Columnist says that five months after regulators approved a merger of Sirius and XM, the company faces an uncertain future.
Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau says his strategy is to cut back on print operations and invest in mobile phone technology.
Article profiles different decisions made by CanWest and CTVglobemedia in the face of increasing debt and an economic downturn.
Leonard Asper, dismissed speculation that CanWest may revisit plans to sell Network Ten after the Australian broadcaster slashed its dividend and shelved a share buyback.
CTV's cancellation of Canadian Idol this season will result in a loss of almost 650 TV production jobs across Canada.
Canada's private broadcasters have the right to appear at the Supreme Court of Canada to argue they are being charged what they feel to be an illegal tax.
Canwest Global has announced it has formed a partnership with a U.S. provider of digital advertising solutions.
Canwest Global says its Australian operations saw a drop in operating profits in its first quarter.
Board resignations come as former parent Quebecor Inc., headed by Pierre Karl Peladeau, sues Quebecor World, which is restructuring under bankruptcy protection.
Columnist says a 10 per cent work force reduction for Sun Media may precede a broader shift to drive content online and save newsprint costs.
Canada's biggest newspaper publisher, Sun Media, is cutting 600 jobs in Western Canada, Ontario and Quebec as it restructures in the face of harsh economic conditions.
Despite being a ratings winner, CTV has announced it will not produce Canadian Idol in 2009 in a move to preserve cash.
Columnist says that Internet regulation, an ISP tax and net neutrality are likely to be the battleground issues at the CRTC new media hearings in February, 2009.
Canadian Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Glenn O'Farrell has announced he will step down early in 2009.
When asked about his favorite television programs, the CRTC vice-chairman in charge of broadcasting said "I'm not that interested in televised fiction or even feature films".
An Ottawa radio station is becoming one of three Canadian stations moving under the Virgin Radio brand.
The CRTC has issued a decision ordering Canada's big phone companies to offer the same internet speeds to smaller wholesale customers as they themselves sell on a retail basis.
The CRTC have given its blessing to The Sports Network for turning its alternate feed into TSN2, a permanent, 24-hour digital channel.
The CRTC has approved a Rogers Communications bid for a Toronto-focused specialty channel with local news, traffic, weather, business, sports and entertainment information.
Canadian entrepreneurs are demonstrating that despite massive industry consolidation, a small, independent TV channel can still find an audience.
CEO says Canada's largest radio and pay-TV operator is doing whatever it can to keep workers on payroll.
NBC, currently in last place among major U.S. television networks, is merging two divisions responsible for making TV shows in a bid to cut costs.
Columnist says free, over-the-air, high-definition TV signals will doom the current cable monopoly in Canada.
The owners of Canwest Global Communications are no longer among Canada's 100 wealthiest people, as reported by Canadian Business magazine.
FRIENDS recommends that the CRTC extend the same public policy and Broadcasting Act support for Canadian content to all media, including new media.
Ted Rogers leaves behind a Canadian media empire with annual revenue of $11 billion and employing 29,000 Canadians.
Analyst says Rogers shareholders will want the status quo maintained as the company moves ahead without its founder and CEO.
Rogers Communications has announced a round of job cuts following news of the death of founder and controlling shareholder Ted Rogers.
Rogers Communications has announced it will lay off an unspecified number of employees in its media division as it copes with a decline in advertising revenue.
Columnist says Rogers and Bell are grappling with tough decisions about their futures as one firm deals with a founder's death while the other faces a possible collapse of a buyout deal.
New president and chief executive of the National Post says his main task will be to put the newspaper on the road to making money.
Columnist looks at the life Canadian media pioneer, Ted Rogers.
Canwest has launched redesigned Web sites for its major city daily newspapers intended to provide in-depth, live local news and information.
Firm lowers Canwest Media's credit rating to 'highly speculative' as the company struggles with heavy debt and a weak ad market.
CTV, in an effort to trim costs because of financial pressures, has eliminated 105 jobs at its broadcast operations.
Columnist says the job cuts will be deepest at media properties recently purchased from CHUM.
Data show that despite growing audiences radio advertising has been down 18 consecutive months.
Canwest answers questions about his company's stock price, debt levels and corporate strategy.
Corus Entertainment has joined the growing list of broadcasters that are slashing costs amid a slowdown in advertising spending.
The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union says recently announced layoffs should prompt the CRTC to reconsider the terms of license for CTV.
CTV is preparing to cut costs by chopping discretionary expenses, imposing a hiring freeze and eliminating jobs.
Citing a drop in advertising revenue and the financial woes of some of its biggest customers, Canada's largest television network, CTV, says it plans to shed jobs as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest has promised to abolish the provincial sales tax of 7.5 per cent on culture-related products.
Peter Viner has been announced as the interim president of Canwest Global Communications' broadcasting division.
Media magnate Rupert Murdoch says doomsayers who are predicting the Internet will kill off newspapers are "misguided cynics" who fail to grasp that the online world is potentially a huge new market of information-hungry consumers.
Peter C. Newman's biography of Izzy Asper comes out just as Canwest faces the implications of some of the late media mogul's decisions.
Canwest CEO Leonard Asper says regulatory relief and cost-cutting are keys to reviving his company's conventional TV business.
Columnist says with slumping ad revenue and a swooning share price, there are questions about how Canwest's debt will be repaid.
Canwest Global has opted to book a non-cash writedown of $1-billion related to the value of its television operations.
Columnist says there will be Canwest staff cuts to dramatic television, but regional news-gathering divisions will sent the brunt of the layoffs.
CanWest should divest itself of some of its media holdings rather than its employees, says Canada's largest media union.
Journalist and newly elected MP, Arthur Kent, has filed a lawsuit against Canwest over a profile of him in the Calgary Herald and the National Post.
In an internal memo, Canwest Broadcasting president Kathy Dore says "The current regulatory environment makes it very difficult for us to be successful."
Media union criticizes Canwest's "binge of acquisitions" for the company's financial troubles.
Columnist says a court ruling may allow the owners of Canadian radio stations to reduce royalty payments to composers and musicians.
Canwest Global, Canada's largest media company, has announced plans to cut 560 jobs, or 5% of its work force, as it cuts operating costs amid a deteriorating advertising market.
Burdened by debt, CanWest Global is cutting 560 jobs from its operations, hoping to buy itself breathing room to withstand an economic downturn.
A panel of sports executives says the Internet is transforming sports broadcasting to such a degree that cable and satellite companies could become redundant and even go out of business.
Canwest has announced it would contribute $700,000 to a mentorship program that matches high-potential women with senior members of the communication industry.
In an attempt to monetize online video, a new technology is being marketed that searches for spots within videos to insert advertising messages.
CEO of Montreal based StreamTheWorld says there has been "explosive" demand from media companies for its audio and video web-streaming services.
Columnist says it is dishonest to pretend there is no bias or political agenda on the part of some news organizations.
Fairfax, a financial services holding company, has purchased another 2.9 million subordinate voting shares in CanWest for an undisclosed amount.
Canwest has acquired the streaming rights to "Prison Break," "Bones," "Family Guy" and "24," plus mobisodes and webisodes, for its Canadian network Web sites.
The parent company of the Toronto Star, has been the subject of two analyst downgrades in the past week because of its exposure to what many see as a prolonged slowdown in advertising spending.
TV viewership in English-speaking Canada, where U.S. series dominate schedules, is down year-over-year by about 6%, according to CTV and Canwest Broadcasting.
The National Post is suspending home delivery in Manitoba - CanWest's home market - and will only provide Saturday newspapers for retail purchase in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Australian media analysts say a heavy debt load may force Canwest to sell its broadcast holdings in that country.
Columnist says that without transparency in advance of his departure, Ted Rogers is leaving a large vacuum in his empire that becomes increasingly harder to fill.
Phil Lind, vice-chairman of Rogers Communications, says that since Canada's conventional broadcasters can't charge cable companies for their television signal they will "stick it to us somehow."
Ted Rogers has been admitted to hospital, forcing him to relinquish his duties as CEO of Rogers Communications.
Analysts say Canwest may have to consider selling assets into an unfavourable market.
Under new rules TSN will be able to air as much regional content as it wishes and Sportsnet can carry an unlimited amount of national programming.
In a radio report, FRIENDS says that the global financial crisis has shown that appropriate regulation can play an important role in Canada's economy.
Astral Media, Canada's largest radio and pay TV operator, reports its fourth-quarter net profit rose slightly to just under $40 million from $38.1 million last year.
FRIENDS spokesperson Ian Morrison says cable companies such as Shaw Communications may not be happy with having to put more money into local television programming.
FRIENDS says the CRTC has rejected most of the cable industry's demands for greater powers to decide what's on TV in a decision that protects viewers and Canadian programming
Ted Rogers says soaring third-quarter results show his company is 'extremely well financed to weather a storm.'
Sources say the company that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors is considering the purchase of a soccer TV channel and a general-interest sports service.
The 19-year-old media and politics gossip magazine Frank is ceasing operations due to lack of profitability.
Media ethics professor says a financial relationship between a news organization and those who are interviewed could affect public perception of the media's independence and objectivity.
Canada's largest cable-TV and mobile-phone operator says its July-September operating profit was up 10 per cent to $1.09-billion.
Industry analyst says most Internet radio operators don't have enough audience to generate the revenues needed to cover expenses.
A Wall Street media-stock analyst says struggling newspaper companies should go private and get off the stock exchange.
Columnist says the main problems facing CanWest are a $3.7-billion deb and advertising-driven holdings that are expected to earn less if a recession hits.
FRIENDS says that with a slumping stock price and financing deal with Goldman Sachs, it is possible that the Asper family could lose control of CanWest.
Corus entertainment's CEO says with the economy heading downward, the year ahead will be a turbulent one for broadcasters.
CTV has extended a supply agreement with Bell Canada to include made-for-mobile content such as MTV's "The Hills" and "Andy Milonakis."
Shaw Communications, citing uncertain economic conditions, said it will not build a wireless phone business, even after spending nearly $190-million to acquire spectrum licences this summer.
Market analyst says that with the global economic downturn, many companies are expected to scale back spending on TV and newspaper ads, which doesn't bode well for firms like Canwest.
Journalist Arthur Kent has filed a lawsuit against Canwest and writer Don Martin for a column he says was an act of "political vandalism."
With advertising down at its newspapers and contributions from its Australian television holdings fading, market analyst says CanWest shares aren't worth the risk.
Columnist says Tina Fey's parody of Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live could be a defining moment for an industry trying to make money from content on the Internet.
Canwest has reported a 10 per cent drop in operating earnings at its Australian operations.
Rogers Communications says it has acquired a slew of U.S. network series from domestic rights-holder Canwest Broadcasting for free on-demand viewing by its digital cable subscribers.
In the midst of a contract dispute with a local broadcaster, Time Warner Cable tells its customers to watch their favorite shows using the Internet.
Industry analyst says much work needs to be done to prepare Canadians for the digital TV conversion in 2011.
Columnist says consumers have never been angrier with their telecommunications service providers, but ever-increasing phone, internet and television bills have not yet become election issues.
THE CRTC has given the go-ahead for Corus Entertainment to launch YTV OneWorld, a digital channel that offers international kids and family programming.
CanWest's CEO says Canada's television networks need to cut rising programming costs and push for more digital rights when they negotiate for prime-time shows with U.S. studios.
The federal government has accepted the CRTC's decision to permit the TQS television network in Quebec to replace traditional newscasts with current-events programming.
Columnist says CanWest stock could be deleted from Canada's benchmark stock index.
Telecom startup Globalive says it will target wireless consumers who do not want to lock themselves into multiyear contracts.
Data show advertising dollars spent on cable networks was up 10% this year over last year.
The Score has undergone a $15-million makeover designed to bolster the cable sports channel against bigger rivals TSN, Rogers Sportsnet and an expanding CBC.
The CRTC has placed Canada's second-largest cable company on probation for flouting federal rules.
At a time when many news agencies are closing foreign offices, Global National News is set to open four new bureaus in London, Beijing, New Delhi and Jerusalem.
Canwest has announced it will provide online access to over 50 TV programs including U.S. shows such as Heroes, House and The Office.
Columnist says the lasting story of the Beijing Olympics is the technological advances made in media coverage and the enthusiasm with which the consumer has embraced that coverage.
With free Olympics video in abundance on the Internet, viewers have had little incentive to seek out grainy pirated images.
Market analyst says cable companies are winning the subscriber battle against telecom companies, making their stock compelling buys.
CanWest is set to rebrand its cable channel Lonestar, which centers on Westerns, as MovieTime, a digital offering of popular Hollywood movies.
Columnist says the global economic decline could be bad news for Hollywood and media conglomerates.
Yahoo says it is working with Intel to create web computer channels that will run alongside TV shows.
The Canadian digital cable channel Cosmopolitan TV has secured a space on Rogers Cable, the country's largest cable operator.
Canwest has announced the appointments of Kenton Boston to the position of Vice-President of Global National News and Neill Fitzpatrick as Global National's Executive Producer.
Digital technology is allowing broadcasters to divide their signals into multiple feeds and offer several channels where there had only been one.
Market analyst says new technology that allows the streaming of satellite radio to iPhones will help Sirius by eliminating the cost of buying a radio.
TSN has announced a new digital sports channel with programming featuring the NHL, NBA, CFL, NCAA, curling, auto racing and martial arts.
Columnist says television is a critical ingredient for phone companies to offset declines in their land-line business from cable and VOIP competition.
Canwest Global has confirmed the sale of an "orphaned asset" that will add about $7-million annually to the company's operating profit.
Negotiations between the Canadian Film and Television Production Association and the major Canadian broadcast groups have reached an impasse before even formally getting underway.
Kathy Dore is set to step down as president of Canwest Broadcasting after a four year tenure.
Canada's largest phone company hopes to reposition itself against formidable competitors in the wireless, TV, Internet and land-line communications market.
Columnist says Canada's TV producers and the private broadcasters are gearing up for terms-of-trade negotiations this fall.
An investor says CanWest's stock is currently at "a you're-going-broke kind of price".
Canwest Media has announced it has launched a $210,000 aboriginal internship program at its major Alberta television stations.
CRTC data show TV revenue for cable companies is growing twice as fast than that of broadcasters.
The media empire founded by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi says it is seeking at least €500 million euros in damages against Google's YouTube for the posting of copyrighted content.
ABC executive says that with rising production costs, U.S. TV networks are eager to find "new ways of doing business", including purchasing content from Canada.
Rogers says the company's wireless business helped propel revenue up 11 per cent to $301-million in its second quarter.
Newfoundland Capital Corp. is trading a radio station in Halifax to Rogers Broadcasting in exchange for a station in Sudbury, Ont., and $5 million.
Canada's film and video distributors reported total operating revenues of $1.7 billion in 2006, down marginally from 2005.
Columnist says Canadians can expect to see lower prices and more services for their cellphones beginning next year.
The wireless spectrum auction that was mandated to lower cellphone prices and increase competition has raised more than $4.25 billion in revenue.
Columnist says there is optimism in the TV industry over a number of excellent dramas being made by cable channels.
CTVglobemedia is launching a digital specialty TV channel that will have music videos for up to 10 percent of its programming.
Apple says it has sold one million iPhones in Canada on the first weekend of sales.
Columnist says the struggle to divvy the spoils of Canada's wireless riches has begun; pitting an increasingly savvy and demanding customer against finely tuned telecom incumbents.
CanWest rules on stock ownership for senior managers require that the chief executive officer hold at least twice the value of his annual salary in CanWest shares on the open market.
FRIENDS says Entertainment One is bringing together former players from Alliance Communications in a "critical mass of talent and capacity."
Astral Media executives say the company is planning to revamp its pay television services early next year to "reinvigorate" the business.
Columnist says public pressure caused Rogers to slash its mobile data fees in advance of the release of Apple's iPhone.
Columnist says big TV networks in Canada are losing their financial dominance amid the rapid growth of specialty channels and pay-television services.
Columnist says that a meeting of media and online leaders will focus on the Internet's increasing fragmentation.
Entertainment One looks to acquire Blueprint Entertainment, Barna-Alper Productions, Oasis International and Maximum Films.
Article breaks down what CTVglobemedia, CanWest, CBC and Rogers have planned for their fall TV lineups.
NBC executive says the broadcaster will use the Olympics as a "billion-dollar research lab" to get a sense of how people are using different media platforms to experience the Beijing Games.
Analysts say Cogeco Cable's stock is likely to head back toward its former highs, now that the company's acquisition streak is apparently at an end.
Canadian broadcasters say they will ask the Supreme Court of Canada to decide whether $100 million in annual license fees paid to the federal government represent a legitimate administration fee or an illegal tax.
Bell critics say the company is throttling Internet traffic so that it can give priority to its own paid online content.
Columnist says that despite challenges caused by the Hollywood writers strike, Canada's major networks are optimistic about the launch of the fall TV season.
More than 18,000 people have signed an online petition asking for lower rates from Rogers on Apple's iPhone.
Industry Canada says Shaw Communications has spent $212.2-million for licenses in a wireless spectrum auction.
The founder of MySpace has made public a competing offer for Toronto-based, Internet broadcaster JumpTV.
Shaw Communications reports a third-quarter profit of $128.1-million.
The chairman of the CRTC accuses Canada's biggest television networks of dragging their feet on millions of dollars of investment needed by 2011 to broadcast in high definition.
Rogers, Telus and Bell lead the way in bidding for the wireless spectrum auction that's aimed at bringing more competition to the cellphone market.
Columnist says that while Internet service providers in other countries are upgrading infrastructure, Canadian companies are throttling traffic.
CRTC says Canadian Cable companies' total revenues exceeded $7 billion for the first time ever in 2007.
A new five-year deal with the Canadian Football League gives CTVglobemedia's TSN rights to broadcast every game on multiple platforms for the next five years.
The Associated Press plans to meet with a bloggers' group to help form guidelines under which AP news stories can be quoted online.
Dalton Camp Award winner says YouTube is bound to play a key role in the next federal election.
Columnist says Global Television's fall schedule is chock full of American shows.
Columnist says CTV's A-channel and Global's E! are being stocked with proven hits and new shows bought from Hollywood.
Columnist says the only new Canadian programming on Global-TV's fall schedule is a 15-episode season of a new Bob & Doug McKenzie cartoon.
CBC says Satellite TV distributor Star Choice has breached broadcast rules with a "cavalier attitude" and should be reined in by the CRTC.
A new six-year agreement will significantly increase Canadian NHL content on the sports cable network TSN.
CTV executives say the network was relatively unscathed by the Hollywood writers strike because of a strategy to acquire cable programs and invest in original programming.
CTVglobemedia executive says a recent attack on the fee-for-carriage issue by Rogers Communications shows carriers are desperate and have resorted to fear-mongering.
Report says circulation of paid newspapers rose 2.6 per cent worldwide in 2007, with the biggest jump in India and China.
CTV has announced a fall lineup that includes two new Canadian-shot dramas and a Canadian-made reality TV show.
In a submission to the CRTC, the Canadian Association of Internet Providers has outlined how Bell Canada's Internet throttling has slowed down usage of voice-over-Internet-protocol calls, encrypted traffic, peer-to-peer file sharing and virtual-private networks.
Columnist suggests that the theory of the inevitable demise of the news business is being promoted by corporate executives at large newspaper chains who want to maximize profits by focusing on advertising at the expense of local, national and international news.
Canwest Global and CTVglobemedia have announced they will contribute $1.5 million to Media Awareness Network, a not-for-profit media literacy organization.
Shaw-owned Star Choice tells the CRTC that the company shouldn't be forced to return a local Toronto TV station to the airwaves just because "a few people complained".
The Conference Board of Canada says profit growth in Canada's telecommunications industry will stall in coming years as competition holds prices in check.
Rogers Communications vice-chairman says the CRTC has recently demonstrated an appetite for micro-management that may have implications for how television news stories are chosen and focused.
Canada's private networks plan on unveiling their fall schedules at an industry event in early June.
Ottawa is set to auction wireless airwaves in an attempt to bolster competition in a market where prices are higher than in other countries.
Article profiles TV executive Trina McQueen.
Ted Rogers says he doesn't want Rogers Communications sold when he steps down as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Data show U.S. Internet users viewed 11.5 billion online videos during March, 2008, representing a 64-percent gain over the previous year.
In an effort to distribute programs across the Web, the U.S. network ABC will start letting Web users embed clips of its TV shows on blogs and other online sites.
Fine Print, the Toronto-based books program, has been cancelled by its host broadcaster, Rogers TV.
Columnist says Bell may have legal and public relations issues if Internet traffic shaping is used to make it harder to buy movies from sources other than Bell's new online video store.
Video of the head of Public Radio International talking about why the US media is showing less international news.
Columnist says recent price hikes for Shaw cable TV service have come with no explanation and no improvement in service.
Shaw calls CBC's demand to reinstate its Regina feed "completely unrealistic and a total waste of scarce satellite capacity."
The CTV-owned sports channels TSN and French language counterpart, RDS, posted profits of $58.82-million and $22.76-million, respectively, in the 2007 fiscal year.
Federal broadcast regulators have ordered Bell Canada to provide tangible evidence that its broadband networks are congested to justify the company's Internet "traffic-shaping" policies.
Columnist says that while both the broadcasters and cable companies cite the need to support Canadian TV programming, what they are invariably after is the profits from foreign content.
Cable and satellite companies say the CRTC has no place telling them which TV channels to carry, even after Shaw sparked an industry-wide dispute by dropping a number of local stations from its satellite service.
Canada's biggest cable firm tells the CRTC the company is not out to dismantle the television broadcasting system in favour of a "free-for-all driven purely by market forces".
FRIENDS advises the CRTC against rule changes for Canada's cable and satellite companies that could reduce the exhibition of and expenditure on Canadian programming.
Rogers reiterates its opposition to fee-for-carriage for over the air broadcasters in final comments to the CRTC.
The UK media watchdog has fined Britain's biggest commercial broadcaster 5.68 million pounds for cheating viewers over phone-in competitions.
Shaw-controlled Star Choice is yanking CBC in Regina, CTV in Calgary, Global in the Maritimes, CityTV in Winnipeg and SunTV in Toronto from its satellite TV service.
Canwest has purchased a slate of NBC Universal shows in advance of the official screening party in Los Angeles that has traditionally led to expensive bidding wars between Canadian broadcasters.
The CRTC has told Shaw Communications it may require the company to file monthly reports to prove its community channels are not violating advertising rules.
Paul Ski, the former President of CHUM Radio, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer - Radio for Rogers Broadcasting.
Canadian broadcasters say licence fees of more than $100-million a year "are over and above payments made to the CRTC to defray the cost of the regulation and supervision of the industry".
A federal court has ruled that Ottawa has the right to charge television and radio broadcasters, along with cable and satellite distributors, fees for their licences that exceed the basic cost of regulating the industry.
Ted Rogers, chairman of Rogers Communications says the recent CRTC hearings may have gone smoother for his company if he had not attended.
Blaming an economic slowdown, Torstar Corp has reported significant drops in profit and revenue.
Columnist says the recent writers strike has taken a bite out of the latest earnings statement from Canadian ratings leader CTV.
Rogers Communications has announced the election of Isabelle Marcoux of Montreal to its Board of Directors.
According to documents filed with CRTC, David Asper is looking to launch a new radio station that would be independent of his family's newspaper and broadcasting empire, Canwest Global.
Ted Rogers says there is a "better way" to get relaxed rules for cable companies than cable baron Jim Shaw's approach of writing a letter to the Prime Minister denouncing the CRTC.
The text of a letter sent to Shaw Communications in response to an earlier Jim Shaw letter concerning the CRTC broadcast distribution hearings and the Canadian Television Fund.
Rogers Communications says that it has reached an agreement to bring Apple's iPhone to Canada.
Executives for Canwest and CTVglobemedia make a joint presentation to the CRTC asking for a fee-for-carriage of their television signals.
Columnist says that if new TV regulations make conventional broadcasters weaker they will probably be forced to cut Canadian services, especially expensive local news.
Warner Brothers television studio has announced plans for a group of Web sites that will air its shows, including those from the now-defunct WB television network.
Columnist says Canada's specialty television and pay-TV broadcasters are seeing steady increases in revenue at a time when growth at the country's biggest commercial television networks is stagnating.
CTV says episodes of Lost, Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy will be available online for 28 days after their original broadcast for the remainder of the season.
The Canadian Association of Internet Providers says Bell Canada has failed to prove its Internet network is congested and therefore in need of speed throttling.
Columnist examines the ways network TV and cable industries could be reshaped following recent regulatory hearings.
FRIENDS says the Canadian broadcasting system is an ecosystem where each of the components is inextricably linked so that a change in one will affect the others.
Columnist says a fight between Canada's cable industry and two national television networks is now being waged in the Prime Minister's office.
The CRTC has acknowledged that overhauling the rules protecting specialty channels from competition in Canada could lead to several of them being forced out of business.
S-VOX President and CEO Bill Roberts warns against allowing the pursuit of mass-market success to destroy the spirit of Canada's Broadcasting Act.
In response to Jim Shaw writing to the Prime Minister to complain about the CRTC, columnist writes his own letter poking fun at programming on Shaw's video-on-demand service.
Specialty/pay television broadcaster Astral says it does not object to fee-for-carriage for conventional broadcast signals.
Editorial backs cable/satellite industry call for deregulation of broadcast distribution.
Conventional broadcasters discuss reduced per-subscriber amount in fee-for-carriage proposal.
Broadcasters argue for fee-for-carriage, but resist suggestions that funds be tied to more Canadian programs and local news.
Shaw asks Conservative government to intervene in CRTC broadcast distribution hearings.
Shaw Communications CEO calls on Stephen Harper to "refocus" the CRTC, saying current review of satellite and broadcast regulations is undermining the Conservative government's policy objectives.
Telus says broadcasters' ownership of specialty channels should foreclose their right to fee-for-carriage for conventional channels.
CTV and Global deliver joint presentation to CRTC advocating fee-for-carriage, citing cable and satellite companies as too-powerful gatekeepers of programming available to Canadians.
FRIENDS says cable desire to change simultaneous substitution rules would significantly impact Canadian broadcasters' revenues.
Article says Canada is well behind the US in making television shows legally available online.
Rival private broadcasters combine efforts to oppose regulatory changes proposed by cable and satellite distributors.
Bell Canada defends shaping of Internet traffic on its network as being in the public interest.
Conventional broadcasters criticize cable and satellite providers for advocating deregulation while profiting from protection from foreign competition.
U.S. cable company says it is slowing down its clients' Internet connections if individual usage is outside the company's "network management goal".
Rogers argues deregulation of broadcast distribution is not about eliminating Canadian content.
Text of letter from Shaw Communications CEO to the Prime Minister concerning CRTC broadcast distribution hearings.
Quebecor calls for relaxation of distribution rules, contends they were designed for a world that no longer exists.
Quebecor says CRTC rules constrain industry's ability to offer better products such as video-on-demand.
Small independent broadcasters call on CRTC to enforce rules, resolve imbalance of bargaining power with cable and satellite providers.
The Canadian Association of Internet Providers has asked the CRTC to issue an immediate cease and desist order to stop Bell Canada from "throttling" the web traffic on its networks.
Quebecor tells CRTC to loosen regulation of broadcast distributors, says it would not pass on fee-for-carriage charges to cable subscribers.
Quebecor head says broadcast distribution rules apply to a world that no longer exists, must be relaxed.
Shaw-supported production fund calls on CRTC to protect Canadian children's programming, but says not at odds with Shaw demands that CRTC open up the market to large American channels.
Quebecor joins chorus of cable/satellite industry players in calling for industry deregulation, says it would support conventional broadcaster fee-for-carriage, just not for CBC.
APTN has launched a new high-definition channel, APTNHD, which will carry 16.5 hours per week of distinctive HD programming.
CBC management comments on rationale for rapid drama cancellations and reaction to letters from fans.
New TV distribution player calls on CRTC to eliminate requirement to carry "basic" channels.
US switch to digital will affect communities like Windsor that receive US-origin programming signals over-the-air.
FRIENDS says government report shows tax credits are essential to Canadian production, calls public investment in the arts one of the cheapest and best investments Canada can make.
CEO of Shaw Communications says distributors need less regulation to keep viewers from migrating to the Internet or illegal satellite services.
Canadian Association of Broadcasters tells CRTC that subscription video-on-demand could allow cable distributors to subvert rules preventing direct broadcasts by US networks in Canada.
Satellite distributor defends free access to over-the-air signals for distribution, calls fee-for-carriage proposals "looking for a handout".
Shaw Communications CEO says cable and satellite distribution rules should be less restrictive, complains that CRTC hearings focused on "old rules and taxes".
Bell ExpressVu promises free basic services after analogue to digital changeover, if CRTC rejects fee-for-carriage.
Distributors tell CRTC that broadcasters should find additional revenues elsewhere than through fee-for-carriage.
Despite having been granted national "must-carry" status by the CRTC, six-month-old Canadian pay television service Super Channel says it has struggled to receive carriage from cable and satellite distributors.
Editorial criticizes decision to reformulate CBC Radio 2 to easy listening, relegate classical music to off-hours.
Rogers CEO disagrees with own executives in presentations before CRTC hearings on broadcast distribution regulation.
Bell Canada takes negative view of fee-for-carriage despite its ownership stake in CTV.
Despite opposition to fee-for-carriage as a cable distributor, Rogers says its own broadcasting operations will not opt out if fee-for-carriage is adopted by the CRTC.
FRIENDS presentation to the CRTC on possible regulation changes for Canada's cable and satellite industry.
FRIENDS says Canadians will pay more for less choice in Canadian TV if cable monopoly demands for all out de-regulation of TV distribution are granted.
Op-ed by Rogers vice-chairman outlines arguments against fee-for-carriage proposal.
CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein questions Rogers assertion that fee-for-carriage would cause a consumer revolt, noting that annual fee increases have not decreased subscribers.
Goldman Sachs, new co-owner of Alliance Atlantis, sells international rights to some of Canada's best-known films and television shows to US distributor, despite bids by Canadians.
Canadian daily newspapers avoid steep revenue decline experienced in the US.
CTV television news quotes spokespersons from Rogers, CTV and FRIENDS on CRTC broadcast distribution hearings.
FRIENDS releases joint poll showing Canadian subscribers believe reduction in regulatory "burden" sought by cable industry is likely to reduce choice in Canadian programs available on TV.
CRTC broadcast distribution hearings are exposing divisions within integrated companies and unusual corporate alliances.
New survey shows Canadians regard the CRTC and the federal government as guardians of Canadian culture on TV, but don't trust that de-regulated cable and satellite companies would promote and deliver Canadian content on the small screen.
Rogers says it stands ready to challenge the decision if CRTC agrees to grant fee-for-carriage for conventional broadcasters.
FRIENDS is sceptical of big cable's prediction that fee-for-carriage would result in a loss of subscribers any more than the fee increases cable companies routinely levy.
Video of FRIENDS spokesperson, Ian Morrison, talking about upcoming CRTC hearings on possible rule changes for cable monopolies.
The Canadian Association of Internet Providers is alleging that Bell Canada's plans to throttle Web traffic on its networks is part of a larger plan to implement a tiered Internet pricing program.
Email to a Saskatoon StarPhoenix reporter noting that Moses Znaimer's Classical 96.3 FM is carried on Bell ExpressVu.
CTVglobemedia has announced that Chris Gordon has been appointed President of the Company's Radio Division.
S-VOX has been cleared to purchase CHNU-TV in Vancouver and CIIT-TV in Winnipeg from Rogers Media.
A new report indicates online broadcasting, despite its growing popularity, does not make nearly as much money as traditional TV.
Bell Mobility has announced a deal with the U.S. network HBO to deliver full episodes of HBO series on-demand to mobile phones.
Columnist says the viability of an important piece of the Canadian Internet connectivity puzzle has been put at risk due to Bell's plans to "throttle" its wholesale Internet services.
The National Union of Public and General Employees is asking the CRTC to investigate online "traffic shaping" by Internet service providers after an attempt by the CBC to offer programming via BitTorrent was hampered.
Rogers plans to introduce tiered Internet service that will not only charge users for a designated connection speed, but also cap how much bandwidth they can use in a month.
The senior vice-president of Canwest Media says her company provides a valuable community service and has to meet "costly Canadian programming obligations", therefore deserves fee-for-carriage of local TV signals.
The vice chairman of Rogers Communications says fee-for-carriage of local TV signals would force Canadians to feed exaggerated investor expectations, underwrite the cost of media acquisitions and reward inadequate business planning.
The internet search giant is pressing the U.S. government to open up airwave 'white space' for unlicensed use in hopes of enabling more widespread, affordable internet access.
Ad executive says if newspapers, magazines and broadcasters cannot expand online ad inventory, they are "under threat of becoming less and less relevant to the advertiser."
Global TV has ordered second seasons of Canadian series The Guard, The Best Years and 'da Kink in My Hair.
The target of a CanWest libel suit says the action can be inferred to be "fear of competing perspectives invariably communicated outside of the control of their editorial boardroom."
CanWest has launched a lawsuit against the publishers of a four-page parody of the Vancouver Sun newspaper.
Article says the Canwest Emerging Writers Program and the Canwest Showrunner Training Program will nurture emerging writers in order to encourage the growth of the television series business in Canada.
Television stations owned by CBS are launching an online advertising initiative using online modules which can be easily added to Web sites and updated throughout the day.
Columnist says that conventional TV broadcasters face the same challenges as music companies, newspapers and magazine publishers and do not need a bailout from consumers.
FRIENDS research shows a widening gap between what private broadcasters are investing in Canadian television programing and what they are purchasing from foreign sources.
Networks in Canada and the United States are preparing for a smaller number of new series to be completed for the coming fall season.
Remstar Corp., a film production and distribution company, is the winning bidder for TQS, the cash-strapped French-language network owned by Cogeco and CTVglobemedia.
The Walt Disney Co. expects to collect $1-billion (U.S.) in revenue from online content this fiscal year.
Analysts calls Canadian Learning Television "beach-front property" on the analogue TV dial.
FRIENDS says the buyout of Edmonton-based Canadian Learning Television by Corus might mean a consolidation of some services in Toronto.
Columnist sees parallels between Jim Shaw's attack on the CTV and the Conservative bit to rescinded tax credits for TV and film productions deemed "offensive."
The Writers Guild of Canada says broadcasters outside of Quebec spent 12.6 times more on foreign drama than they spent on similar Canadian productions.
Rogers say profit improvements in 2007 are "powerful evidence" that conventional broadcasters such as CTV, Global and the CBC don't need new fees from television distribution companies.
CRTC says Canadian private broadcasters spent $721.9 million on foreign programming in 2007; an increase of 4.9% over the $688.3 million spent in 2006.
CRTC data show Canada's private broadcasters increased their spending on foreign TV shows in 2007 and reduced spending on Canadian programming.
An online news outlet and CanWest are locked in a legal dispute over a column criticizing the departure of two cartoonists who worked for The Province.
CRTC data show profits at Canada's private conventional television stations improved to $112.9 -million in 2007 from $90.9-million a year earlier.
Columnist says media executives are concerned how an economic slowdown will affect advertising revenue.
An Afghan journalist working for CTV in Afghanistan has been designated an unlawful enemy combatant by the U.S. military.
Sirius Satellite Radio reports that it lost $166.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.
ABC says it will release ad-supported hit TV shows for free over video-on-demand cable services.
Quebecor CEO says his company is contemplating breaking out of Quebec and providing cellphone service nationally.
Internet video report shows the Hollywood writers' strike may have resulted in more people going online for fresh content.
Rogers says its fourth-quarter profit rose 44 per cent, fuelled in part by increased use of ring tones and other data services on cellphones.
Some media players say they expect the CRTC will endorse a proposal to require cable and satellite companies to pay subscriber fees to carry conventional television stations.
The CRTC has granted the owner of the Weather Network a licence to operate the Environment Network, which will focus on science and weather-related issues.
Adbusters has lost a court battle against networks that refused to air its TV commercials spoofing multinational corporations and the media.
Toronto-based JumpTV Inc., which streams television channels from around the world over the Internet, is considering selling part of its business and cutting costs.
Columnist says that led by the Asper family, the character of Canadian media is becoming more conservative.
Columnist says broadcasters may need to accept slimming margins for conventional TV as the new norm and focus on other platforms such as specialty networks, digital, video on demand and wireless for profit generation.
Rogers Communications has passed the million-subscriber mark for its home phone service, marking the fastest-growing new product in the company's history.
HDTV Networks is proposing to launch conventional television stations in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, but faces opposition from broadcasters who argue there is no room for an additional player in the conventional TV industry.
A Toronto businessman wants to launch Canada's first TV network that broadcasts over the air exclusively in high definition free of charge to viewers.
Columnist says TV networks, production studios and advertisers will need to sort through the financial aftermath of the Hollywood writers’ strike to determine its cost to the industry.
A Canadian Media Research study tests consumer awareness and satisfaction with cable, DTH and over-the-air TV channels.
Insurance company Fairfax Financial Holdings has increased its stake in CanWest as it continues to invest in slumping media stocks.
FRIENDS tells the CRTC that financial disclosure is needed to ensure big media companies are living up to their Canadian content obligations.
Columnist says that AM radio broadcasters are tired of stagnant revenue and tiny profits and are jumping to FM every chance they get.
Time Warner Inc.'s new CEO says he wants to divide AOL's online access and advertising businesses and possibly spin off the rest of the company's cable division.
A National Association of Broadcaster study says broadcast television could earn an additional $2 billion in annual revenue if a mobile content standard is adopted and technology is deployed quickly.
New technology will allow Kevin Newman to anchor Global National from Ottawa while the production is controlled and co-ordinated from Vancouver.
The Canadian Olympic Committee has unveiled plans for English and French-language digital TV channels focusing solely on broadcasting amateur sports.
Leonard Asper says Canwest investors aren't giving the company's Australian television operations enough credit.
Study estimates that in 2007, online advertising will account for 8% of all advertising spending in the U.S., and search advertising will account for 43% of online ad spending.
Media survey says TV's influence on consumers to purchase products has declined, where new media options such as web radio, satellite radio, instant messaging and blogging have all increased.
CTVglobemedia and Canwest Global say the Canadian TV industry is in "crisis" and they must be paid for the channels that are delivered to customers by cable and satellite companies.
CTVglobemedia and CanWest Global tell the CRTC that cable and satellite providers should have to pay local TV broadcasters for distribution of over-the-air signals in Canada.
Canwest and CTVglobemedia say then need fee-for-carriage for their over-the-air local TV signals because of "Audience fragmentation, the rise of new media platforms, new commercial-skipping technologies, and ongoing illegal downloading of content."
Columnist says CTV and Global are expected to join forces in a bid to convince the CRTC to let them charge cable and satellite carriers for their signals.
Advertisers say CTV is charging $110,000 for a 30 second spot during the Super Bowl, up from Global Television's $100,000 last year.
Research shows 70 per cent of people under the age of 34 surf the Internet while watching TV.
A key figure behind the Showcase series' Trailer Park Boys, Paradise Falls, Kenny vs. Spenny and Rent-A-Goalie has been laid off by new owners at Canwest.
Canwest Broadcasting has announced a new nine-member executive management team that will report to president Kathy Dore.
CanWest restructures senior management following CRTC approval of the company's acquisition of Alliance Atlantis.
Columnist says that with Hollywood deep in the writers' strike and reruns, U.K. programs are providing U.S. and Canadian networks fresh content.
Article deals with the cultural and practical challenges facing the international media in preparation for the Beijing Olympics.
The CRTC has ordered Canada's telephone companies to spend more than $300 million to provide broadband access to rural communities, and refund urban customers about the same amount.
Columnist says that if no purchase offer is made by Feb 29, it is possible that TQS's owners, Cogeco (60%) and CTVglobemedia (40%), might get fed up and "pull the plug" on the network.
Montreal based Astral Media reported a 15 per cent jump in profit for its latest quarter as the broadcaster benefited from its recent acquisition of Standard radio stations across Canada.
Columnist says the success of Winnipeg based CanWest is in the city's best interest because it is unlikely a Toronto-centred media company would invest in local ballparks, a football stadium or a museum.
Leonard Asper says programs acquired in the Alliance Atlantis purchase will act as a stopgap for Global TV if the Hollywood writers strike continues.
CanWest Global blames foreign currency swap losses, restructuring expenses and higher interest costs for lower first-quarter profit.
The American cable company Comcast unveiled new technology that will open up formerly closed, proprietary cable systems and allow interoperability with consumer devices.
Corus is hiking its annual dividend 20 per cent after first-quarter profit rose 7 per cent to $39.4-million, led by revenue growth from its broadcasting businesses.
Columnist says easily available web software that circumvents "geoblocking" practices could scuttle the business model Canadian broadcasters use when negotiating with U.S. television producers for digital, or online, rights.
The president of Canadian Media Research says if Canadian cable and satellite companies charged premium prices for access to U.S. network stations it could fix majors problems with the domestic broadcasting system.
Canada's broadcast regulator is considering overhauling a 30-year-old rule that prohibits FM radio stations from playing top-40 songs more than half the time.
The sponsor of the Golden Globe Awards says it is in talks with the striking Hollywood writers union in an attempt to allow a full production of the annual awards show.
