Corus revenues down 10 per cent

Corus Entertainment Inc. reported Tuesday its first-quarter revenues were $420.3 million, down 10 per cent from the same period a year earlier. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or …

Broadcasters sign up to BIPOC hiring directory

Canada’s largest broadcasters have committed to making the use of a Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) hiring database a prerequisite to giving original productions the green light.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news …

COVID has created a CanCon crisis, and Corus won’t waste it: CEO 

The production slowdown stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns has created a crisis for Corus Entertainment Inc. in terms of meeting its CRTC-mandated Canadian programming expenditures (CPE), and according to CEO Doug Murphy, it is a crisis the company “is not going to waste.” This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …

Corus allowed to expand CanCon underspend, provided it’s paid off next year

The CRTC has allowed Corus Entertainment Inc. to reduce its mandated Canadian programming expenditures (CPE) in a single year, but declared any shortfall must be made up in the following year. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …

Q3 ‘very tough’ for Corus as ad revenues plummet

The financial impacts of COVID-19 induced lockdowns led to a “very tough quarter” for Corus Entertainment Inc. as advertising revenue dropped dramatically, CEO Doug Murphy told analysts on Friday, with total revenues dropping 24 per cent on the year before to $348.9 million, compared to $458.4 million in 2019.  This content is available to wirereport.ca …

Calm before the COVID storm in Corus Q2

Corus Entertainment Inc. has deferred the declaration of its dividends in response to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 epidemic and its effect on the broadcasting industry, but the company has a “pretty good muscle memory on expense control,” according to Doug Murphy, the company’s CEO. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? …

Corus TV revenues up, radio down

Corus Entertainment Inc. this morning reported television revenue either in line or slightly higher than analyst estimates, while “offset by lower than expected” radio revenues, according to RBC analyst Drew McReynolds.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …

Corus putting more focus on AVOD strategy

High demand among advertisers for premium content to be siloed in ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) platforms has driven Corus Entertainment Inc. to place more attention on that strategy.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. …

Corus asks CRTC to defer CanCon obligations, citing volatility

Corus Entertainment Inc. is asking the CRTC if the broadcaster can spend less on the development and acquisition of Canadian content in the upcoming fiscal year, and make up the shortfall later on in its licence term. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …

Corus separately lobbied gov’t on journalism tax credits

Corus Entertainment Inc. registered to lobby the government to promote the eligibility of broadcasters for a new journalism tax initiative announced by the federal government late last year.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

CRTC commissioning report about market impact of online BDUs

The CRTC wants to know more about the potential for the Canadian broadcasting market to absorb virtual broadcasting distribution undertakings (vBDUs). This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe …

Raptors finals run a ‘massive drain’ on viewership, Corus says

Executives at Corus Entertainment Inc., historically proud of not being in the sports content business, admitted on Wednesday that the Toronto Raptors’ NBA finals route pulled viewers away from its lifestyle, family and children’s content — on a bigger scale than normal.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here …

CRTC allows Corus to close down 44 TV rebroadcasting towers

The CRTC has approved a request from Corus Entertainment Inc. to shutter 44 of its television transmitting towers that serve rural customers. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or …

Corus asked BTLR to immediately change foreign ownership rules

Corus Entertainment Inc., the only major Canadian broadcaster refusing to make public its submission to the ongoing review of Canada’s communications laws, asked the government to move quickly to loosen restrictions on foreign ownership of broadcast assets. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …

CRTC sticks with OMNI for multi-ethnic must-carry spot

Rogers Communications Inc.‘s OMNI will continue to benefit from the sole licence to operate its multi-ethnic channel on basic TV packages as a result of a CRTC decision on Thursday.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

Shaw selling Corus shares worth $548M

Shaw Communications Inc. is getting rid of $548 million in shares in Corus Entertainment Inc. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now. FREE …

Corus’ turnaround partly propelled by ads returning to linear

Corus Entertainment Inc. said it will see TV ad growth in the third quarter thanks in part to a cohort of 50 traditionally digital advertisers adding linear TV to their investments. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …

Bell asks to shut down 28 rebroadcasting transmitters

BCE Inc.’s media division is asking the CRTC to allow it to shutter 28 of its rebroadcasting transmitters that it says “generate no incremental revenue and attract little to no viewership.” This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …

Press council warns BTLR of ‘gap’ in complaints process for broadcasters

The National NewsMedia Council wrote to the expert panel reviewing Canada’s broadcasting laws to express concern about a “gap in the current public complaints framework vis-à-vis traditional broadcasting news organizations” when it comes to complaints about online broadcast content. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? …

Corus sees TV ad rebound in Q1

Corus Entertainment Inc. reported quarterly results Friday that showed TV ad revenue increasing 3.6 per cent, which Canaccord Genuity analyst Aravinda Galappatthige said came as as a surprise. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

Telus, Corus jockeying over PVR cloud storage rules

Corus Entertainment Inc. is taking issue with a request by Telus Corp. to have Parliament change the rules for storing personal video recorder (PVR) recordings on network servers, warning the server-space-saving proposal could hurt the video-on-demand market. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …

Corus lost $2.3M in unspent CMF money from failed French channels deal

Corus Entertainment Inc. had $2.3 million in Canada Media Fund (CMF) money to spend on two French channels, but it suspended spending to focus on selling them in a deal with Bell that didn’t materialize. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …

Corus wants to shutter 44 TV rebroadcasting transmitters

Corus Entertainment Inc. is asking the CRTC for permission to shut down 44 television rebroadcasting transmitters in small rural markets, arguing they are too expensive to run. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. …

Artificial intelligence tests yielding promising results: Corus CEO

OTTAWA — Corus Entertainment Inc. CEO Doug Murphy told an industry conference Thursday the company has been experimenting with artificial intelligence, including for cross-promotion of its content and ad placements. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media …

Barbara Williams retiring from Corus

Corus Entertainment Inc.’s chief operating officer, Barbara Williams, will retire at the end of this month. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now. …

Corus expecting TV ad revenue to stabilize in a ‘handful’ of years

Corus Entertainment Inc.’s wild ride through the unpredictable TV ad market is expected to become more stable as its long-term strategy sets in, its CEO Doug Murphy said Friday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news …

Corus puts marketing team under one group in restructuring

Corus Entertainment Inc. is consolidating its marketing and promotional teams to better drive its audience engagement efforts, but it said it will not impact its content production . This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

Court nixing Que. site-blocking ‘helpful’ against FairPlay: advocates

The Quebec Superior Court has ruled against a plan by the Quebec government that would have forced Internet service providers (ISPs) to block unauthorized gambling websites, in a decision that could be relevant for an anti-piracy proposal currently in front of the CRTC. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …

Canadian broadcasters drawn by ‘ton of momentum’ in podcasting

In early May, the Liberal government faced questions in the House of Commons about a Canadian citizen who had returned to the country after participating in the ongoing conflict in Syria and Iraq on the side of the Islamic State. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …

Corus outlines strategic roadmap, CEO ‘optimistic’ about future

Corus Entertainment Inc. executives delivered a mapped-out vision for the company’s future that includes investing in more technology, better data use and more content in a “longer than usual” conference call Wednesday morning, following greater-than-expected losses in television advertising for the third quarter. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …

Growth of OTT doesn’t affect broadcast competition: Comp Bureau

The growth of over-the-top (OTT) services did not change the mind of the Competition Bureau when it rejected a deal earlier this week involving two French-language channels. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. …

Corus and Bell terminate Historia, Series+ deal

Corus Entertainment Inc. said it has come to an agreement with BCE Inc. to officially terminate a previous arrangement that would’ve seen two of its French-language specialty channels sold to Bell, after the Competition Bureau rejected the deal earlier this week. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN …

FairPlay hits back, claims piracy cost TV providers as much as $761M

The FairPlay coalition has responded to the laundry list of criticism directed toward its proposal to implement a website-blocking regime to fight piracy, arguing, among other points, that the thousands of comments from individuals against the proposal aren’t representative of Canadians’ views. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here …

Rogers, Bell add junk food bill concerns to lobby efforts

Rogers Communications Inc. and BCE Inc. have registered to lobby the government on proposed Senate legislation, now moving through the House, to quell the impact of junk food advertising on children, joining critics who lobbied heavily in March about the bill they say will significantly affect the health of traditional TV. This content is available …

CRTC asks for public input on Canada’s next multi-ethnic channel licensee

The CRTC wants Canadians to weigh in as it considers the candidates competing for a licence for a multi-ethnic channel with mandatory carriage on basic TV packages. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. …

Corus plans TV ad tech test next month

Corus Entertainment Inc. is “accelerating” its transformation into a more data-centric company, its CEO said Thursday, as the broadcaster looks to begin testing a new platform next month that he says will give advertisers a better way to target ads on traditional television. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …

CRTC consulting on Historia, Séries+ sale

The CRTC is accepting comments on the sale of the Historia and Séries+ specialty channels from Corus Entertainment Inc. to BCE Inc. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or …

Corus cutting 80 news jobs, many in ‘traditional TV production’

Corus Entertainment Inc. has confirmed it is eliminating close “to 80 positions across the country” in its news business, though the company also said it would add 50 digital news jobs. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …

1% increase for PNI not enough, creative groups say

Creative groups are standing their ground on spending for programs of national interest (PNI), suggesting that a marginal increase in funding for those programs proposed by the large English-language broadcasters last month is not enough to support Canadian content. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? …

Bill on junk food ads for kids could do ‘significant damage’: Corus

Proposed legislation intended to combat the marketing of unhealthy food and drink to children will have an adverse effect on broadcasters due to a loss of much-needed advertising revenue at a critical time for traditional TV, broadcaster Corus Entertainment Inc. is arguing.   This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …

Nelvana makes management changes

Corus Entertainment Inc.’s Nelvana is shaking up its core team, with a new appointment and promotions, it said in a press release Wednesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial …

As its TV ad revenue drops, Corus says ad tech is the future

Corus Entertainment Inc. executives emphasized their optimism about future plans in the advertising technology and programmatic ad space as the company reported quarterly results Wednesday that showed its television advertising revenues fell to the tune of four per cent in the first quarter of 2018. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? …

Corus focuses on content over broadcast with Historia, Séries+ sale

Corus Entertainment Inc. announced Tuesday it is selling two French-language specialty channels, Historia and Séries+, to BCE Inc.’s Bell Media in a deal valued at approximately $200 million that prompted favourable reactions from financial analysts.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …

Telus leads in end-of-summer lobbying activity

Telus Corp. was far and away the busiest industry stakeholder when it came to reportable lobbying activity with the federal government last month, filing a total of 16 communication reports in August — twice as many as lobbying runner-up Rogers Communications Inc. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …

Changes ahead for ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ as terms of trade expires

While online discussion forums are rife with debate — and more often, complaints — about why Canadians can’t access popular American television shows legally online, Canadian content producers are navigating how to ensure their work continues to be seen on digital platforms. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here …

New OTT offerings pose threat to BDUs, opportunity for producers

A proliferation of new streaming TV competition in Canada is set to benefit content producers even as it causes problems for the country’s broadcasters and TV service providers through fragmented audiences and higher content costs — though it doesn’t yet signal an existential crisis for linear TV, experts said. This content is available to wirereport.ca …

CRTC licence decision sent back to drawing board

A controversial CRTC decision that creative groups said would negatively affect the production of Canadian content will be sent back to the CRTC for reconsideration by the federal cabinet, Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly announced Monday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …

Broadcasters need mandated contributions: CMPA

The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) is disputing arguments made in an open letter published by three of Canada’s biggest private broadcasters that urged the CRTC not to reconsider its decision on Canadian program spending, This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …

John MacDonald and Susan Schaefer to leave Corus

Two senior executives at Corus Entertainment Inc. are expected to leave the company by the end of summer, according to an internal note from CEO and president Doug Murphy. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. …

Corus sees revenue, profit boost in Q3

Corus Entertainment Inc. reported increases in both revenues and profit Tuesday, numbers that reflected its purchase of Shaw Communications Inc.’s media division last year. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or …

Rogers’ OMNI gets temporary mandatory distribution

Rogers Communications Inc. will get a three-year window to run its new national ethnic channel before having to compete with other proposals for its mandatory carriage, the CRTC announced Monday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

Shaw, Corus closing 3 community TV stations, shifting to Global

Shaw Communications Inc. and Corus Entertainment Inc. will close three Shaw local TV stations in Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary, and redistribute the annual funding to Global News stations in the same cities, the companies announced Wednesday.

Ad pulls from YouTube show money shift to TV: Corus CEO

The fallout from Alphabet Inc.’s placing of advertisements next to unfavourable content is in line with an ongoing trend of some advertisers shifting money from digital back to traditional television, broadcaster Corus Entertainment Inc.’s president and CEO Doug Murphy said Thursday.

Facebook beefs up lobbying squad

Facebook Inc. is increasing its government relations presence in Ottawa, with three new registrations filed with the lobbying commissioner’s office last month.

According to the federal lobbyists’ registry, the social media giant has contracted the services of U.K.-based consulting firm AA Access Partnership Ltd., bringing the number of consultants registered to lobby on behalf of Facebook to nine.

Corus to sell cookie data to advertisers

Corus Entertainment Inc. is now selling to advertisers users’ cookie data to better target audience members, the company announced Monday.

In a press release, Corus said it’s the “first major Canadian broadcast publisher to offer first-party data to advertisers,” allowing buyers to “target audiences based on anonymous cookie data.”

Hub for Canadian radio launches

More than 400 Canadian radio stations across the country are now available on a newly launched app featuring both public and private broadcasters.

The free Radioplayer app launched Wednesday “gives radio listeners access to nearly every style of music, news, talk, and entertainment content, in both official languages, on any connected device, at any time of day, from anywhere,” a press release said.

Shaw media helps Corus increase revenue in another quarter

Corus Entertainment Inc.’s purchase of Shaw Communications Inc.’s media division again helped it post a revenue increase, this time a 105 per cent increase and a 100 per cent increase in profits, as it reported numbers for the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

Avoid ISP tax, tweak CanCon rules, companies say in Heritage review

There isn’t much disagreement between some of the country’s biggest media and telecom service providers over whether foreign entities, such as over-the-top providers like Netflix Inc., should be making a contribution to the country’s cultural sector.

Public consultation before closing TV stations unwarranted: Bell, Rogers

GATINEAU, Que. — CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais floated the idea that the commission should require a public consultation before a broadcaster closes a TV station during the last day of its hearing on English-language TV licence renewals.  

VI news stations need rules to ensure independence: Telus

GATINEAU, Que. — The question of whether news stations owned by vertically-integrated (VI) companies need  safeguards for journalistic independence came up at the CRTC’s English-language TV licence renewal hearing Wednesday, with the commission chairman floating the idea of implementing rules codifying independence.

Media companies looking to MCNs to reach younger audiences

Multi-channel networks (MCNs) have carved out a space in the online video ecosystem in recent years, leading traditional broadcasters to move into MCNs as a relatively low-risk way to reach younger demographics — though there is some question about the ability to monetize such investments.

Corus launches History OTT service

Corus Entertainment Inc. has launched History Vault, a subscription over-the-top (OTT) service featuring programming from its History channel.

The service, which costs $5.49 a month, “features hundreds of hours of content within the [History] library, including series, documentaries, and specials,” Corus said in a Thursday press release.

CRTC calls for radio licence applications for Hamilton-Niagara

Two communities in Ontario’s Hamilton-Niagara region can handle “at least” one radio station, the CRTC said as it issued a call for applications Thursday.

The announcement follows a January application filed by Dufferin Communications Inc. to serve Grimsby and Beamsville, Ont., with a commercial radio station.

Ronnie Stanton leaving Corus Radio VP position

Ronnie Stanton will leave his current position as vice-president of radio programming for Corus Entertainment Inc.’s Corus Radio Network, though he will continue to consult for the company.

Corus spokeswoman Samantha Simic said in an email Tuesday he would be “moving to the U.S. at the end of the month to focus on his radio consulting business full-time.”

AT&T, Time Warner deal shows VI trending in opposite directions: analyst

A potential merger between AT&T Inc. and Time Warner Cable Inc. highlights a move by United States-based companies toward vertical integration, just as developments in Canada suggest the opposite is happening north of the border, according to an analyst.

“While the U.S. is becoming more vertically integrated, Canada is moving in the other direction,” Jeff Fan, an analyst at Scotiabank, said in a note Monday.

Shaw Media carries Corus to 99% revenue increase in Q4

Corus Entertainment Inc. reported Wednesday a 99 per cent increase in revenues for the fourth quarter, despite a decline in radio revenues.

The three-month period, which ended August 31, saw Corus close with total revenues for both television and radio of $384.4 million, compared to $193.5 million in the same period last year, before it bought Shaw Communications Inc.’s media division. Profit was up 90 per cent to $105.3 million for both segments, from $55.4 million compared to last year.

Some Corus talk radio stations streaming on Apple Music

Corus Entertainment Inc. is making seven of its news talk radio stations available for free internationally on Apple Inc.’s Apple Music streaming service.

The company said in a Tuesday press release that it is “the first Canadian commercial radio company” available on Apple Music. 

iHeartRadio launches in Canada

iHeartMedia Inc.'s free digital radio and music streaming service is now available in Canada, according to a press release from BCE Inc.’s media division.

The free app, iHeartRadio, is available on a preview basis ahead of its official launch on Oct. 10.

Data consumption, competitive pressures headline investor conference

Canada’s biggest telcos told investors Wednesday that they are seeing growth in wireless data usage on the first of a two-day conference hosted by CIBC World Markets.

Nelvana, Disney sign distribution deal

Canadian producer-distributor Nelvana, which is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., has inked a deal with a Walt Disney Co. subsidiary licensing international broadcast and on-demand rights for a new animated series based on a successful toy brand.

Dan Beer named You.i TV COO

Burgeoning Ottawa-based TV app maker You.i TV has hired its first chief operating officer, the company announced this week.

In a Tuesday press release, the company said Dan Beer’s appointment was made “in order to fuel the company’s continued rapid growth and global adoption of its enabling technology for transformative user interfaces and applications.”

CRTC denies Durham Radio Toronto proposal

The CRTC has denied an application by Durham Radio Inc. to change the transmitter of its FM tower to expand its service into Toronto.

In a decision Monday, the commission said that the proposal to modify the CJKX-FM-2, a rebroadcasting transmitter of the English-language commercial country music radio station CJKX-FM Ajax, to expand the service to an additional 654,000 residents in the west side of Toronto and east side of Mississauga is not warranted because “the primary market that Durham is licensed to serve is Ajax and Oshawa.”

Sports, conventional TV tame Corus gains on Shaw deal

Corus Entertainment Inc.’s first quarterly report since it bought Shaw Media showed the acquisition drove a significant increase in overall revenues, profits and expenses, despite a fall in the division’s revenue due to a drop in its conventional TV audience and advertising.

“I wouldn’t attribute the softness to anything but market conditions,” Doug Murphy, Corus’ president and chief executive officer, said on a Wednesday morning conference call with analysts.

Broadcast licence renewal hearing set for November

The CRTC said Wednesday it will hold a public hearing to renew broadcast licences held by large ownership groups, including Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc., Corus Entertainment Inc. and Quebecor Inc. this fall.

CRTC ‘rebalances’ TV system funds; up to $90M available for local news

The CRTC has established new funding for local television news in a decision on its local and community TV hearing, though advocates expressed concern that the changes won’t happen quickly enough for some stations.

In a summary of the decision, issued Wednesday afternoon, the CRTC said independent stations will be able to tap into a $23.1-million Independent Local News Fund (ILNF), while new flexibility could make available up to $66.9 million for stations operated by vertically-integrated companies.

Heritage’s CanCon review could take a decade to play out, panel hears

OTTAWA — The results of the sweeping review of Canadian content in a digital age announced by Heritage Canada last week could take 10 years to materialize, University of Ottawa law professor Jeremy deBeer said Thursday during a panel discussion at the New Developments in Communications Law and Policy conference.

Corus working on programmatic ads for linear TV

Corus Entertainment Inc. said Wednesday that it plans to launch programmatic, or automatic, ad-buying for traditional TV.

“Corus will be the first Canadian broadcaster to commit to bringing programmatic TV advertising capabilities to linear television, providing a unique, data-driven TV ad product aimed at reaching advertisers’ customers more effectively and efficiently,” the company said in a press release.

Corus radio, TV revenue up 3%: Q2

Corus Entertainment Inc. reported Wednesday a three-per-cent rise in revenue in the second fiscal quarter of 2016 to $197.7 million, up from $191.5 million the same period a year earlier.

In the three months ended Feb. 29, Corus said it saw its profits rise 33 per cent to $79.6 million, up from $59.7 million the same period a year earlier.

Corus closes Shaw Media deal, announces new exec slate

Corus Entertainment Inc. has closed its $2.65-billion acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc.’s media division and appointed a team of executive vice-presidents for the combined company.

Barbara Williams, formerly president of Shaw Media, is now chief revenue officer at Corus and will “oversee all strategic and operational aspects of generating audience growth and engagement across Corus’ platforms,” the company said in a press release Friday.

Deirdre Brennan joins Corus Kids as VP of content

Corus Entertainment Inc. announced Wednesday it has appointed Deirdre Brennan as the new vice-president of content for its Corus Kids division.

It said in a press release that Brennan will “oversee all content aspects of the Corus kids portfolio,” including YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon, Teletoon, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD in Canada.

Catalyst opposition unlikely to affect Shaw Media sale: analyst

The pressure Catalyst Capital Group Inc. has been applying on Corus Entertainment Inc. shareholders to vote down a proposal to purchase the media division of Shaw Communications Inc. isn't likely to have an effect on the remaining steps in the acquisition process.

"If the shareholders vote yes, it is what it is. The deal's going to be exactly as stipulated," Aravinda Galappatthige, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity, said in a phone interview Monday.

CRTC denies request for public hearing on Shaw-Corus sale