OTTAWA – True to its word, the CRTC was quick to release its determinations from last month’s expedited hearing into dispute resolution between the Canadian Independent Distributors Group (CIDG) and Bell Media.
As Cartt.ca has reported, independent distributors Cogeco Cable, Telus, EastLink, MTS and the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance, collectively the CIDG, object to packaging, penetration, and other terms offered to them by Bell Media for its 30-some specialty channels. Bell says that its wholesale costing model, a penetration based rate card that has already been signed by a number of other distributors, rewards stable packaging with stable long-term rates for…
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TORONTO – Nascent FX Canada kicked off a free long-weekend preview Thursday through Monday for Rogers, EastLink, Cable Cable and Telus’ Optik TV customers. MTS and SaskTel subscribers continue their two-month free preview of the channel through May 31st.
The Rogers-owned specialty channel, which launched last October, will offer “marathon programming” of Wilfred (season one), The Ultimate Fighter Live and Sons of Anarchy (season two).
www.fxcanada.ca
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OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Canada’s wireless providers may soon have to adhere to a new code of conduct.
The CRTC said Wednesday that it is seeking comments on whether the wireless market has changed enough to warrant its intervention in the development of a national retail wireless services consumer code, after receiving “several applications” recommending that one be established. (Cartt.ca first reported back in February on Telus's demand for such a process.) A number of provinces have recently introduced amendments to consumer protection legislation that directly or indirectly impact wireless services.
In 1994, the CRTC decided against regulating the wireless…
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IT’S PRETTY UNUSUAL for dropped cellular phone calls to be mentioned in a Speech from the Throne.
But, that’s exactly what happened last fall when Saskatchewan Lieutenant-Governor Gordon Barnhart said in that speech that “improving digital and electronic infrastructure is essential to the new economy,” and that “(d)ropped cell phone calls are still a problem, despite an increased investment in SaskTel’s 4G network of $170 million in my government’s first term.”
SaskTel’s ownership – the taxpayers of Saskatchewan – is a holdover of the past, when many telcos were government-owned. While its competitors feel competing against the government is unfair, the…
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I READ WITH INTEREST your commentary concerning the dispute between the independent BDUs (CIDG) and Bell Media.
Like Kevin Crull, the CEO of Bell Media, I too have “walked on both sides of the fence” (as noted in his letter of March 28). I was the president of the Canadian Cable Television Association and the CEO of Star Choice, Bell ExpressVu’s principal competitor, now known as Shaw Direct. More recently, I was the head of English services at the CBC, which, like Bell Media, includes a big conventional network and a number…
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VANCOUVER – Telus will once again support Earth Hour this Saturday night.
The company pledged to turn off all non-essential lights at 8:30 pm local time on March 31 at 27 of its major buildings across Canada in response to Earth Hour 2012's global call to action to address climate change.
"By participating in Earth Hour, we are joining the global village in raising awareness of the need for us to work as one to support our environment," said Josh Blair, EVP of Telus’ human resources, in a statement. "Earth Hour is yet another way for the Telus team to stand…
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ON THURSDAY, A PANEL of seven CRTC commissioners and a dozen industry executives took part in a hearing where they all must have asked themselves repeatedly, “Geez, how often have I heard this before?” At least, that’s the question that popped into my head as I listened in.
Bell Media faced off against the Canadian Independent Distributors Group during an expedited hearing concerning the parties’ fight over Bell Media’s 2011 wholesale carriage agreement, as we have already covered extensively. The CIDG (Telus, Cogeco, EastLink, Canadian Cable Systems Alliance and MTS) say the dispute isn’t primarily about…
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TORONTO – What would radio be without good, lively banter among radio personalities? And that’s exactly what attendees at the Radio Interactive conference on Thursday were treated to during a panel discussion called “Social Radio” that included execs from both terrestrial and pure-play digital radio companies. Radio Interactive was held as part of Slacker Canadian Music Week 2012 in Toronto last week.
A friendly but competitive vibe among the panellists could be felt early in the session, especially between Dave Farough, vice-president of brand, programming and new media for Corus Radio, and Rob Farina, executive vice-president of content for Astral…
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VANCOUVER – Non-Canadians are purchasing so many common shares of Telus that the company is in danger of violating Canada’s foreign ownership restrictions.
The telco issued a notice Thursday reminding non-Canadian investors of its reservation procedures while warning that that its transfer agent may not be able to approve all pending or new applications. Non-Canadians wanting to buy Telus’ common shares must reserve the right to obtain transfers by contacting the company’s transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, and obtaining a reservation number after completing a reservation application.
Telus said that the catalyst for this announcement is “significant buying interest” by…
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TORONTO – Telus has become the latest wireless provider to offer its customers a credit towards a new device for trading in their old handset.
The trade-in program, which seems certain to boost retention, lets new and existing customers present their device at a Telus store for a credit if the phone is recent enough that it can be refurbished or, if not, the company will make a $3 donation to Tree Canada in their name.
Customers can trade in up to three phones, mobile Internet keys or mobile Wi-Fi devices (with a maximum combined value of up to $200). Credits will then be…
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