Broadcasters moving ahead with more diginets, despite poor performance of existing digital services

Media | 02/28/2003 5:00 am EST

Canadian broadcasters are prepping for the launch of yet more digital specialty television channels, even though the roughly 50 services already on air have sustained multi-million dollar losses. CanWest Global Communications Corp., whose six diginets led the broadcasting sector going in the red...

CCR Editorial

Media | 02/28/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.Canadian Digital Television (CDTV) president Michael McEwen warned at an industry conference last week that the failure of producers to date to create Canadian high-definition (HD) television programming could lead to a collapse of the current Canadian broadcasting system. His warning seems premature. As...

Telcos entering broadcast distribution market call for more flexibility in basic packages

Media | 02/28/2003 5:00 am EST

Telephone companies getting into the television distribution business are asking for greater flexibility in the composition of their basic packages. Telcos could be one of the first to benefit if the CRTC establishes different rules for basic packages for all-digital cable systems since they are...

Lincoln disagrees that markets will erode government’s ability to regulate media

Media | 02/28/2003 5:00 am EST

Technological developments and the power of the market are eroding the amount of control the government is able to exert over media, according to the senior VP of policy and regulatory affairs at the Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA). Speaking February 14 at a session on the role of the government at the Who...

Letter to the Editor

Media | 02/28/2003 5:00 am EST

I must set the facts straight concerning the remarks made by Peter Murdoch, vice-president of media at the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP), as expressed in your article "CEP union questions motives of new pro-public broadcasting organization." (CCR, Jan. 30/03)  Murdoch’s claim that the new organization, Our Public Airwaves, is somehow connected to a dispute between two groups of employees at the CBC is simply not true. It stretches the bounds of credibility to suggest people from groups such as the Canadian Teachers Federation and Democracy Watch – not to mention university professors and broadcasting consultants – would waste countless volunteer hours working to develop an organization for any other reason but to advocate for public broadcasting. Further underlining the absurdity of Murdoch’s allegation is the fact that he was repeatedly invited to participate in this new organization. Public broadcasting needs strong advocates at this time in our cultural history. Our Public...

CCR Short Takes

Media | 02/28/2003 5:00 am EST

Budget could create imbalance in production industry: McDonaldElizabeth McDonald, president and CEO of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association, says that it’s time to move on ensuring that the different pillars of the Canadian film and TV production industry are adequately balanced. Her comments follow the government’s decision to cut $25 million per year in the two-year funding renewal it granted the...

CNM Update

Media | 02/26/2003 5:00 am EST

Competition Bureau reverses previous draft guidelines on Internet advertisingThe Competition Bureau has released new final guidelines on dealing with Internet advertising as it relates to misleading claims. The new rules specifically exclude Internet service providers (ISPs) from being the primary focus of investigations by the bureau, a reversal from the draft guidelines released in May 2001. At that time, bureau...

CNM Editorial

Media | 02/20/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. Bill C-11, copyright legislation that would prevent Internet and other companies from retransmitting over-the-air television signals online, has been given the green light by none other than our sovereign monarch Queen Elizabeth II in the name of the people of Canada. At this point, it is the...

Digital trade mission puts feds in positive spotlight for departmental “silo bashing”

Media | 02/20/2003 5:00 am EST

Participants and organizers alike are singing the praises of a recent trade mission for women to Europe highlighting digital media content players. The trip, organized by Canadian Heritage, Industry Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), is being billed as a...

Alcatel buys N.B.-based iMagic

Media | 02/20/2003 5:00 am EST

French telecom giant Alcatel says its recent proposal to acquire iMagicTV should help the St. John NB-based company pursue global sales when integrated into Alcatel’s broader entertainment solutions portfolio (CNM, Feb. 7/03). While skeptics may wonder if the take-over was motivated solely by the uncertain financial outlook for iMagicTV, Peter...

B.C. government comes through with surprise help for new media sector

Media | 02/20/2003 5:00 am EST

The new media lobby in British Columbia was taken aback this week after a surprise announcement by the provincial government of new tax credit measures to help the sector. In its February 18 budget, the fiscally conservative Liberal government announced a $5-million increase in venture capital tax credits that could attract...

Odd Job Jack latest challenger in interactive business model race

Media | 02/20/2003 5:00 am EST

Adding an interactive corollary to television shows doesn’t have to shrink the revenue pie for anyone concerned, says the producer of the new show Odd Job Jack. Broadcasters have been struggling for years to justify the investments they could make in interactive properties, but Smiley Guy Studios head Jonas Diamond tells...

Broadcasters tell CRTC that proposed test would inhibit interactive TV growth

Media | 02/20/2003 5:00 am EST

A test being evaluated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for determining whether interactive television content is "program-related" is too strict and would slow down the growth of ITV, says the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB). The argument is occasionally...

CNM Short Takes

Media | 02/20/2003 5:00 am EST

The Toronto Show on tap?Craig Broadcast Systems Inc. won’t launch its controversial over-the-air toronto/one television station until this fall, but the company has applied to register a trademark for The Toronto Show. The trademark application is in association with proposed services including "(1) Design, development, production, broadcast and distribution of a television show(s), operation of a web site which provides information about television entertainment, television news, and television information; television broadcasting and telecommunication of information and advertisements for others." The application also lists a standard rote of products on which the company might slap the name, including media such as CDs and DVDs with pre-recorded content. Electronic greeting cards may pose security riskThe president of Toronto-based 800onemail issued a media release on February 13 to warn about the dangers of sending and receiving electronic greeting cards on Valentine’s Day. Gus Harsfai says e-cards can be used to...

CNM People

Media | 02/20/2003 5:00 am EST

William Chambers has been appointed VP of communications at CBC/Radio-Canada. Williams comes to the post from Milward Brown Goldfarb (previously Goldfarb Consultants) and prior to that he worked for The Molson Companies Ltd. As speculated, John Tory is giving up his position as chair and CEO of Rogers Cable Inc. to enter the Toronto mayoralty race. Edward Rogers was named president and co-CEO of Rogers Cable,...

New Media Producers Need Funding Stability and Growth

Media | 02/20/2003 5:00 am EST

In January Telefilm Canada released the results for its latest round of financing from the Canada New Media Fund to the chagrin of many producers. Out of 168 project applications from across the country, a total of only 26 – or 15% – were accepted for funding. This is similar to the Fall of 2002 when only 17% of proposals were selected, yet entirely...

CCR Update

Media | 02/19/2003 5:00 am EST

February 19, 2003  CRTC upholds decision to grant only optional digital carriage to World Television Network (WTM) The CRTC today upheld a decision granting only optional digital carriage to the proposed multicultural channel World Television Network/Le Réseau Télémonde inc. (WTM). WTM launched a Cabinet appeal of the CRTC decision that gave it only a Category 2 digital licence, when it was seeking analog carriage...

CCR People

Media | 02/13/2003 5:00 am EST

Beverly Brooks, Tim Casgrain and Stuart Smith have been appointed to the board of directors of Look Communications Inc. The appointments follow resignations from the board of Mark Hemingway, Jean Noelting and Chip Vallis. Brooks heads her own communications company and specializes in public, media and government relations. From 1995 to 1998, she was government relations and chief economist at Bell Mobility. Casgrain is...

Stagnating production sector feels effects of contracting broadcast industry

Media | 02/13/2003 5:00 am EST

Like debt-ridden converged broadcasting companies and the struggling digital specialty television channels, the film and television production industry is beginning to feel the pinch of a downturn in global markets and a drive toward inexpensive programming. Things are apt to get worst this year, by many accounts. "Indications are that production will continue on the downturn. Things have gotten worse this year," Pat Fern, president and CEO of the Banff Television Foundation, tells Canadian Communications Reports. He gave an overview of the state of the film and television production industry as revealed in the report Profile 2003, which was released at the Canadian Film and...

Reitman tells producers to focus on original ideas, not what’s Canadian content

Media | 02/13/2003 5:00 am EST

Producer/director Ivan Reitman told Canadian producers that they should pay less attention to qualifying for tax credits and fulfilling Canadian content quotas, and more on original ideas. Speaking at the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) conference last week, he encouraged Canadian producers, in...

Concerted industry effort needed to overcome drama shortage: McQueen

Media | 02/13/2003 5:00 am EST

Trina McQueen, the broadcast veteran hired to assist the CRTC in getting more Canadian drama produced and watched, doesn’t see the matter as a new issue. A 23% decline in spending on English-language fiction programming in the 12 months ended in March 2002 from the same period a year earlier was the figure bantered around...

CCR Editorial

Media | 02/13/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.Film and television production is feeling an economic pinch, joining the broadcast and distribution sectors, which are saddled with debt, downgraded stock and fragmented audiences and customer churn. Figures released last week at the annual Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA)...

Task force to undertake comprehensive study of cultural diversity on Canadian TV

Media | 02/13/2003 5:00 am EST

Responding to pressure from the CRTC, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) announced late last week that a task force would undertake "one of the most comprehensive studies on cultural diversity ever done." It is charged with developing best practices and coming up with baseline data that will be used to...

Mandate satellite TV distributors to carry all CBC regional signals: House committee

Media | 02/13/2003 5:00 am EST

A Parliamentary committee is urging the CRTC to require satellite television distributors to carry all of the French and English regional signals of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp./Radio-Canada. In a new report examining the role and responsibilities of the CRTC in developing Canada’s two official languages, the House of...

Astral, CHUM, Alliance Atlantis want status quo on foreign ownership, Johnston says no

Media | 02/13/2003 5:00 am EST

The head of the former National Broadband Task Force told a Parliamentary committee reviewing foreign ownership in the telecommunications sector that the restrictions must be removed entirely in order for Canadian telecommunications companies to remain competitive. David Johnston’s message to the...

CCR Short Takes

Media | 02/13/2003 5:00 am EST

Alcatel acquires 100% control of iMagicTV in US$30-million dealThe French company Alcatel plans to acquire all outstanding shares in New Brunswick-based iMagicTV for about US$30 million in a transaction expected to close in the second quarter of calendar year 2003. Alcatel currently owns about 16% of iMagicTV, which provides software enabling telephone companies to deliver multi-channel television and interactive media...

CNM Update

Media | 02/12/2003 5:00 am EST

Smiley Guy joins convergence ranksThe Comedy Network has picked up six episodes of a new Flash animation show and related web content from Toronto’s Smiley Guy Studios. The project is dubbed "Odd Job Jack," which The Comedy Network is calling the world’s first "sit.com." It stars Don McKellar, Dave Foley, Gary Farmer and Matthew Ferguson. Beyond a February 6 media release announcing the show,...

Past year eventful for Bell fund and industry in general, says Sheffer

Media | 02/07/2003 5:00 am EST

The past year has seen a key breakthrough in the evolution of the partnership between broadcasters and new media producers, says the head of the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund on the eve of that organization’s fifth anniversary. Musing on the past five years of funding broadcast/new media projects, Andra Sheffer says the partnership only began to accelerate following a key meeting at last year’s Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) annual conference in Ottawa. Since 1997, the Bell fund has supported 214 new media and television productions and invested $20.5 million into the sector. New media projects supported by the fund have been sold to about 40...

Banff Television Foundation buys control of International New Media Festival

Media | 02/07/2003 5:00 am EST

Ownership of the International New Media Festival has changed hands in a deal announced February 6 at the annual conference of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA). The new media festival, beset in recent years by low attendance numbers, should receive a valuable boost under the new ownership of...

Alliance numériQC hopes to take leadership role in province’s games sector

Media | 02/07/2003 5:00 am EST

The Alliance numériQC is hoping to play a key role in organizing Quebec video game producers as it releases the results of an industry survey it commissioned on the subject. The report suggests that training and funding are the two key requirements to bolster the gaming sector in the province, something the Alliance has...

Oversubscribed Telus learning fund close to announcing cross-country winners

Media | 02/07/2003 5:00 am EST

The head of the Canada Telus New Media Learning Fund says he’s already lobbying Canadian Heritage for further funding to add more projects to the list of successful applicants – even before initial funding winners have been publicly announced. The fund’s $5 million will be fully committed by the end of the month, says...

Office-Politics touts site as multimedia success story with wireless to come

Media | 02/07/2003 5:00 am EST

The founders of low-profile web initiative Office-Politics.com say the site will launch a wireless component this spring as the project is being touted as a successful example of a multimedia brand that has attracted loyal sponsors and advertisers. Franke and William James outlined the site’s history and future course at...

CNM Short Takes

Media | 02/07/2003 5:00 am EST

Possible new interactive content producer in Toronto?Rui Pereira of 1 Atlantic Ave., Toronto, has filed with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for a trademark on the logo pictured at right. Not pictured is the word "TV" in smaller letters indicated by Pereira’s application. The filing also notes that it is in connection with "media and video production services" as a proposed use in Canada. Banff Centre posts help wanted signs in National PostThe Banff Centre is running advertisements seeking a technical manager and a producer for its Horizon Zero web publication. The application deadline is February 11 for the technical manager position, and passed on February 4 for the producer’s position.MSN, Bell Mobility team to provide instant messagingMSN.CA and Bell Mobility have launched the full suite of MSN services to Bell’s customers, making it possible for them to now communicate using either instant text messaging with all their MSN contacts. Users can even find out if their contacts are online prior to...

CNM People

Media | 02/07/2003 5:00 am EST

Gerry Noble, president and CEO of the Global Television Network, will be leaving the network, following the expiry of his current contract on August 31 to "pursue opportunities outside the company." He began his career at Global Television in Toronto in 1985, and has managed television operations for the company in New Zealand, Australia and Canada. For the next several months, he will be a special advisor to...

Content industries on slippery slope with demand for blank media levy

Media | 02/07/2003 5:00 am EST

I would like to add the views of an independent software services company to the private copying regime debate. The software industry is seen as almost analogous to the recording industry, with similarities between lobby groups such as the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Recording Industry Association of America...

CNM Editorial

Media | 02/07/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. If Canadian NEW MEDIA had an editorial calendar, this issue of the newsletter would be the "Focus on Funding" issue. Of course, we don’t, and it’s purely happenstance that almost all of the stories in this issue relate to the large funding bodies on which new media producers rely to stay...

CNM Special Edition Update

Media | 02/06/2003 5:00 am EST

Banff Television Foundation to take ownership of International New Media FestivalOwnership of the International New Media Festival has changed hands in a deal announced today at the annual conference of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA). The new media festival, beset in recent years by low attendance numbers, should receive a valuable boost under the new ownership of the Banff Television...

CCR Update

Media | 02/05/2003 5:00 am EST

February 5, 2003 Cabinet committee rejects Stornoway Communications’ petition to have CRTC reconsider CPAC decisionA request by Stornoway Communications to have Cabinet order the CRTC to reconsider its licensing decision of the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) has been rejected by a committee of Cabinet, sources tell Canadian Communications Reports. Stornoway contended that the changes granted, including expanded...

CCR Short Takes

Media | 01/30/2003 5:00 am EST

ClarificationThe House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, which is studying the broadcasting system, had intended to go to London, England; Washington DC; and to host a three-day retreat at Meech Lake to put together its report. But the committee’s request for financing for the travel was turned down by the Budget Sub Committee on December 5. Thus, further to the article entitled "Heritage...

CCR People

Media | 01/30/2003 5:00 am EST

Gerry Noble, president and CEO of the Global Television Network, will be leaving the network, following the expiry of his current contract on August 31 to "pursue opportunities outside the company." He began his career at Global Television in Toronto in 1985, and has managed television operations for the company in New Zealand, Australia and Canada. For the next several months, he will be a special advisor to...

CEP union questions motives of new pro-public broadcasting organization

Media | 01/30/2003 5:00 am EST

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) is worried that a new pro-public broadcasting advocacy organization officially launched last week is a pawn in an ongoing battle with another union representing a different segment of Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) employees. The new organization, called...

Era of media consolidation makes CBC even more indispensable: Rabinovitch

Media | 01/30/2003 5:00 am EST

  The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. is more vital now in providing an alternative voice in an age of media consolidation that has created fewer but bigger players, the public broadcaster’s president and CEO, said in a speech at the National Student Media Conference in Montreal on January 24. He also outlined his vision of media convergence, particularly consisting of multi-tasking journalists. Below is an excerpt of his speech. As a result of media industry consolidation and integration, there are now fewer but bigger players. They have the capacity to exert more control over editorial content and, quite frankly, to limit job mobility. This is a serious concern. It could ultimately...

Craig Wireless tackles B.C. market as it takes greater ownership stake in Look

Media | 01/30/2003 5:00 am EST

As Craig Wireless International Inc. increases its stake in wireless cable operator Look Communications Inc., the state of the rollout of its own wireless cable system in British Columbia remains a mystery. Craig had until Dec. 31, 2002 to launch in the province, after applying for and receiving two extensions from the CRTC...

CCR Editorial

Media | 01/30/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.If there is one thing that CRTC commissioner Barbara Cram got right in her dissent on Vision TV’s rate increase, it is that recent licensing decisions are causing regulatory "uncertainty" in the market (see story in this issue). The CRTC needs to specify in greater detail under what...

Cable, satellite television rates on the rise even in intense competitive market

Media | 01/30/2003 5:00 am EST

Cable and satellite television service rates are on the rise in Canada even as the market for TV subscribers is as competitive as ever. A number of providers have increased pricing in recent months or plan to soon as they strive to increase revenue to shore up their balance sheets.  Normally, competition leads to lower...

CRTC grants Vision TV a 2-cent wholesale rate increase in contentious decision

Media | 01/30/2003 5:00 am EST

Vision TV was awarded a 2-cent wholesale rate increase in a contentious CRTC decision last week, which caused three commissioners to write dissents (Broadcasting Decision 2003-23). The decision means that cable and satellite television subscribers will be paying more for the multi-faith specialty channel since it is part of...

Stornoway asks Cabinet to force CRTC to re-examine CPAC licence renewal decision

Media | 01/30/2003 5:00 am EST

Stornoway Communications filed a Cabinet appeal earlier this month asking the government to order the CRTC to have another look at its licence renewal decision for the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC). Stornoway contends that the changes granted make the cable-owned Parliamentary channel competitive with its Category 1 digital specialty TV channel ichannel, in contradiction of CRTC policy. A favourable Cabinet response to the appeal, while considered by many a long shot, is vital to the struggling independent channel, which could be smothered out of the market by incumbent CPAC, now operating on much more beneficial conditions. Stornoway is taking the matter seriously, having...

CNM Update

Media | 01/29/2003 5:00 am EST

Global music industry worth $47.6 billion in 2001: Music WeekU.K. magazine Music Week reports on a new study that estimates the value of the global music industry in 2001 was US$47.6 billion. The report’s authors include revenues from pre-recorded music sales, music publishing, live event ticket sales and merchandizing and sponsorship. The figures don’t include indirect sources of revenues such as royalties for music...

Earth Future Lottery case has potential to lay down rules for Internet jurisdiction

Media | 01/23/2003 5:00 am EST

Industry observers are divided on the role a future decision in the little-known Earth Future Lottery case, to be argued before the Supreme Court of Canada March 11, will have on a potential leave to appeal the Tariff 22 decision. The Earth Future case appears to deal extensively with Internet jurisdictional issues, one of...

Blank media levy arguments foreshadow higher court appeal on first day of hearing

Media | 01/23/2003 5:00 am EST

Sparks flew on the first day of the Copyright Board of Canada hearing into the blank media levy on January 21 when lawyer Howard Knopf, working on behalf of a coalition of Canadian retailers, raised the board’s ire as he sought to establish a solid case that the levy is a tax. Knopf’s afternoon cross-examination of...

Solutions to wasted industry effort on table in post mortem of Telefilm new media fund

Media | 01/23/2003 5:00 am EST

Telefilm Canada is defending itself against suggestions the agency needs to do more to cut down on the number of unsuccessful applications to the Canada New Media Fund. Earl Hong Tai, western regional director and new media sector head for the federal cultural agency, says that while he recognizes...

Ontario schools found Internet law clinic

Media | 01/23/2003 5:00 am EST

A founder of a new Internet law clinic expected to be up and running around March says it’s too soon to say what sort of large profile cases the clinic might get involved with, but University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist notes that digital copyright law is still in its early stages, and the clinic will be looking to become involved at the...

Door closed on Internet retransmission by CRTC as Aliant makes experimental bid

Media | 01/23/2003 5:00 am EST

Aliant Telecom Inc. has filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for an experimental licence to continue its Internet retransmission service TV-on-my-PC, Canadian NEW MEDIA has learned (CNM Special Update, Jan. 20/03). The filing was made early this month, according to...

CNM Short Takes

Media | 01/23/2003 5:00 am EST

Video game channel registers trademark in CanadaG4 Media LLC, a Los Angeles-based cable channel devoted 100% to programming about video games, filed a Canadian trademark application for its name last month. The channel, owned by Comcast Corp., does not have any plans to move into the Canadian market, a spokesperson says. The trademark application is a routine filing given even a slim chance that the channel might have a...

CNM People

Media | 01/23/2003 5:00 am EST

Formerly of Delvinia Inc., Bill Sweetman has announced the formation of a new company, Kalixo, an independent professional services firm providing e-business consulting, e-marketing, and innovation support. Debra Wynter, senior tax credit officer for the English market at the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO), has returned to her position after a French-language training leave. The New Media...

Lawful access proposals provide too little protection against intrusion: PIAC

Media | 01/23/2003 5:00 am EST

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre addresses the Department of Justice’s lawful access proposals (CNM, Sept. 6/02). An edited excerpt of its submission follows.  The guiding principles for lawful access in Canada have already been established in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Supreme Court jurisprudence interpreting these fundamental rights and freedoms. Under section 8 of the Charter, "everyone has the right to the secure against unreasonable search and seizure", "subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society". A significant body of jurisprudence has developed under...

CNM Editorial

Media | 01/23/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. The effect of "good enough" computing will be felt like never before this year by those who make their living in the technology sectors as the focus of their efforts continues to change. While three years ago Canadian NEW MEDIA featured new applications, software and hardware on a...

CCR Update

Media | 01/22/2003 5:00 am EST

January 22, 2003  Stornoway appeals CRTC’s CPAC licence renewal decision Stornoway Communications, owner of the Category 1 digital public affairs ichannel, is asking Cabinet to set aside a CRTC decision that it believes "radically alters" the licence of the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC). It says the changes in CPAC’s licence put it in direct competition with ichannel. In November, the CRTC granted...

CNM Special Edition Update

Media | 01/20/2003 5:00 am EST

Aliant Telecom files for experimental Internet retransmission licenceAliant Telecom Inc. has filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for an experimental licence to continue its Internet retransmission service TV-on-my-PC, Canadian NEW MEDIA has learned. The filing was made early this month, according to Bell Canada chief regulatory officer Sheridan Scott, and...

CNM Special Edition Update

Media | 01/17/2003 5:00 am EST

No need to amend New Media Exemption Order, CRTC concludes in Internet retransmission report to CabinetThere is no need to amend the New Media Exemption Order to take into account a new crop of Internet-based television retransmitters, the CRTC ruled today in a much-anticipated report on the issue (Broadcasting Public Notice 2003-2). Responding to Cabinet’s request for an inquiry into Internet retransmission (CNM, July...

Quebecor files Cabinet appeal of CRTC’s ExpressVu cross-subsidization ruling

Media | 01/16/2003 5:00 am EST

Quebecor Inc. has launched a Cabinet appeal of the CRTC decision that concluded that BCE Inc. wasn’t inappropriately cross-subsidizing Bell Express Vu LP’s entry into the Ontario and Quebec markets. The Quebec media giant charges that the satellite TV distributor is being subsidized by profits earned at BCE’s regulated telephone company Bell Canada. But BCE believes Quebecor doesn’t stand a chance with the appeal, and calls the financing of Bell ExpressVu an investment rather than a cross-subsidization. "This is a very straightforward matter. It was when it went before the commission and it still is," Bernard Courtois, executive counsel for BCE Inc. and Bell Canada,...

CCR Short Takes

Media | 01/16/2003 5:00 am EST

Shaw confirms it pulled Scream from its digital lineupIn response to inquiries by the CRTC, Shaw Communications Inc. has confirmed that it has pulled the digital specialty TV channel Scream from its digital channel lineup to put it in compliance with commission rules (CCR Update, Jan. 8/03; CCR, Dec. 13/02). By adding Scream to its lineup without adding two additional non-affiliated channels, Shaw had breached the...

CCR People

Media | 01/16/2003 5:00 am EST

Barbara Williams has been hired as VP and GM of toronto/one, the yet-to-launch over-the-air TV channel licensed to Craig Broadcast Systems Inc. Williams moves to toronto/one from Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc., where she was senior VP of lifestyle programming. She also spearheaded the launches of Discovery Health Channel, HGTV, U8TV, and Food Network Canada.  Sayedali Rawji has been appointed director of...

Canadians still oppose foreign control of cablecos, broadcasters: Decima survey

Media | 01/16/2003 5:00 am EST

The percentage of Canadians opposed to foreign control of Canadian private television and radio broadcasters has increased over the past 18 months, according to a new survey by Decima Research Inc. The latest research indicates that Canadians continue to object to foreign majority ownership of domestic telecommunications...

New TV, radio stations providing diversity in age of media consolidation: Dalfen

Media | 01/16/2003 5:00 am EST

Last month, Charles Dalfen made his first appearance before a Parliamentary committee as chair of the CRTC. Before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, which is studying the broadcasting system, he focused on foreign ownership and cross-media ownership. He noted that non-Canadians were prohibited from holding...

CCR Editorial

Media | 01/16/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB)-Bell ExpressVu proposed deal on out-of-market TV signals will be extremely detrimental to the Canadian broadcasting system, if approved. The CRTC should send the CAB and Bell ExpressVu as well as Star Choice back to the drawing board on the matter. The...

CRTC grants first transitional over-the-air digital TV licence to CHUM’s Citytv

Media | 01/16/2003 5:00 am EST

There won’t be much original high-definition (HD) television programming on the digital version of CHUM Ltd.’s flagship Toronto TV station Citytv when it launches January 16 on cable and over-the-air next month. But it will still be the first conventional TV station in Canada to go digital. Last week, the CRTC...

Opposition expressed to CAB-ExpressVu agreement on out-of-market TV signals

Media | 01/16/2003 5:00 am EST

Major players in the broadcasting industry are opposing the proposed deal between the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) and direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV operator Bell ExpressVu LP on the distribution of out-of-market TV signals. Not one player outside those involved indirectly in putting the deal together...

CNM Update

Media | 01/15/2003 5:00 am EST

Licensing agency doesn’t have to repudiate Anne of Green Gables trademarksA licensing agency formed in partnership with the Prince Edward Island government won’t be forced to give up control over several Anne of Green Gables trademarks. On December 20, a Federal Court of Canada judge dismissed a motion for partial summary judgement against Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority (AGGLA) by television production...

CCR Update

Media | 01/08/2003 5:00 am EST

January 8, 2003   Shaw drops Scream from its digital cable lineupShaw Communications Inc. pulled the digital specialty TV channel Scream from its digital cable lineup on January 2, sources tell Canadian Communications Reports. Putting Corus Entertainment Inc.-owned Scream into its digital lineup late last year without adding two unaffiliated digital channels put the cable operator in non-compliance with the CRTC’s five-to-one rule for the carriage of digital specialty channels (CCR, Nov. 22/02). The CRTC sent Shaw a letter asking the cableco to confirm by January 10, 2003 that it was in compliance with the rule (CCR, Dec. 13/02). Shaw told the commission that it had planned to launch two new Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. digital channels, DIY and Fine Living, this month to put it in compliance. But Alliance Atlantis chair and CEO Michael MacMillan told Canadian Communications Reports that the channels wouldn’t be launched early this year (CCR, Dec. 5/02). Digital TV subscribers increase 4% to 3.2 million...

Million dollar Telefilm new media envelope under scrutiny as producers call for change

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

Telefilm Canada has quietly undertaken a review of the Canada New Media Fund’s distribution assistance envelope amid criticism from producers that the program is misguided, Canadian NEW MEDIA has learned. Consultant David Ellis of Omnia Communications Inc. has been sounding out opinions on the...

Private copying explodes in 2001/2002 according to collective’s evidence

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

Private copying of music has exploded in the past two years according to a survey, obtained by Canadian NEW MEDIA, to be entered into the blank tape levy hearings slated to begin in mid-January (CNM, Sept. 6/02). The survey of 12,197 Canadians, conducted by Gatineau QC’s Réseau Circum between July 2001 and June 2002,...

Moontaxi strikes deals with Standard, Universal in move to offer downloads

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

One of Canada’s pioneering music subscription services is preparing to go into the new year with an important strategic alliance and new business deal with the Universal Music Group ready in its arsenal. Moontaxi Media, which launched its subscription service in November, has recently signed a deal with Universal to be...

WIPO broadcasters treaty approaching controversial conclusion

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is marching toward a new treaty on broadcasters’ rights despite a controversial new U.S. proposal on protecting webcasters’ rights, as well as Canadian opposition to extend exclusive retransmission rights to free over-the-air television transmissions. The chairperson...

CATA, Internet providers association ally

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

The Canadian high-tech industry’s lobby group is joining up with the ISP association to further the aims of both Ottawa-based organizations. The deal between the CATA Alliance and the Canadian Association of Internet Providers (CAIP) was announced earlier this week.  "I think it’s a mutual realization that both organizations can work more effectively and more strongly if they’re hand-in-hand rather than in separate offices," Barry Gander, CATA’s senior advocate for public policy, explains to Canadian NEW MEDIA. "We have slightly different constituencies. Obviously, the Internet providers have their own special interests, their own advocacy agenda, but so many of the CATA members are also Internet users, Internet providers, Internet ASP companies… Of course...

CNM Short Takes

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

CorrectionA Dec. 11 story on Bill C-11 incorrectly ascribed to Canadian Association of Broadcasters senior VP of legal affairs Erica Redler statements that the legislation might shut down Aliant Telecom Inc.’s TV on my PC service. The article should have reflected that only the over-the-air portion of the transmissions would be affected. CNM apologizes for the error. Retransmission bill receives Royal Assent, but...

CNM People

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

Phil Baker, formerly of Ontario’s Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology (MEST) where he was responsible for overseeing the Interactive Digital Media Fund, is now president/CEO of the Optical Regional Advanced Network of Ontario. Inquiries about the MEST’s program partnerships, information and technologies branch are now being referred to Dick Ko or David Kennedy. Industry Canada has announced the national...

WIPO examines intellectual property on the Internet; consumers willing to pay?

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

The World Intellectual Property Organization has released a massive new study on digital intellectual property issues, available at http://ecommerce.wipo.int/survey/. Following is an excerpt. The ‘global information society’ foreseen in the early days of the Internet has yet to become a worldwide reality, but the...

CNM Editorial

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. The Réseau Circum report to be entered into Copyright Board hearings in about a month’s time represents the recording industry’s most valuable asset as it attempts to hike the blank tape levy and introduce it across a variety of new devices (see story in this issue). One key number – the...

Law Society’s Supreme Court bid welcomed as important review of users’ rights

Media | 12/20/2002 5:00 am EST

Copyright experts have welcomed news that the Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear an appeal in the case of CCH Canadian Ltd. et. al. vs. the Law Society of Upper Canada, saying the outcome will help clarify the crucial issue of fair use of copyrighted works. This month the highest court agreed to hear the appeal...

CCR Short Takes

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

Decima Reader Online Poll, October/November 2002Twenty-nine per cent of Decima Publishing readers responding to an informal online poll indicated that they felt any skills shortage in the communications sector had been mitigated by heavy layoffs. A key theme from the Speech from the Throne, delivered on September 30, was on the need to attract skilled workers. Decima Publishing subscribers were asked in October/November...

Economics likely stunting growth of National Hockey League’s Centre Ice PPV package

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

 A costly minimum monetary guarantee required by the National Hockey League for its NHL Centre Ice pay-per-view (PPV) package is likely the main reason why more distributors in Canada haven’t embraced it. Loosening carriage terms for the premium digital sports package would help at least one...

CCR Editorial

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. During Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage hearings on media consolidation over the last few weeks, some witnesses questioned why the CRTC didn’t do more to control cross-media ownership when they renewed CTV and Global Television’s licences. But NDP MP Wendy Lill scored a good point when...

CCR People

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

Jim Rusnak has been named VP/GM of CTV British Columbia, effective Jan. 1. He has held numerous senior broadcast management roles, including president of western operations for the Global Television Network (2000-2002), and president of CanWest Television Inc. (1993-2000).  Kevin Goldstein, most recently manager of regulatory affairs at Corus Entertainment Inc., will be joining the regulatory department of CHUM Television. Goldstein will be reunited with Peter Miller, CHUM’s VP of planning and regulatory affairs. The two previously worked together at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. More changes have been made at Vancouver-based Dion Entertainment, with Leo Dion stepping down as chair and CEO. Christophe Taylor and Louis Dion have joined as directors of the company. Taylor is an investment advisor with a national private investment and planning firm. Louis Dion has served many roles with the company, including director, officer and consultant. Earlier this month, it was announced that Frank Bingham had resigned from...

Heritage committee unlikely to suggest changes to foreign ownership in BDUs

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

 The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage will likely recommend the status quo regarding foreign ownership in the broadcast distribution and broadcasting industries when it releases its report on the Canadian broadcasting system next March. Few members of the committee have expressed agreement with...

CAIP responds to CCTA letter

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

I read with interest the letter to the editor from the Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA) published in the December 5, 2002 issue of Canadian Communications Reports, entitled "ISP ‘inaction’ to blame for lack of third-party Internet access." The letter suggests that ISPs and CAIP should "stop crying wolf" about the...

Heritage committee looking at relevance of Britain’s Communications Bill to Canada

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

Editor's Note: The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, which is studying the broadcasting system, had intended to go to London, England; Washington DC; and to host a three-day retreat at Meech Lake to put together its report. But the committee’s request for financing for the travel was turned...

Competitors tell court to reject Vidéotron’s request to appeal CRTC wiring decision

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

As fully expected, Vidéotron ltée’s application to the Federal Court of Appeal for leave to appeal a CRTC decision on inside wiring in Quebec apartment buildings is being opposed by several of its competitors. In a separate but related proceeding, satellite TV distributor Bell ExpressVu LP,...

CCR Editorial

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.During Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage hearings on media consolidation over the last few weeks, some witnesses questioned why the CRTC didn’t do more to control cross-media ownership when they renewed CTV and Global Television’s licences. But NDP MP Wendy Lill scored a good point when she preferred to lay the blame on the government’s lack of resolve to curbing cross-media ties.  She noted that the government has failed to give the regulator, or any other body, direction on the matter. Lill, the NDP critic for culture and communications, unsuccessfully appealed the CTV and Global licence renewals to Cabinet last September. At that time, Lill argued that allowing companies to control both TV and newspaper holdings with few safeguards "constitutes an alarming concentration of power of public expression." She also said it marked a major policy change that should have resulted from government...

Economics likely stunting growth of National Hockey League’s Centre Ice PPV package

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

A costly minimum monetary guarantee required by the National Hockey League for its NHL Centre Ice pay-per-view (PPV) package is likely the main reason why more distributors in Canada haven’t embraced it. Loosening carriage terms for the premium digital sports package would help at least one small...

Suite Systems abandons BDU plans due to costs, pole access problems

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

 Calgary-based Suite Systems Inc. abandoned its plans for an IP-based television distribution service due to a downturn in the markets and its inability to gain access to utility poles that would bring fibre to its buildings, according to VP of operations Michael Guyette.  "We shut down for two reasons: the...

Heritage committee unlikely to suggest changes to foreign ownership in BDUs

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage will likely recommend the status quo regarding foreign ownership in the broadcast distribution and broadcasting industries when it releases its report on the Canadian broadcasting system next March. Few members of the committee have expressed agreement with the...

CCR Short Takes

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

Decima Reader Online Poll, October/November 2002Twenty-nine per cent of Decima Publishing readers responding to an informal online poll indicated that they felt any skills shortage in the communications sector had been mitigated by heavy layoffs. A key theme from the Speech from the Throne, delivered on September 30, was on the need to attract skilled workers. Decima Publishing subscribers were asked in October/November...

Heritage committee looking at relevance of Britain’s Communications Bill to Canada

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

Editor's Note: The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, which is studying the broadcasting system, had intended to go to London, England; Washington DC; and to host a three-day retreat at Meech Lake to put together its report. But the committee’s request for financing for the travel was turned...

CCR People

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

Jim Rusnak has been named VP/GM of CTV British Columbia, effective Jan. 1. He has held numerous senior broadcast management roles, including president of western operations for the Global Television Network (2000-2002), and president of CanWest Television Inc. (1993-2000). Kevin Goldstein, most recently manager of regulatory affairs at Corus Entertainment Inc., will be joining the regulatory department of CHUM...

Suite Systems abandons BDU plans due to costs, pole access problems

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

Calgary-based Suite Systems Inc. abandoned its plans for an IP-based television distribution service due to a downturn in the markets and its inability to gain access to utility poles that would bring fibre to its buildings, according to VP of operations Michael Guyette.  "We shut down for two reasons: the...

Competitors tell court to reject Vidéotron’s request to appeal CRTC wiring decision

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

 As fully expected, Vidéotron ltée’s application to the Federal Court of Appeal for leave to appeal a CRTC decision on inside wiring in Quebec apartment buildings is being opposed by several of its competitors. In a separate but related proceeding, satellite TV distributor Bell ExpressVu...

CAIP responds to CCTA letter

Media | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

I read with interest the letter to the editor from the Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA) published in the December 5, 2002 issue of Canadian Communications Reports, entitled "ISP ‘inaction’ to blame for lack of third-party Internet access." The letter suggests that ISPs and CAIP should "stop crying wolf" about the inability of independent ISPs to obtain reasonable access to the cable network to offer a competitive cable high-speed service, and seeks to blame ISPs for the fact that, seven years after the CRTC ordered the cablecos to offer access, there are still no independent ISPs interconnected to the networks of the big four cablecos. While I have a great deal of respect for the CCTA and for Michèle Beck, the author of the letter, I’m afraid I find the substance of the letter somewhat disingenuous and the arguments a tad specious and misinformed. For example, the letter states that no ISP has "stepped forward to sign up for the [cable] service": this ignores the ISPs who have sought to...