OTTAWA – The country’s largest cable companies want the CRTC to treat them the same as Bell and Telus. At least, as far as the Commission’s rules on speed matching go.
In a petition submitted to Cabinet last week, Cogeco, Quebecor on behalf of Videotron, Rogers and Shaw asked that the Governor in Council vary, rescind, or refer back to the Commission its decision on Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-632 issued on August 30, 2010.
That decision, as Cartt.ca reported, was based on a public proceeding launched in May 2009 to consider whether incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) and cable…
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GATINEAU – Expanding the basic service objective to include broadband would have substantial negative financial impacts on their businesses, a group of small independent ISPs told the CRTC on Monday during the fourth day of hearings into the obligation to serve and other telecom matters.
This is the second week of the hearing, which moved back to Gatineau after three days in Timmins, Ont.
David Buffet, president of Radiant Communications Corp., said that creating a new subsidy regime to fund broadband expansion would turn a slight profit the company generated in 2009 to a net loss. Revenue…
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CALGARY – Shaw Direct has announced plans to launch its own broadband video-on-demand portal this winter, plus rolled out a new HD receiver designed to give its customers more options and more control
The company said Monday that the portal will be accessible through all broadband Internet services exclusively for Shaw Direct customers. Users will be able to access content directly on their computers through a dedicated website.
Shaw Direct’s Advanced HD Receiver (HDDSR 605) includes features such as 3D capability and an interactive on-screen guide. The new technology is MPEG-4 capable, utilizes HDMI connectivity, and allows customers to see up…
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TORONTO – When life throws curves, there’s Twist TV.
Shaw Media’s newly branded specialty channel Twist TV arrived in over 2 million homes on Monday, though for the month of November, the channel will be offered in an additional 3.6 million homes, bringing Canadian audiences real life with a twist by capturing the experiences of everyday people facing extraordinary situations.
"Through tales of extraordinary life experiences, Twist TV demonstrates that you never know what kinds of curves life will throw your way," said Solange Bernard, director of marketing strategy for Lifestyle Channels at Shaw Media, in the announcement. "Our advertising campaign…
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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 CALGARY – After decades as one of the leading Canadian media companies, the name Canwest will fade into the history books, replaced by Shaw Media.
After Shaw Communications assumed full ownership of Canwest Global’s TV assets on Wednesday, the company unveiled its new broadcasting group – to be known as Shaw Media – plus its new branding and management team.
"The Asper family built a broadcasting organization which served our country well. We look forward, under our stewardship, to strengthening these important assets for the benefit of all Canadians", said JR Shaw, executive chair and founder of Shaw Communications.
"Today…
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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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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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