Dec 31, 2012 — News Article: Wireless providers renewing push on pay-as-you-go by Rita Trichur
Columnist says Canada’s maturing wireless market is prompting some carriers to modernize their pay-as-you-go services, as younger customers increasingly fuel subscriber growth.
Dec 29, 2012 — News Article: Wireless code of conduct could help consumers but will it be enough?
Enforcement mechanisms for mobile wireless service contracts are among issues to be sorted out in a process that first needs to determine what the code will contain, whether it should apply to all existing contracts, and how its effectiveness should be assessed.
Dec 21, 2012 — News Article: News Corp says publishing wing lost money
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp said the publishing arm it plans to spin off from its entertainment assets would have lost $2.08 billion (U.S.) in the last fiscal year if it were a standalone company.
Dec 20, 2012 — News Article: CRTC approves new Montreal TV stations by Steve Faguy
The CRTC has approved two related applications that will see the Citytv network officially come to Montreal, and the launch of a new television station, ICI, that will offer local ethnic programming.
Dec 20, 2012 — News Article: Rogers gets go-ahead to launch CITY-TV Montreal by Simon Houpt
Columnist says Rogers Media Inc. is planting a flag in Montreal with a new CITY-TV station for the English-language market as the battle for Quebec viewers is heats up.
Dec 19, 2012 — News Article: Telus loses legal bid to yank smaller carrier’s TV ads by Jamie Sturgeon
Television ads being run by startup carrier Mobilicity will continue to air this holiday season touting the company’s “unlimited” plans while taking shots at similar claims made by larger rivals like Telus Corp.
Dec 14, 2012 — News Article: Best of the year: Kevin Crull by Danielle Ng See Quan
Bell Media's Kevin Crull talks about broadcast challenges, the company’s upcoming Cancon productions and its “TV everywhere” strategy.
Dec 13, 2012 — News Article: Supreme Court nixes 'fee for carriage' broadcast plan
Canada's highest court has struck down a fee for carriage system that could have seen cable companies required to pay TV stations for their signals, a cost that could have been passed on to consumers.
Dec 13, 2012 — News Article: Top court rejects CRTC plan to allow broadcasters to charge for signals by Randall Palmer
The Supreme Court of Canada says the CRTC does not have the authority to impose a value-for-signal plan under which television broadcasters would charge cable and satellite firms for their programming.
Dec 13, 2012 — News Article: Broadcasters say top court ruling leaves local stations on the ropes by Steve Ladurantaye
Private television broadcasters are warning that local stations can’t continue to exist on advertising revenues alone, after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled the stations shouldn’t be paid for their signals when they are rebroadcast by cable and satellite companies.
Dec 13, 2012 — News Article: Top court sides with cable, satellite firms by Stephanie Levitz And Luann Lasalle
The CRTC does not have power to make cable providers pay broadcasters for carrying their TV signals, states a decision handed down by the Supreme Court of Canada.
Dec 11, 2012 — News Article: Telus takes on Mobilicity by Jamie Sturgeon
Telus Corp. is taking legal action against television ads aired by smaller wireless competitor Mobilicity, filing suit in a British Columbia court seeking an injunction.
Dec 11, 2012 — News Article: CRTC threatens to pull Oprah network by Michael Lewis
The CRTC is threatening to pull Oprah Winfrey Network Canada off the air unless owner Corus Entertainment Inc. proves it has taken steps to meet the educational mandate of the network’s original licence.
Dec 10, 2012 — News Article: Telus and Mobilicity take ad battle to Vancouver court
Telus will ask the British Columbia Supreme Court to stop smaller wireless competitor Mobilicity from using ads that it considers misleading.
Dec 10, 2012 — News Article: Cellphone giant Telus sues Mobilicity
Telus accuses Mobilicity of spreading misinformation about 'no-contract' deals.
Dec 6, 2012 — News Article: CRTC hearing will look at educational aspect of Oprah Winfrey Network in Canada by LuAnn LaSalle
Columnist says the CRTC is taking on Oprah Winfrey with a hearing into whether her Canadian network's programming fits the channel's educational mandate.
Dec 5, 2012 — News Article: CRTC denies request by Wind Mobile to review Telus's foreign ownership by LuAnn LaSalle
The CRTC has decided not to review the level of foreign ownership in Vancouver telecom company Telus Corp., saying Telus is following the compliance rules.
Dec 4, 2012 — News Article: Telus bulks up Quebec investment by Rita Truchur
Telus Corp. is bulking up its investment in Quebec in conjunction with the opening of a new data centre.
Dec 3, 2012 — News Article: Cineplex rules itself out as buyer of Astral assets by Steve Ladurantaye
Columnist says Cineplex Inc. will not be a buyer of any Astral Media Inc. or BCE Inc. assets, regardless of what the companies put on the block to appease the regulators overseeing their $3-billion deal.
Dec 3, 2012 — News Article: News International Names BSkyB COO Mike Darcey Its New CEO by George Szalai
Mike Darcy takes over from Tom Mockridge, who became CEO of News International in July 2011 amid the phone hacking scandal.
Nov 28, 2012 — News Article: CRTC to Rogers: Turn down the ad volume by Steve Ladurantaye
Canada’s broadcast regulator is asking Rogers Communications to explain why it keeps blasting high-volume commercials on its stations despite new rules that insist levels remain consistent throughout a broadcast.
Nov 26, 2012 — News Article: For specialty broadcaster diverse hiring means connecting to the community by Kathryn Boothby
Columnist says sixty-nine per cent of employees are self-identified as having aboriginal ancestry such as First Nations, Metis, and Inuit.
Nov 19, 2012 — News Article: BCE submits new proposal to CRTC to buy Astral by Michael Lewis
Observers say a big chunk of Astral Media Inc.’s English-language TV portfolio would need to be sold for suitor BCE Inc.’s once rejected takeover proposal to pass regulatory muster.
Nov 19, 2012 — News Article: BCE resubmits CRTC application for Astral Media takeover by Etan Vlessing
Bell Canada Enterprises has repackaged its $3.38 billion takeover of indie broadcaster Astral Media.
Nov 16, 2012 — News Article: Astral talking to Bell in hopes of reworking takeover deal for CRTC approval by LuAnn LaSalle
Astral Media Inc. is reworking a friendly takeover by telecom giant Bell that's expected to see the Montreal company sell off some broadcast assets to win regulatory approval.
Nov 16, 2012 — News Article: Astral and BCE deal rekindled from the ashes of anger by Jacquie McNish, Simon Houpt and Rita Trichur
Columnist says even if BCE manages to quell the CRTC’s concerns about its post-acquisition television audience share, its revised application would also have to satisfy more subjective criteria to cinch approval.
Nov 13, 2012 — News Article: Quebecor cutting 500 jobs at Sun Media to trim $45 million of costs
Columnist says Quebecor Inc. is cutting about 500 jobs at its Sun Media newspaper division in a move that includes closing two production facilities in Ontario as it copes with lower advertising revenue.
Nov 13, 2012 — News Article: Sun Media cuts back as ad sales fall by Simon Houpt and Bertrand Marotte
Columnist says Canada’s largest newspaper chain is slashing 500 jobs, shutting down two printing presses, and erecting more paywalls as it tries to cut costs by more than $45-million to deal with declining advertising revenue for its printed papers.
Nov 9, 2012 — News Article: Telus joins race to capture multiple-device users by Rita Trichur
Columnist says Canada’s big three wireless carriers are fighting a heated battle for multiple-device users this holiday season.
Nov 9, 2012 — News Article: Telus Q3 profit rises to $351M
By using the internet, watching video and sending emails, Telus' smartphone customers drove up wireless data revenue by 23 per cent in its third quarter.
Nov 9, 2012 — News Article: Telus profit rises to $351M in Q3, smartphones highlight revenue growth by LuAnn LaSalle
Columnist says Telus Corp. is increasing its quarterly dividend following a surge in third-quarter earnings, which were helped by sharp growth in revenue from smartphone data services at its wireless division.
Nov 8, 2012 — News Article: American Television Stations Call For Fair Canadian Import Trade Practices
Coalition calls for equitable and nondiscriminatory consent and remuneration rights for American over-the-air TV channels imported and retransmitted in markets across Canada.
Nov 2, 2012 — News Article: 'Premature' to call Astral deal dead by Jamie Sturgeon
Columnist says the head of the telecom sector's biggest player is awaiting word from the federal cabinet as to whether the government will force broadcast regulators to re-evaluate a $3.38-bil-lion bid for Astral Media Inc., which was rejected two weeks earlier.
Nov 1, 2012 — News Article: With Astral Media Deal in Limbo, Canada's BCE Posts Lower Q3 Earnings by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says despite airing the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Canadian phone giant's radio, TV and digital media division felt the impact of a soft ad market.
Nov 1, 2012 — News Article: BCE says it will keep dividend growth strategy if Astral deal doesn't go ahead by LuAnn LaSalle
BCE Inc. says its strategy to keep growing its shareholder dividend is on track and doesn't depend on the acquisition of Astral Media.
Nov 1, 2012 — News Article: We’ll meet 2012 targets, BCE says
BCE Inc. says it’s on track to meet the 2012 financial guidance it issued in August before the company’s attempted purchase of Astral Media ran into a regulatory roadblock.
Nov 1, 2012 — News Article: With Astral deal on ropes, BCE keeps its options open by Steve Ladurantaye
BCE Inc. vows to protect its dividend strategy and consider other takeovers if last-ditch efforts to rescue a $3-billion bid for Astral Media fail.
Oct 31, 2012 — News Article: BCE ‘didn’t get memo’ about CRTC by Peter Hadekel
In releasing quarterly financial results on Wednesday, Astral head Ian Greenberg said he wouldn’t comment directly on the failed bid to buy his company by BCE Inc.
Oct 31, 2012 — News Article: As Astral posts gains, Greenberg looks to rescue BCE deal by Steve Ladurantaye
Ian Greensburg says both companies are determined to work every possible angle to save their merger deal after it was rejected by Canada’s broadcast regulator.
Oct 30, 2012 — News Article: CRTC head leaves door open to re-evaluating Bell’s proposed $3.38B Astral bid by Jamie Sturgeon
CRTC chairman says Canada’s broadcast regulator is prepared to re-evaluate BCE Inc.’s proposed takeover of Astral Media Inc.
Oct 30, 2012 — News Article: No TV Hockey Has Canadians Watching More American Shows by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says the NHL lockout is good news for domestic cable channels enjoying a surge of male viewers as the CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" goes to re-runs on Saturday nights.
Oct 30, 2012 — News Article: CRTC head leaves door open to re-evaluating Bell’s proposed $3.38B Astral bid by Jamie Sturgeon
Canada’s broadcast regulator is prepared to re-evaluate BCE Inc.’s proposed takeover of Astral Media Inc., says chairman Jean-Pierre Blais.
Oct 29, 2012 — News Article: Toronto Star says it will launch a paywall for its website starting next year byDavid Friend,
More Canadian newspapers are stepping behind a paywall as the Toronto Star announces that it will ask users to start paying for online content next year.
Oct 29, 2012 — News Article: Netflix Shares Surge Amid Buyout Speculation by Paul Bond
Microsoft is rumored to be interested in the leading subscription-based provider of DVDs and streaming media.
Oct 26, 2012 — News Article: Bell extends Astral offer
Bell is extending the deadline for its takeover offer for Astral Media Inc. to Dec. 16 in hopes the deal can still win regulatory approval.
Oct 26, 2012 — News Article: Deepa Mehta could hold key to Canada's digital media future by Shari Graydon
Columnist says the funding records of Telefilm Canada, which provided financial assistance for 130 feature films released in 2010-2011, show a five-to-one ratio of male to female directors, with women writers doing only slightly better, at 23 per cent of the total.
Oct 26, 2012 — News Article: Shaw Communications Sees No Halt to Industry Consolidation by Etan Vlessing
Despite the CRTC rejecting BCE's $3.38 billion takeover of Astral Media on competition grounds, Shaw Communications insists vertical integration is still on the cards north of the border.
Oct 25, 2012 — News Article: Shaw profit dips, revenue edges higher
The Calgary-based company says non-operating items, including business acquisitions, integration and restructuring expenses, affected net income.
Oct 25, 2012 — News Article: Shaw Q4 net income down 20 per cent
Shaw Communications Inc. says its net income from continuing operations fell 20 per cent to $133 million in the fourth quarter of the cable and media company's financial year.
Oct 25, 2012 — News Article: Shaw, Corus downplay merger speculation amid BCE-Astral trouble by Jamie Sturgeon
Shaw Communications Inc. and affiliated media company Corus Entertainment Inc. downplay speculation that the two firms will seek to merge.
Oct 24, 2012 — News Article: CRTC’s Astral decision not really about diversity of voices
Editorial states that the CRTC rejection of the aquisition of Astral Media by BCE Inc. was about the inverse correlation between concentration of ownership and plurality and shouldn't dressed up in politically correct jargon.
Oct 24, 2012 — News Article: Rogers mulls bid for Astral assets
Rogers Communications Inc. says it would consider acquiring parts of Astral Media Inc., the target of a $3 billion bid from BCE Inc. that was rejected by the CRTC.
Oct 24, 2012 — News Article: Rogers confident regulators will approve Score bid by Jamie Sturgeon
Rogers is attempting to complete a $167-million purchase of Score Media Inc.’s television assets and minority stake in the firm’s new digital media company.
Oct 24, 2012 — News Article: Smart phones sales help Rogers maintain healthy bottom line
Consumers buying smartphones helped boost Rogers Communications' revenue and adjusted profit in the third quarter, a trend that has been driving growth for the telecom company.
Oct 24, 2012 — News Article: Rogers May Buy Astral Assets In 'Selective' Process by LuAnn LaSalle
Columnist says telecom company Rogers Communications Inc. could take a look at "selective" assets of Astral Media if the specialty and radio company puts up a "For Sale" again after its sale to BCE was rejected.
Oct 24, 2012 — News Article: Hate crime investigation launched surrounding Ezra Levant’s Roma broadcast by Eric Mark Do
The Roma Community Centre in Toronto wants police to investigate comments made by Ezra Levant in a recent broadcast on Sun News Network as a hate crime.
Oct 23, 2012 — News Article: Netflix Canada’s growth levels off by Steve Ladurantaye
Columnist says Canada’s Netflix revolution seems to have plateaued, as television viewers hang on to their existing cable and satellite packages rather than cut their cords and rely exclusively on online programming.
Oct 22, 2012 — News Article: Bell asks federal Cabinet to direct CRTC to follow its own policies
BCE submits its request that the federal Cabinet issue a policy direction, under Section 7 of the Broadcasting Act, that directs the CRTC to follow its existing policies when reviewing change of control transactions in broadcasting.
Oct 22, 2012 — News Article: Bell slams CRTC for ignoring market realities in Astral decision by Etan Vlessing
BCE says the CRTC ignored its own rules, and created “new criteria and metrics” outside of existing policies to justify denying the $3.38 billion Astral Media takeover deal.
Oct 20, 2012 — News Article: CRTC chair defends shock BCE-Astral Media decision by Etan Vlessing
Chairman says BCE demonstrated clearly that the proposed transaction was good for BCE, but that the CRTC was not persuaded that it was in the best interest of Canadians
Oct 19, 2012 — News Article: It’s official: BCE to appeal to feds to acquire Astral Media by Etan Vlessing
BCE announces the phone giant will seek approval for its Astral Media takeover by going over the heads of the CRTC with an appeal to the federal cabinet.
Oct 18, 2012 — News Article: Bell shocked by CRTC rejection of Astral transaction, requests Cabinet intervention
Bell says it is appalled that the CRTC would come to a decision that so negatively impacts Canadian consumers and the national broadcast industry, contravenes its own policy and is tainted by behind-the-scenes lobbying by Bell's cable rivals.
Oct 17, 2012 — News Article: Move over Twitter: poll finds Canadians still watching, reading and listening to 'old media' by Belinda Alzner
Acording to a new Ipsos Reid poll, Canadians continue to most frequently turn to traditional platforms for their daily news despite the emergence of new online methods of consuming news.
Sep 30, 2012 — News Article: Surprisingly, share price in Murdoch media empire up 53 per cent in last year
News Corp. share prices have climbed by 53 per cent in the past year to nearly $25, a peak not reached since 2007, before the financial crisis.
Sep 28, 2012 — News Article: Sun Media hires Eric Morrison to restructure news-gathering by Etan Vlessing
Sun Media is restructuring as it names former CTV and Canadian Press exec Eric Morrison as vice-president of editorial.
Sep 27, 2012 — News Article: Comcast, NBCUniversal Take Stake in U.K. TV Companion App Maker Zeebox by George Szalai
Columnist says Zeebox, a British maker of TV companion apps, has struck its first U.S. deals with Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, HBO and its Cinemax service, which will see the firm's apps used across more than 30 networks.
Sep 20, 2012 — News Article: News Corp. Responds to U.K. Regulator's BSkyB Decision, Comments on James Murdoch
The conglomerate says it is "pleased" with the BSkyB decision, but disagrees "with certain of the report’s statements about James Murdoch’s prior actions as an executive and director."
Sep 13, 2012 — News Article: Rogers opposes Astral takeover by “too powerful” Bell by Val Maloney
Rogers Media executives present their case against the proposed Bell Astral takeover deal before the CRTC.
Sep 12, 2012 — News Article: Péladeau warns that BCE deal will create a ‘monster’ by Steve Ladurantaye
Quebecor CEO says a BCE takeover of Astral will ‘kill’ the broadcasting business.
Sep 11, 2012 — News Article: Acquisition d’Astral - Duel de titans devant le CRTC by François Desjardins
CRTC considers BCE's application to acquire Astral.
Sep 11, 2012 — News Article: NHL Lockout 2012: Cancellation Of Season Would Shave $1.8 Billion Off GDP, Economist Says by Daniel Tencer
BMO economist says the performing arts, heritage and sports sector of Canada’s economy saw a decline of roughly 0.1 per cent of GDP during the 2004-05 lockout, which resulted in the cancellation of the entire hockey season.
Aug 28, 2012 — News Article: Want to Reverse Canada's Media Oligopoly? by Michael Geist
Columnist says the CRTC will probably pressure Bell to make some adjustments to its deal with Astral Media, but squashing it altogether is unlikely given the many prior approvals of media mergers.
Aug 27, 2012 — News Article: Rogers strikes deal to buy Score Media in $167M deal by David Friend
Rogers Communications has struck an agreement to buy sports broadcaster Score Media Inc. in a transaction valued at $167 million.
Aug 20, 2012 — News Article: Canadians Maturing as Mobile Users
The spring 2012 wave of Ipsos Reid’s Mobil-ology, a study of the mobile market in Canada, shows that the frequency at which Canadians are using their Smartphones, Tablets and eReaders remains stable, however, the average duration of time they report using them has declined.
Aug 14, 2012 — News Article: ANALYSIS: Counting audience share as major forces rally against Bell-Astral deal by Greg O'Brien
Groups such as ACTRA, the Writers Guild, the CMPA and Directors Guild, while not ultimately opposing the merger of Bell and Astral Media outright, want to see major changes to the terms of the benefits package and even see new regulations applied to Bell Media.
Aug 10, 2012 — News Article: More Consumer and Industry Voices Say No to Bell Canada
Columnist says more consumer and industry organizations have joined the growing chorus of voices opposing the proposed acquisition of Astral Media Inc. by Bell Canada.
Aug 9, 2012 — News Article: Chatr marketing claims cannot be justified, Crown says
The Competition Bureau alleges that Rogers failed to conduct “adequate and proper testing” before making the promotional claim that their network “had fewer dropped calls than new wireless carriers” and thus discredited its competitors.
Aug 7, 2012 — News Article: Netflix Satisfaction Ratings Dip by Daisy Whitney
According to TDG’s research, the number of “highly satisfied” Netflix streaming customers has dipped from 68 percent to 48 percent.
Aug 5, 2012 — News Article: The battle for Olympic information between new and old media by Bruce Dowbiggin
Columnist says the London Games are a battleground between the traditional forces of broadcasting and the social-media insurgents who represent the future of information technology.
Aug 4, 2012 — News Article: Is that an ad or a news story – and does it matter which? by Ira Basen
Columnist says the digital age has given brand journalism a new urgency and it’s becoming a force that could shape the way all of us receive our information.
Aug 2, 2012 — News Article: DirecTV Posts First-Ever Quarterly U.S. Subscriber Decline by Georg Szalai
The satellite TV giant lost 52,000 U.S. video customers in the second quarter, but hit an all-time user growth record in Latin America.
Jul 30, 2012 — News Article: Rogers races to capture multicultural viewers for Olympics by Steve Ladurantaye
As one of the country’s largest cable networks, Rogers is responsible for delivering specialty channels into the homes of its subscribers, with OMNI's mandate being to provide content in 15 languages for 60 per cent of the day.
Jul 27, 2012 — News Article: Montreal’s English-speaking sports fans rally for their radio team by Steve Ladurantaye
Bell Media's recent $3-billion takeover Astral Media has put it over the cap of two FM and two AM stations in any language in a market.
Jul 24, 2012 — News Article: Quebecor wins court ruling over Bell by Bertrand Marotte
Quebecor Media Inc. has won a court battle against rival Bell TV over 10-year-old allegations that the latter failed to protect its satellite television signal against piracy in Quebec.
Jul 14, 2012 — News Article: Louis Audet: Speaks six languages, measures every word by Rita Trichur
Columnist says Cogeco Cable’s largely rural footprint has traditionally shielded it from cutthroat competition, but the growing popularity of advanced TV services from its phone company rivals is starting to pose a threat.
Jul 11, 2012 — News Article: Covenant puts Postmedia’s back against the wall by Steve Ladurantaye
CEO Paul Godfrey says that Postmedia won’t likely be saved by rising revenue, but by changes that would see the company make a profit on a much smaller revenue base.
Jul 10, 2012 — News Article: Where are Bell’s ‘tangible benefits’? by Simon Houpt
Columnist says Bell’s unprecedented proposal regarding "tangible benefits" is the first real test as to whether new CRTC chairman, Jean-Pierre Blais, will stand with the industry or with Canadian consumers.
Jul 5, 2012 — News Article: House Subcommittee Discusses Future Of Online Video by Ross Fadner
The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology discussed the future of online video and whether the Communications Act, which regulates cable, satellite and broadcast companies, should be changed or expanded.
Jun 26, 2012 — News Article: Bell, CBC drop Olympic bids
CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson says the public broadcaster could pursue a bid to broadcast the 2014 Olympic Games on its own.
Jun 26, 2012 — News Article: Citytv Saskatchewan Set to Launch on Canada Day
Citytv operator Rogers Media has received approval from the CRTC for its acquisition of SCN from Bluepoint Investment Inc.
Jun 26, 2012 — News Article: Sweeping Effects as Broadband Moves to Meters by Brian Stelter
Columnist says some fear that as customers become more aware of how much broadband they’re using they’ll start to use less of it, and in that way, protect traditional forms of entertainment distribution and discourage new Internet services.
Jun 25, 2012 — News Article: E3: Will the old TV guard be able to stand up to the likes of Microsoft, Apple, and Google? by Peter Nowak
Columnist says that the big three of American technology all clearly have their eyes on the television market and with TVs getting increasingly advanced and internet-connected, they’re becoming more reliant on the software these tech giants specialize in as well.
Jun 25, 2012 — News Article: MLSE bid from Rogers, Bell triggers concern from independent operators by Ashante Infantry
“I very much doubt that any of the interveners actually think that they can stop the (MLSE) transaction; what I think they are hoping to do is to cause the CRTC to attach conditions that would, in their view, level the playing field,” says Ian Morrison, spokesperson for FRIENDS.
Jun 19, 2012 — News Article: Sun News Network's vulgar response reveals CBSC as toothless, demonstrates need for meaningful regulation by David J. Climenhaga
Columnist says that the point of organizations like the CBSC is to shield their members from the threat of meaningful enforcement of even minimum standards.
Jun 12, 2012 — News Article: TV Ratings: Stanley Cup Final Bested by Gordon Ramsay Block, 'Bachelorette' by Michael O'Connell
Ratings for the L.A. Kings' victory over the New Jersey Devils came in shy of ABC and Fox's rising reality offerings among American audiences.
May 8, 2012 — News Article: Scanning the dial for television stocks by Martin Mitelstaedt
Columnist says Canadian investors are running low on television broadcasting stocks to tune into.
May 7, 2012 — News Article: 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 7, 2012 — News Article: Postmedia signs three-year deal with The Canadian Press by Steve Ladurantaye
Columnist says Postmedia Network Inc. will shutter its breaking-news wire service and sign back up with The Canadian Press in a bid to save money and shift the news organization’s focus toward opinion writing and local news.
May 6, 2012 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 — News Article: Rogers buying Quebec station
Columnist says Rogers is attempting to scale its City-TV network up to rival larger broadcasters CTV and Global.
May 2, 2012 — News Article: 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.
Apr 30, 2012 — News Article: 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 — News Article: "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 22, 2012 — News Article: 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 20, 2012 — News Article: 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 16, 2012 — News Article: CBC vs. NHL goes into overtime
In his new memoir, Richard Stursberg recalls endless negotiations with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Apr 12, 2012 — News Article: 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 8, 2012 — News Article: James Murdoch: The Rise and Fall by Michael Wolff, Guardian UK
Columnist describes the demise of BSkyB and the resulting downfall of James Murdoch.
Mar 31, 2012 — News Article: 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 24, 2012 — News Article: 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 16, 2012 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 7, 2012 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 4, 2012 — News Article: 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 2, 2012 — News Article: 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.
Feb 8, 2012 — News Article: 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 4, 2012 — News Article: 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.
Jan 28, 2012 — News Article: 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 26, 2012 — News Article: 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 17, 2012 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 13, 2012 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 9, 2012 — News Article: 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 5, 2012 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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 — News Article: 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.
