BDUs worried about wording in new cancellation regulation

Canadian TV providers are worried the wording the CRTC proposed to prohibit policies requiring 30-day notice to cancel TV services could be interpreted to apply to the cancellation of individual channels.

Rogers Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc., TekSavvy Solutions Inc. and Eastlink all expressed the same concern in interventions posted to the CRTC website Friday and Monday, and asked the CRTC to clarify its wording.

PIAC says evidence shows undue preference with Shomi

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) told the CRTC that evidence presented by other parties supports its case that Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.'s Shomi has not been distributed in line with telecommunications and broadcasting policy.

DHX reaches U.S. deal for Teletubbies with Nickelodeon

DHX Media Inc. announced Thursday it has licensed the new Teletubbies series exclusively to Viacom Inc’s Nickelodeon division in the U.S.

The press release said the popular children’s television show will broadcast on Nick Jr. DHX also said that all 365 classic Teletubbies episodes will be available on Noggin, Nickelodeon’s mobile subscription service for preschoolers.

Bell Aliant opens new data centre in N.B.

BCE Inc.’s Bell Aliant announced Monday that its new data centre in Saint John, N.B. is now fully functional and open for business.

The new $25 million data centre met the Tier III certification from the Uptime Institute, which “requires that the engineering design and commissioning of the facility is executed to a specific standard,” said spokeswoman Katherine VanBuskirk in an e-mail. Only one out of 11 centres in Canada hold this “gold standard for data centres”, the release stated.

CMPA announces new board of directors

The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) announced Monday the results of its board of directors election.

The release stated that Jamie Brown of Frantic Films was re-elected as chairman of the board.

It named the following members that will make up the new board:

Cogeco acquires new U.S. company

Cogeco Cable Inc. announced Monday that its U.S. subsidiary Atlantic Broadband will acquire MetroCast Communications of Connecticut from parent company Harron Communications LP for $200 million US.

MetroCast Connecticut has a network that passes nearly 70,000 homes with TV, Internet and/or phone services, Cogeco said in a news release.

Shaw raising Internet, TV service rates

Shaw Communications Inc. says it will be increasing prices for residential Internet and television services to compensate for its own higher costs.

‘Golden age of TV’ facing changes: panel

TORONTO — There has never have been a better time than now to be a consumer of television, it was said during a panel discussion Wednesday at the Canadian Telecom Summit, but it was also discussed how big changes are afoot, and those in the industry are facing uncertainty.

Peter Miller, chairman of Interactive Ontario, which promotes the digital-media content industry, spoke about how now is the “golden age of TV” because consumers have never before had the ability to access whatever they want, when they want.

Birch Hill invests in Sigma Systems

Sigma Systems announced Monday that it has received a major investment from Birch Hill Private Equity Partners Management Inc.

Sigma, which provides subscriber-management software, said in a press release said the new partnership between Sigma and Birch Hill will significantly improve product development plans and create advanced solutions for their customers. 

Misgivings expressed over proposed TV-service code

A number of Canadian broadcast distributors have taken issue with aspects of the CRTC’s proposed code governing the relationship between TV providers and their customers, including the requirement that distributors must notify customers when a channel changes its terms of service.

In interventions that had to be filed by Monday, Telus Corp. called that notification proposal a “bizarre requirement,” adding that there is “no reciprocal requirement for channels to alert TVSPs [television service providers] of any programming changes.”

Stingray plans to raise $140M from IPO

Stingray Digital Group Inc. announced Tuesday that its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange will include 22.4 million voting shares for total proceeds of $140 million.

Based on these prices, market capitalization for Stingray will be about $296 million, the company said in a press release.

The offering is set to close June 3, Stingray said.

Charter announces deal to buy Timer Warner Cable

Charter Communications Inc. announced Tuesday it is acquiring Time Warner Cable Inc. for $78.7 billion US, including the assumption of debt.

At the same time, Charter Communications said in a press release that it is buying a majoriy Bright House Networks LLC for $10.4 billion US.

Charter CEO Tom Rutledge said in the release that the new union of the three companies will bring new and innovative ideas to create better products to benefit 23.9 million customers spanning 41 states across the United States.

Videotron rolls out Apple watch app for TV customers

MONTREAL — Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron has launched a new app for Apple Inc.’s smartwatch that the company hopes will increase discoverability of channels available though its cable packages and appeal to early tech adopters.

CRTC consulting on 30-day notice ban for telecom services

The CRTC said Wednesday in a notice of consultation that it is looking for comments on its elimination of 30-day notice requirements for cancelling telecom services, which has been in effect since January.

Robert Dépatie resigns from Saint-Hubert

Robert Dépatie, former CEO of Quebecor Inc., is resigning as CEO of restaurant operator St-Hubert Group, the company said Wednesday.

CRTC opens online discussion on TV code

The CRTC said in a press release Tuesday it has opened an online discussion forum on a code of conduct for TV providers it proposed in March.

David Asch new SVP of Shomi

Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. have named David Asch senior vice-president and general manager of their video-streaming service, Shomi.

The move is effective immediately, the companies said in a press release Tuesday, adding that Ach “will oversee day-to-day management, business strategy and growth plans for the streaming service.”

Asch was previously senior vice-president of content at U.S. DVD rental company Redbox Automated Retail LLC.

Broadcasters, BDUs at odds over proposed wholesale code

While many broadcasters and TV providers expressed support for the CRTC’s proposed changes to its wholesale code, which governs carriage agreements for TV channels, they took differing positions on whether the code should be mandatory and whether it should ban minimum penetration and revenue guarantees.

Pay-per-view sports getting boost from boxing

Despite streaming services eating away at the profits of pay-per-view movies and TV shows, TV providers could see their biggest PPV revenues in history on Saturday as two of boxing’s biggest names fight in front of a worldwide audience.

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to face each other at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, in a fight that promoter and Top Rank Inc. CEO Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, told ESPN could raise $300 million US between ticket sales, pay-per-view sales and sponsorships.

Nadir Mohamed to lead venture-capital fund

Former Rogers Communications Inc. CEO Nadir Mohamed will lead a new venture-capital fund created by the Ontario government, the office of Premier Kathleen Wynne said on Monday.

Mohamed will lead a council of about 30 business leaders and entrepreneurs tasked with managing Scale Up Ventures, a $50-million fund for startup companies that "have shown initial market success and that demonstrate strong growth potential," the premier's office said in a press release.

Comcast, Time Warner deal nixed

Comcast Corp. on Friday confirmed that it is walking away from its proposed $45-billion US buyout of Time Warner Cable Inc.

In a statement on Comcast's website, CEO Brian Roberts said: "Today, we move on. Of course, we would have liked to bring our great products to new cities, but we structured this deal so that if the government didn’t agree, we could walk away."

Rogers revenue up, helped by NHL contract

Rogers Communications Inc. on Monday reported a 5.1 per cent annual gain in revenue for the first quarter, driven largely by a 26 per cent jump in its media division that benefited from Rogers' exclusive national rights to NHL hockey broadcasts.

Rogers enjoying playoff boost, but benefits hard to quantify

Having five Canadian teams reach the NHL playoffs for the first time in more than a decade is set to translate into a winning season for Rogers Communications Inc. as it completes the first of 12 years of a $5.2-billion rights agreement with the National Hockey League.

Rogers condo connection could be cut off without Bell access

The CRTC said Thursday that unless a developer provides BCE Inc. "timely access" to a Toronto condominium building about to accept new occupants, the other service providers that have been given access to the building, including Rogers Communications Inc., will not be permitted to provide services there.

Shaw loses profits, subs in Q2

Shaw Communications Inc. on Tuesday reported $1.34 billion in revenue in its second fiscal quarter, up five per cent from the same period a year earlier, though its net income during the three-month period ended Feb. 28 fell to $168 million from $222 million last year.

Shaw said in a press release that net income for the first two quarters of the year “included restructuring costs and higher amortization and net other costs and revenue, partially offset by improved operating income before restructuring costs and amortization and lower income taxes.”

Report shows 95,000 TV cord-cutters last year

Convergence Consulting Group Ltd. says in a new report that Canada lost 95,000 TV subscribers in 2014, the second year of decline, while TV subscriber revenue continued to grow.

A summary of the report posted to the Convergence website said TV providers saw subscription revenue of $9.1 billion in 2014, up two per cent from the previous year.

Cogeco boosts revenue as TV subs continue decline

Cogeco Cable Inc. reported late Wednesday a decline in profit for its second fiscal quarter, a gain in revenue and fewer TV subscribers.

It said in a press release that its profit was $58.9 million for the three months ended Feb. 28 this year, down from $60.4 million a year earlier. It attributed the decline to depreciation, amortization, financing expenses and income taxes.

CCTS reports fewer complaints, more wireless code breaches

While overall complaints about telecommunications services have continued to decline, according the first-ever mid-year report from the Commissioner of Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS), confirmed breaches of the wireless code have increased exponentially.

News channels face funding challenges after CRTC decision

Canada’s national news channels face new obligations from the CRTC even as the regulator is taking away their place on basic cable, raising questions about their future finances.

Last month, as part of the CRTC’s wide-ranging review of its television rules, the regulator detailed a new basic package of cable channels that excludes the national news channels from BCE Inc. and Quebecor Inc. and any future entrants into that market.

Shaw names Vito Culmone as CFO

Shaw Communications Inc. said Tuesday it has named Vito Culmone as its executive vice-president and chief financial officer.

The appointment is effective June 1, the company said in a press release.

Culmone’s most recent position was as chief financial officer for WestJet Airlines Ltd., and he has also worked at Molson Inc. and PricewaterhouseCoopers, it added.

National alert system gets underway

A national emergency alert system became operational on Tuesday, according to officials speaking on behalf of the company that will operate the infrastructure behind it.

A spokesperson for public relations company High Road, working on behalf of Pelmorex Media Inc., which owns The Weather Network, said in an email the system is in effect.

A press release from Pelmorex said the alert system is done in co-operation with federal, provincial and territorial governments, and Canada's broadcasting industry.

CMF raises annual budget by $7.2 million

The Canadian Media Fund said Monday it will have $375.2 million to fund television and digital-media productions in the 2015-16 fiscal year.

That's up $7.2 million from the $368 million it announced was the budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year, which runs April to March.

"Underspending in some 2014-2015 programs, revenues from tangible benefits and one-time adjustments of revenues from broadcast distribution undertakings (BDU) in 2014-2015 contributed to achieving this program budget," the CMF said in a press release Monday.

Cogeco Cable brings TiVo service to Quebec

Cogeco Cable Inc. said Monday it is now offering its TiVo Inc. service to customers in Quebec.

Cogeco Cable Canada CEO Louise St-Pierre said in a Monday news release that the service ensures “there will always be something worth watching.”

The company’s partnership with TiVo allows customers to access IPTV content as well as online services such as Netflix Inc., via a set-top box.

Proposed BDU code inconsistent with unregulated OTT: consultant

The CRTC’s proposed new code of conduct for television service providers is at odds with the commission’s stance that it won’t regulate over-the-top (OTT) services, according to broadcast consultant Peter Miller.

He said it was “interesting that this regulator still wants to get involved in this level of detail with respect to traditional providers while still saying they’re going to do nothing with over-the-top providers.”

Blais makes statement on alleged CTV news interference

CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais on Wednesday issued a statement warning about the seriousness of "manipulating news coverage" in the wake of a report that a prominent BCE Inc. executive did just that last week.

The Globe and Mail reported Wednesday that Bell Media president Kevin Crull directed staff at its CTV News operation not to show footage of Blais following the commission's decision Thursday on TV-channel unbundling.

IPTV gains are slowing as cable losses continue: Boon Dog

An Ottawa consulting company says IPTV services aren’t absorbing the exodus of cable customers at the same rate as they used to.

TV-industry consulting company Boon Dog Professional Services Inc. issued a press release Wednesday that showed Canada’s publicly traded companies lost a record of 64,649 TV customers last year, compared to a few hundred the year before.

PIAC calls for affordability standards in telecom

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) released a report on Monday that calls on Canada to legislate the requirement that all Canadians have access to "affordable" telecommunications services.

PIAC said in its report that affordability should be defined in such a way that people can afford telecommunications without having to give up other essentials, such as heat or food.

Telecoms will adjust to pick-and-pay regime, analysts say

Financial analysts reacting to the CRTC’s new pick-and-pay rules say they don’t expect the decision to have a major impact on the industry, though the broadcasting side of the business is more vulnerable than TV distribution.

Troy Crandall, a telecom analyst with 3Macs, said in a phone interview Friday that pure broadcast distributors, such as Telus Corp. and Cogeco Cable Inc., will be least affected, while companies focusing on content, such as Corus Entertainment Inc., will see the biggest impact.

Quebecor Media buys bigger piece of TVA

Quebecor Media Inc. said Friday it has upped its stake in TVA Group Inc. to more than 68 per cent from about 51 per cent.

Quebecor Media, which is three-quarters owned by Quebecor Inc., said in a press release it bought 17.3 million Class B, non-voting shares in TVA for $97.9 million, raising the proportion of Class B shares it holds to 65 per cent from 41 per cent.

The company said it bought the TVA share "for investment purposes and QMI has no present intention of acquiring additional securities of TVA."

Quebecor reports Q4 loss, major gains in wireless

Quebecor Inc. on Wednesday reported a net loss for the fourth quarter resulting largely from non-operational factors, while indicating major gains in its wireless operations' revenue and subscriber base.

New MTM report shows shrinking rate of TV subscriptions

New data shows an overall drop in the share of English Canadians subscribing to TV services over the last year.

MTM, a project of CBC/Radio-Canada, released a report Thursday that showed the proportion of Canadian anglophones subscribing to cable TV had fallen to 43 per cent last fall from 46 per cent a year earlier. It had been as high as 64 per cent in 2005, MTM said.

"The decrease can be attributed to the increase of competition in many markets across Canada," MTM said in the report.

Cogeco approved for wholesale Internet rate cut

While Shaw Communications Inc. has been trying to raise the rates it charges to smaller ISPs to use its network, Cogeco Cable Inc. has been seeking permission to lower rates and received it on Wednesday.

The CRTC said Cogeco has been permitted to lower the capacity-based billing rate it charges other ISPs to $1,181.79 per month, down more than 50 per cent from the $2,556 it was charging last summer.

CRTC sides with small ISPs on Shaw Internet pricing dispute

The CRTC ruled against Shaw Communications Inc.’s proposed new prices for third-party Internet access on Monday, approving interim wholesale broadband rates that are roughly half what the company was seeking.

No plans to seek must-offer status for Bloomberg TV

One of the executives behind the newly announced Bloomberg TV Canada news channel says that there are no plans to seek a broadcast licence that would compel broadcast distributors to offer the channel to customers.

Online video factors into cord-cutting: CIRA survey

Newly released results from a Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) survey show the availability of online video content is a factor for four in 10 Canadian Internet users who do not subscribe to cable TV.

Cogeco lays off 20 data service workers in Toronto

Cogeco Cable Inc.'s data services division has cut about 20 jobs in Toronto, the company said Thursday.

Cogeco Data Services spokeswoman Shawna Abbott said in an email that the cuts were made Wednesday "to increase efficiencies and streamline internal processes."

CTV Go picked up by Rogers, other BDUs

BCE Inc.'s online TV-everywhere service, CTV Go, is now available to customers of Rogers Communications Inc. and four other TV service providers, CTV said Thursday.

The network said in a press release that other broadcast distributors added include Bell subsidiary Northwestel Inc., Access Communications Co-operative Ltd., Cable Cable Inc. and Nexicom Systems Inc.

One-third of Netflix users have used U.S. IP address: survey

About one in three Canadian customers of Netflix Inc. have used a U.S. IP address to access the company's American service because it offers more content than the Canadian version, Media Technology Monitor (MTM) said in a report released Tuesday.

Quebecor Fund announces $635,000 in funding

The Quebecor Fund, the organization established to distribute project contributions on behalf of Quebecor Inc.'s broadcast distribution operations, on Tuesday announced $635,000 in funding under its event and film production assistance program.

CRTC gives 90 days for talks on wholesale Internet service dispute

The CRTC is demanding that four of Canada’s largest cable companies and small ISPs represented by the Canadian Network Operators’ Consortium (CNOC) work out a dispute over customer service and network reliability at the negotiating table within the next three months.

CTV Go now works with Google Chromecast

BCE Inc.'s CTV network announced Thursday that its TV everywhere service, CTV Go, has become the first of its kind in Canada to work with Google Inc.'s Chromecast streaming device.

Chromecast is a thumb-sized device that plugs into a television's HDMI port and can access over-the-top streaming services as well as pick up video from a computer or mobile device.

Shaw shutting call-centre operations in 3 cities

Shaw Communications Inc. said Wednesday it is shutting down call-centre operations in Edmonton, Calgary and Kelowna, B.C., with about 1,600 workers at these locations having a choice of whether to move, assume a different position or take a buyout.

The company said in a press release that it will realign its customer service along "centres of expertise," including technical service, sales and billing, loyalty care, technical field support, e-care, payment solutions and satellite operations.

Péladeau says he still controls Quebecor: report

Pierre Karl Péladeau, the controlling shareholder at Quebecor Inc., who was elected a member of Quebec’s national assembly last year, said Wednesday he maintains control of the company, the Montreal Gazette reported.

“Yes. I have control,” the Gazette quoted him as saying.

Péladeau said the share structure of the company allows him to currently to “name the administrators for 75 per cent of the composition of the board,” though he does not manage the company on a day-to-day basis, the Gazette reported.

VMedia now offering triple-play bundles in Ontario

VMedia Inc. said Wednesday it has become the first independent telecommunications service provider to offer a triple-play bundle of television, Internet and home-phone service in Ontario.

The company said its packages start at $69.85 a month for DSL Internet with 6-Mbps download speeds, more than 50 channels of mostly high-definition TV and unlimited Canada-wide calling.

CRTC says public proceeding on new powers to levy fines not ‘appropriate’

A public proceeding regarding new CRTC powers to impose monetary penalties on telecommunications companies would “not be appropriate,” given “the fact that further guidance will be provided in the coming weeks,” the commission said in a letter to Telus Corp.

Shomi gets rights to original Amazon content

Canadian video streaming service Shomi said Thursday it has secured the Canadian rights to original content made for Amazon.com Inc.'s Prime streaming service in the U.S.

TMN Go now available to Shaw customers

Shaw Communications Inc. said Thursday that TMN Go is now available to its cable customers in northern Ontario and satellite-TV customers throughout Eastern Canada, allowing them to watch The Movie Network, HBO Canada, Showtime and TMN Encore content on-demand on televisions, computers, tablets and smartphones.

The availability is limited to Eastern Canada customers because BCE Inc.'s The Movie Network does not have broadcast rights in the West, Bell Media spokesman Scott Henderson confirmed.

Cogeco creating public WiFi hotspots from people’s homes

Cogeco Cable Inc. has quietly rolled out home spotting, or the use of multi-signal routers in people's homes to provide both private WiFi signals to residents and separate public signals to visitors or those in the vicinity, according to CEO Louis Audet.

Audet said in phone interview that Cogeco “started doing it in a modest way” a few months ago.

TiVo OTA product gets full release in U.S.

TiVo Inc. said Wednesday it is widening availability in the United States of a PVR for capturing over-the-air programing, a product it released on a limited basis in the fall.

The TiVo Roamio OTA is meant for people who do not have a cable- or satellite-TV subscription but wish to have the same functionality as other TiVo devices for recording and finding their favourite shows, the company said in a press release.

Wearables, OTT, IoT to rise in 2015: IDC

Greater consumer interest in wearable technology, growth in over-the-top (OTT) television subscriptions and greater prominence of the Internet of Things (IoT) are among the top trends in technology expected for next year in Canada, International Data Corp. said Monday.

Cogeco promotes two executives at U.S. subsidiary

Cogeco Cable Inc. said Wednesday that Richard Shea and David Isenberg will share the title of president at its U.S. subsidiary Atlantic Broadband, as of Jan. 1.

Shea will also be given the title of CEO on that date, and Isenberg will become chief revenue officer, Cogeco said in a press release.

The promotions are being done as Edward Holleran gets set to step down as CEO and president of Atlantic Broadband at the end of this year. Cogeco said Holleran will stay on part-time as vice-president of industry relations.

What happens to VOD in an OTT world?

The launch of new streaming services from Canada’s biggest TV providers adds yet another option for viewers who want to catch up on or try out a new show, raising the question of whether they will complement — or compete with — existing services like video-on-demand (VOD).

Small ISPs tell CRTC they want to invest in ‘middle mile’

GATINEAU, Que. — Representatives from Canada’s small Internet service providers on Tuesday asked the CRTC to open up more of the incumbents’ broadband networks, mandating wholesale access for fibre-to-the-premises connections and giving the ISPs the ability to build so-called “middle-mile” connections.

Infrastructure investment was the main issue as more than a dozen executives, lawyers and experts representing the Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) spoke at the CRTC’s hearing into its wholesale regulations for wireline networks.

Too early to decide on fibre-network regulation: Competition Bureau

GATINEAU, Que. — CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said during the first day of the CRTC’s hearing into its wholesale wireline regulations that his commission needs to be a “doctor” rather than a “coroner” for the telecom industry.

In an exchange with Patrick Hughes, a senior economist at the Competition Bureau, Blais said the commission must anticipate changes in the telecom industry in order to enact effective regulation.

Shomi adds Disney content

Shomi, the new streaming service from Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc., announced Wednesday that it had signed a content deal with the Walt Disney Co.

Under the terms of the deal, Shomi will offer a selection of Disney’s film library, as well as current and past TV shows from ABC and affiliated content holders, according to the press release. Shomi said the deal makes it the exclusive streaming provider of ABC’s popular current shows Scandal and Revenge.

BCE accuses condo developer of overcharging for access

BCE Inc. is having more problems with a condominium developer operating in Toronto that it has previously filed complaints about.

Government pressured to open more WiFi spectrum

Industry Canada is being lobbied to open up more unlicensed spectrum for wireless Internet, as the United States did earlier this year.

Government briefing notes and emails written in advance of a meeting planned for May 27 between Industry Minister James Moore and Cogeco Cable Inc., obtained through an access-to-information request, showed the department expected Cogeco officials, including CEO Louis Audet, would discuss WiFi spectrum regulations.

Shomi streaming service starts Tuesday

Shomi, the online streaming service being offered by Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc., will launch Tuesday, the companies said Monday.

It will be available initially to TV and Internet subscribers of Rogers and Shaw, and both companies said in separate press releases Monday that their customers are being offered free trials for a month before the $8.99-a-month fee kicks in.

Rogers takes aim at youth with Vice partnership

When Rogers Communications Inc. CEO Guy Laurence wore a leather jacket to the announcement of his company's latest project —a $100 million joint venture with Vice Media Inc. —the unconventional outfit emphasized how the new partnership was aimed at appealing to a younger demographic.

Wireline wholesale hearing to put focus on ISP access

The CRTC faces another major policy hearing next month, and this one has the potential to affect independent Internet service providers that depend on major telecom companies to connect them to customers.

In September, the commission held separate hearings on the future of the television industry and wholesale wireless access. On Nov. 24, the CRTC begins up to nine days of public proceedings into wireline wholesale services.

Jack Tomik leaving Rogers, being replaced by Al Dark

Rogers Communications Inc. said Wednesday that Jack Tomik is stepping down as senior vice-president of media sales at the end of this month and being replaced by Al Dark.

Rogers said in a press release that Tomik's departure comes after the successful implementation of a new multiplatform sales model.

Wireless data, faster Internet driving consumer spending: CRTC

Canadian telecom service providers got more money from their customers last year largely as a result of increased wireless data usage and demand for faster Internet, the CRTC said Thursday.

Overall spending on communications services in Canada rose 3.2 per cent in 2013, increasing to $191 per household each month from $185 in 2012, the CRTC said in its annual Communications Monitoring Report, the full version of which it released Thursday.

Shaw gets naming rights to Ottawa Convention Centre

Shaw Communications Inc. has reached a sponsorship deal with the operators of the Ottawa Convention Centre, resulting in the venue being renamed the Shaw Centre, effective immediately.

Shaw said in a press release that the arrangement is for 10 years. No financial terms were disclosed. The facility is owned by the Ontario government.

"The Shaw Centre reflects our commitment to strengthening our presence with our customers, communities, regulatory and government stakeholders in the nation's capital," Shaw CEO Brad Shaw said in the release.

Eastlink launches wireless TV

Eastlink announced a wireless TV service Thursday that will allow customers to use the company’s Maestro DVRs wirelessly on up to six different TVs.

The company said in a news release the DVRs will record up to six programs at once to be watched from anywhere in the home as well as allowing customers to order their own list of channels and pause live TV.

Videotron makes 3 VP appointments

Quebecor Inc.'s Videotron on Thursday announced three senior-level appointments in the marketing department of existing employees, two of which had managers becoming vice-presidents.

Julie Brault was named vice-president of brand and interactive media, following her previous position as senior manager of applications and online content, Videotron said in a news release.

Jacob Glick to join Rogers

Rogers Communications Inc. said Tuesday that Jacob Glick will start work next month in the newly created position of chief corporate affairs officer.

Previously, Glick headed Google Inc.'s global public policy and government relations team, and before that took on the same responsibilities specific to Canada, Rogers said in a press release.

VOD figures pad overall TV viewership numbers: TVB

The Television Bureau of Canada has released what it says are the first statistics on viewership of broadcast distributors’ video-on-demand (VOD) platforms, which show an additional four to nine per cent of viewers use VOD to watch TV series.

Péladeau would put Quebecor shares in blind trust if leader: reports

Quebecor Inc.'s controlling shareholder Pierre Karl Péladeau said he'll put his holdings in the company in a blind trust if he becomes leader of the sovereigntist Parti Québécois (PQ), reports indicated Wednesday.

However, he called a motion to ban members of the provincial legislature like him from owning a controlling stake in media companies "outrageous," different articles indicated.

Rogers launches second-screen hockey app

Rogers Communications Inc. announced it is releasing a new hockey app that will give customers access to new camera angles and additional content like interviews and analysis.

“Exclusive to Rogers’ customers, and it is the ultimate second-screen experience,” said Rogers Media president Keith Pelley at the launch event in Toronto on Monday. “It allows our customers to select replays, to pick camera angles, to be the producer, to be the director.”

Shaw offers TSN, Sportsnet TV-everywhere apps

Shaw Communications Inc. said Thursday its customers can now access TV-everywhere products for BCE Inc.’s TSN and Rogers Communication Inc.’s Sportsnet specialty channels.

OTN sponsors Greek sports channel for distribution

Odyssey Television Network Inc., which operates channels in Canada with Greek-oriented programming, is sponsoring a sports channel from Greece to be authorized for distribution in Canada.

OTN's application was posted to the CRTC's website on Thursday. It said Sport Plus, the channel it is sponsoring, is a 24-hour sports channel based in Greece that conducts all of its programming in the Greek language.

Its letter of application said initial talks with various broadcast distributors have indicated an interest in carrying such a service in Canada.

Sun News wins one, loses one in CRTC arbitration

The CRTC on Thursday awarded Quebecor Inc.'s Sun News Network a victory in one of two arbitration cases involving its carriage with broadcaster distributors, though it sided with the service provider in another.

Quebecor PPV service allowed English programming

Companies associated with Quebecor Inc. were given the go-ahead on Tuesday to add English programming to its French-language pay-per-view service, Canal Indigo.

Cogeco calls for regulated access to wireless networks

Cogeco Cable Inc. wants the CRTC to set up regulated access to established wireless carriers’ networks, president and CEO Louis Audet said during a conference call with media Thursday.

Shaw CFO Steve Willson to retire

Shaw Communications Inc. said Wednesday that Steve Wilson, its executive vice-president of corporate development and chief financial officer, will retire next year.

It said in a press release that Wilson, who has been the company’s CFO for a decade, would stay on for the rest of the year in a “transitional phase.”

Cogeco to discuss wireless services on Thursday

Cogeco Cable Inc. said Tuesday it will hold a conference call with journalists on Thursday to discuss "the future of mobile services in Canada."

Boynton, Stoneham find jobs after Rogers

John Boynton and Shelagh Stoneham, two Rogers Communications Inc. executives who left in the wake of its corporate overhaul this year, have both found other jobs.

Boynton, formerly the chief marketing officer at Rogers, is now the chief marketing officer for Canada at Aimia Inc., a customer loyalty company that owns and operates the Aeroplan loyalty program, Aimia said in a press release earlier this month.

Rogers VP predicts end of TV broadcasting, as we know it

GATINEAU, Que. — You can’t assume that young people who have never had subscription-TV service will eventually get it, Ken Engelhart, Rogers Communications Inc.’s vice-president of regulatory affairs, told the CRTC on Thursday.