CALGARY – Star Choice announced today the addition of CHUM Television digi-nets Drive-in Classics and SexTV to its channel lineup.
As of June 1st, Star Choice will also be launching a new bundle of programming services called Intense TV. The new bundle will include the two channels above plus The Fight Network, Spike TV and Much Music for $4.99 per month. Star Choice customers are also able to customize by choosing from 19 bundles of channels. Following their free preview, Drive-In Classics and SexTV will each also be available as pick n’ pay channels for only $2.49 per month….
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TORONTO – Media investors will have to watch for new ticker symbols beginning next Monday.
The changes are being made as part of a broader symbol change initiative announced by the TSX under which it is modifying the ticker symbols previously assigned for approximately 150 of its listings.
For example, with Rogers Communications, RCI.B will replace the current ticker symbol RCI.NV.B for the Class B shares and RCI.A will replace the current ticker symbol RCI.MV.A for the Class A shares. It will be understood that the Class B shares are "Non-Voting" while the Class A shares are "Multiple Voting"….
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OTTAWA – The new Federal Cabinet wants the CRTC to revisit last year’s voice over Internet protocol decision.
As reported on numerous occasions by www.cartt.ca, the CRTC decided last year to maintain its position that voice, even delivered via IP, is still telephone service. What that meant was that incumbent telcos still faced some regulatory shackles (like having to file for tariffs) while newcomers, such as cable operators or VOIP providers like Vonage would have a freer hand.
Canada’s ILECs – most of them anyway – appealed the decision.
In governmentspeak: "The Governor in Council (GIC) has referred…
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EDMONTON – Independent digital specialty channel Wild TV has debuted on Telus TV.
The 24-hour hunting and fishing television channel will be seen for the first time in Alberta in its linear format (its programming has been available on demand with Telus until now and is available on demand with Shaw Cable).
Edmonton-based Wild TV is dedicated to Canadian hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, "offering original programming that captures the thrill of hunting and fishing in the Canadian wilderness as well as the best outdoor programming from across North America," says the company.
"With an estimated eight million hunting…
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OTTAWA – Former Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association senior vice-president and general counsel, Lori Assheton-Smith has launched her own business. This week she made official the establishment of Lori D. Assheton-Smith Professional Corporation, "through which I will continue to provide legal services and advice in the areas of broadcasting, telecommunications and Internet law and regulation," she said.
Assheton-Smith (right) has been with the CCTA in various roles since 2000, culminating in her SVP role. Prior to the CCTA, she was legal counsel with the CRTC.
The CCTA ceased operations in February after the association’s second-largest member,…
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LONDON, Ont. – Corus Radio has named Kent Guy as promotions and marketing director for its four London, Ont.-area stations.
Guy was most recently purchasing and promotions manager for Herbal Magic, and brings 20 years of broadcasting experience to his new position.
He had previously worked for Corus’ London cluster, spearheading the marketing and promotions efforts behind the relaunch of AM980 CFPL and Classic Rock 103.9 the Hawk (based in nearby Woodstock), and participated in the rebranding of FM96 and Energy 103 (now The New 1031 Fresh FM).
“We are pleased to welcome Kent back to the London-area cluster,”…
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OTTAWA – The SCTE Ontario chapter general meeting will be held Thursday, April 27 in Ottawa.
The session topics will cover all aspects of fibre optics. Attendees will gain a better understanding of fiber optic fundamentals, DWDM, node splitting techniques, HFC reverse path issues and troubleshooting.
Times Fiber is also offering their plant tour on Wed. April 26 in Renfrew.
Deadline for registration is Monday, April 24. If you want lunch, pre-registration is mandatory. Vendor tables are still available, too.
Click here for the full agenda.
Other SCTE Ontario notes Due to the August long weekend, the golf date…
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LOS ANGELES – Full length episodes of Lost, Desperate Housewives, Alias and Commander In Chief will be available on www.abc.go.com for free during a two-month trial, parent company Disney announced today.
Participating advertisers Include AT&T, Cingular, Ford, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, Unilever’s Suave, Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures
Current episodes of the four programs – which are also available for purchase on iTunes, will be available for streaming during May and June, marking the first time a broadcast network has made multiple series available for viewing online, free of charge to consumers.
It’s not said in the…
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REGINA – Beginning next Saturday, Access Communications will show the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs exclusively to its cable customers.
“We know our viewers across the province are passionate about hockey”, said Gursh Madhur, manager of community programming for the cable co-operative, in a release, “and we are excited to be offering this exclusive coverage.”
Round two of WHL playoff action features the series between Moose Jaw and Calgary.
This season’s WHL coverage is a result of a three-year agreement with the WHL and a partnership between Access Communications and Shaw Communications to bring WHL action…
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I FIND CARTT.CA AN EXCELLENT source of timely information about the exciting communications industry in Canada and occasionally we subscribers are treated to one of your humorous diversions, or at least that is what Thursday’s Commentary seems to be. It focuses on what can only be described as the old saying “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic,” Global style.
Last November I learned through your service that the CEO of Global, Mr. Leonard Asper announced, among other things, that “There is a battle coming.” He was also quoted as saying “We know the Commission has some sympathy…
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