Search Results for: shaw

Cable / Telecom News

Tangible benefits, wireless code, among priorities in CRTC’s three-year plan

OTTAWA – In its updated three-year plan released today, the CRTC said it will give top priority to projects such as revamping its tangible benefits policy, developing a national broadband performance testing program, and creating a new mandatory code for wireless providers. Those initiatives are among a number of goals that the Commission has outlined for completion during 2013-16 under three key pillars it has identified as “connect,” “create” and “protect.” The Commission's activities under the "Create" pillar ensure that Canadians have access to compelling creative content, from diverse sources, on a variety of… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CWC: Linear TV is still primetime for broadcasters

TORONTO – Canada’s biggest broadcasters still haven’t found a way to make their digital ventures pay off in this on-demand world, and continue to rely on their linear television channels to drive the bottom line. Speaking Tuesday evening at a Canadian Women In Communications-sponsored panel entitled ‘Perspective on the Broadcast Landscape Revolution’, Christina Litz, vice president of digital content and engagement for Corus Entertainment, said that her department’s mandate is to leverage social media specifically to drive live tuning to the company’s women and children-focused television channels. “And we don’t see that going away any time soon”, she said, adding that… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CTV gets Satisfaction with new series

TORONTO – CTV announced that production began today on a new half-hour, original comedy series that the network will premiere this summer. Luke Macfarlane (left) and Ryan Belleville star in a CTV’s new comedy series called Satisfaction. Satisfaction, produced by DHX Media Ltd. in association with CTV and Lionsgate, stars award-winning comic Ryan Belleville, Luke Macfarlane, and Leah Renee. From creator Tim McAuliffe, the 13-episode new series will be shooting in and around Toronto until July 2013.

Radio / Television News

Tangible benefits spending triples in 2011-2012: report

OTTAWA – Canadian broadcasters spent a record $177 million on public benefits related to the acquisition of regulated Canadian broadcast television assets in the 2011-2012 broadcast year ended August 31, 2012, according to new research from consulting firm Boon Dog Professional Services. The level of English-language television benefits spending by various Canadian broadcasters in 2011-2012 more than tripled from the amount ($52 million) spent in the previous year. That $177 million is roughly the same amount as what was spent on tangible benefits in the previous four years combined – or almost as much as… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

9(1)(h) Hearing: Distributors want no more must-carries (corrected)

GATINEAU – Shaw Communications was the first broadcast distributor to take the stand before the CRTC?s 9(1)(h) hearing on Monday and it appealed to the Commission to ensure that it maintained high standards when considering additional channels for mandatory carriage. Jean Brazeau, senior VP of regulatory at Shaw, noted during his opening remarks that exceptional importance should be the minimum threshold that channels need to meet to achieve mandatory carriage status. ?Once satisfied, the applicant still must meet the additional criteria. This includes demonstrating ?extraordinary? need among an intended audience and widespread acceptance by Canadians of an increase in the… Continue Reading

In-Depth

Cartt.ca IN-DEPTH: Margot Micallef, Vista Radio CEO. From zero to 60 (stations) in nine years

IT MIGHT SURPRISE SOME to learn that one of the fastest growing Canadian media companies is not some sexy, new media, web based disruptor, but in fact built on the oldest electronic media we have: radio. In about nine years, Vista Radio has grown from a single station in Duncan, B.C. to a national power with over 60 stations spread from the west coast to Ontario. It really jumped in size in 2012 when it agreed to purchase Haliburton Radio and its 24 Ontario stations for $32 million (backed by Westerkirk Capital, an investment arm of the powerful Thomson Family)…. Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

9(1)(h): Sun News says it needs to be set aside from the rest as a must-carry

GATINEAU – Quebecor Media’s Sun News compared itself to a wireless new entrant Tuesday saying it needs to benefit from a regulatory mechanism in order for it to compete against the established news players, company executives argued before the CRTC on the first day of the Commission’s 9(1)(h) hearing. Kory Teneycke, vice-president of Sun News, told the commissioners under questioning that the news service is suffering from a market he believes isn’t functioning properly and is open to abuse by some of its competitors. He referred to the 2008 advanced wireless spectrum auction as an instance where the government recognized… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Roam Mobility goes from 0 to 400 retail locations in a year

VANCOUVER – Just over a year after launching its low-cost network for Canadians travelling in the US, telecommunications provider Roam Mobility Inc. now has a retail presence in six provinces and more than 400 locations. The company announced a partnership with London Drugs that makes Roam Mobility’s replacement products available at the retailer’s 76 locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. To reach its core market of Canadian travellers, Roam says it focused its retail strategy on includes airports, duty-free stores, and inflight retail opportunities. It has secured partnerships with retailers such as… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

COMMENTARY: There’s no “fix” available to the feds on the wireless file

WHEN ASKED ABOUT how the reports that Wind, Mobilicity and Public Mobile are all looking for a way out of the wireless business in Canada, Industry Minister Christian Paradis told reporters in a conference call on Monday: “I still remain confident we can achieve our goal,” of having four wireless players in each region of Canada. Mr. Minister, you are the only one with that confidence. As we have noted before, the Canadian wireless market right now, has as many players as it will ever have and in all… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Showcase launches mobile gaming app for Lost Girl fans

TORONTO – Fans tuning in to the third-season finale of Showcase’s original series Lost Girl this Sunday will be able to interact with their favourite characters at the same with a new mobile app for iOS and Android that launches the same day. Lost Girl: The Game is Showcase’s all-new mobile app that connects the show’s fans worldwide by delivering a fully interactive social gaming experience. Featuring an original storyline written by the show’s staff, fans can create a customized character from the show's Fae world that they can use to navigate through mysteries set in… Continue Reading