CMPA reaches 3-year agreement with Directors Guild

The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) announced Friday it has agreed on terms for a new three-year agreement with the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC).

It said in a press release that the renewed agreement, which will be from 2016 to 2018, provides an overall wage increase of two per cent for directors in each of the three years of its term and noted that the contract applies to all productions that begin on or after Jan. 1.

Bell denied requests for no quota on independent programming

The CRTC on Friday approved requests from BCE Inc. to delete many genre-related terms on its licences for three different specialty channels, but it was denied in all three instances its requests that the requirement that 25 per cent of Canadian programming, other than news, current affairs and sports, come from independent production companies.

Millennials consume most TV, video content online: MTM

Canadian millennials, defined as individuals aged 18 to 34, spend 31.8 hours a week on the Internet and are more likely to watch TV and video content online than those aged 34 and above, who spend 16.5 hours per week online, according to a new report released by Media Technology Monitor, a project of CBC/Radio-Canada.

DHX produces new kids TV show to air in Canada, U.K.

DHX Media Ltd. announced Thursday it has been commissioned by BBC’s children's broadcasting arm, CBBC, in the U.K. to produce two seasons of Airmageddon, a new TV show for kids that features competitive radio-controlled drone flying.

It said in a press release that the show will be produced by DHX in collaboration with U.K.-based Conceive Media Ltd., and added that DHX will be responsible for distribution and licensing of the show in Canada and globally. 

CRTC denies application to amend third-language exemption order

The CRTC denied an application from Ethnic Channels Group Ltd. Wednesday to amend the exemption order for discretionary TV services serving fewer than 200,000 subscribers in order for third-language undertakings to devote 15 per cent each week to Canadian programs rather than 15 per cent of the broadcast year and the evening broadcast period.

Amazon offers to link video producers to audiences

Amazon.com Inc. announced Tuesday it is launching an over-the-top (OTT) streaming subscription program for video providers to reach out to Amazon Prime members, and will also allow Prime members to add other video subscription services onto their membership.

It said in a press release that, for video providers, Amazon will be responsible for driving subscriber acquisitions, managing customer care services as well as payment services and managing compatibility of OTT services across different devices.

Future CraveTV prices unclear for non-Bell customers

Subscribers to BCE Inc.’s TV services will pay more for CraveTV starting in February, though the company isn’t saying how much customers who get the streaming service through other TV-service providers, or those planning to get the service independently over the Internet, will pay.

DHX signs 5-year deal with DreamWorks

DHX Media Ltd. announced Tuesday it has signed a five-year deal with DreamWorks Animation LLC to produce, broadcast and distribute content across several channels.

DHX said in the press release that it will be co-producing 130 episodes of original animated children’s content at the DHX studios and will broadcast on its Family Channel, Family Jr., Family CHRGD and Télémagino channels. It added that DHX will manage distribution of content within Canada and DreamWorks will manage distribution around the rest of the world.

Data analytics key to discoverability, CRTC hears

The use of data analytics to build a global audience steered much of the discussion around content discoverability at an event hosted by the CRTC in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).

The panel of experts at Tuesday's event in Vancouver, held as part of the lead-up to the CRTC's Discoverability Summit, said industry should look at discoverability from a global perspective rather than focusing only on Canada. 

Distant TV signals losing value, service providers say

OTTAWA — Canada's major TV service providers argued before the Copyright Board of Canada on Monday that they should pay less for distant-TV signals because these channels are losing value as more viewing options become available to consumers.

It was the fifth day of a hearing scheduled to last until Friday, along with final arguments slated for Jan. 26 and 27.

David Purdy to leave Rogers

OTTAWA — David Purdy, senior vice-president of content at Rogers Communications Inc., said Monday that he will leave the company and that an official announcement will be issued later this week.

Purdy told the Copyright Board of Canada, during a hearing to set the royalty rates that TV service providers pay for distant-TV signals, that he has accepted a new job with a "next-generation" media company that's based in New York and has some operations in Canada.

Broadcasters advised to ‘pick their winners’ as pick-and-pay approaches

As the Canadian TV industry approaches an era where customers have more choice over the channels they subscribe to, large broadcasters should “pick their winners” and consolidate into a smaller number of channels, a new report from RBC Capital Markets says.  

Blue Ant sells content to Asia

Blue Ant Media Inc.’s international division announced Friday it has made sales of more than 175 hours of content from its catalogue of factual, factual entertainment, nature and wildlife, lifestyle and documentary series to channels in the Asian market.

Blue Ant to distribute Cream Productions content

Blue Ant Media Inc.’s international division announced Tuesday in a press release that it has signed a multi-year, exclusive distribution deal with Cream Productions Inc., an international factual content creator based in Toronto.

Bell holds out on distributing Bloomberg TV

When Channel Zero Inc. announced the launch of its Bloomberg TV Canada channel this week, it listed every TV-service provider that was carrying it and absent from that list was Canada's biggest provider of TV service.

Blue Ant makes several leadership changes

Blue Ant Media Inc. on Wednesday announced several changes to its leadership team, including the appointment of Jamie Schouela to the newly created position of executive vice-president of Canadian networks.

Blue Ant said in a press release that Schouela, who was formerly executive vice-president of marketing and communications, would now be in charge of the company's domestic TV and digital properties, with responsibilities including the implementation of its multi-platform content strategy and overseeing relationships with TV-service providers.

Telus, Cogeco challenge Bell appeal of wholesale code

Telus Corp. and Cogeco Cable Inc. have filed their opposition to BCE Inc.'s attempt to fight, before the Federal Court of Appeal, the CRTC's wholesale code governing relationships between television stations and TV-service providers.

Most millennials still have subscription-TV service: MTM

Seven out of every 10 Canadian between the ages of 18 and 34 have a subscription-TV service in their home, while that proportion is 87 per cent for those 35 and older, according to a new report from Media Technology Monitoring (MTM), a project of CBC/Radio-Canada.

It also found 19 per cent of millennials rely on the Internet for watching all of their TV content versus four per cent those who are older.

Videotron’s MAtv still violating licence conditions: complaint

A group that previously battled MAtv, the community channel operated by Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron, is telling the CRTC that MAtv is still violating the conditions of its licence months after a CRTC decision found it in non-compliance.

MTS to offer CTV, TSN TV-everywhere apps

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. said Thursday that all of its TV customers will have access to BCE Inc.’s TSN GO and CTV GO mobile apps for free.

MTS said in a press release that the apps are available through Apple Inc.’s iTunes or Google Inc.’s Google Play Store, and said that its customers can also log in through a web browser to get access.

TVB appoints Kathy Gardner VP of media insights

The Television Bureau of Canada (TVB) announced Wednesday it has appointed Kathy Gardner to the newly created position of vice-president of media insights.

TVB said in a press release that Gardner will oversee research and planning, looking into emerging technologies and consumer behaviour.

Catherine Cano new president of CPAC

The Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) announced Tuesday that Catherine Cano will become its new president and general manager.

The privately-owned, not-for-profit television service said in a press release that Cano’s position will be effective Jan. 11.

CPAC added that she brings more than 20 years of executive leadership and  “most recently, she oversaw newsgathering and all news programming at Société Radio-Canada.” 

Market has adjusted to 2-year wireless contracts: analyst

Third-quarter results indicate the mobile market has adjusted to the higher-priced, two-year contracts that became the norm after the CRTC implemented the wireless code in 2013, says Scotia Capital telecom analyst Jeff Fan.

In a research note issued Monday evening, Fan said this assertion is based on data showing that, for the first time in three years, all the publicly traded wireless carriers in Canada combined reported higher net gains for postpaid customers than a year earlier.

IPTV, Netflix adoption lower in Ontario: MTM

Ontario residents are not moving as fast toward newer ways of getting TV content, such as IPTV and Netflix, as other parts of the Canada, according to newly released figures.

CRTC says 30-day cancellation ban not for single channels

The CRTC on Friday made certain clarifications about the policy implemented early this year to prohibit providers of telecommunications services from requiring 30-days' notice of subscription cancellations.

Responding to concerns expressed by some providers, it said the regulation would be modified to explicitly state that the policy only applies to the cancellation of TV services as a whole, not individual channels or particular packages.

Rogers, Vice to launch new channel for millennials

Rogers Communications Inc. said Thursday it will launch a new 24-hour specialty channel aimed at millennials next year as part of its partnership with Vice Media Inc.

Quebecor reports big gains in mobile, OTT

Quebecor Inc.'s third-quarter financial report showed the company is seeing strong gains in the areas of mobile service and its over-the-top streaming service, Club Ilico.

The company said in a press release Thursday that revenue for three months ended Sept. 30 was $971.7 million, up 9.5 per cent from a year earlier. That included a gain of six per cent from telecommunications operations, 21.3 per cent from media, and 33.9 per cent from its sports and entertainment activities.

CCTS asks CRTC to keep membership mandatory for telecoms

Representatives from the Commission for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) told the CRTC Tuesday that making telecom companies' participation in the CCTS voluntary would affect the independence and effectiveness of the commission.

Blue Jays help Sportsnet attain record numbers for Oct.

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Tuesday that its Sportsnet network had its highest viewership ever in October, highlighting that 21.1 million Canadians watched some part of the Major League Baseball (MLB) post-season.

It said in a press release that it had an average minute audience of 446,000 during the month, which was a year-over-year increase of 122 per cent.

Connectivity beats content in telecom/media sector: report

The notion that "content is king" is challenged in a new report that points out that connectivity services take in significantly more revenue than content providers in Canada and have seen more growth in recent decades.

B.C. provider offers skinny-basic TV

Mascon, a small telecom service provider in British Columbia, announced Monday that it is now offering a skinny-basic TV package for $20 a month, getting a head-start on the CRTC requirement that packages for no more than $25 a month must be available as of next March.

The company said in an announcement on its website that the package, called the "Digital Starter," will cost $20 per month. It added that customers can pick channels they want that fit their “household unique needs, budgets and realities.”

CMF provides $2.6M for French-language productions

The Canadian Media Fund (CMF) announced Tuesday it is funding five productions that are part of its francophone minority program with $2.6 million.

CMF said in a press release that the funding is part of the second round of financing that is part of the program to support productions that reflect living in French-language communities outside of Quebec.

Are stars aligning for Shaw sale to Rogers?

The idea of a merger between Canada's two biggest cable providers — Shaw Communications Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. — is on the radar again, with at least two market analysts saying the conditions are right for such a move.

Bell Media asks for CBC disaffiliations in B.C.

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media division has asked the CRTC to approve the disaffiliation of two TV stations it owns in British Columbia from CBC/Radio-Canada.

U.S. version of Mr. D picked up by CBS: report

CBS Corp. has picked up CBC/Radio-Canada sitcom Mr. D and will be creating a U.S.-based version, according to an online report by Postmedia Network.

Postmedia reported that Gerry Dee, the creator and star of the show that is based on his career as a Toronto teacher, signed the deal on Thursday. The show will be produced through the production company called Electric Avenue, owned by Canadian actor Will Arnett.  

Cogeco financials show big gains in U.S.

Cogeco Cable Inc. reported higher revenue and profit numbers this week, with its U.S. operations bringing in substantially more money as it benefited from a favourable trend in the U.S.-dollar exchange rate.

The company said in a press release late Wednesday that revenue in its fourth fiscal quarter, which ended Aug. 31, was $520.4 million, up 6.2 per cent from a year earlier. It said it realized a profit of $78 million during that period, up from $63.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

CRTC approves change of licence conditions for OWN

The CRTC approved Wednesday an application from Corus Entertainment Inc. on behalf of OWN Inc., the Oprah Winfrey Network, to amend certain conditions of its broadcasting licence as well as its terms-of-trade agreement.

Yahoo loses $42M US on original TV content

Yahoo Inc. said in its third quarter financial results that it incurred a $42 million US loss on its original TV video content.

Ken Goldman, chief financial officer for Yahoo, said during an earnings conference call with analysts last week that that the $42 million US loss is due to some of its original video content, specifically the TV series Community and Sin City Saints.

New Star Wars movie coming to Netflix in Canada only

Canadian Netflix Inc. subscribers will be the only ones able to stream Walt Disney Co.'s Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2016.

A Netflix representative confirmed in a phone call that the seventh installment, and latest release, in the movie franchise is slated to be available on Netflix eight months after the movie is out of movie theatres in Canada, the only jursdiction where it will be available on the streaming service.  

Shoan asks court to limit Blais’ ability to name CRTC panels

Commissioner Raj Shoan has brought another case against the CRTC to court, asking the Federal Court of Appeal to limit the ability of the CRTC chairman to assign commissioners to panels that make decisions on issues before the regulator.

CRTC extends CCTS membership requirement for telecoms

The CRTC announced Friday that all telecom service providers (TSPs) that fall under the purview of the Commission for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) will remain CCTS members on an interim basis until final decisions are made as part of its review of the CCTS.

CCTS finds small Alberta telecom breached regulations

The Commissioner for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) said Thursday that VOIS! Inc., an Alberta-based telecom provider, has breached its regulatory obligations towards its customers.

CRTC denies ownership transfer of ethnic channel

The CRTC denied Thursday a transfer of ownership application submitted by NMTV Inc., a national third-language general interest ethnic specialty channel.

The application, which was filed on Aug. 1, requested the commission change NMTV's ownership and licence. It was denied because “a broadcasting licence cannot be issued, amended or renewed if the application is submitted by a non-Canadian,” the CRTC said.

Rogers revenues, profits up

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Thursday in its third quarter results it saw a 40 per cent increase in net income to $464 million, up from $332 million the previous year.

Shaw sees 40% rise in profits in Q4

Shaw Communications Inc. announced Thursday a 43.8 per cent increase in its fourth quarter profits.

Shomi to promote new show on Facebook

Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.’s Shomi announced Wednesday that it is partnering with Facebook Inc. to show the first episode of a three-part horror TV show on the social media site the same day it debuts on Shomi.

The streaming service said in a press release that it is "the first time a Canadian entertainment company has run a full episode on Facebook."

CBC gets rights to 2022, 2024 Olympic Games

CBC/Radio-Canada said in a press release that it has secured the broadcasting rights for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the 2024 Olympic Games.

Liberal government positive for big telecoms: analyst

A telecom-market analyst says incumbent telecommunications-service providers would benefit under a Liberal government.

Scotia Capital analyst Jeff Fan said in a research note released the Friday before Monday's election: "A Liberal majority could be a fresh and positive change for the incumbents."

He said that while a Liberal government would not want to see less competition in the telecom sector or higher prices, it would likely take an approach "very different from that of a Conservative majority."

Cogeco renames subsidiary to Cogeco Peer 1

Cogeco Cable Inc. announced Monday that its combined subsidiaries Cogeco Data Services and Peer 1 will be renamed Cogeco Peer 1.

It said in the release that combining the two subsidiaries will help grow Cogeco’s enterprise data services sector.

“The new name, Cogeco Peer 1, allows us to combine the strengths of two great companies and deliver uncompromising value and innovation, reinforcing our position as a market leader in the enterprise IT sector,” Cogeco CEO Louis Audet said in the release.

Corus expands original content distribution to U.S. broadcasters

Following Corus Entertainment Inc.’s announcement at MIPCOM, the global entertainment content conference, it said in a press release Monday that it has signed deals to distribute its original content to two U.S. broadcasters.

Corus said that Walt Disney Co.’s ABC Family has secured the rights to Cheer Stars, and Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. has secured the rights to Masters of Flip.

DHX in global deal to produce show based on hit movie

DHX Media Inc. announced Monday it has signed a deal with Turner Broadcasting System Inc. for the rights to the new TV show, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: The Series.

It said in a press release that the show, which is based off of the movie with the same title, will be produced by DHX’s Teletoon in Canada in co-operation with Sony Corp.

Federal election unlikely to change telecom policy: Huang

Barclays Capital analyst Phillip Huang said in a research note Monday that, despite the uncertain outcome of this month's federal election, a significant change in policy with regard to telecommunications is unlikely.

Huang noted that polls have indicated a close race between the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP, with a minority government looking likely. He added that "minority governments have historically shied away from pushing any significant/contentious new policy objectives."

Pick-and-pay TV prices could reduce cord cutting, say experts

Prices for TV subscriptions in the coming pick-and-pay era will be one of the main factors determining how over-the-top (OTT) video services are affected, say experts, noting that competitive pricing in TV packages might curb the cord-cutting trend. 

OMNI TV to air first original series

Rogers Communications Inc.’s OMNI TV announced Wednesday it will be broadcasting its first production of an original series on its channel.

OMNI said in the release that the show, titled Blood and Water, will be a Chinese crime drama that was filmed in Vancouver and will be available in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.

TV wholesale code finalized, takes effect in January

The CRTC on Thursday released a final version of its anticipated wholesale code governing the business relationships between TV-service providers and channel operators, which, among other things, bans provisions that would prevent a particular channel from being offered on a stand-alone basis or as part of a package that customers can create themselves.

The rules, which take effect on Jan. 22, will also ban so-called penetration-based rate cards (PBRCs) that require service providers to compensate channel operators when certain thresholds for advertising revenue are not met.

Stingray launches 4K TV channel

Stingray Digital Group Inc. has launched a channel that it says is the first in North America to offer around-the-clock 4K content.

The Stingray Ambiance channel is available through TV service offered by Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron, Stingray said in a press release Thursday.

Cogeco upgrades 15 TV stations to HD

Cogeco Cable Inc. announced Monday it has converted 15 local TV stations, part of its TVCogeco division, to high-definition (HD) quality.

Cogeco said in a press release that the $5 million investment in upgrading the stations across Quebec took five years and now allows customers to watch HD content on both Channel 555 and Cogeco's on-demand service on Channel 602.

BBC to launch OTT service in North America

The BBC says it is planning to launch an over-the-top (OTT) video subscription service in North America next year.

“Next year, we’re launching a new OTT video service in America, offering BBC fans programs they wouldn’t otherwise get, showcasing British actors, our program makers and celebrating our culture,” BBC director Tony Hall said Thursday at the Royal Television Society Convention in Cambridge, England, according to an email from network spokeswoman Christine Black on Friday.

Altice buys Cablevision for $17.7B US

Altice SA, a France-based telecom and cable company, announced Thursday it has acquired Cablevision Systems Corp. for $17.7 billion US, making it the fourth largest cable operator in the U.S. market.

Altice said in a press release that after buying Cablevision and its acquisition of Suddenlink Communications earlier this year, it will serve 4.6 million customers in 20 states and noted that both companies will benefit from the national platform as well as “additional international operational expertise.”

Regulators will eventually embrace MVNOs: Audet

Cogeco Cable Inc. CEO Louis Audet said Tuesday he believes Canada's telecommunications regulators will come around to mandating access for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), notwithstanding the CRTC's decision on the wholesale wireless market this year that featured few new provisions for this kind of operation.

Audet was addressing the company's ongoing expansion of WiFi hotspots at the Bank of Montreal's media and telecom conference in Toronto, when the idea of using these facilities to provide mobile service came up.

CRTC to review local, community-TV regulations

The CRTC is asking whether maintaining a physical presence in an area is necessary to produce local programming and whether community-access TV is still relevant as part a proceeding on local and community television it announced Monday.

The regulator said it will review its policies on local and community-TV programming, and hold a public hearing on the matter early in the new year.

Incognito says it can save ISPs millions

Incognito Software Systems, a Vancouver-based provider of Internet account management services, announced Thursday a new line of services it says can save broadband providers millions of dollars by preventing fraud and finding mistakes.

Where federal parties stand on telecom, media issues

Telecommunications and media have not been prominent issues in this year's federal election campaign, taking a backseat to things such as the Mike Duffy trial, the deficit and Syrian refugees.

The Wire Report has made repeated attempts to talk with the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP about their stances toward telecom and media, but has been largely ignored.

However, here is a look at statements, documents and publicly disclosed initiatives of the three major parties that are indicative of the positions they hold on telecom and media, or have at least held recently.

Bell gets 3 non-Canadian services approved

The CRTC approved Wednesday three applications from BCE Inc. to include various non-Canadian programming to the existing list of non-Canadian programming services and stations.

Quebecor Media buys shares from CDPQ

Quebecor Inc. announced Wednesday that its Quebecor Media unit has bought 28.6 per cent of the stake in that division held by for Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ).

It said in a press release that Quebecor Media purchased about 7.3 million common shares of Quebecor Media from CDPQ for $500 million. The shares were then cancelled. CDPQ is left with an 18.93 per cent interest in Quebecor Media, the company said.

CMF provided $365.5B in funding last year

The Canadian Media Fund (CMF) said Monday that it provided $365.5 billion in funding for television and digital-media productions last year.

That's up from $354.5 billion that it reported spending in the previous year's annual report.

The CMF said in a press release Monday that money spent in the 2014-15 fiscal year, which ended in March, triggered $1.3 billion in activity in the Canadian video-production industry, up 11.3 per cent from the year before.

Former Bell employee accused of insider trading

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), Quebec’s financial market regulator, said Thursday that it has uncovered an illegal insider-trading scheme involving a former BCE Inc. employee that allowed this individual, along with some family and friends, to realize profits of more than $1 million since 2012.

DHX snags 6 broadcasters for new show

DHX Media Inc. announced Wednesday it has signed six broadcasters globally to air a new BBC-commissioned TV show called Twirlywoos.

CBS, Cablevision carriage agreement features streaming

CBS Corp. and Cablevision Systems Corp. announced on Tuesday that CBS All Access and Showtime streaming services will be delivered to Cablevision’s Optimum Online customers as part of a multi-platform carriage agreement.

Oil decline could affect Shaw, Telus: analyst

The plunge in oil prices could end up hurting telecommunications service providers like Shaw Communications Inc. and Telus Corp., which have a high proportion of their business operations in Alberta, according to a Bay Street analyst.

Vertical integration helps Canadian TV sector transition: analyst

The tendency of major players in Canada's television industry to be involved in both content and distribution is helping the sector deal better with issues such as cord cutting and a declining advertising market, according to an investment analyst.

Jeff Fan, a telecom analyst with Scotia Capital, in a research note issued this week contrasted the Canadian industry with the situation in the United States, where just one major TV-service provider, Comcast Corp., also owns TV stations.

Sesame Street signs 5-year partnership with HBO

Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization, announced Thursday that its famous children's series Sesame Street will air its next five seasons on Time Warner Cable Inc.’s HBO.

The company said in a press release that it will be producing twice as much more content for the show than it has done for previous seasons and noted that during its five-year term with Time Warner, it will air on HBO GO, HBO On Demand and HBO Now, the company’s new Internet-only streaming service.

More small BDUs sanctioned with CRTC denial

The CRTC has given two more companies permission to provide television services to small audiences, even though it has technically denied their applications for licences.

Bell says non-refundable monthly payments are OK

BCE Inc. says in a filing with the CRTC that it is not violating regulations by requiring customers to pay for various services by the month in advance and not providing partial refunds if subscriptions are ended before the paid-for period is finished.

Cord-cutting accelerated in first half of 2015: report

A report from Boon Dog Professional Services Inc. released Wednesday said Canada's publicly traded TV-service providers lost six times as many subscribers in the first half of 2015 than in the same period a year earlier.

CCTS orders Brama Telecom to refund customer after overbilling

The Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) issued a decision Friday regarding a complaint made against Brama Telecom Inc., a Toronto-based company that provides wireless, Internet and TV services.

CCTS said in the release that it ordered Brama to refund one of its customers after billing them eight times for its monthly service fees instead of twice.

Quebecor Q2 revenue increases from last year

Quebecor Inc. reported Thursday in its quarterly results a revenue increase, with $960.9 million in revenues, up from $893 million the previous year.

President and CEO Pierre Dion said in the release the revenue increase was mainly due to the perfomance of its telecommunications segment. The company said its telecom services saw a 6.3 per cent increase in revenues to $43.9 million, and its media division saw a 17.9 per cent increase to $36.4 million from the previous year.

22M Canadians watched Pan Am Games: CBC

CBC/Radio-Canada announced Tuesday that more than 22 million Canadians watched some part of the Pan Am Games that aired from July 10-26.

The public broadcaster said in a press release that nearly 2.16 million Canadians tuned in to watch the closing ceremonies that aired on July 26.

In terms of digital content, CBC said in the release that it received more than 30 million total page views, and generated more than 3.2 video views over desktops, mobiles, and its app.

FCC approves AT&T, DirecTV merger

The FCC announced Friday it has approved the merger of AT&T and cable- and satellite-TV provider DirecTV.

FCC said in a press release that the terms of the merger between the largest U.S. telephone and Internet service provider and the largest U.S. satellite video provider will require the merged company to expand and deploy its services to 12.5 million customer locations, schools, and libraries.

Rogers Q2 revenues up

Rogers Communications Inc. said in its quarterly results that its revenues grew six per cent over the past year, from $3.2 billion to $3.4 billion.

CRTC calls for comments on simsub regulations

The CRTC is calling for comments regarding simultaneous substitution regulations.

Stingray to buy three TV channels

Stingray Digital Group Inc., a provider of music content through both traditional TV channels and streaming apps, announced Thursday it will acquire three TV music channels in order to expand its broadcast offerings.

Unions criticize Senate report on CBC

The National Communications Federation (FNC-CSN) and the union representing Radio-Canada employees are criticising a recent report on the future of the CBC/Radio-Canada issued by the Senate’s transport and communications standing committee.

FNC-CSN and the Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada said that the report had many inconsistencies and did not include enough solutions to the public broadcaster's problems.

Distributel expands Internet services in Quebec

Distributel Communications Ltd. is expanding its high-speed cable Internet services to 29 more markets throughout Quebec.

Some of new communities covered include Asbestos, Baie Comeau, Chelsea, Drummondville, Trois Rivières and Shawinigan, Distributel said in a press release.

Cogeco Cable earnings boosted by U.S. operations

Cogeco Cable Inc. reported higher third-quarter earnings on Tuesday, attributing gains largely to its U.S. operations, which benefited from favourable terms when translating U.S. dollars to Canadian.

The company said in a press release that it had revenue of $516.4 million for the three months, which ended May 31, up four per cent from a year earlier. Its quarterly profit was $64.1 million, up from $35.5 million in the same period a year before.

Wireless price hikes affecting other telecom spending: report

“Sharp” price hikes in wireless service over the past year are prompting people to reduce how much they spend on other telecommunications services, according to a Conference Board of Canada report released Thursday, though some analysts say they wouldn’t necessarily draw the same conclusion.

The Conference Board said in a press release that the cost of telecom services, along with “changing consumption habits and a slower economy, will cause Canadian consumers to reassess their telecommunications spending in 2015."

TV tangible-benefits spending up 27% last year: report

Companies spent $138.7 million on TV-related tangible benefits in Canada in the 12 months ended Aug. 31 last year, marking a 27 per cent increase from a year earlier, according to TV-industry research company Boon Dog Professional Services Ltd.

U.S. kids prefer video content on mobile devices: survey

A new study conducted by Miner & Co. Studio. suggests watching regular cable TV is declining among kids in the United States, who would prefer to watch their favourite shows on a smartphone or tablet.

The report released Monday noted that 57 per cent of parents surveyed said their children would prefer to watch shows on other devices because they are able to take the device anywhere, the devices have easy interfaces, and kids are able to watch and re-watch shows at any time.