CMPA reaches 3-year agreement with Directors Guild

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

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

Rogers customer care joins Facebook Messenger

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Friday that its customers will now have access to its customer care service on Facebook Inc.’s Messenger.

It said in a press release that the service is available for all consumer products between 7 a.m. and midnight ET every day, and added that customers can access the chat by going to the Rogers Facebook page and clicking on the message button to start a chat with someone from Rogers.

Millennials consume most TV, video content online: MTM

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

Bell ranked highest in mobile network performance

BCE Inc. was tops in RootMetric’s 2015 Canadian mobile network performance review that was released Wednesday, with Rogers Communications Inc. and Telus Corp. not far behind.

Otono to launch prepaid wireless service for parents in U.S.

Otono Networks Inc. announced Wednesday it is launching next year in the U.S. a new prepaid wireless mobile service specifically for parents that will include two free lines for their kids.

It said in a press release that the service, called Krew Mobile, will include one main line designated to the parent that will be in charge of the two separate lines, all costing $39 US per month.

Future CraveTV prices unclear for non-Bell customers

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

Verizon would consider buying core Yahoo business: report

Verizon Communications Inc. would consider buying Yahoo Inc.'s core Internet business, which includes its email, news and sports sites, as well as its advertising technology, according to a report by Reuters.

Federal government funds Internet expansion in eastern Ontario

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, formerly known as Industry Canada, announced Monday that it is funding high-speed Internet services for about 1,000 households in communities across eastern Ontario.

Final domestic-roaming tariffs approved, for now

The CRTC has accepted, for the time being, tariffs proposed by the wireless incumbents for what smaller carriers in Canada have to pay to have their customers roam on the bigger companies' networks.

Smartphone shipment growth slowed this year: IDC

Worldwide smartphone shipments in 2015 are expected to be 9.8 per cent more than last year for a total of 1.43 billion units, marking the first time that percentage growth for this product has been less than double digits, International Data Corp. said Thursday.

Wearable shipments up almost 200% in Q3: IDC

Worldwide wearable shipments rose 197.6 per cent with 21 million units shipped in the third quarter this year, up from 7.1 million units in the same period a year earlier, according to a new report released Thursday by International Data Corp.

Telus launches new cloud services for businesses

Telus Corp. announced Thursday it has expanded its cloud services to offer Canadian businesses a suite of managed infrastructure as service solutions that include private and public cloud offerings, as well as a hybrid of the two.

It said in the press release that the cloud services portfolio will allow companies to create a flexible and secure IT environment that will help meet the needs of businesses and push for operational efficiencies.

Google folds Songza into new, free music service

Google Inc. is folding its music-streaming service Songza into a new ad-supported, free tier of Google Play Music.

Wendy Manton, a Google spokeswoman, said in an email that this is happening everywhere Songza had been available, including in Canada.

Shaw provides better public WiFi for premium plans

Shaw Communications Inc. announced Wednesday that all customers who are subscribed to its Internet 30, or any broadband Internet plan above that, will have access to download speeds six times faster when connected to any of the 75,000 Shaw Go WiFi hotspot across Western Canada.

B.C. community temporarily without Internet service

Onewayout.net Society, the only Internet service provider in Stewart, B.C., has shut down its services as it awaits the provision of new connections, courtesy of Telus Corp. and another small British Columbia-based ISP.

In a notice posted on the company’s website, Onewayout said: “Onewayout.net has made the decision to discontinue internet service on or before November 30, 2015. It is not our intention to stand in the way of progress. We wish to thank all our customers for your patronage over the last twenty plus years.”

Nokia shareholders approve Alcatel-Lucent acquisition

Nokia Corp. said Wednesday that its shareholders have approved the company's proposed acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent SA.

Nokia said in a press release that it has also received all necessary regulatory approvals earlier than expected and that the transaction is expected to close within the first three months of 2016.

"We are delighted that the vast majority of Nokia's shareholders recognize the long-term value creation opportunity that this proposed combination represents," Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri said in the release.

Rogers to continue providing wireless services for Quebec government

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Wednesday it has signed an agreement with the Centre de services partagés du Quebec (CSPQ) to continue its wireless services for up to 10 years with the government of Quebec.

Rogers said in the press release that it will provide wireless technologies, including voice and data services, and connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT) at the provincial and municipal levels.

Eric Baptiste gets extension at SOCAN

The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) has granted Eric Baptiste another five-year term as CEO.

SOCAN said in a press release that the reappointment will extend Baptiste's tenure with the group until 2021. SOCAN spokesman Andrew Berthoff said in an email that the next term goes from May 2016 to May 2021.

Tablet shipments to be down 8.1% this year: IDC

Global tablet shipments will be down 8.1 per cent for 2015 overall, though tablets with detachable keyboards are expected to see strong growth for this year and in 2016, according to International Data Corp.

The technology research company said in a press release Tuesday that tablet shipments will total 211.3 million this year.

Rogers acquires Internetworking Atlantic

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Tuesday it has acquired Internetworking Atlantic Inc., a Halifax based communications technology company that offers a range of IT products and solutions to government agencies, institutions and businesses.

It said in the press release that the acquisition will help Rogers offer local expertise in areas such as cloud computing, data centre services, fibre networking and professional services, such as IT and network solutions.

Shaw provides free WiFi in Mission, B.C.

Shaw Communications Inc. said Monday that it has started providing free WiFi to the public at a leisure centre in Mission, B.C., and that it plans to add more hotspots in 10 other public spaces in the near future.

Distant TV signals losing value, service providers say

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

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

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

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

Shaw introduces new WiFi, security products for business

Shaw Communications Inc. announced Friday it is introducing SmartWiFi and SmartSecurity, two services that will provide small- and medium-sized businesses with WiFi and network security solutions.

It said in a press release that SmartWiFi will help employees stay connected and provide integration between wireless and wired networks, access to shared printers and servers, as well as provide analytics that monitor and give insights to business owners in order to continually optimize wireless networks.

SaskTel expands fibre-to-the-home

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. announced Friday it will be deploying its InfiNet fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network in residential areas of two cities in Saskatchewan by next year.

SaskTel said in a press release that construction will begin March 2016 and customers in Estevan and Weyburn, both located south of Regina, will begin having InfiNet by June 2016. It added that customers will have Internet download speeds of up to 260 Mbps.

On-demand audiences equal 5-10% of broadcast viewership: Numeris

On-demand viewing delivers “bonus audiences for programs,” since the number of people watching on-demand programs amounts to five to 10 per cent of the original broadcast audience, according to a report from Numeris on Thursday.

Internet becoming more common news source: MTM

Television remains the main source of news for most anglophone Canadians, though the Internet is becoming increasingly used as individuals' primary way of getting news, according to survey results released Wednesday.

Media Technology Monitor, a project of CBC/Radio-Canada, released a report that indicated that 34 per cent of anglophone news consumers, 18 years of age or older, considered the Internet as their main source of news. This was out of the 97 per cent per cent of respondents who said they accessed a news source within the previous month.

PIAC asks CRTC to deny Bell’s review-and-vary request

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is telling the CRTC to reject an application by BCE Inc. that asks the commission to amend its wholesale wireline decision.

SaskTel reduces roaming rates

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. announced Tuesday it is introducing new roaming rates and five new roaming add-on plans for customers traveling outside of Canada.

It said in a press release that the new rates, part of the Roam and Relax Travel plan, will take effect Nov. 26 and will automatically be added to customers’ plans when they travel across the border.

Forbes downplays potential MTS selloff after Allstream deal

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. CEO Jay Forbes on Monday downplayed the likelihood that the whole company could be sold in the wake of a deal to unload its business communications division, Allstream.

MTS announced Monday that it has an agreement in place to sell Allstream to Boulder, Colo.-based Zayo Group Holdings Inc. for $465 million in cash.

3Macs telecom analyst Troy Crandall said the deal is positive for MTS, as Allstream has been "an albatross around the neck of Manitoba Tel every since it was acquired."

Tom Pentefountas moves to Stingray as VP of sales

Stingray Digital Group Inc. has appointed Tom Pentefountas as senior vice-president of sales for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

A press release Monday said that the former vice-chairman of broadcasting for the CRTC will join Stingray Nov. 30 and will work from its London, England, office.

Stingray said that Pentefountas will oversee international sales development and develop relations with sales agents as well as TV operators in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

HBO deal bolsters CraveTV against Shomi, Netflix: experts

BCE Inc.’s move to acquire exclusive rights to HBO programming on all platforms and become the sole operator of HBO Canada will make its CraveTV over-the-top (OTT) service more competitive against rivals, experts said.

Having national HBO rights should “bolster the competitive position of CraveTV relative to other OTT services,” such as Netflix and Shomi, especially when CraveTV launches as a stand-alone service next year, RBC Dominion Securities analyst Drew McReynolds said in a research note.

Rogers pays $200,000 to resolve anti-spam violations

The CRTC announced Friday that Rogers Communications Inc. has paid $200,000 to resolve alleged violations of Canada’s anti-spam legislation.

The regulator said in a press release that, following an investigation between July 2014 and July 2015 by the chief compliance and enforcement officer, it found that Rogers had “failed to comply with various requirements of the law,” and had allegedly sent commercial emails that contained a non-functioning unsubscribe button.

Rob Farina leaves Rogers after reported record label spat

Rob Farina has resigned as vice-president of content with Rogers Communications Inc.'s media division, the company has confirmed, following a report he called for a boycott of a record company he saw as favouring BCE Inc.

Bell Media wins exclusive HBO rights for Canada

BCE Inc.’s media division said Thursday that it is now the sole operator of HBO Canada, and that it has reached a deal with Time Warner Inc.’s HBO that will give it exclusive Canadian rights to all HBO programming on every subscription platform.

SaskTel boosts Internet speeds in 10 communities

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. announced Thursday that it will introduce its high speed advanced Internet service plan to 10 rural communities in Saskatchewan.

It said in a press release that Codette, Davidson, Debden, Frontier, Grenfell, Ogema, Rapid View, Rhein, Waldheim, and Weldon already had the basic plan, which included download speeds up to 5 Mbps and now will have the advanced plan, which includes download speeds up to 10 Mbps.

Rogers launches Fido Internet service

Rogers Communications Inc. announced on Thursday a new Internet service for Ontario under its Fido brand.

Information provided by the company by email said customers of its discount mobile service Fido have been asking for "quality home Internet at a great price."

Blue Ant makes several leadership changes

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

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

CRTC to release ISP performance results in spring

The CRTC said Wednesday it will, in spring 2016, release a preliminary report on the results of an ongoing study of the broadband performance of various Canadian Internet service providers (ISPs).

The regulator said in a press release that it will collect data from whiteboxes installed in the homes of 4,500 participants that were selected from about 28,000 Canadians who showed an interest in measuring their Internet performance.

Google launches YouTube Kids in Canada

Google Inc. announced Wednesday it is launching in Canada its YouTube app for children. 

It said in a blogpost that the YouTube Kids app will be a “safer version of YouTube, a family-friendly place for kids to explore their imagination and curiosity.” It added that parents and kids will be able to browse through channels and playlists that are separated into four categories: shows, music, learning and explore.

Most millennials still have subscription-TV service: MTM

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

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

Numeris appoints Neil McEneaney as CEO

Numeris announced Tuesday it has appointed Neil McEneaney as its new CEO.

The ratings measurement group said in a press release that McEneaney will be replacing Jim MacLeod, who had announced his retirement in April. Numeris said McEneaney’s position will be effective Jan. 11.

Apple Pay launches in Canada

American Express Co. announced Tuesday that Apple Inc.’s Apple Pay is now available for its eligible customers and small businesses in Canada.

American Express said that once customers add their American Express card to their Apple Pay account they will be able to pay at select participating merchcants.

It added that customers will also have access to real-time notifications of details on all purchases made and easy connection to the American Express mobile app to have more detailed account monitoring.

Pandora to acquire assets of Rdio for $75M US

Pandora Media Inc. announced Monday it will be acquiring key assets from music streaming service Rdio Inc. for $75 million US.

It said in a press release that it will be acquiring technology and intellectual property, as well as hiring some employees, from Rdio and plans to expand Pandora’s listening experience by late 2016.

Cellular data to grow 10 times by 2021: Ericsson

The amount of data flowing through cellular networks, both in North America and around the world, will increase almost 10 times over the next six years as growth in smartphone adoption continues and video consumption becomes more popular, according to reports released by Ericsson AB on Tuesday.

Ericsson said global mobile data this year is expected to average 5.3 exabytes a month and rise to 51 EB by 2021, as it increases by an average of 45 per cent a year over that time. (One exabyte is equal to about one billion gigabytes.)

Jive Communications acquires Easy Office Phone

Jive Communications Inc., a Utah-based VoIP service provider, announced Monday it has bought Easy Office Phone, a cloud-based phone service company located in Burlington, Ont.

It said in a press release that Easy Office Phone has been renamed to Jive Canada.

DHX revenues up 48% in Q1

DHX Media Ltd. said in its 2016 first quarter results that its revenue in the three months ending Sept. 30 grew 48 per cent to $63.9 million from $43 million during the same period a year earlier.

Cogeco boosts speeds for some Internet plans

Cogeco Cable Inc. has increased the speeds of some of its Internet plans, the company said in a press release Monday.

“As of today, the new speeds will automatically and progressively be rolled out to current subscribers, at no additional cost,” it said.

Its Turbo 30 residential plan has been boosted by 10 Mbps, while its Ultimate 55 and Ultimate 55 Unlimited residential plans now have speeds of 60 Mbps.

Trudeau tells Bains to boost broadband coverage

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has directed Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains to increase “high-speed broadband coverage and work to support competition, choice and availability of services,” according to a mandate letter released Friday.

He also said Bains should “foster a strong investment environment for telecommunications services to keep Canada at the leading edge of the digital economy.”

Quebec introduces website-blocking legislation

The Quebec government has introduced legislation that would require Internet service providers (ISPs) to block some online gambling websites.

“The Société des loteries du Québec shall oversee the accessibility of online gambling. It shall draw up a list of unauthorized online gambling sites and provide the list to the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux, which shall send it to Internet service providers by registered mail,” Bill 74, introduced Thursday, stipulates.

FTTH to cover 90% of Bell footprint in 10 years: Cope

BCE Inc. will cover about 90 per cent of its wireline footprint with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) in a little less or a little more than a decade, though the issue of whether smaller Internet service providers will get mandated access to such networks will affect the build-out in an unspecified fashion, Bell CEO George Cope said Thursday.

MTS to offer CTV, TSN TV-everywhere apps

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

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

CRTC says Toronto IPTV provider can broadcast U.S. channels

The CRTC granted Atop Broadband Corp., an IPTV provider serving most of the Greater Toronto Area, the authorization to carry WNLO-TV and WNYO-TV, based in Buffalo, N.Y.

Verizon launches $2 US daily roaming in Canada

Verizon Communications Inc. said Thursday it has introduced a new roaming service plan for U.S. subscribers that allows them to use their existing talk, messaging and data plans in Canada and Mexico for an extra $2 US a day.

It said in a press release that customers can sign up for the service, called TravelPass, and activate it either on their online account or via their Verizon app.

Liberals’ infrastructure plans could extend to telecom: lawyer

TORONTO — The newly elected Liberal government has indicated infrastructure will be a priority, and that could include telecom infrastructure, said lawyer Chris Tacit during a panel discussion at the Canadian ISP Summit in Toronto on Wednesday.

Tacit, a lawyer for the Canadian Network Operators’ Consortium (CNOC), which organized the conference, said that “there is a likelihood, with this government’s focus on infrastructure, that they might actually turn their focus in a much more meaningful way to broadband infrastructure.”

Shoan tells radio operators to focus on smartphones

CRTC commissioner Raj Shoan told a group of broadcasting professionals this week that radio operators should look at how they can become a bigger presence on smartphones in order to hold their own against an increasing number of new options for audio consumption, such as online streaming.

Cisco gives $1.8M for IoT research at Carleton University

Cisco Systems Inc. announced Tuesday it is partnering with Carleton University and providing a $1.8-million grant over the next nine years to establish a research chair in sensor technology for the Internet of Things (IoT).

It said in a press release that Mohamed Ibnkahla, an engineering professor in the department of systems and computer engineering at Carleton, has been appointed to the position and will focus on research to develop sensor networks and other technologies for the IoT.

TVB appoints Kathy Gardner VP of media insights

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

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

T-Mobile gives users unlimited video from select services

T-Mobile US Inc. announced Tuesday it will be launching a new service for its Simple Choice mobile plan customers that allows free video streaming from several services without it cutting into their LTE-data limits.

Apple Music available on Android

Apple Inc. has made its music-streaming app available for Android devices.

The Apple Music website now includes a link, that takes users to the Google Play store, to download what it calls a "beta" version of the app for Google Inc.'s Android operating system.

YouTube more popular with richer, educated Canadians: survey

A majority of Canadians reported in a survey this year they are users of Google Inc.'s YouTube video-streaming service, with the likelihood increasing among those further up on the income and education ladders.

Media Technology Monitor (MTM), a project of CBC/Radio Canada, said in a report released Tuesday that 69 per cent of Canadians surveyed this spring reported having used YouTube at least once in the past month. That was up from 64 per cent in a survey done a year earlier and 57 per cent in the fall of 2011.

News website awarded $13K-plus for paywall breach

An Ottawa-based subscription news website covering federal matters has been awarded $13,400 plus interest after the subject of one its articles was found to have breached copyright by obtaining a copy of the story without paying a subscription fee.

A small-claims court on Oct. 16 awarded Blacklock's Reporter $11,470 in damages, plus interest, as well as $2,000 in punitive damages to be paid by the Canadian Vintners Association, which represents wine producers across Canada.

IPTV, Netflix adoption lower in Ontario: MTM

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

CraveTV first original series to premiere in February

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media said Monday that its streaming service, CraveTV, will debut its first original series — a comedy called Letterkenny — on Feb. 7.

CCTS shouldn’t be consumer advocate: Bell

Officials from BCE Inc. told a CRTC panel Friday that the mandate of the Commission for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) shouldn’t be expanded to allow it to become a consumer advocacy body.

Lead-up to Discoverability Summit in Montreal Dec. 3

The CRTC announced Friday that the second of two En Route events leading up to its Discoverability Summit will be held in Montreal on Dec. 3 with discussions focusing on French-language markets.

Huawei, Telus to create 5G lab in Vancouver

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. said Friday that it has partnered with Telus Corp. to create a lab to help develop 5G technology.

It said in a press release that the project, called the 5G Living Lab, will design, test and deploy new technology in order to “deliver a next-generation converged fibre-wireless network in downtown Vancouver.”

TPP text shows ‘positive change’ regarding Internet blocking: Geist

The full text of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, published Thursday by the government of New Zealand, shows that the agreement will place limits on rules around blocking Internet content, according to University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist.

Telus revenue up due to wireless, wireline data usage

Telus Corp. increased its revenues by 4.2 per cent from a year earlier to $3.15 billion in the third quarter, the company said Thursday.

It said in a press release the revenue growth was “a result of higher data revenue in both wireless and wireline operations. Wireless data revenue increased 12 per cent from a year ago, leading to overall network revenue growth of four per cent, while wireline data revenue increased 11 per cent to generate 3.3 per cent growth in external wireline revenue.”

Rogers, Vice to launch new channel for millennials

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

Quebecor reports big gains in mobile, OTT

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

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

Quebecor appoints Lyne Robitaille music division VP

Quebecor Inc. announced Wednesday that its music division will now be headed by Lyne Robitaille, who will become the senior vice-president of newspapers, books and music.

It said in a press release that Distribution Select, Quebec’s largest music distributor, and Musicor, Quebecor's music label,  will now be part of Quebecor’s Media Group.

MTS revenue, profits down in Q3

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. on Wednesday reported lower revenue and profits compared to a year earlier.

It said in a press release that revenue was down one per cent to $398.4 million for the three months ended Sept. 30. Net earnings came in at $26.7 million, down from $36.8 million one year earlier.

MTS said revenue was down due to declines in wireless-voice and long-distance revenue, partially offset by gains in wireless-data, Internet, "information solutions" and IPTV revenues.

MPAA says Popcorn Time shut down by court

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) said Tuesday that it has shut down the Canadian-based video-streaming site Popcorn Time through a court injunction.

The MPAA said in a news release Tuesday that it has obtained an injunction through the Federal Court of Canada to shut down Popcorntime.io, which has claimed to be the "official" Popcorn Time site. The MPAA said this site saw 1.5 million unique visitors in July, citing data from ComScore Inc.

CCTS asks CRTC to keep membership mandatory for telecoms

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

Blue Jays help Sportsnet attain record numbers for Oct.

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

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

Connectivity beats content in telecom/media sector: report

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

CRTC partners with NFB to host content-discoverability events

The CRTC announced Tuesday it is partnering with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) to host two events that will lead to a large summit, in order to start a discussion on discovering content across Canada, the U.S. and other countries around the world.

B.C. provider offers skinny-basic TV

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

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

Are stars aligning for Shaw sale to Rogers?

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

Telus provides $3.2M to content creators

Telus Corp. announced Monday it is providing more than $3.2 million in funding for more than 60 new local content projects in Western Canada this year through its Optik Local community programming.

It said in a press release that Optik Local provides funding to train filmmakers to create compelling original stories in British Columbia and Alberta. It added that the content will be distributed for free on Optik On Demand, as well as online.

CRTC creates online public forum as part of CCTS review

The CRTC announced Monday it has created an online public forum as part of its review of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) and is inviting Canadians to participate in it.

VoLTE connections to reach 2 billion by 2020: Juniper

Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) connections are anticipated to reach two billion by 2020, rising from about 123 million connections this year, according to a new report released Monday from Juniper Research Ltd.

It said the opportunity for monetizing VoLTE will initially be limited as “network operators will initially focus on experience and quality of service, rather than monetization, with failure to deliver a high-quality offering at the outset potentially resulting in churn to rival operators.”

BlackBerry completes acquisition of Good Technology

BlackBerry Ltd. announced Monday it has completed its acquisition of Good Technology Corp. and will begin integrating its software security solutions to its mobile enterprise platform.

It said in a press release that the acquisition of Good Technology would help BlackBerry “expand its ability to offer a unified, secure mobility platform,” for mobile devices on any operating system. It added that the software has been “certified by governments around the world.”

Cloud traffic to surge in coming years: Cisco

Global cloud traffic will be four times higher than what it was in 2014 by 2019, Cisco Systems Inc. said this week, rising to 8.6 zettabytes from 2.1 zettabytes.

Cisco said in a press release Wednesday that its fifth annual global cloud index shows the growth rate of cloud data will outpace overall data centre traffic, which it said would triple to 10.4 ZB from 3.4 ZB.

CMF fund awards $400K to Riftwood project

The Canadian Media Fund (CMF) said Friday that a fund it manages in partnership with Belgium-based production financing company Wallimage SA has awarded $400,000 to a multimedia project called Riftwood: Heroes.

The project was described in a press release by the CMF as an "innovative multiplatform project." It said it is being co-produced by Canada's Riftwood Productions Inc. and Belgium's Reed SPRL.

Apple drives 500% increase in smartwatch shipments: report

Global smartwatch shipments were up 510 per cent in this year's third quarter from a year earlier, with 6.1 million units shipped compared to one million during the same period the previous year, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics released Wednesday.

Smartphone shipments up 8.4% in Q3: Juniper

Juniper Research Ltd. said Thursday that global smartphone shipments in this year's third quarter totalled 342.5 million, representing growth of 8.4 per cent.

It said in the press release that Apple Inc.’s iPhones shipped 48 million units compared to 39 million during the same period the previous year, and noted that much of its growth comes from China.