Mobile-TV ruling could be harbinger of streaming regulation: Klass

The CRTC’s ruling on Thursday that BCE Inc. and Quebecor Inc.-owned Videotron can no longer exempt their mobile-TV services from data charges could have implications for the regulation of streaming services such as CraveTV and Shomi, according to the man behind the original complaint.

Bell Media ‘extremely disappointed’ by Super Bowl simsub decision

The CRTC said Thursday that it would prohibit the use of simultaneous substitution for the Super Bowl, but would otherwise keep the practice in place, in an approach BCE Inc.’s media division spokesman Scott Henderson called “troubling.”

The rights to the event are currently held by Bell Media. In an emailed statement, Henderson said that “we are extremely disappointed of course. The government is damaging the future of local television in Canada while rewarding U.S. corporations over homegrown companies.”

Some say Rogers vulnerable to ‘double cohort,’ others downplay issue

In June, wireless carriers face a higher-than-usual number of expiring contracts, as a result of the wireless code effectively banning the previously standard three-year agreements. But experts disagree on how this “double cohort” will translate into consequences for the wireless industry, which is still waiting on a court ruling to decide whether it will happen at all.

Blais to announce decision about local TV Thursday

CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais will speak to the London, Ont. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday morning about “the future of local television in Canada.”

“At the event Mr. Blais will announce certain decisions related to the Let's Talk TV public proceeding which was launched in the fall of 2013,” the CRTC said in a press release issued Tuesday.

CRTC denies application for Concordia transmitter

The Concordia Student Broadcasting Corp. has been denied permission by the CRTC to put up a new transmitter in downtown Montreal. 

CSBC had applied for the new transmitter, which would operate at 107.9 FM, so that reception would be better around the downtown Corcordia campus. It has said its station CJLO is picked up easily in the area of its west-end campus, but its AM signals have trouble penetrating all the concrete buildings downtown.

CRTC to issue Talk TV decision on local TV this week

The CRTC will issue a decision about local television in its Let’s Talk TV process by Jan. 30, the regulator said in a weekly email Friday.

Shaw fights back in wholesale Internet pricing dispute

Shaw Communications Inc. is fighting back against accusations from small ISPs that its new pricing proposal for third-party Internet access is exorbitant, saying in a recent filing with the CRTC that higher costs are necessary to deal with “dramatic” growth in Internet usage.

CRTC denies application for ethnic radio station in Winnipeg

The CRTC on Thursday said on its website that it had denied an application for a commercial ethnic radio station in Winnipeg due to concerns it would hurt an existing radio station in that market.

Gill Broadcasting Ltd. sought a licence for an FM station that would broadcast 85 per cent of its content in non-official languages and the rest in English.

Wireless competition to intensify this year: analyst

Competition in the wireless market will “likely intensify” in the next six months, Barclays analyst Phillip Huang said in a research note Monday.

Non-consensual software installation outlawed

It became illegal Thursday to install software on another person's computer, smartphone or other device without their consent, the CRTC said.

Small ISPs raise fuss over new Shaw wholesale price proposal

Small ISPs are speaking out against an “egregious” new pricing proposal from Shaw Communications Inc. for wholesale access to its Internet lines.

The Calgary-based incumbent introduced new prices for a new set of retail Internet plans on Jan. 6, and filed a CRTC application on the same day to update its rates for third-party Internet access.

Former CRTC commissioner Louis Sherman dies

Louis Sherman, who was a commissioner with the CRTC from 1985 to 1995, has died.

CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais issued a statement on Monday saying Sherman died on Friday at the age of 88.

Blais said on behalf of himself, “colleagues and CRTC staff, I wish to express my appreciation for his contribution and offer sincere condolences to Mr. Sherman's family and friends.”

For most of his time with the CRTC, Sherman served as vice-chairman of telecommunications. He was also minister of health for Manitoba from 1977 to 1981. 

CRTC denies licence renewal to off-air station

The CRTC said Friday that it has denied an application by 2188301 Ontario Corp. to renew the broadcasting licence of CFAO-FM in Alliston, Ont., because the station has been off the air since 2009.

“As a result, CFAO-FM is making no contribution to the implementation of the goals set out in the Broadcasting Act nor is it providing any service to residents of the community that it is licensed to service,” the regulator said in a notice posted to its website.

CRTC, spectrum auctions among major wireless issues for 2015: analysts

As the new year approaches, Canadian wireless carriers of all sizes await a CRTC decision on domestic roaming that could, in the words of one analyst, “disrupt” the industry with wide-ranging consequences for two upcoming spectrum auctions and beyond.

Company asks for distribution of HuffPost Live channel

Kosiner Venture Capital Inc. has asked the CRTC to approve HuffPost Live, a television channel operated by AOL Inc.’s Huffington Post, for distribution in Canada.

About 60 per cent of the channel’s programming would be in the news category, and about 40 per cent in the “Lifestyle/human interest/recreation / leisure and reality” category, said documents filed by Kosiner to the CRTC and posted on the regulator’s website Thursday.

CRTC establishes structure, mandate for video relay service

The CRTC said Thursday that it has decided how its video relay system, which will help hearing-impaired people make phone calls, will be administered.

The administrator’s responsibilities will include selecting the technology the service will use, creating an awareness campaign, ensuring the confidentiality of users and reporting to the CRTC, the commission said in a press release.

Bill expanding CRTC powers becomes law

The government’s budget bill, which gives the CRTC the ability to impose fines and allows the regulator to exert control over companies that operate telecom services but do not own network infrastructure, received royal assent Tuesday.

CRTC approves sale of radio station with compliance issues

The CRTC said Thursday it has approved the sale of an AM commercial radio station in Saint-Constant, Que., though the licence given is for a shorter timeframe than usual due to non-compliance issues the stations has faced.

CRTC approves interim 911 service in Yukon

The CRTC said Friday it has approved an interim 911 service in the Yukon that will allow residents to dial that number, instead of a seven-digit phone number used by some responders, to reach all emergency personnel.

The commission said callers will be “directed by an automated service to select either police, fire or emergency medical services from an interactive menu.”

CNOC says wholesale wireline rates must be ‘fixed now’

On the last day of the CRTC’s hearing into the wholesale wireline market, representatives from Canada’s third-party Internet service providers reiterated their request that, while other regulations can wait, wholesale prices need to be “fixed now”.

Lisa de Wilde to join Telus board

Telus Corp. on Thursday said that Lisa de Wilde will join its board of directors on Feb. 1.

De Wilde is currently CEO of Ontario public educational broadcaster TVO and chairwoman of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).  Past roles for de Wilde include president of Astral Television Networks and a lawyer for the CRTC.

CRTC urged to look toward future on wireline regulation

GATINEAU, Que. — On Wednesday, the first day of replies in the CRTC’s wholesale wireline hearing, the regulator was consistently asked to look to the future in determining how best to regulate Canada's fibre and copper connections. Yet the groups presenting before the commission differed on what that future entails.

Mandated wholesale access to FTTP wouldn’t deter investment: Shaw

GATINEAU, Que. — Shaw Communications Inc. on Friday took a different tack than other large Internet service providers that have spoken before the CRTC’s wholesale wireline hearing this week, endorsing mandated wholesale access for fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) connections.

Cogeco, SaskTel warn against mandatory wholesale on fibre connections

GATINEAU, Que. — Two Canadian Internet service providers told the CRTC on Thursday that opening up fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks to wholesale access could hurt the “fragile” case for spending money to build such networks.

WWE Network, Sport Plus approved for distribution

A pair of non-Canadian TV services were approved for distribution in Canada by the CRTC on Wednesday, a professional wrestling channel and another specializing in Greek sporting events.

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.

Bell proposes $16M in benefits payments for Astral divestments

BCE Inc. has proposed to the CRTC that it pay $16 million in support for TV and radio programming in Canada in relation to divestments required as part of its purchase of Astral Media Inc. last year.

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.

Trio calls on government to reign in major telecoms

Three industry observers, including two academics, have released an open letter to senior government officials that seeks strong measures to temper the power of major players in the telecommunications industry.

The letter comes from Ben Klass, currently researching communications policy at Carleton University, Dwayne Winseck, a journalism and communications professor at Carleton, and CallNet Communications founder Mike Kedar.  It is addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, members of cabinet and CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais.

Lacroix gets rough ride from CBC employees at annual meeting

MONTREAL — CBC/Radio-Canada employees grilled CEO Hubert Lacroix over cuts to the public broadcaster during its annual public meeting in Montreal Wednesday.

Radio-Canada journalist Charles Tisseyre, host of Decouverte, on stage as part of a panel discussion, said the cuts have meant delaying the science magazine show’s season premiere and showing more reruns.

MTS Classic TV phase-out hastened by CRTC rules

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s first generation of IPTV service was already on the way out, pushed aside by a more technologically advanced alternative the carrier started in 2009, but CRTC requirements for participation in a national alert system might bring about the demise of MTS Classic TV sooner than expected.

Radio India ordered to shut down U.S. transmissions

The CRTC said Thursday that it has ordered a Vancouver-area radio station found to be transmitting signals from the United States back to its home base in British Columbia to cease these operations before the end of the day.

Wireless code will deprive carriers of due funds: lawyer

OTTAWA — Whether the CRTC is infringing on carriers' "vested rights" was among the arguments that came up in the Federal Court of Appeal Wednesday as mobile operators challenged a key provision of the commission's wireless code.

Lawyers for the wireless carriers, the government and an advocacy group argued before a three-judge panel over whether the CRTC has the authority to impose its wireless code on all wireless contracts as of June 3, 2015, even if they were signed before the Dec. 2, 2013, implementation of the code.

Budget bill gives CRTC sharper teeth

New legislation proposed by the federal government will expand the powers of the CRTC, giving it the ability to fine offenders, share information with the Competition Bureau and exert control over companies that operate telecom services but do not own network infrastructure.

Amendments to the Telecommunications Act and the Broadcasting Act, under which the CRTC operates, are included in the government’s latest omnibus budget bill, introduced Oct. 23.

Regulating Netflix the least of CRTC’s concerns: Blais

The CRTC is concerned with “much bigger issues with greater ramifications down the road” than the question of whether it will regulate over-the-top (OTT) services like Netflix, CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said Thursday.

As the CRTC makes decisions on issues raised at the Let’s Talk TV hearing earlier this fall, “‘regulating’ Netflix is the least of our concerns,” Blais told the Vancouver Board of Trade in a speech, according to speaking notes provided by the CRTC.

OTT expected to cause Internet capacity crunch

Netflix isn’t the only game in town anymore.

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.

Bell Aliant pay-per-view service approved

The CRTC has approved an application by BCE Inc'.s Bell Aliant for a licence to operate a pay-per-view service, the commission said Tuesday.

It added that “the service will primarily offer live and tape-delayed sports events, as well as event-driven programming.”

Wireless code still a hurdle for carriers: CCTS

Some carriers are having more difficulty than others adjusting to life under the CRTC’s wireless code, according to the latest annual report from the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS).

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.

PIAC awarded costs in two CRTC proceedings

The CRTC has awarded the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) about three-quarters of the costs it had requested for its participation in an ongoing mobile-TV complaint.

Public to be consulted on radio applications

The CRTC said Tuesday that it will start seeking public comment on applications for new radio stations.

Newcap stations denied lenience on local content quota

On Monday the CRTC denied a request from two Newcap Inc. television stations in Lloydminster, Alta., for lenience on meeting the regulator's quotas for providing local content.

The two channels, CTV affiliate CITL-DT and CBC affiliate CKSA-DT, had been operating under a broadcast licence that required them to air a combined 14 hours of local programming each week. CRTC rules generally require TV stations in non-metropolitan areas to show seven hours of local programming each week.

Government to ban paper bills for telecoms

The budget implementation bill introduced by the federal government in the House of Commons Thursday would forbid telecommunications companies for charging customers for paper bills.

PIAC gets half its requested costs in helpline case

The CRTC said Friday it is awarding the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) about half of the costs it had requested for its participation in a proceeding about charges for wireless calls to helplines.

CRTC says Super Channel can’t modify CanCon reqs

The CRTC said Friday that it has denied a request by Allarco Entertainment Inc. to modify the licence of its Super Channel specialty channel.

The CRTC said Allarco had “proposed a modification to the service’s condition of licence relating to expenditures on script and concept development” on Canadian programming, which Allarco believed would “put it on a more equitable footing with its competitors, which are licensed on a group basis, and allow it to be more agile in terms of responding to changing programming requirements.”

EU countries could be next for regulator-Netflix conflict

When CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais faced off against Netflix Inc. in September, his ordering of the U.S.-based streaming service to give the CRTC information it had previously refused to provide added fuel to a debate about whether the CRTC can — or whether it should — regulate online video services.

CRTC to question B.C. station about broadcasting without licence

Notices issued by the CRTC on Tuesday and Friday indicated two out of three British Columbia radio stations accused of broadcasting in Canada without a licence will not appear at a scheduled hearing looking into their cases Wednesday.

CRTC says wireless code applies to some business accounts

The CRTC said Wednesday that the wireless code applies to any mobile service, even business accounts, where the individual using the service is responsible for any portion of the charges incurred.

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.

Mulcair denounces Glover statements on Netflix regulation

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Tom Mulcair on Wednesday denounced Heritage Minister Shelly Glover's statements that ruled out regulation for online video services such as Netflix and YouTube, which were made while a CRTC hearing considering the future of television was ongoing.

Mulcair did not say what his position on the regulation of online video was when asked by The Wire Report after an NDP caucus meeting on Parliament Hill.

Fraser institute calls for deregulation of broadcasting

The conventional broadcasting sector should be deregulated, a move that should include the elimination of Canadian content rules, preponderance rules and foreign ownership restrictions, Fraser Institute senior fellow Steven Globerman said.

CRTC approves enhanced 911 applications

The CRTC has approved applications from Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp., Telus Corp., Bell Aliant and BCE Inc. regarding enhanced 911 services.

The regulator said in separate decisions Friday it has approved applications by MTS, SaskTel, Telus, Bell Aliant and BCE to introduce a 911 text messaging service.

The benefits of being ruled by the CRTC

In the past, an aspiring broadcast distributor had no choice but to go to the CRTC and get a licence before they launched their cable or satellite business. Now, in theory at least, they can bypass the entire process by launching an over-the-top (OTT) TV service.

While they would have more flexibility and freedom from regulation, such as Canadian content contributions and quotas, they also wouldn’t benefit from the rules that benefit licensed service providers, such as guaranteed access to content.

Videotron says national wireless expansion depends on CRTC

GATINEAU, Que. — The CEO of Quebecor Inc.'s Videotron told the CRTC Friday that her company needs the regulator to lower the legislated rate for domestic roaming if it is to build a national alternative to the incumbent wireless carriers.

Manon Brouillette asked the commission to place its own cap on domestic roaming charges below the retail-based cap the government brought into force in June.

Carriers ask CRTC to take powers from government

GATINEAU, Que. — Two of Canada's largest wireless carriers called on the CRTC to take some regulatory power from Industry Canada at the commission's week-long hearing into the wholesale wireless market.

Both Rogers Communications Inc. and BCE Inc. want to change the balance of regulation in the wireless business, asking the CRTC to take over the arbitrator role currently filled by Industry Canada in disputes between companies. 

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.

Rogers takes aim at Telus, Bell network sharing

GATINEAU, Que. — It's not always a case of the wireless incumbents battling newer entrants; Wednesday's session of the CRTC hearing into the wholesale wireless market featured one of the big three throwing its two closest competitors under the bus.

B.C. radio station denied signal expansion, again

Newcap Inc. has been denied a request to the CRTC to expand the signal strength of a radio station in Kelowna, B.C., on the grounds it would add another station to the market of Penticton, B.C., about 60 kilometres south.

Telus, Eastlink provide opposing perspectives on wholesale regulation

GATINEAU, Que. — The CRTC on Tuesday got opposing opinions on the need for wholesale wireless market regulation from two wireless carriers with very different perspectives.

Incumbent carrier Telus Corp. argued that too much regulation will deter a healthy climate for investment in Canada's wireless market, while regional carrier Eastlink said the current lack of regulation is stifling competition.

Netflix announces first original movie

Netflix Inc. said Tuesday it would have its first original movie next summer.

It said in a press release that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend will premiere on Netflix simultaneously with showings in Imax theatres around the world on Aug. 28 next year. The movie is the next chapter in the Ang Lee martial arts series.

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.

CRTC to remove Netflix, Google input from Talk TV process

The CRTC said Monday it will remove all evidence presented by Netflix Inc. and Google Inc., including oral and written presentations, from the Let’s Talk TV process, following the companies’ refusal to provide the CRTC with information the regulator had requested.

“A company’s refusal to comply with requests and orders duly made at a public hearing is a serious matter,” it said in separate letters to Netflix and Google.

Government blamed for CRTC predicament on Netflix

The federal government’s pursuit of a consumer-driven broadcasting policy instead of a more comprehensive digital strategy has left the CRTC in a difficult position when it comes to regulating Internet video services, says at least one telecom expert.

Internet regulation may be template for future of wholesale wireless

As the CRTC prepares for a week of hearings beginning Monday on the future of wholesale wireless in Canada, the rules regarding wholesale Internet access may be a predictor of how the regulator will shape the future of the wireless market.

Wireless revenue growth slowed last year: CRTC

Revenue from wireless services in Canada was up just less than four per cent in 2013, marking a slowdown from growth that had exceeded six per cent for three straight years, according to data released by the CRTC on Thursday.

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.

C.D. Howe warns against pick-and-pay TV

The C.D. Howe Institute released a report on Thursday that said the CRTC's proposal to mandate pick-and-pay television is "deeply misguided" and would be "irrelevant at best" and "harmful at worst."

The report argued that with increasing competition to TV service providers from alternatives, such as the video streaming offered by Netflix Inc., making a profit from channel bundling will become difficult and market forces themselves will force the conditions for more choice for consumers.

PIAC awarded $20K in costs by CRTC

The CRTC on Wednesday said it was awarding the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) almost $20,000 in costs for expenses incurred in three different proceedings, to be covered by various telecommunications companies.

CRTC in tough spot after Netflix refuses to disclose: experts

Experts say that while CRTC must somehow respond to the refusal of Netflix Inc. to give the commission information it had been ordered to provide by CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais during a hearing last week, the government's stated refusal to tax and regulate online-video services cannot be ignored.

Netflix refuses to provide info to CRTC

Netflix Inc. will not produce some of the information CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais ordered from it last week.

“While Netflix has responded to a number of the CRTC's requests, we are not in a position to produce the confidential and competitively sensitive information ordered by the commission due to ongoing confidentiality concerns,” Netflix spokeswoman Anne Marie Squeo said in an email Monday evening.

Commish dissents on CRTC’s undue-preference decision

The CRTC has dismissed an undue-preference complaint against BCE Inc. filed by a company that plans to launch an over-the-top (OTT) TV service, though the decision was not unanimous.

Shaw applies for news channel broadcasting licence

Shaw Communications Inc. has applied to the CRTC for a broadcasting licence for a new national all-news channel.

The company said in a press release Monday that the channel would “feature a national newsfeed bookended by local news segments tailored specifically for each of the markets it serves.”

It will use “next-generation technology” and offer a “continuous data feed of hyper-local headlines and community events,” Shaw said, adding that the local news feeds will be available for up to 28 communities.

Blais threatens to revoke Netflix’ exemption order

GATINEAU, Que. — During the sometimes-contentious appearance by Netflix Inc. on the last day the CRTC’s two-week hearings on the future of television, CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais repeatedly ordered the U.S. streaming company to provide information to the commission, and at one point threatened to revoke Netflix’ digital-media exemption order if it does not comply.

Ethnic broadcasters urge CRTC to maintain buy-through requirement

GATINEAU, Que. — Asian Television Network International Ltd. was one of a number of ethnic broadcasters with Category A third-language channels who on Thursday urged the CRTC, as part of the regulator’s two-week hearing on the future of television, to maintain its buy-through requirement for those channels.

CRTC denies PIAC petition for free calls to helplines

The CRTC has denied an application from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and B.C. non-profit Chimo Community Services to make crisis helplines free for wireless customers.

In its decision, released Thursday, the regulator said the applicants were unable to narrow the definition of a helpline enough to clarify the scope of the measure, although it recognized the importance of such services for Canadians.

Carriers mostly complying with wireless code: CRTC

The CRTC issued an "implementation report card" Thursday that showed mobile carriers are complying with the wireless code on most rules.

Out of 28 aspects of the code evaluated, the CRTC found infractions on three parts.

The regulator said Rogers Communications Inc. is still not allowing customers to opt out of notifications for when their device is roaming in another country. The CRTC said Rogers has indicated it is working to have the issue rectified before the end of the year.

Regulators want investment-focused wireless industry: Natale

Telus Corp. CEO Joe Natale said Thursday he cannot predict what decisions will result from the upcoming CRTC hearings on the wireless wholesale market, though he feels Canadian regulators are likely to maintain a system that encourages investment in mobile networks.

"I really don't believe that our government and our regulator wants to step away from an investment-oriented ... approach to the wireless business," he said during a CIBC investor conference in Montreal.

TekSavvy asks CRTC for help to launch TV service

GATINEAU, Que. — Independent ISP TekSavvySolutions Inc. told the CRTC Tuesday it is considering becoming a TV distributor, on the same day that it announced a “partnership” with Hastings Cable Vision Ltd., an eastern Ontario cable provider.

ABC affiliate asks for removal from CRTC authorization list

A Minneapolis-St. Paul ABC affiliate is asking the CRTC to remove it from its list of non-Canadian programming services authorized for distribution.

An application from Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. (HBI), owner of the channel in question, KSTP-TV, appeared on the commission's website on Tuesday.

A letter from Hubbard, dated Feb. 20, refers to being notified of its inclusion to the list after decision No. 98-17, which was issued by the CRTC in January 1998 and made KSTP and WFTC, also in Minneapolis, eligible for carriage on Canadian satellite services.

Shaw promotes Barbara Williams

Shaw Communications Inc. on Tuesday announced it is promoting Barbara Williams and giving her two new titles.

The company said in a press release that Williams is now president of Shaw Media and executive vice-president of broadcasting. She was previously Shaw Media's senior vice-president of content.

Disney says pick-and-pay hurts TV broadcasters

GATINEAU, Que. —Walt Disney Co. on Monday warned the CRTC against a move toward pick-and-pay television.

Susan Fox, Disney’s vice-president of government relations, told the commission that having broad distribution benefits channels by allowing them to maximize advertising revenues, gives them the certainty necessary for long-term planning and allows them to “redirect consumer marketing and retention expenditures into higher quality and more diversified programs to better serve viewers.”

No tax on Netflix, YouTube: Harper

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Monday his government is determined not to tax Internet services such as Netflix and YouTube

In a wide-ranging speech in Ottawa to kick off the new parliamentary session, he also mentioned the government's support of a pick-and-pay TV system and a planned ban on extra fees for paper billing.

Telus calls Shomi service undue preference by Rogers, Shaw

GATINEAU, Que. — Telus Corp. says it is “very concerned” Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. are using the beta-test phase of their recently launched over-the-top (OTT) service to give themselves an undue preference.

CRTC hearing set for Pattison Group radio station purchase

The CRTC will hold a hearing on Nov. 12 to consider seven applications including a $100-million purchase by the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. of nine radio stations in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The deal, announced July 10, involves the Pattison Group taking over seven FM and two AM radio stations from Rawlco Radio Ltd. in Edmonton, Prince Albert, Sask., North Battleford, Sask., and Meadow Lake, Sask.

Wireless code court challenge scheduled for Nov. 12

Canada's wireless carriers will get their day in the Federal Court of Appeal on Nov. 12 to challenge the CRTC's wireless code provision that voids all mobile contracts that are more than two years old next June.

The court date was set on Thursday, according to a positing on court's website.

Bell top payer, PIAC top recipient of CRTC cost awards so far in 2014

The CRTC this year has ordered telecommunications companies to pay more than $230,000 to various organizations participating in different telecommunications proceedings, of which BCE Inc. and its affiliates have been assigned more than half the costs and for which the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has been the biggest recipient.

A compilation by The Wire Report, based on information from the CRTC's website, showed that the commission has awarded $233,472.90 in costs so far in 2014.