seven rules that need to go and first on its priority list is the double-dip of…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications is breaking ground on a new energy efficient data centre in Calgary that it says will provide a power boost to its next-generation broadband technology.
The centre, which is scheduled to be completed in spring 2014, incorporates ‘free cooling’ which allows the data centre to keep cool without heavily relying on traditional air conditioning. The low impact technique is in keeping with the company’s commitment to reducing their environmental footprint, Shaw said. In the last year, Shaw has eliminated 5,176 tons of carbon by using renewable wind energy in three of their buildings, the equivalent of taking…
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GATINEAU – Shaw Communications Inc. says that while it prefers a volume-based billing model for wholesale services, it’s prepared to do the work to implement a peak period approach if directed to do so.
The company noted during its appearance on Day 3 of the CRTC’s usage-based billing hearing that if three specific criteria are met either approach could give the independent ISPs the flexibility they need to compete in the market while also appropriately compensating the wholesale network providers.
“We must be able to recover our investments; we must be able to charge more for higher speeds; and there…
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EVEN THE VERTICALLY integrated companies know they need a code of conduct to help guide how – as the 800-pound Canadian gorillas – they do business in a country where they own most of the content and distribution channels.
CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said repeatedly during last month’s vertical integration hearing that he wants to see some sort of code of business practices for vertically integrated media companies set out in writing in order to try and avoid new regulatory and legal battles when the new BDU regulations come into force this September. So final replies, which were due…
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GATINEAU – Independent ISPs and some of their supporters came under significant criticism on day two of the CRTC’s wholesale usage-based billing hearing for wanting to profit off the backs of the incumbent providers and not invest in their own networks because the deal is too good.
CRTC vice-chair of broadcasting Tom Pentefountas first took OpenMedia and the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) to task in the morning session wondering whether there is actually an incentive for the independent ISPs to invest in building out networks. “Isn’t part of the issue that the deal is so…
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OTTAWA – With the Terms of Trade deal between independent producers and five private English-language broadcasters set to come into full force on August 1st, the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) wants members to sign up for one its information sessions to learn how to interpret and implement the deal.
The agreement is a new tool that standardizes business practices and terms between broadcasters and producers. It applies to the entire life cycle of hundreds of independently produced shows commissioned by Astral, Bell Media (CTV), Corus, Rogers and Shaw Media. Some producers got their first glance at the “historic” deal…
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GATINEAU – Shaw Communications used its submission to the CRTC on 2011-344 (the Commission’s fact-finding exercise on over-the-top video) to make some very specific requests the company says will bring regulatory parity between it and OTT providers such as Netflix.
The country’s largest BDU and second-largest broadcasting company wants the Commission to scale back and then eliminate the Canada Media Fund and abolish the Local Programming Improvement Fund, among other things.
Characterizing the entire Canadian TV regulatory framework as “no longer sustainable” in the face of global competition where Canadians can increasingly get access to media from anywhere at any time,…
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KELOWNA – Shaw Media-owned Global Okanagan is reprising its hour-long suppertime news show starting next Monday.
The re-launched CHBC NEWS @ 5, helmed by long-time anchor and producer Rick Webber, will provide Okanagan-Shuswap residents with an extra half-hour of news every weeknight, live from its downtown Kelowna studios starting July 11.
To further extend its reporting footprint across the area, Global Okanagan also announced the return of its live news reporting capability from Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton. It also began transmitting in high definition on Wednesday. Available to Shaw Cable customers on channel 211, the channel will also launch on Shaw…
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GATINEAU – An annual report commissioned by the CRTC confirms what the telecom industry has been saying for a while about their broadband and wireless plans: It ain’t so bad here…
Prepared for the Commission by Ottawa’s Wall Communications, the annual “Price Comparisons of Wireline, Wireless and Internet Services in Canada and with Foreign Jurisdictions” report combines and averages wireline, wireless, broadband and bundled rates in Canada and compares them with plans with other international jurisdictions. The report found that while Canadian rates aren’t the most expensive, they aren’t the cheapest either, that while Canadian broadband speeds aren’t the fastest,…
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CALGARY – Shaw Direct is offering what it calls Canada’s smallest and powerful high definition satellite receiver.
Known as the Essential HD Receiver, the device retails for $99.99 and provides access to Shaw Direct’s HD lineup, its interactive on-screen guide with 14-day look ahead, dynamic search capability and enhanced parental controls. It is also MPEG-4 and 1080p compatible and Shaw says that it’s “future ready” for programming and technological enhancements.
"Shaw Direct continues to be a leader in technology," said president Peter Bissonnette, in the announcement. "The launch of the Essential HD Receiver demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with…
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