GATINEAU – Having to wedge six new channels to the collective basic cable lineups in Edmonton and Calgary at essentially the same time is just too much to ask, Shaw Communications has told the CRTC.
In a recent application, Shaw has asked for a new condition of license to let it carry Crossroads Television System (CTS), a new religious broadcaster in Calgary and Edmonton which has been in operation in Ontario for years, on channel 51 – an unrestricted channel, but well away, numerically, from where most other must-carries are placed.
Shaw notes that the CRTC approved new licenses not…
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SOME FILED REAMS of digital paper with the Commission (Rogers Communications’ submission was 132 pdf pages and a few appendices), while others were more concise (Shaw’s was just nine pages, plus a couple of research reports)
Anyway, we’ve read more than a few thousand words and identified what appear to be the primary issues facing the CRTC with its review of the policies governing broadcast distribution undertakings (all licensed video providers) and specialty services. The hearing is set for February 4 in Gatineau.
Below is a bit of a synopsis of what the BDUs are asking for and what…
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Dear Editor,
ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. asserts that the primary policy objective of the CRTC should be to lessen Canadian protection and facilitate an accelerated importation of foreign channels.
Well, the fastest and most economically efficient way to accomplish that would be to cease protecting Canadian cable companies from U.S. distributors like Comcast and DirecTV.
However, that would be against the law – and would trigger a precipitous dismantling of our once-proud broadcasting system.
Canada is the only country in the world that competes 24 hours a day, and live, with the behemoth U.S. entertainment machine.
We have a unique…
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TORONTO – A pair of independent analyst reports published to investors last week both identified Shaw Communications and Videotron ltée as the two companies best-prepared to bid for wireless spectrum during the advanced wireless spectrum auction in early 2008.
Of course, the rules surrounding the auction have not yet been released (the best we can tell you is that they’ll be out before Christmas) and both sides are busily lobbying. Companies who want AWS to possibly build their own networks like Quebecor (owners of Videotron) or expand nationally like MTS Allstream, want some special breaks in the auction…
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CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – Tiny cable co-operative Campbell River Television has been in Shaw’s sights before.
However, this time CRTV looks like it could be an acquisition target and not that of Shaw’s lawyers.
A press release last week said that CRTV’s board of directors reviewed an “expression of interest” to purchase CRTV from Shaw. The offer was received on September 24th and was open for CRTV’s consideration until the 2 October 2007.
The Board of Directors of CRTV have reviewed the offer and have responded to Shaw thanking them for making the offer.
Calls to Shaw by Cartt.ca have…
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TORONTO – CTV has launched a new promo campaign for its national news program in Toronto. The campaign includes the running of 15- and 30-second public service announcements, custom station IDs, billboards, and on-street activities around the theme “My Toronto Is…CTV News.” It celebrates the unique places, people and experiences that exist in the Greater Toronto Area and the station’s role in the city.
The “My Toronto is…CTV News” features CTV News anchors and reporters joining everyday Torontonians in declaring their favorite thing about Toronto.
“We wanted to create a definitive brand position for CTV News that builds on…
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TO SAY 2007 HAS been a year of growth for EastLink is simply a colossal understatement.
So far, the company has acquired Amtelecom Communications, Persona Communications and RuSh Communications – meaning EastLink (or officially, its parent company, Bragg Communications) has more than doubled in size to around 500,000 customers.
No longer just a regional cable concern, Bragg/EastLink is a national force to be reckoned with, with cable and telecom services extending coast to coast.
The company is a pioneer, having launched phone service years before other North American cable companies – to much success – in Nova…
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TORONTO – That’s the question the Alliance for Children and Television will attempt to answer on November 29 when ACT will host the second Children, Youth & Media Conference.
This event is the only one of its kind to bring together Canada’s creators, producers and broadcasters of children’s and youth programming. This year’s theme, “Are We Listening?”, promises to generate lively discussions through a series of sessions and panels on key screen-based media issues for Canadian children and youth.
Below are a few highlights on the agenda:
Broadcasters’ Panel: Representatives from BBC Kids, CBC, Corus Entertainment, Family Channel, Teletoon…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications Inc. says it’s “extremely disappointed” with the CRTC’s decision last week to deny its application to add USA Network to the list of eligible foreign satellite services for digital distribution, as Cartt.ca reported last week.
“The CRTC is continuing on a path of protectionism for the benefit of certain Canadian programmers at the expense of Canadian television customers,” said Peter Bissonnette, President of Shaw Communications.
“Shaw strongly believes that Canadians deserve access to the best national and international sources of programming – that is what the Broadcasting Act promises,” he said in a statement.
In…
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ROGERS BELIEVES Bell Canada is less than two months away from launching its IPTV service in Toronto, beginning in the Yonge-Bloor region, according to David Purdy, Rogers Cable’s VP and GM television.
********** WTBS will change its name to PeachtreeTV as of October 1st, said Turner’s Matt Tolleson. The programming will remain much the same, however. Also – with CNN HD having launched in the States on September 1st – Tolleson says he wants to see that feed in Canada soon.
********** And speaking of HD, Speed is readying its high definition version, which it will have ready to…
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