CRTC vs. Shoan dispute in full public view

The federal government and the CRTC have been unsuccessful in their attempt to have documents in the Federal Court case CRTC commissioner Raj Shoan has brought against the CRTC shielded from public view, for the time being.

NDP, Liberals say OTT services should disclose

In supplementary comments on a House of Commons heritage committee report on the feature film industry, the federal NDP and Liberal parties said government should have access to information about revenues and viewership of over-the-top (OTT) services.

Union asks CRTC for expedited hearing on OMNI cuts

A union representing media workers is asking the CRTC to hold a public hearing within the next month on cuts to Rogers Communications Inc.’s OMNI stations, and to reinstate eliminated ethnic newscasts.

Unifor filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC, which appeared on the regulator's website on Wednesday. It told the CRTC that holding an expedited hearing is necessary to ensure communities affected by the cuts have access to coverage of this year’s federal election.

Bell/Astral tangible benefits proposals partially approved

The CRTC on Tuesday said it had approved some of BCE Inc.'s proposals for how to manage tangible-benefits payments relating to its acquisition of Astral Media in 2013, though one specific proposal was denied.

Large telecoms oppose CNOC application for interim relief

Canada’s biggest telecom companies are asking the CRTC to dismiss an application by smaller providers that, if granted, would make usage-sensitive rates interim, allowing small Internet service providers to access refunds and retroactive rate adjustments should the CRTC lower wholesale rates in the future.

BCE Inc. said in an intervention that doing so would introduce “significant and unnecessary uncertainty that harms the marketplace and ultimately consumers and the public interest.”

Sports channels drive specialty-channel revenue boost: CRTC

In recent years, it has almost become conventional wisdom in the industry that sports content is a good way for broadcasters to buffer themselves from trends toward cord-cutting and online video, and CRTC numbers released Thursday seemed to back that up.

The regulator said in a press release that sports specialty channels, including BCE Inc.’s TSN and RDS and Rogers Communications Inc.’s Sportsnet, increased their revenues to $124.2 million in the 12-month period ending Aug. 31, up 13.6 per cent from a year earlier.

Radio Cancon rules could change: Blais

CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said Thursday that rules regarding Canadian content for radio stations might change to help stations compete in the digital age.

According to speaking notes for a presentation to the Western Association of Broadcasters in Banff, Alta., Blais discussed how younger people are shunning radio in favour of online music streaming.

"As they do, we regulators are finding — as we did with television — that broadcast quotas are becoming increasingly less effective," Blais said.

CRTC to hold public hearing to review CCTS

The CRTC said Thursday it will hold a public consultation to review the structure and mandate of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS).

The consultation will include a public hearing, which will begin on Nov. 3, the CRTC said in a press release. It said it will look into whether the CCTS should oversee the proposed TV-service provider code of conduct, and whether the cooperation with CCTS by all TV-service providers should be made mandatory.

BDUs say Shomi has not been made available

Some companies have disputed the notion put forward by Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. that their video-streaming service Shomi has been made available to other service providers.

‘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.

Xplornet CEO calls for 100% Internet penetration by 2020

TORONTO — Different government branches have their own goals for how many Canadians should have certain Internet speeds by certain dates; Xplornet Communications Inc. CEO Allison Lenehan raised the ante on Wednesday.

During a keynote speech at the Canadian Telecom Summit, Lenehan said the goal of the government and the telecom industry should be to get 100 per cent of Canadians online with speeds of at least 100 Mbps by 2020.

CRTC extends deadline for basic telecom review

CRTC announced on Wednesday a revised date for submitting initial interventions in regards to the review of basic telecommunication services.

An extension was requested in a letter on May 4 by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), ACORN Canada, the Consumers’ Association of Canada, the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of British Columbia and the National Pensioners Federation, the CRTC's notice said.

TekSavvy’s Abramson takes on incumbents at Telecom Summit

TORONTO — With a key decision from the CRTC on smaller service providers’ access to wireline telecommunications networks expected soon, three incumbents’ regulatory bosses took on their counterpart at TekSavvy Solutions Inc. over the issue at the Canadian Telecom Summit on Tuesday.

Mobile emergency alerts to move into testing phase

A working group operating under a CRTC committee has developed specifications that will be used to deliver emergency alerts to Canadians’ mobile phones, the CRTC said in a press release Tuesday.

“In the coming months, the wireless industry and emergency management community will test the technology and a public pilot project is planned for 2016,” the CRTC said.

Terms of trade called ‘effectively dead’ after court decision

The Federal Court of Appeal on Friday dismissed the Canadian Media Production Association’s attempt to appeal the CRTC’s decision to eliminate terms of trade agreements, in what a former head of the organization said is a “huge disappointment to producers.”

CRTC scolds Rogers, Shaw for Letterman simsub errors

The CRTC has sent letters to Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. regarding mistakes the companies made in the simultaneous substitution of the last episode of the Late Show With David Letterman, which aired last week.

The regulator said it had received “several complaints regarding improperly executed simultaneous substitutions.”

CRTC to review wholesale-Internet tariff process

The CRTC said Thursday that it will review the application process and methods for determining tariff rates for large cable and telephone providers selling wholesale high-speed Internet access.

The CRTC said it will review the way costs are calculated by providers of wholesale service, who are required to file applications for wholesale tariffs on speeds to match new categories launched for their own retail customers.

PIAC complaint against Shomi to go ahead

An undue preference complaint against Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.’s streaming service will proceed despite the companies’ plans to widen its availability.

Shomi stand-alone proposal could be financially feasible: analyst

At some point this summer, Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.’s Shomi streaming service will be made available to customers of other TV and Internet service providers (ISPs), expanding its user base beyond Rogers and Shaw subscribers.

Shomi senior vice-president and general manager David Asch said Wednesday in a phone interview that Shomi would be available to all Canadians with an Internet connection on an over-the-top (OTT) basis.

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.”

CRTC reluctant to release certain info in Shoan case

The CRTC is asking that certain information requested by commissioner Raj Shoan in a Federal Court case he has brought against the government not be released.

Tap streaming services to fund Canadian productions: CMPA

OTTAWA — Streaming video services like CraveTV and Shomi can and must be regulated as broadcasting entities in order to ensure funding for Canadian programming, the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) argued Friday.

Fewer TV subscribers generating more revenue: CRTC

Television-service providers in Canada took in more revenue last year despite having a smaller subscriber base to draw from, according to new data from the CRTC, and one analyst says that’s due to pricing trends that could soon come to an end soon.

The commission said in a press release Thursday that cable, IPTV and satellite-TV providers had revenue of $8.9 billion in the year ended Aug. 31 last year, up 1.5 per cent from the previous year. TV subscribers were down "modestly," the regulator said, to 11.4 million from 11.5 million a year earlier.

CRTC to test broadband Internet quality

The CRTC on Thursday said it is seeking volunteers to have their home broadband Internet connections evaluated for the purpose of gathering evidence to guide policy and show Canadians how close Internet service providers come to delivering advertised speeds.

Kevin Crull to join Sprint

Kevin Crull, former president of BCE Inc.'s Bell Media unit, will join Sprint Corp. as chief marketing officer at the end of this month, Sprint said Wednesday.

The company said in a press release that Crull will report to Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure and his responsibilities will include customer acquisition and retention, and digital and social efforts.

“Kevin did an amazing job at Bell Media and I expect him to do even better at Sprint,” Claure said in the release.

Wireless code to apply to all consumer contracts June 3: court

The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a challenge by wireless providers regarding the date by which the CRTC’s wireless code will apply to all consumer cellphone contracts.

Quebec radio acquisition approved

The CRTC said Tuesday it has approved the sale of a Quebec radio-station operator with certain conditions.

CRTC never indicated terms of trade could be eliminated: CMPA

The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) argued in documents filed Thursday in the Federal Court of Appeal that its challenge of a CRTC decision eliminating terms of trade should proceed because it was not given sufficient notice that the CRTC was considering getting rid of the agreement, which guaranteed certain rights for producers.

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.

U.S. channel carried in Canada against its will

A U.S. affiliate of ABC has been denied by the CRTC its request to be removed from the list of non-Canadian television channels approved for distribution in Canada.

The commission turned down an application from Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. to have KSTP-TV Minneapolis removed from the list on the grounds that it would deprive viewers of a valued service, adding that some of the issues brought up by the U.S. broadcaster concern Canadian copyright law and are not under the CRTC's jurisdiction.

CRTC consulting on roaming caps it wants repealed

The CRTC has issued a notice of consultation on domestic wireless roaming caps, despite its recommendation to the federal government that they be scrapped.

The regulator on Tuesday asked for “comments to assist it in administering the wholesale roaming caps regime set out in section 27.1 of the Telecommunications Act.” The deadline for intervention is June 9.

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.

Quebecor adds spectrum, still non-committal on national expansion

Quebecor Inc. is still publicly sitting on the fence when it comes to expanding its wireless service throughout Canada despite bidding $187 million on 2500 MHz spectrum, including for licences outside Quebec, in an auction for which results were announced Tuesday.

After Telus Corp., Quebecor was the second-biggest spender in the auction, acquiring 18 licences in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Industry Canada said the purchases increased Quebecor's spectrum holdings by 28 per cent.

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.

CRTC approves new IPTV service from VMedia

The CRTC on Friday approved a new IPTV service from VMedia Inc., despite arguments from some interveners that the proposed service would be transmitted over the public Internet and should therefore not be licensed as a broadcast distributor.

CRTC sides with Bell in TVA dispute

The CRTC has ruled in favour of BCE Inc. in a dispute with Quebecor Inc. over carriage fees for Quebecor’s TVA Sports channel in the French-language market.

The CRTC said it found that “Bell’s offer to increase the current rate is more reasonable than Quebecor’s.”

Wholesale decision positive for Bell, Rogers, Telus: analysts

Financial market analysts say Canada's incumbent wireless operators were generally left undamaged in this week's decision by the CRTC to regulate the rates they charge smaller domestic competitors for roaming access.

Scotia Capital analyst Jeff Fan said in a research note issued Wednesday that the CRTC ruling was "favourable to the Big 3," in reference to BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc. and Telus Corp.

CRTC should not mandate access to FTTH: report

The CRTC should not give small Internet service providers the right to buy wholesale space on fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks, a new report from the Montreal Economic Institute says.

Incumbents could have fared worse in wholesale wireless decision: analyst

GATINEAU, Que. — Wireless incumbents are going to have to play by a different set of rules than smaller carriers when it comes to providing network access to competitors, though one industry analyst said it could have been worse for the major carriers.

The CRTC said Tuesday it will regulate the wholesale wireless rates BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc. and Telus Corp. charge smaller carriers, but the roaming rates of smaller carriers and rates the big three charge each other will be left to “market forces."

Linda Vennard, Christopher MacDonald to join CRTC

CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais announced Tuesday that the federal government has appointed Linda Vennard and Christopher MacDonald as regional commissioners for the CRTC.

A memo from Blais, forwarded to The Wire Report, said Vennard will represent Alberta and the Northwest Territories and start May 11. He said she is coming from the University of Calgary and has 15 years of experience as a researcher with a focus on broadband technology and community engagement.

Shrinking ad market squeezing TV broadcasters, CRTC data shows

Statistics presented by the CRTC on Monday showed Canada's over-the-air TV broadcasters are facing an increasingly tight advertising market.

Competition Bureau backs CRTC’s wholesale code

The Competition Bureau said in a press release Monday that it supports the CRTC’s proposed code of conduct governing agreements between broadcasters and TV providers.

PIAC re-launches undue-preference complaint against Shomi

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has re-launched an undue-preference complaint against Rogers Communications Inc.'s and Shaw Communications Inc.’s Shomi streaming service, following uncertainty about how a recent CRTC decision would affect the service.

Corus seeks more flexibility for OWN

In the wake of the CRTC's recent changes to specialty-TV genres, Corus Entertainment Inc. has applied to change the licence conditions of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which it has the licensing rights for in Canada.

PIAC, seniors group denied costs in CRTC proceeding

The CRTC has denied an application by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations of British Columbia for reimbursement of about $13,500 for their participation in a complaint against Rogers Communications Inc.'s NHL GamePlus web product.

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.

Jean-Pierre Blais to speak at Banff conference in June

CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais will give the keynote address to the Banff World Media Festival on June 7, according to a press release from the organizers of the event.

Blais will speak to the conference, which bills itself as “the world's largest and most important gathering of entertainment industry and digital media executives,” about the recent Let’s Talk TV proceeding as well as the future of telecom regulation in Canada, the release said.

Keith Pelley leaving Rogers this summer

Rogers Communications Inc. said Friday that Keith Pelley will leave as president of the company's media division this summer to take over as CEO of the PGA European Tour.

Kosiner looking for piece of TV music market

A 27-year-old entrepreneur wants to offer an alternative to what he calls a monopoly in the market for audio music channels offered through TV service providers in Canada.

Evan Kosiner, president and owner of Kosiner Venture Capital Inc., said in a phone interview there is still a business opportunity in audio-only music channels despite the impending launch of scaled-down TV subscriptions next year as mandated by the CRTC and the rise of online music streaming.

CRTC closes Bell complaint about access to Toronto condos

The CRTC has closed a complaint filed by BCE Inc. against Plazacorp Investments Ltd. and Rogers Communications Inc., regarding access to one of Plazacorp’s Toronto condo buildings.

Bell moves forward with appeal in mobile-TV case

BCE Inc. on Friday took the next steps in appealing the January CRTC ruling regarding its mobile-TV service, having been granted leave to appeal the matter last week.

The date the appeal will be heard has not yet been determined, according to a notice from Bell's lawyers filed Friday with the Federal Court of Appeal. The proceeding will be held in Toronto unless the court decides otherwise, the notice said.

CRTC to consider whether broadband should be basic service

The CRTC announced Thursday that it will re-examine the definition and role of so-called basic services, paving the way for potential changes to the offerings telecom companies are mandated to make available to every Canadian.

Kevin Crull out as Bell Media boss

BCE Inc. said Thursday that Kevin Crull is out as president of its Bell Media division, and a press release appeared to link Crull's ousting to his recent conflict with news staff over coverage of the CRTC's decision on TV-channel unbundling.

Bell CEO George Cope said in the release that "Kevin Crull departs Bell with our thanks for his contributions to our customers and shareholders,” noting achievements such as the integration of Astral Media and the launch of CraveTV.

CRTC looking into Telesat pricing

The CRTC has launched a public consultation to review a price ceiling on some services provided by satellite operator Telesat Holdings Inc.

In a press release, the regulator said commissioner Candice Molnar had, in a report on the satellite transport service market, found that “satellite dependent communities continue to rely almost exclusively on Telesat's satellite network.”

DiversityCanada refused costs on multiple applications

Three different CRTC decisions issued on Thursday left the DiversityCanada Foundation more than $70,000 short of what it hoped to get out of applications for reimbursements on initiatives taken in commission proceedings.

Bell looks to avoid legal showdown with privacy commish

Faced with a possible legal fight against another agency of the federal government, BCE Inc. on Tuesday backed down after the Office of the Privacy Commissioner said the company refused to require customers to provide explicit consent before tracking their telecommunications habits in order to sell marketing profiles to third-party advertisers.

Bell granted leave to appeal in mobile-TV case

The Federal Court on Thursday granted BCE Inc. leave to appeal in its challenge of a CRTC ruling regarding its mobile-TV service.

Ontera looking for higher subsidies

BCE Inc.-owned Ontera, formerly a provincial-government-owned telecom operation in northern Ontario, has applied to the CRTC for higher subsidies under established practices for providers serving high-cost areas.

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.

CRTC denies radio application in Alberta

The CRTC has denied an application by Blackgold Broadcasting Inc. for a country music FM radio station in Ponoka, Alta.

In its decision, the CRTC said the station could have an had an “undue negative impact on existing radio stations.”

It added that the station’s proposed contours would have overlapped with stations in Wetaskiwin, Lacombe, and Red Deer, Alta.

CRTC proposes changes for licence renewals

The CRTC is proposing changes in the way it deals with broadcast-licence renewals, such as getting rid of reminder letters for each licensee and removing the requirement that it publish a notice of consultation for every licence renewal.

Telecom and broadcasting converge as legislation remains separate

A case involving BCE Inc.’s mobile-TV service that’s currently winding its way through the Federal Court of Appeal is just one example of how the lines between telecommunications and broadcasting are becoming blurred.

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.

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.”

Bell concedes costs request in early phase of mobile-TV appeal

BCE Inc. is not seeking costs from the Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) in the early part of the appeals process in relation to a CRTC decision to force it treat data used in its mobile-TV service like any other online data.

CRTC fines Plentyoffish $48K under anti-spam laws

The CRTC said Wednesday the dating website operators Plentyoffish Media Inc. has paid a $48,000 fine for violating Canada’s anti-spam legislation.

The commission said in a release that, acting on complaints from Canadians, it found Plentyoffish Media had sent emails to registered users of its site in which the unsubscribe mechanism was not suitably clear and prominent.

The company cooperated with the CRTC and updated its unsubscribe mechanism to comply with the legislation once it was informed of the problem, the commission said.

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.

Bell applies to bring Africa Channel to Canada

BCE Inc. has asked the CRTC to approve the U.S-based Africa Channel for distribution in Canada.

Currently, the channel is distributed in the United States and the Carribean, the channel’s chief financial officer, Fred Paccone, wrote in a letter included in the application posted on the CRTC's website Tuesday.

Court dismisses Bell’s motion for stay in mobile-TV case

The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a motion by BCE Inc. to extend the deadline by which it has to comply with a CRTC ruling on its mobile-TV service.

English CBC TV saw $20.9M loss last year

CBC/Radio-Canada’s English-language conventional TV stations reported a loss of $20.9 million in the financial year ended on Aug. 31, 2014 despite an increase in revenue, which amounted to $799.5 million, according to numbers provided by the CRTC.

Its French-language conventional stations recorded a loss of $18.1 million on revenue of $528.6 million.

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.

Producers ‘shocked and stunned’ by terms-of-trade elimination

The CRTC’s decision last week up to eliminate an agreement governing contracts between independent producers and large broadcasters has angered and surprised the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA).

“What this fundamentally means is that if the commission is going to abandon safeguards to protect against the abuse of market power by vertically integrated carriers in broadcasting, then that is going to lead to a substantial diminishment of the independent production sector,” CMPA president Michael Hennessy said in a phone interview.

Radio stations with history of non-compliance seek renewal

The CRTC said Tuesday it is reviewing applications for licence renewals from three radio stations that have been cited in the past for not complying with licence terms.

CNOC asks for dismissal of Bell appeal of mobile-TV decision

The Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) filed papers with the Federal Court of Appeal Monday asking that BCE Inc.'s appeal of a CRTC decision banning the way it bills for mobile-TV services be dismissed.

CNOC said in its submission that Bell has failed to demonstrate that its Mobile TV app should not be subject to the Telecommunications Act because it is a broadcast service.

MTS lobbies senior federal officials

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. CEO Jay Forbes met with three cabinet ministers and the head of Canada’s telecommunications regulatory body over the last five weeks, according the federal lobbying registry.

MTS chief executive Jay Forbes communicated with Finance Minister Joe Oliver on March 3, CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais on Feb. 18, Industry Minister James Moore on Feb. 17, as well as Winnipeg MP and Heritage Minister Shelly Glover on Feb. 6, according to the registry.

Ont. government spent months developing OTT regulation stance: Geist

The Ontario government spent months preparing its position on regulating streaming services like that offered by Netflix Inc., according to documents cited in a blog by University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist.

During CRTC hearings on the future of television in the fall of 2014, Ontario's assistant deputy minister for tourism, culture and sport, Kevin Finnerty, asked the CRTC to expand regulation of “new media TV,” which would include “future Cancon financial obligations for foreign over-the-top providers.”

Interim 911 service in Yukon cancelled

The Yukon government has cancelled an interim 911 service that would have allowed residents to dial 911, instead of a seven-digit phone number used by some responders, to reach all emergency personnel.

Is broadcasting heading for more litigious environment?

BCE Inc.’s appeal of a CRTC decision to ban the use of simultaneous substitution for the Super Bowl in future years could be a sign of more conflict and court challenges to come as the broadcasting industry awaits further decisions from the CRTC’s Let’s Talk TV review, some experts are warning. 

Bell Media’s Crull takes aim at U.S. channel retransmission

OTTAWA — The retransmission of U.S. networks in Canada is the equivalent of Aereo, the service ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court last year, Kevin Crull, president of BCE Inc.'s media division, said Friday.

“Canada is the only country in the world that allows American networks to be retransmitted without restriction despite valid and exclusive copyrights held by domestic broadcasters,” he said during a keynote address at the Prime Time in Ottawa event put on by the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA).

CRTC fines Compu-Finder $1.1M for spam

On Thursday the CRTC fined Compu-Finder Inc. $1.1 million for sending spam emails to Canadians.

The company has 30 days to respond to the notice of violation with a letter or a request for an undertaking, after which it must pay the penalty.

The regulator said the company sent emails and electronic messages to businesses about “various training courses … often related to topics such as management, social media and professional development” in which the unsubscribe function did not work.

CRTC cuts Northwestel Internet prices, will launch basic-services proceeding

The CRTC on Wednesday ordered BCE Inc.’s Northwestel Inc. to lower its Internet prices for new and existing customers to address the “disparity” between the cost of Internet in the North and the rest of Canada.

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.

Bell appeals CRTC’s Super Bowl simsub decision

BCE Inc. is launching a court challenge of the CRTC’s ban on the use of simultaneous substitution during the Super Bowl.

Bell Media spokesman Scott Henderson said in an email Monday that “the CRTC erred in law, exceeded its jurisdiction, and demonstrated a lack of awareness of Canadian attitudes, opinions, and values.”

PIAC says 600 MHz proposals could ‘hinder’ OTA

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre said some of the proposals made by Industry Canada regarding 600 MHz spectrum could “hinder the potential” of over-the-air broadcasting in Canada.

In a document submitted Feb. 26, PIAC said that 7.3 per cent of Canadians currently use OTA, which is “is an affordable, accessible alternative to costly distribution platforms which continue to increase in price for consumers.”

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.