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May 14, 2012 — The Hill Times: CRTC chair appointment likely any day now by Andrew Cardozo
James Maunder, a spokesman for Heritage Minister James Moore says the government will appoint a new CRTC chair in a number of weeks.
May 11, 2012 — Ottawa Citizen: CBC trots out fall TV lineup in appeal for advertising dollars by Jamie Sturgeon
Late night talk show host George Stroumboulopoulos, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and CBC dragon Kevin O’Leary were called upon to drum up support from advertisers for the public broadcaster’s leaner programming lineup next fall.
May 10, 2012 — CBC News: CBC Hamilton service officially launches
CBC's new digital Hamilton service, which provides local news, weather, traffic and information about things to do around the Ontario city, has been launched.
May 7, 2012 — Center for Media Research: Internet Radio Gets Strong Support At RAIN Summit
According to speakers at Radio And Internet Newsletter's RAIN Summit West 2012, Internet radio and digital audio advertising is on track for a strong ad year in 2012 with solid CPMs and a growing local revenue base.
May 6, 2012 — Toronto Star: CBC: New season, less original programming by Bruce DeMara
Columnist says that despite the appearance of business as usual, executives have been busy slashing CBC spending since the March federal budget, which decreed major cuts to the broadcaster set to reach 10 per cent, about $115 million, within three years.
May 6, 2012 — Toronto Star: CRTC's '10 per cent' rule leads to questionable expenditures and conflicted policy by Michael Geist
Columnist says with so much at stake, it is worth asking whether the current approach to generating new capital for the creation of Canadian programming optimizes what has emerged as one of the largest sources of media funding in Canada.
May 5, 2012 — New York Times: Murdoch’s Pride Is America’s Poison by Bill Keller
Columnist says traditional news organizations, for all their shortcomings, see it as their mission to provide the information needed to form intelligent opinions, aiming to challenge lazy assumptions while Fox panders to them.
May 4, 2012 — Straight.com: Vancouver's Reimagine CBC Celebration takes a creative approach to helping the public broadcaster by Craig Takeuchi
Lead Now will be organizing small meetups across country to engage citizens in casual conversations and discussions about the CBC.
May 4, 2012 — Calgary Herald: Rogers buying Quebec station
Columnist says Rogers is attempting to scale its City-TV network up to rival larger broadcasters CTV and Global.
May 3, 2012 — Rabble.ca: The CBC in crisis by Wade Rowland
Columnist says the funding crisis facing CBC should be seen, not as a calamity, but an opportunity for CBC television to become what it has never been - a true public broadcaster.
May 2, 2012 — Marketing Magazine: The Stursberg Files – Part 1 by Chris Powell
Richard Stursberg, former head of CBC's English language services, believes the culture at Canada’s public broadcaster has become less poisonous since his departure, but that it still faces a huge technological battle against better-funded rivals.
May 2, 2012 — The Daily Telegraph: The Murdoch and News Corporation scandal wasn’t about Conservative Party sleaze – but it is now
Columnist says British Prime Minister David Cameron’s party has positioned itself as the last defender of a collapsing empire.
May 2, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Drama funding in crosshairs as Telefilm looks at further cuts by Guy Dixon
In addition to $2.7-million in spending cuts announced last month, Telefilm plans to slash nearly $8-million in funding and administrative costs over the next two years, including money for the production and distribution of dramas.
May 1, 2012 — Marketing Magazine: ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy’ dropped from CBC fall schedule
CBC’s director of content planning said the series were part of an old strategy to draw attention to homegrown shows and they have served their purpose.
Apr 30, 2012 — Mediacaster: Sportsnet Secures Multi Platform Rights for 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Sportsnet continues its roll on the soccer pitch, with word it has secured the Canadian multimedia rights to more than 250 soccer matches, including qualifiers and friendlies, leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.
Apr 30, 2012 — Cartt.ca: Jean wins 'people's pick' for next CBC chair
Former Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean has won the ‘people’s pick’ for the next chair of the CBC, according to an online poll sponsored by Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
Apr 30, 2012 — MediaPost: "Like" Might Just Be Peer Pressure
According to published studies by Dr. Tina McCorkindale, an assistant professor at Appalachian State University’s Department of Communication, “18- to 29-year-olds are the Facebook generation,” and it’s not the Millennial “likes” that assures ad success, but perks.
Apr 30, 2012 — Guelph Mercury: CBC to jettison Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!
Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, two popular U.S. game shows, will not be returning to the CBC prime-time or prime time lineup in the fall of 2012.
Apr 26, 2012 — Toronto Star: Harper Shouldn’t Be Allowed To Appoint CBC Leadership by Ian Morrison
Keen to control the media and how it portrays his government, FRIENDS says Prime Minister Harper should not be allowed choose the leaders of our public broadcaster.
Apr 26, 2012 — Marketing Magazine: CBC’s advertising debate by Graham F. Scott
FRIENDS says adding advertising on CBC Radio 2 threatens its “distinctiveness”, especially niche programming that private broadcasters are unlikely to step in to replace.
Apr 23, 2012 — National Post: Today’s letters: Canada needs the CBC, readers declare by Paul Russell
National Post Letters Editor Paul Russell asked readers: “Does Canada still need the CBC?” - 0ver 60 readers responded, with a clear majority saying “Yes.”
Apr 23, 2012 — Hollywood Reporter: CBC Passes on 'Wish List' Pilot as Budget Cuts Bite by Etan Vlessing
The CBC has passed on Entertainment One pilot Wish List from local screenwriter Sean Reycraft as it deals with a $21.2 million hit to its programming budget following recent government cuts.
Apr 22, 2012 — New York Times: Prime-Time Ratings Bring Speculation of a Shift in Habits by Bill Carter
Columnist says that across the television landscape viewing for all sorts of prime-time programming is down this spring — chiefly among the most important audience for the business, younger adults.
Apr 21, 2012 — The Telegram: What CBC already knows, but won't tell you by Russell Wangersky
Columnist says the CBC is so professional that the Harper government is counting on that professionalism to prevent the CBC from saying publicly that the current federal government is deliberately singling out the CBC for heavier budgetary punishment because the it doesn't like the coverage it gets.
Apr 20, 2012 — Maclean's: Bidding with Bettman by Ivan Fecan
Ivan Fecan, former President and CEO of CTV, Toronto says CTV/TSN never bid on the Hockey Night in Canada rights.
Apr 19, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Budget cuts? National Film Board is not afraid by Guy Dixon
Recent cuts to the National Film Board will mean the elimination of three or four significant films per year, or the elimination of one major project per year – like last year’s acclaimed 3-D dance film Ora.
Apr 19, 2012 — Le Devoir: Coupes fédérales – Où va l’argent de la culture? by Odile Tremblay
Coalition Culture – the federal cuts: where is the culture money going?
Apr 18, 2012 — Bloomberg News: Canada Telecom Rule Changes Threaten National Security by Hugo Miller and Andrew Mayeda
Public Safety Canada warns that Canada’s plan to allow foreign companies such as VimpelCom Ltd. (VIP) to increase their stakes in the country’s telecommunications providers poses a “considerable risk” to national security.
Apr 18, 2012 — Winnipeg Free Press: PMs from Calgary opposites by Frances Russell
Columnist says when inflation, other increases and severance and forced-retirement costs are added, the CBC's real loss to its budget doubles from 10 per cent to 20 per cent and $200 million over the next three years.
Apr 16, 2012 — Maclean's: CBC vs. NHL goes into overtime
In his new memoir, Richard Stursberg recalls endless negotiations with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Apr 14, 2012 — Variety: Canada cuts leave more room for U.S. by Brendan Kelly
FRIENDS fears that the cuts to CBC will lead to the network buying more American programming.
Apr 13, 2012 — The Columbia Valley Pioneer: CBC to cull rabbit-ear TV subscriptions by Kristian Rasmussen
The plan was originally to shut down analogue television in the Columbia Valley by 2013, but budget cuts have pushed it ahead to this year.
Apr 12, 2012 — Calgary Herald: Turning up the volume over cuts to CBC by Paula Arab
CBC boss Hubert Lacroix warns the 10 per cent cut will mean "a very different public broadcaster," with less original programming, more reruns and the introduction of commercials on radio.
Apr 12, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Coalition targets CBC’s free music site by Steve Ladurantaye
Columnist says a number of Canadian media companies have joined forces to try to shut down a free music website recently launched by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., claiming it threatens to ruin the music business for all of them.
Apr 12, 2012 — Guelph Mercury: Proposed local CBC Radio station placed in doubt
The CBC has announced the proposed new station which was to open in the Kitchener area this fall will be delayed by “a few months.”
Apr 11, 2012 — Canada.com: Hollowing-out of Radio Canada International saddens, angers supporters by Catherine Solyom, Postmedia News
Radio Canada International, which is administered by the CBC, has been told that more than 80 per cent of its budget will be slashed, or $10 million of $12.3 million.
Apr 11, 2012 — Straight.com: Stephen Harper and James Moore hold the murder weapon in the killing of CBC Dispatches by Charlie Smith
Blogger says the Harper government prefers Canadians to be ignorant, and cutting CBC's funding is evidence of this.
Apr 11, 2012 — The McGill Daily: An interview with Joe Clark by Henry Gass
Former Prime Minister Joe Clark says there has been a hostility towards some Canadian institutions, such as the CBC, by the current government.
Apr 10, 2012 — Guelph Mercury: CBC’s role too vital to diminish
Columnist says the approximately $200 million in cuts Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is making to the CBC over the next three years is an ideologically driven decision that will do more to hurt the country than help.
Apr 10, 2012 — Playback: CBC English services to cut 256 jobs to deal with government cuts by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says the CBC News department is to take a $10 million hit to its annual operating budget, leading to the loss of 88 jobs.
Apr 10, 2012 — StarPhoenix: Three jobs to go at CBC Sask. by Emma Graney
Three CBC Saskatchewan employees will lose their jobs as a result of federal government cuts to the organization.
Apr 8, 2012 — The Guardian: James Murdoch: The Rise and Fall by Michael Wolff, Guardian UK
Columnist describes the demise of BSkyB and the resulting downfall of James Murdoch.
Apr 7, 2012 — Ottawa Citizen: CBC ties country together by Tony Manera
Tony Manera, CBC's President in 1993 and 1994, says that at a time when we should be strengthening the CBC, the relentless chipping away of its financial resources further weakens the bonds that, however imperfectly, tie this vast country together.
Apr 6, 2012 — Sun News TV: Tuning out CBC’s tears Brian Lilley
Columnist says that CBC's new online music service and the fact that it broadcasts in Mandarin and Arabic, are indications that the public broadcaster still receives too much money.
Apr 5, 2012 — National Post: Jonathan Kay on the CBC: Why Canada needs (an advertisement-free) Radio One by Jonathan Kay
Columnist says putting ads on Radio One would take CBC down the road of becoming the only nation in the OECD without a substantial public broadcaster.
Apr 5, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Cherry’s salary makes him a big, fat target for CBC cuts by Bruce Dowbiggin
CBC executive VP in charge of English services, Kirstine Stewart claims that Don Cherry is not part of the cuts announced this week.
Apr 4, 2012 — Hamilton Spectator: CBC Hamilton dodges a bullet as budget cuts slice deep by Stephanie Levitz
Columnist says CBC brass has made a point of saying Hamilton’s new digital project has been spared from recent budget cuts.
Apr 4, 2012 — CTV News: Department of National Defence, CBC hit with job cuts
Columnist says Canadians are beginning to feel the effects of the austerity measures laid out in the federal budget last week, with Department of National Defence and CBC employees among the first to report job cuts.
Apr 4, 2012 — CBC/Radio-Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada outlines extent of budgetary challenge and its plan to address it
CBC/Radio-Canada has applied to the CRTC to add advertising and sponsorships to its two national music radio networks.
Apr 4, 2012 — CBC/Radio-Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada's budget response plan / Plan d’action de CBC/Radio-Canada relativement au budget
CBC President says the reduction of $115 million to its appropriation, combined with the unavoidable costs required to continue transforming the CBC into a modern public broadcaster, means the public broadcaster is actually facing financial pressures amounting to $200 million over the next three years.
Apr 3, 2012 — Toronto Star: Cuts Threaten to Close Window on the World by Tony Burman
Former head of Al Jazeera English and CBC News says that as the world becomes smaller and more complex, the amount of airtime on the CBC devoted to international issues is shrinking.
Apr 2, 2012 — Toronto Star: The future of the CBC needs ‘great debate’ from Canadians by Bruce DeMara
Canadians need to have a “great debate” about the future of the CBC, including options like going commercial-free and using licence fees like those in the U.K. and Germany to fund it, a forum has been told.
Mar 31, 2012 — Toronto Sun: CTV host allegedly tells boss to f--- himself by David Akin
Columnist says CTV appears to be considering disciplinary action for one of its high-profile Parliament Hill television hosts in the wake of an incident at a post-budget party attended by top government and opposition politicians.
Mar 30, 2012 — News Article: CBC budget cut could cost 700 jobs
FRIENDS expects the 10 percent cut to CBC's budget to have an impact on Victoria, which has CBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 outlets.
Mar 30, 2012 — Toronto Sun: MP says CBC cuts too small by Kris Sims
Funding to the CBC will be trimmed by $27.8 million next year, $41.8 million in 2013-14 and by $45.4 million in 2014-15.
Mar 30, 2012 — Playback: Now what? Industry reacts to Ottawa slashing the CBC’s annual subsidy by Etan Vlessing
FRIENDS says the Harper government has singled out the CBC for punitive cuts and has broken its election pledge to maintain or increase CBC funding in the process.
Mar 30, 2012 — Calgary Herald: Budget: CBC takes a 10 per cent cut by Jordan Press
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's annual funding from the federal government will be cut by $115 million over the next three years, a blow that could lead to job losses or programming cuts at Canada's public broadcaster.
Mar 30, 2012 — Globe & Mail: CBC sees government funding slashed by $115-million by Carys Mills, James Adams & Kate Taylor
CBC/Radio-Canada Hubert Lacroix says that while a 10-per-cent cut may amount to a little more than $100-million, the figure will swell with severance pay and other costs of cutbacks.
Mar 30, 2012 — Huffington Post: Watching the Watchdog: Here's How the CBC can Survive the Cuts
Former CBC j0urnalist writes an open letter to the CBC president and CEO after the government budget announced a 10% cut to CBC funding.
Mar 29, 2012 — Globe & Mail: CBC searches for someone to take Hockey Night’s helm by Bruce Dowbiggin
Columnist says an NHL season dogged by controversy at Hockey Night in Canada is ending with a search for a new executive producer for the program.
Mar 29, 2012 — Montreal Gazette: CBC, NFB and Telefilm to see 10% cut by Brendan Kelly
Columnist says cuts to CBC, Telefilm Canada and the National Film Board of Canada could lead to a significant reduction in Canadian film and TV production, and will almost certainly lead to layoffs at the CBC.
Mar 29, 2012 — Huffington Post Canada: CBC Cuts: Budget 2012 Outlines Cuts To Federal Spending For Canada's National Broadcaster by Rachel Mendleson
FRIENDS says the implications of a $115 million cut in funding will lead to the death of CBC Radio 2, make CBC Radio less relevant to Canadians, and reduce the depth, quality, diversity and distinctiveness of CBC News.
Mar 29, 2012 — Straight.com: CBC supporters pan cuts to public broadcaster in federal budget
FRIENDS says the recent federal budget revealing $115 million in cuts to the CBC marks a dark day for public broadcasting in Canada.
Mar 29, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Suck it up, CBC. You should have seen this coming by John Doyle
Columnist says the CBC has failed to transcend mediocrity and forcefully explain what it does and how it fulfills its mandate.
Mar 29, 2012 — CBC/Radio-Canada: Statement by CBC/Radio-Canada regarding Federal Budget 2012
CBC/Radio-Canada has learned that its annual parliamentary appropriation will be reduced by $115 million over three years as part of the Deficit Reduction Action Plan (DRAP), as set out in Federal Budget
2012.
Mar 25, 2012 — Syndicat Canadien de la Fonction Publique: Une nette majorité de Canadiens s’opposent aux compressions à Radio-Canada
A Nanos poll conducted on behalf of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting shows that over 80% of Canadians are satisfied of programming available on radio, on TV and on the website of the CBC.
Mar 24, 2012 — Variety: Canada producers welcome bigger Bell by Brendan Kelly
Michael Prupas, CEO of Muse Entertainment says the growth of Bell enables Canada to produce more series with worldwide potential.
Mar 23, 2012 — StarPhoenix: CRTC dives back into digital content battle by Jamie Sturgeon
Broadcast regulators held expedited hearings to resolve a spat between BCE Inc. and a group of television providers, including Telus Corp., regarding new agreements on the distribution of Bell Media's 29 specialty channels.
Mar 23, 2012 — Hollywood Reporter: Film Tax Credit Cut Raises Alarm Bells in Saskatchewan by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says local players show signs of panic after Saskatchewan says it will no longer accept applications for a refundable 45% film tax credit, based on labor costs, from April 1, including from Hollywood producers.
Mar 23, 2012 — Playback: Canadian industry reacts to Saskatchewan film tax credit cut by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says local producers, sounding the alarm over the provincial government cut to its film tax credit, predict the local production sector will be hollowed out as they go elsewhere to shoot projects.
Mar 23, 2012 — Toronto Star: Public Media, Common Good: A New Era by Jamie Biggar
Executive Director of Leadnow says the ever-intensifying government assault on the CBC is a threat to Canada's economy, culture and democracy.
Mar 23, 2012 — Toronto Star: A Satisfied Citizenry by Friends of Canadian Broadcasting
A recent Nanos opinion survey suggests that most Canadians are satisfied with the CBC and opposed to massive government cuts.
Mar 23, 2012 — Toronto Star: A Satisfied Citizenry
A recent Nanos opinion survey suggests that most Canadians are satisfied with the CBC and opposed to massive government cuts.
Mar 23, 2012 — Toronto Star: CBC faces uncertain future as federal budget looms
FRIENDS says that if CBC has to make hard choices, it should move to be distinctive from what the private sector is already offering.
Mar 22, 2012 — myKawartha.com: Rally supports CBC by Joel Wiebe
Nearly a dozen people rallied in front of MP Dean Del Mastro's office before marching in with a petition full of names of people supporting the CBC.
Mar 21, 2012 — Playback: Former CBC exec Michael McEwen appointed NABA director general by Danielle Ng See Quan
Former CBC/Radio-Canada exec Michael McEwen has been appointed as director general for the North American Broadcasters Association.
Mar 20, 2012 — CBC News: SCN proposal seeks to spend less on local shows
The proposed owner of Saskatchewan's independent broadcaster SCN is looking for permission to spend less on locally made programs, something the provincial NDP isn't happy about.
Mar 16, 2012 — Mediamorphis: Bell’s Bid to Swallow Astral Media by Dwayne Winseck
Blogger says that if the CRTC approves Bell's acquisition of Astral, Canada will have lost yet another independent and our position as having one of the most concentrated set of TMI industries amongst the developed capitalist economies will be yet further cemented.
Mar 16, 2012 — Marketing Magazine: Now what? Industry reaction to the big Bell-Astral deal by Chris Powell
FRIENDS says said the proposed deal between Bell and Astral raises very serious concerns about market dominance in Canada.
Mar 16, 2012 — Playback: BCE to pay $3.38 billion for Astral Media 56 mins ago by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says that phone giant BCE has agreed to pay $3.38 billion for Astral Media to strengthen the telecom group’s content presence in Quebec against rival Quebecor Media.
Mar 16, 2012 — CBC News: Bell empire to expand
Bell Canada has agreed to buy Montreal-based Astral Media for $3.38 billion, adding a number of cable and specialty TV channels and nearly 100 radio stations to its media empire.
Mar 15, 2012 — News Article: Wind Mobile to boycott wireless spectrum auction
Columnist says Wind Mobile will likely boycott an upcoming auction of wireless spectrum because the rules do not give smaller players enough bandwidth to build the most advanced network.
Mar 14, 2012 — Ottawa Citizen: CBC royalties under review as music site sparks debate by Chantal Mack
CBC's popular new music-streaming website is stirring debate over what royalties artists should receive, as SOCAN reviews just how much the national broadcaster should be paying.
Mar 14, 2012 — Calgary Herald: Local vinyl shop snaps up priceless CBC collection by Mike Bell
Record store The Inner Sleeve has announced that it has purchsed CBC's massive local collection of vinyl and compact discs, which the broadcaster had announced earlier in the year it was going to eliminate across the country after digitizing the music in all of the regional collections.
Mar 14, 2012 — iPolitics: Foreign ownership restrictions lifted for small players in wireless auction Provided by The by Steve Rennie
The Conservative government has placed limits on the coming wireless spectrum auction and has lifted foreign-investment limits on small telecom firms.
Mar 14, 2012 — Industry Canada: Harper Government Takes Action to Support Canadian Families
Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, announced that The Telecommunications Act will be amended to lift foreign investment restrictions for telecom companies that hold less than a 10-percent share of the total Canadian telecommunications market.
Mar 13, 2012 — Montreal Gazette: Canada's chance to bring copyright law into the digital age by Ysolde Gendreau
Columnist says that just as the Copyright Act is being revised by Parliament, providers of all kinds of communication devices and services - Internet services, smartphones, iPods and the like - are relying on highly conservative legal interpretations and strong lobbying to avoid liability for their part in the dissemination of works to the public.
Mar 10, 2012 — Ottawa Citizen: Coyne: Where did conservatism go? by Andrew Coyne
Columnist says that the governments lack of intention to reform crown corporations, such as the CBC, begs the question "Where has conservatism gone?".
Mar 9, 2012 — Rabble.ca: Reimagine CBC: Canadians come together to think big in troubled times by Tyler Morgenstern
Spokesperson says the thoughtful engagement in the early days of the "Reimagine CBC" campaign is a powerful rebuttal against those who would claim that the CBC is no longer relevant; that there is no place for public media in the age of narrowcasting.
Mar 9, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Angry NHL clubs ganging up on Don Cherry and HNIC by Bruce Dowbiggin
Sources say CBC's vice-president of English services, Kirstine Stewart, and Jeffrey Orridge, executive director of sports properties, were blindsided by the vitriol they encountered after making a pitch to keep the public broadcaster as the NHL's partner in Canada.
Mar 8, 2012 — Ottawa Sun: CBC pulls controversial soft-porn web show
Radio-Canada has pulled the web-TV series, Hard, from its Tou.tv website.
Mar 7, 2012 — Cartt.ca: OPINION: The CBC is already the best pay-TV station in the country by Greg O’Brien
Columnist says the paradox of the CBC is that it must broadly appeal to all Canadians but it also must reflect smaller groups, be they regional, linguistic or otherwise grouped, back to themselves – and at the same time.
Mar 7, 2012 — Cartt.ca: Cartt.ca INVESTIGATES: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Columnist says that while on balance the CBC has done an admirable job reflecting Canada and Canadians back to ourselves, it is the advent of multiplatform media that will help the public broadcaster fulfill its mandate.
Mar 7, 2012 — Hollywood Reporter: Netflix in Talks With Cable Operators About Distribution Deals (Report) by Georg Szalai
A cable deal for Netflix would increase its competition with HBO, but one analyst says it could be a sign of weakening subscriber trends.
Mar 6, 2012 — Montreal Gazette: CBC-Quebecor conflict ends by Jason Magder
Columnist says CBC and Quebecor appear to have reached a truce in their long-running public battle, with the public broadcaster buying advertising in return for more cable TV access.
Mar 6, 2012 — National Post: Cut $10-billion now by Niels Veldhuis and Charles Lammam
Economists say government spending needs to be prioritized so that important areas are spared deep cuts while lower priority areas carry a greater burden of the spending reductions.
Mar 6, 2012 — Marketing Magazine: Yahoo rumoured to be preparing Olympic rights bid by Chris Powell
If successful, Yahoo could possibly broadcast the Games online, partner with a streaming video service such as Netflix, or license TV stations to broadcast the Games.
Mar 5, 2012 — Chronicle Herald: CBC puts Bell Road expansion on hold by Remo Zaccagna
With political pundits predicting some austerity measures in the March 29 federal budget, the proposal to enlarge the current 57,000-square-foot building to about 90,000 square feet and consolidate about 170 staff in one central location has been suspended.
Mar 5, 2012 — StarPhoenix: Small Internet providers seek price relief by Jamie Sturgeon
The country's independent ISPs are planning to ask federal regulators to strike down a ruling that, if fully implemented, will see costly tariffs imposed by big network owners such as BCE Inc.
Mar 5, 2012 — Toronto Star: Quebecor-CBC feud: New deal brings peace in sight
Under a new agreement, the CBC will purchase print and digital ads in Quebecor properties while Quebecor renewed an agreement so various CBC channels can be carried across its Videotron subsidiary.
Mar 5, 2012 — Marketing Magazine: Stat Attack: Who’s Watching TV by Doug Picklyk
Columnist says as more screens surround our lives and technology serves up more entertainment options than ever before, Canadians continue to cling to the security of the television set and the schedule it provides.
Mar 5, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Robo-call scandal makes for terrible TV by John Doyle
Columnist says that across the TV news reports there is a failure to acknowledge that people are genuinely, profoundly disturbed by even the suggestion that an election was subverted.
Mar 4, 2012 — The Observer: Has Leveson finally delivered a mortal blow to Rupert Murdoch? by Henry Porter
Columnist says that James Murdoch was probably pushed to resign the executive chairmanship of News International and that it's possible he may soon lose the chairmanship of BSkyB as well.
Mar 3, 2012 — Montreal Gazette: Stop the CBC smackdown - please by Mark Abley
Columnist asks whether the CBC really believes that intelligent material can be sold to listeners only if it's wrapped in ridiculous packaging?
Mar 3, 2012 — Toronto Star: Robo-calls scandal shows how new technologies are ‘changing politics’ by Antonia Zerbisias
Ottawa blogger Alice Funke fears too much of this democratic form of journalism is risky pointing to problems such as oversimplification which she believes can impede charges of election fraud.
Mar 2, 2012 — Hollywood Reporter: Canada's Bell Media Fingers Big Cable for Undue Leverage in Carriage Negotiations by Etan Vlessing
The unresolved clash between the top-rated Bell and independent carriers is now the subject of mediation by the CRTC.
Mar 2, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Elections Canada taps CRTC for help with deluge of robo-call complaints by Steven Chase and Daniel Leblanc
Deluged with a staggering volume of grievances about fraudulent calls in the last election, Elections Canada is referring some complainants to another federal regulator – the CRTC – that also has a responsibility to police the country’s phone lines.
Mar 2, 2012 — CBC News: Telefilm to offer big money to micro-budget digital projects
Telefilm is introducing a pilot program that would give emerging filmmakers as much as $120,000 to make so-called "micro-budget" movies.
Mar 1, 2012 — Toronto Star: CRTC drops NFL content case against Bell Canada
The CRTC has said it has confirmed with the NFL that under its contract terms Bell has no right to sub-license to a third-party mobile service provider, media reports say.
Feb 24, 2012 — Campaign: J'aime Radio-Canada
French language campaign encouraging the government to maintain or increase funding to the CBC.
Feb 21, 2012 — Toronto Star: Pierre Juneau, ex-CBC president, dies at 89
A longtime friend of Pierre Trudeau who had the Juno Awards named after him after a career spent championing Canadian performers as head of the CRTC and CBC has died.
Feb 21, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Pierre Juneau, advocate for Canadian content, dead at 89
A long-time friend of Pierre Trudeau who went on to become an early champion of Canadian content as head of the CRTC and CBC has died.
Feb 21, 2012 — CBC News: Pierre Juneau, former CRTC and CBC chief, dies
Pierre Juneau, who championed Canadian content on radio and TV as the first chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, has died.
Feb 17, 2012 — New York Times: Congress to Sell Public Airwaves to Pay Benefits by Edward Wyatt
The need for revenue to partly cover the extension of the payroll tax cut and long-term unemployment benefits has pushed Congress to embrace a generational shift in the country’s media landscape: the auction of public airwaves now used for television broadcasts to create more wireless Internet systems.
Feb 15, 2012 — Huffington Post: CBC-Quebecor Spat: Internal Memo To Harper Defends Public Broadcaster
The Harper government is defending the CBC in the public broadcaster's nasty spat with Quebecor over advertising dollars, an internal memo shows.
Feb 15, 2012 — News Article: Do Conservatives Think CBC is Important? by Barry Kiefl
New research shows that some 4 in 5 Conservative supporters think CBC TV is important to Canadian culture and about 2 in 3 support CBC radio.
Feb 15, 2012 — Coquitlam Now : CBC a bargain for taxpayers by Gwen Chute
Columnist says that if the CBC is severely cut, it will lead ordinary Canadians to become what the Prime Minister calls "radicals" in protest.
Feb 14, 2012 — News Article: CHCH viewers eager to add input over CRTC funding issue by Meredith MacLeod
CHCH has launched a public campaign to urge the federal broadcast regulator to preserve a fund that shores up small and medium TV markets, including Hamilton.
Feb 14, 2012 — Cartt.ca: Who's paying what into LPIF
The CRTC has released new numbers for the Local Programming Improvement Fund which indicate Shaw Communications paid the most into the fund, followed by Bell Canada and Rogers Cable.
Feb 13, 2012 — Cartt.ca: CBC launches free digital music service
Leveraging a recent music licensing deal with Audio-Video Licensing Agency, the CBC has launched a new, free, digital music service.
Feb 12, 2012 — The Prime Minister's Office: Statement by the Prime Minister on the 54th Annual Grammy Awards
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has issued a statement congratulating the Canadian recipients of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.
Feb 8, 2012 — The Tyee: Make It the Canadian Webcasting Corporation by Crawford Kilian
Columnist says the CBC should ditch both TV and radio, and the technologies of those media.
Feb 8, 2012 — Hamilton Spectator: Budget could put CBC Hamilton in jeopardy
FRIENDS says that expected funding cuts in the upcoming federal budget would have devastating consequences for listeners and viewers and could scuttle new services the CBC has promised to Hamiltonians and residents of several other communities.
Feb 8, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Ruling on Sun News' Krista Erickson is a triumph for the obnoxious by John Doyle
Columnist says nobody should be surprised that the CBSC failed to find fault in Krista Erickson’s approach to a recent interview with Canadian dancer Margie Gillis as there is no regulatory mechanism for the censure of obnoxious behaviour on TV.
Feb 8, 2012 — Cartt.ca: New CBC digital service secures Hamilton address
CBC has found a home for its new local digital service in Hamilton, which is scheduled to start this Spring.
Feb 8, 2012 — CBC Radio - The Current: Audio: Theatre chill over staging controversial productions
James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, takes exception to a story on CBC Radio about a play that has the artistic community buzzing about a political chill.
Feb 8, 2012 — Kamloops Daily News: Who do we trust to protect the CBC? by David Charbonneau
New survey shows that three-quarters of Kamloopsians are in favour of the proposed new CBC radio station in Kamloops.
Feb 6, 2012 — Cartt.ca: Cartt.ca IN-DEPTH: Blue Ant's Michael MacMillan says original content will lead ambitious plans by by Greg O’Brien
Michael MacMillan recently sat down with Cartt.ca editor and publisher Greg O’Brien to chat about Alliance Atlantis, what he’s learned and what he hopes for his new company, Blue Ant Media.
Feb 6, 2012 — Globe & Mail: CRTC delays CBC licence renewal until after budget by Steve Ladurantaye
The CRTC has agreed to postpone Canadian Broadcasting Corp.'s licence renewal application until after a federal budget that is expected to reduce its funding.
Feb 6, 2012 — Toronto Star: Hébert: Radio-Canada’s days as talent incubator may be over
Columnist says that while talent is an undeniable part of the success of Quebec made films, nurturing has a lot to do with the result and is due in no small part to Radio-Canada’s role as an incubator.
Feb 4, 2012 — Toronto Star: CRTC’s new sheriff faces challenges of digital age
Columnist says the themes for the CRTC have remained the same: how to effectively regulate amidst technological change and ensure that Canadian content remains vibrant in a tidal wave of foreign content.
Feb 4, 2012 — Vancouver Sun: Maher: Sun TV plays dirty with trumped-up CBC porn scandal by Stephen Maher
Columnist says Sun TV's parent company sells a lot of porn, the CBC does not sell porn, but that somehow Sun TV is managing to get politicians to condemn CBC for selling porn.
Feb 4, 2012 — StephenKimber.com: Me, the CBC and the CTF by Stephen Kimber
FRIENDS Steering Committee Member, Stephen Kimber, responds to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation's claim that he is "on the CBC payroll".
Feb 2, 2012 — Mediacaster: CBC Licence Renewals Postponed Indefinitely as Criticism, Consultation Grows
The CRTC has received a letter from the CBC asking for hearings regarding their license renewal to be postponed, in large part due to the fact that the Corporation's operating budget is open for discussion.
Feb 2, 2012 — Toronto Sun: Time to tune out Minister Moore
Columnist calls for Stephen Harper to remove Heritage Minister James Moore from his portfolio over comments related to the appropriateness of the CBC's French affiliate showing foreign pornography on its website.
Feb 2, 2012 — Canoe.ca: CTF cries foul on CBC link to 'Friends' By Kris Sims
FRIENDS disputes The Canadian Taxpayers Federation's claims that steering committee members are on the CBC's payroll.
Feb 2, 2012 — Canadian Taxpayers Federation: Friends with Benefits: CTF finds Friends of Canadian Broadcasting on the CBC Payroll by Gregory Thomas
The CTF has filed an Access to Information request with the CBC asking if members of the FRIENDS Steering Committee are on the public broadcaster's payroll.
Feb 1, 2012 — Kamloops News: Most in Kamloops favour CBC expansion, poll finds by Mike Youds
Study shows that a substantial majority — 73 per cent — of Kamloops area residents surveyed would like CBC to establish a local radio station to cover community affairs.
Jan 31, 2012 — CBC/Radio-Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada's Licence Renewal Process
Letter from the CBC to the CRTC asking that the public broadcaster's licence renewal process be postponed until after its budget is announced by the Harper government.
Jan 31, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Economists say budget cuts risk more harm as Canadian economy shrinks by Bill Curry
Columnist says Conservative MPs who were never happy with stimulus spending are pushing hard for deep spending cuts in areas like the CBC.
Jan 31, 2012 — Vancouver Sun: NDP wants to know PMO staffers' salaries by Glen McGregor
Columnist says the NDP is calling on Treasury Board president Tony Clement to bring the same sunlight to salaries in the Prime Minister's Office as the government shone on the highly paid staff at the CBC.
Jan 31, 2012 — National Post: 730 CBC employees take home more than $100,000 a year
The CBC has more than 700 staff on the payroll making $100,000 annually, the public broadcaster revealed to a Conservative MP who had asked for salary details of top CBC executives and on-air staff.
Jan 31, 2012 — Canadian University Press: CBC under ideological attack by Dave Swanson
Columnist says if Conservatives cut CBC funding, Canadian identity will suffer.
Jan 31, 2012 — Canoe.ca: Tories petition to scrap CBC by Kris Sims
Columnist says four Conservative MPs have presented petitions in the House of Commons calling for the CBC to be defunded or sold to private industry.
Jan 31, 2012 — LeadNow: Reimagine the CBC by Lead Now
LeadNow has launched a campaign to Re-Imagine the CBC.
Jan 30, 2012 — Toronto Star: Cuts: This time it's personal by Susan Delacourt
Columnist questions whether it is possible for the Conservative government to make cuts without first demonizing the target of them.
Jan 30, 2012 — RobertReich.org: The Biggest Risk to the Economy in 2012, and What’s the Economy For Anyway? by Robert Reich
Columnist says the crisis of capitalism marks the triumph of consumers and investors over workers and citizens and the increasing efficiency by which all of us as consumers can get great deals with our declining capacity as citizens.
Jan 28, 2012 — Toronto Sun: CBC taking bite out of ... Apple?! by Ezra Levant
Columnist says the CBC is a failure at what it does now, and should not be taking on Apple with a new online music store.
Jan 28, 2012 — The Record: Don’t count on tuning into a local CBC station any time soon by Luisa D’Amato
The CBC says it plans to open a radio station in Waterloo Region this fall but columnist Luisa D'Amato questions whether it will happen.
Jan 26, 2012 — Toronto Star: Sun TV attacks don’t faze CBC chief Hubert Lacroix by Greg Quill
CBC president Hubert Lacroix says he doesn’t believe there’s a conspiracy between Sun Media and Conservatives in Ottawa.
Jan 23, 2012 — Cartt.ca: COMMENTARY: Growth of new media means the job of CRTC chair will only get tougher by Peter Miller
Peter Miller comments on the nature of the job for the CRTC Chairman, and perhaps most importantly, the challenges a new chair will face over the next five years.
Jan 22, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Canada needs to reinvent CRTC, outgoing head says by Gordon Pitts
Outgoing CRTC Chairman says the Internet and wireless technology has disarmed federal regulators of their weapons to protect cultural identity.
Jan 21, 2012 — Winnipeg Free Press: We can't fix the CBC if it doesn't exist
Columnist says taxpayers will continue to pay for the CBC, not just because they have no choice, but because they still care and hope that it will get better.
Jan 19, 2012 — Globe & Mail: Don’t ease telecom foreign investment rules, NDP warns by Rita Trichur
The NDP says the federal government should not liberalize Canada’s foreign investment rules for the telecommunications sector, not even for smaller companies, because there is little proof that doing so would benefit consumers.
Jan 19, 2012 — Waterloo Record: Poll suggests region wants local CBC radio station by Valerie Hill
FRIENDS has released a public opinion poll suggesting 68 per cent of Waterloo Region residents support CBC establishing a local radio station.
Jan 19, 2012 — Winnipeg Free Press: NDP, Wind Mobile disagree on foreign ownership in the telecom industry by LuAnn LaSalle
The head of Wind Mobile says Canada should clarify its ownership rules for the wireless industry to attract more foreign investment, not discourage it, because the outside capital has brought consumers more competition and lower prices.
Jan 17, 2012 — Vancouver Sun: Rogers buys SCN; set to launch Citytv channel by Will Chabun
A mere month after announcing a deal to supply programming to Regina-based TV broadcaster SCN, Rogers Communications has unveiled a deal to buy the station for an undisclosed amount.
Jan 17, 2012 — Hollywood Reporter: Rogers Media Acquires Saskatchewan Network SCN by Etan Vlessing
The takeover deal comes a month after the national broadcaster unveiled an earlier, now-abandoned affiliate agreement with the provincial educational broadcaster.
Jan 17, 2012 — Globe & Mail: CBC dismantling LP, CD archives by Guy Dixon
Columnist says the CBC is quietly dismantling its archives of LPs and CDs across Canada – a cultural treasure trove built over decades – even as it prepares to launch a major new music service online.
Jan 17, 2012 — Toronto Star: Low-ball bid for Olympic TV rights could leave Canadians in dark
The International Olympic Committee has rejected a joint offer from Bell and CBC to televise the next Winter Games and the 2016 Summer Games, setting up a high-stakes showdown over how those Olympics will be broadcast in Canada.
Jan 14, 2012 — Winnipeg Free Press: Who needs Cancon? by Misty Harris
Despite not being held to the same Cancon carriage rules as traditional broadcasters, YouTube reports that Canadian videos are being sought-out and viewed at a rate roughly on par with those originating in the U.S.
Jan 13, 2012 — Montreal Gazette: Users choked up over Internet throttling by Sarah Schmidt
The CRTC says complaints against Internet providers deliberately slowing down online traffic are way up in Canada.
Jan 12, 2012 — Hollywood Reporter: Soft Canadian TV Ad Market Hits Shaw Communications by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says The Shaw Media division, which airs popular series like "Glee," "NCIS" and "House," saw sales revenue fall year-on-year as Canadian advertisers pull back in uncertain times.
Jan 12, 2012 — The Independent: Film world hits back over PM's call to focus on blockbusters by Tom Peck
Film-makers, actors and critics argue British Prime Minister David Cameron's call for film funding to focus on "commercially successful" pictures would "dilute the quality of the product and mean we don't move forward culturally".
Jan 11, 2012 — Cartt.ca: Wanted: new CRTC chairperson
The process to find the new chairperson of the CRTC is officially underway, less than two weeks before outgoing chair Konrad von Finckenstein’s term expires on January 24.
Jan 9, 2012 — Toronto Star: Cable TV dispute leaves Buffalo hockey fans in the dark by Chris Zelkovich
Despite the dispute between Time Warner and the MSG Network regarding the broadcast of Buffalo Sabres games, FRIENDS says it's not in the interest of MLSE to withold signals from other broadcasters and ever if it were, it would run afoul of CRTC regulations.
Jan 6, 2012 — Online Party of Canada: CRTC Empire strikes back: UBB Redux
The newly formed Online Party of Canada is calling on Canadians to take political action via the Internet by commenting, voting and sharing the many telecomm-related issues on their website.
Jan 6, 2012 — All Things D: You Watch a Lot of Web Video. You Watch Way More TV by Peter Kafta
Nielson reports people still spend far more hours watching traditional television signals than they do streamed web video.
Jan 6, 2012 — National Post: CBC ombudsman casts doubt on police chief’s version of Rob Ford’s 911 call by Natalie Alcoba
CBC’s ombudsman has suggested the police chief’s statements about Rob Ford’s 911 call last fall may lack credibility because Bill Blair is “not a disinterested party” and his budget depends on negotiations with the Mayor.
Jan 5, 2012 — CBC News: CBC announces Saskatoon morning radio show
CBC says a new morning show will replace the Morning Edition, which is currently heard throughout the province.
Jan 5, 2012 — Montreal Gazette: Independent Internet providers challenge CRTC by Jamie Sturgeon
The country's independent Internet providers are challenging a CRTC ruling that allows large network operators like BCE Inc. to raise rates on smaller providers and their customers.
Jan 4, 2012 — MediaPost: Rumored Apple iTV Could Be the Real Threat to Netflix by Daisy Whitney
Columnist says a cache of reports has surfaced saying Apple is getting into the TV manufacturing business this year and may introduce an Apple TV set by mid-2012.
Jan 4, 2012 — Globe & Mail: New Internet pricing rules spark jump in customer bills by Rita Trichur
TekSavvy Solutions Inc. has become the first independent Internet service provider to raise consumer prices following the CRTC’s recent compromise decision on usage-based billing.
Jan 4, 2012 — New York Times: Internet Access Is Not a Human Right by Vinton G. Cerf
Columnist says that technology is an enabler of rights, but is not a right itself.
Jan 2, 2012 — The Guardian: How the badly maimed BBC can stand up to parasitic Sky
Columnist says the BBC accounts for much of Britain's success in the creative industries, a prime example of national investment yielding rich returns.
