MARKING A STUNNING break with the past, North American cable operators are now embracing telco-like PON (passive optical network) technology to deliver multimedia services over fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks.
In a key move signaling this change, CableLabs recently announced that it would shortly issue a new set of standards for leveraging Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) technology on fibre lines. The planned new specs are designed to provide a common way of using DOCSIS provisioning and back-office systems for supporting EPON-based fiber networks. Known as DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON (DPoE), the specs are intended primarily for commercial-class IP and Ethernet…
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THE CRTC MUST ENSURE that independent broadcasters have sufficient access to distribution in the wake of the BCE Inc. proposed acquisition of CTVglobemedia, say those ‘casters.
As well, the Commission has to force BCE to pay the full benefits to producers in the form of 10% of the transaction’s entire $3.2-billion value, say some of those producers. These are two of the critical issues that the CRTC will have to stickhandle once it begins hearing arguments on the proposed transaction on February 1st.
Generally, Bell’s fellow distributors are in favour of the transaction. But they say that safeguards need to…
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“COME WITH ME. I’LL show you why I wanted to be president of the CBC.”
Those were CBC president and CEO Hubert T. Lacroix’s first words to me last week as we sat down in the meeting room overlooking the Montreal skyline and St. Lawrence River at Radio-Canada’s headquarters. I jumped to my feet and followed him into his office.
Just inside his door is a headless mannequin dressed in a whimsical suit, topped with a bowler cap. “It might be a bit before your time but do you know who this is?” he asked me, excitedly. I wrack my brain…
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OTTAWA – A coalition of cultural organizations is pleading with the Federal Court to consider the “devastating” impact that foreign ownership in the telecom and broadcasting industries would have on Canadian culture.
ACTRA, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP), and Friends of Canadian Broadcasting were granted intervenor status for the Court’s judicial review of the government’s decision to licence wireless provider Globalive, which began on Wednesday. The coalition said that telecom companies “have a responsibility under the Telecommunications Act to strengthen and safeguard Canadian cultural sovereignty”.
“This case raises fundamental questions about the relationship between foreign ownership and Canadian…
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TORONTO – Shaw Communications CEO Brad Shaw will be the featured speaker at next month’s Broadcast Executives Society event.
The luncheon is scheduled for 12 noon on February 15, 2011 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. Tickets for this event are limited – click here to purchase or for more information.
www.bes.ca
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TORONTO – Shaw Media has named Jamie Schouela as VP of marketing , where he will oversee the marketing, publicity, and creative efforts for Global and the company’s 19 specialty networks.
Schouela has more than five years of experience overseeing the marketing and publicity efforts for Shaw Media’s conventional network, Global. Before that he spent seven years with Alliance Atlantis leading image and show specific campaigns across its stable of specialty channels.
“We are confident that Jamie’s experience, coupled with his passion for our business will enable him to…
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TORONTO – Omnicom Media Group has named Adam Ivers as the new president and CEO of its Toronto-based agency Highway Entertainment.
Ivers joined Highway Entertainment in 2007 and most recently held the role of executive vice president. Prior to Highway, Ivers was VP of programming for the former CanWest Global Broadcasting (now Shaw Media), in addition to stints at International Management Group Canada (IMG) and TSN.
“Adam’s experience in broadcast programming, entrepreneurial approach to deal making and his innate skill for working collaboratively, has resulted in both company growth and new ways of delivering value for our clients in a rapidly evolving…
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CALGARY – While remaining mum on just who the manufacturer is, Shaw Communications says it will launch a new residential media hub/gateway in May.
The new customer premises device (which would replace existing set top boxes) is meant to compete with Telus’ Microsoft Mediaroom-driven Optik TV.
Telus’ TV service offers customers options cable doesn’t, like the ability to remote-program their DVR and multi-room DVR ability – meaning customers can watch shows on any room there is an Optik-connected television. Its more-flexible search functionality lets customers find shows or movies by the name of the actors or directors instead of…
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CALGARY – Buried in the Shaw Communications first quarter results last week was the price the company paid for tiny Lake Broadcasting, a 1,000-subscriber cable system which served Sorrento, B.C.
Shaw paid $3.5 million ($3,500 per subscriber) for the system situated about 75 kms east of Kamloops which was owned by Leigh Hillier.
– Greg O’Brien
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OTTAWA – CTVglobemedia Inc. says that it stands to lose up to $6.5 million in advertising revenue just by airing two public service announcements (PSAs) about the impact of the upcoming digital transition on over-the-air TV viewers.
According to the CRTC’s proposed regulations for the digital TV transition, broadcasters must begin airing the two PSAs no later than March 31, 2011. The first, which must will air six times per day to start and eight times daily beginning one month prior to the shut off, will inform viewers that analog OTA signals will cease on August 31, 2011. At least 25% of the PSAs must run…
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