Search Results for: shaw

Radio / Television News

Penthouse Channel signs with Rogers

OTTAWA – The Penthouse Channel will be joining the Rogers Cable lineup after completing a multi-year distribution agreement. Currently available to Shaw Cable customers, the adult programming network is distributed in Canada by Ottawa-based Ten Broadcasting. “We are pleased that Rogers chose to carry this top international and well-known and respected domestic brand in adult TV programming, said Ten Broadcasting president and CEO Stuart Duncan, in the announcement. “This carriage agreement comes with additional carriage not only for the channel but with enhanced distribution of the Penthouse brand potentially across many Rogers distribution platforms.” www.tenbroadcasting.com Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Moody’s rates Shaw’s multiple seniority shelf

TORONTO – Moody’s Investors Service has rated Shaw Communication’s senior unsecured component of $2.5 billion multiple seniority shelf registration Baa3, while the preferred share component was rated Ba1. The shelf registration was filed on March 11, 2009. Moody’s also affirmed Shaw’s existing Baa3 senior unsecured rating along with its ‘stable’ outlook. www.moodys.com www.shaw.ca Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Shaw ‘Makes It Happen’ for athletes

CALGARY – Shaw surpassed its million dollar goal for Canadian athletes last weekend with its second nation-wide auction called ‘Making It Happen’.  Combined with the funds earned at the first auction held last November, Shaw raised a total of $1.06 million, earmarked to go directly to Canada’s high-performance athletes through the Canadian Athletes Now Fund. "We want to say a sincere thank-you to all of our viewers and Canadians across the country who participated in the Making it Happen auction," said president Peter Bissonnette, in the press release. "Our athletes work hard to represent Canada at international competitions and at… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

E! stations’ sale may be close as independent broadcaster Channel Zero confirms interest

TORONTO – While there have been a number of suits spotted roaming through Canwest Global’s E! stations over the past few months, kicking the figurative tires at the local OTA outlets with the “For Sale” sign on them, some actual names have now been attached to potential suitors. According to a number of sources on Wednesday, executives from Channel Zero (owners of specialty channels Movieola and Silver Screen Classics and film distributor Ouat Media) spent part of Wednesday afternoon at CHCH Hamilton closely inspecting the facility. All bidders in such transactions are normally bound by non-disclosure agreements – and… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC may conduct ownership reviews in public

OTTAWA – The CRTC is asking for input on whether it may conduct Canadian ownership and control reviews on a public basis, as opposed to a confidential basis, in certain instances. Telus sent a letter to the Commission on April 20, 2009 asking it to conduct “an open and transparent process” to review whether wireless newcomer Globalive Wireless Management is under Canadian ownership and control, as required by section 16 of the Telecommunications Act.  Shaw sent a letter two days later in support of Telus’ request.  But Globealive opposed the move, saying the Commission has a “longstanding practice” of conducting… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Shaw, WHL team up for another five years

CALGARY – Shaw Communications has extended its partnership with the Western Hockey League (WHL) through the 2013/14 hockey season. Shaw aired live coverage as the local broadcaster of all 56 games in the 2009 season from 21 cities and towns across Western Canada, and said that more than 2.5 million Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct customers tuned in over the regular season. "As a family run company Shaw understands the importance of staying connected to our communities and to local events," said Shaw president Peter Bissonnette, in the announcement. "Our coverage of the 2009 WHL season drew more than… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

COMMENTARY: Of course local is important. But that doesn’t mean huge changes aren’t required

SO I SET MY PVR to record about two and a half Saturday afternoon hours of CTV Newsnet (CTV News Channel, as of this morning) this past weekend in order to watch the charade I expected to see.  Heading into the weekend, viewers of CTVglobemedia properties were fed a steady dose of some very one-sided ads promoting the company’s cross-country open houses meant to help “save local TV”, along with a web site of which the best one can say tells a very incomplete story. While it wasn’t the travesty I had assumed was coming (far from it, actually),… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

UPDATE: Rogers and other BDUs file complaint against CTV for breach of public trust

TORONTO – CTV has, predictably, refuted the allegations made by Rogers and other BDUs regarding its ‘Save Local TV’ public advocacy campaign. In a statement sent late on Friday afternoon, the network said it has remained in “full compliance” with both the Broadcasting Act and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Code of Ethics, and called the complaint by the BDUs an “underhanded move by cable and satellite companies” and “an abuse of process designed to suppress freedom of speech and mislead the public”. "The fact that the first we’re hearing about this is through a Rogers’ press release and still… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Newsnet to go live on Saturday with “save local” message

TORONTO – With open houses and barbecues taking place at all CTV stations and A Channels across Canada this Saturday, the company’s all-news channel, CTV Newsnet, will broadcast it’s mother corp.’s appeal for more money for two hours this Saturday. The coverage, to be hosted by CFTO anchor Ken Shaw, will includes interviews and highlights from each of the local open houses. It’s all part of the broadcaster’s “Save Local” campaign which it has been pushing hard on-air, online and on its specialty channels (not to mention on Parliament Hill). Newsnet’s two hour show will begin in Halifax and… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Commentary: Emptying an in-box full of conventional ideas (TV, that is)

ONE OF THE FORMER rules of thumb when it comes to opinionating was: Never Use “I”. Saying “I think” or “I believe” in a column is redundant and lazy. To paraphrase what more than one editor has said in my presence over the years: “Readers already know it’s what you think, your name’s at the top of the piece. Be more creative in how you write.” So, with apologies to all of my former bosses, I must say: I have a headache. I’ve grown just a little weary of thinking about the so-called crisis in conventional television. And judging… Continue Reading