Quebecor roaming plan could point to national ambition: analyst

Quebecor Inc.’s Tuesday announcement of nationwide roaming at no charge for its Videotron wireless customers could allow the company to test the waters for a national mobile service, according to SeaBoard Group analyst Iain Grant.

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.

Quebecor Media buys bigger piece of TVA

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

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

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

Granting Bell stay in mobile-TV case would hurt competitors: CNOC

Competitors will be harmed if BCE Inc. is not forced to comply with an April deadline in a CRTC directive to stop exempting its mobile-TV app from data caps, according to the Canadian Network Operators Consortium.

CNOC said in a document filed with the Federal Court of Appeal on March 5 that a stay, which would allow Bell to continue to exempt mobile-TV streaming from data charges, would affect the “business case” of competing services that count against a user’s data cap.

Quebecor reports Q4 loss, major gains in wireless

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

Ratings, revenues never enough to make Sun News Network worthwhile: experts

Quebecor Inc. said it took Sun News Network off the air early Friday morning due to “a series of barriers to carriage,” while some experts said the long-struggling channel’s challenges from the beginning were a result of its flawed blueprint.

Quebecor said in a press release the company had not been able to find a potential buyer after months of trying, and given the financial losses involved had no alternative but to shut down the channel.

Mobilicity hoping for post-auction sale approval: report

Mobilicity is hoping that spectrum ownership in Canada after two upcoming auctions becomes diluted enough that the government changes course on its previous refusal to allow the sale of the company and the spectrum it holds to an incumbent wireless company, the Financial Post reported Wednesday.

Péladeau says he still controls Quebecor: report

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

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

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

CRTC says Videotron French community TV violated licence, OKs English version

The CRTC said Wednesday that while it found MAtv, a French-language community channel owned by Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron subsidiary, was not in compliance with the conditions of its licence, it would approve a licence application from Videotron for MYtv, the channel's English equivalent.

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.

TVA purchase of Vision Globale cleared

Quebecor Inc.'s broadcasting unit TVA Group said last week that its purchase of TV production company Vision Globale has closed following approval from the federal Competition Bureau.

TVA CEO Julie Tremblay said in a Dec. 30 press release that the acquisition "will enable us to diversify our revenue streams, which are heavily dependent on the advertising carried by our over-the-air television network."

TVA shareholders file complaint with Quebec’s market regulator

Some shareholders in Quebecor Inc.’s TVA Group have filed an “investigation request” with the financial market regulator in Quebec, according to a press release issued Thursday.

“The request refers to numerous material related-party transactions, potential conflicts of interest, and the proposed acquisition of the assets of A.R. Global Vision Ltd. ("Global Vision") and related financing,” the press release said.

First part of Montreal subway network done

The first phase of a $50-million wireless network in Montreal’s subway system is operational, the parties involved announced Friday.

TVA Group to purchase Vision Globale

Quebecor Inc.'s broadcasting operation TVA Group said Thursday it has reached an agreement to purchase film- and TV-production company Vision Globale for about $118 million.

TVA said the transaction is subject to approval by the Competition Bureau.

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.

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

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

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

Quebecor says newspaper sale not connected to wireless expansion

Quebecor Inc. says there is no connection between the $316-million proposed sale of its English-language newspapers to Postmedia Network Canada Corp. and its intention of expanding its mobile services across Canada.

The company also said Monday that it is evaluating the “long-term viability” of its Sun News Network television channel, which is not part of the sale that includes its Sun-branded newspapers.

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.

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.

Quebecor says Nurun sale unrelated to wireless expansion

Quebecor Inc. and industry analysts on Tuesday downplayed any connection between the company's sale of consulting subsidiary Nurun and aspirations Quebecor has for expanding its wireless service across Canada.

The Montreal-based company announced in a press release Tuesday that Nurun, which provides advisory services in areas such as digital products, website design and online transactions, has been sold to France's Publicis Groupe SA for $125 million in cash.

Paper billing issue small potatoes for telecom sector: analysts

Much has been made this week about the practice of levying extra fees for the privilege of getting a physical bill for telecommunications services, and some industry watchers are downplaying the issue's importance.

Hugues Simard Videotron’s new SVP, CFO

Quebecor Inc. subsidiary Videotron has named Hugues Simard as its new senior vice-president and chief financial officer.

The company said in a press release Thursday that Simard will be responsible for the “execution of Videotron's financial plan and will play a key role in achieving its business objectives in a fiercely competitive environment.”

Simard has been with Quebecor since 1998 and served as chief financial officer of its Sun Media division from 2011 until this year, the release added.

Quebecor posts loss, announces reorganization

Quebecor Inc. CEO Pierre Dion announced a corporate reorganization Thursday as his company posted a $50.4 million net less before income taxes in its second quarter, down from a profit of $67.9 million before income taxes in the previous quarter. 

In a statement following the earnings report, Dion detailed the creation of a new group within Quebecor for its media properties, including Sun Media Corp., TVA Group Inc., and QMI Agency.

Benoit Robert to head Quebecor sports and entertainment group

Quebecor Media Inc. announced Wednesday that Benoit Robert will join the company on Aug. 19 as president and CEO of its sports and entertainment group.

The company said in a news release that Robert, who has a master’s of business administration from the University of New Haven, will be responsible for management of Quebecor’s entertainment venues, including the Quebec City Amphitheatre, as well as marketing and promotion for concerts, sports, and cultural events.

TV providers divided on set-top ratings system

Canada’s biggest television providers are divided over the future of audience measurement via the next generation of set-top boxes.

As part of their submissions in the CRTC’s ongoing Let’s Talk TV consultation, BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Telus Corp., Quebecor Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. all weighed in on the creation of a new audience measurement system based on set-top box (STB) data.

Quebecor says it needs regulated roaming to become fourth carrier

Quebecor Inc. said explicitly Wednesday that it intends to become Canada's "fourth wireless competitor," though it needs "a fair and competitive federally regulated roaming policy."

The company made the assertion in a press release that was issued at about the same time as its CEO Pierre Dion was making the closing keynote address to the Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto.

Spotlight on Quebecor after Telus reportedly ends Mobilicity bid

Analysts speculated Wednesday about the possibility of Quebecor Inc. stepping up to purchase Mobilicity following a report that Telus Corp. has withdrawn its offer.

Quebecor earnings up as wireless revenue surges

Quebecor Inc. improved its bottom line in this year’s first quarter as its telecommunications segment saw a revenue boost of 4.8 per cent, featuring some strong gains in its wireless business.

Revenue was up 1.1 per cent from a year earlier to $1.04 billion, the company said in a press release Thursday. Net income rose to $40.7 million from $35.6 million in last year’s first quarter, it added.

Péladeau’s politics will have little impact on Quebecor: Barclays

Analysts from Barclays Capital said there is little risk to Quebecor Inc.’s businesses from former CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau’s candidacy for the sovereigntist Parti Québécois in the upcoming Quebec election.

A research note from Phillip Huang and Ali Pervez on Thursday said they expected no “significant impact from Péladeau’s political ambitions.”

Quebecor reports higher profits, revenue up slightly

Quebecor Inc. reported higher fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday on revenue that was slightly higher than a year earlier.

Overall revenue for the fourth quarter was $1.12 billion, up 0.5 per cent from a year earlier, Quebecor said in a press release.

Net income was $43.4 million, up from $7.1 million a year before, the company said. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $68 million, up from $52.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Péladeau’s PQ affiliation could affect Quebecor’s fortunes: experts

Pierre Karl Péladeau’s decision to run for the sovereigntist Parti Québécois in the upcoming Quebec election could cause problems for the company he used to lead and of which he is still the controlling shareholder, marketing and government relations experts said.

Pierre Karl Péladeau resigns after PQ announcement

Pierre Karl Péladeau has resigned from a number of Quebecor Inc. board positions following news that he intends to run as candidate for the sovereigntist Parti Québécois in the upcoming provincial election in Quebec.

A press release from Quebecor on Sunday said Péladeau had quit that morning as vice-chairman and a board member of Quebecor, and chairman and a member of the boards at Quebecor Media and TVA Group.

TVA Group profits, revenue down

TVA Group Inc., the broadcasting and magazine publishing arm of Quebecor Inc., on Friday reported declines in profits and revenue for the last quarter of 2013.

TVA said in a press release that net income in the fourth quarter was $8.3 million, down from $8.8 million a year earlier. Revenue was down 5.5 per cent to $120 million from $127 million in the same quarter of 2012.

Videotron reduces international roaming rates

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron unit said Wednesday it was reducing roaming rates for customers travelling to the United States, Europe and the Caribbean.

It said data roaming rates for the U.S. have been cut to 15 cents per megabyte from 40 cents, which harmonizes it with Videotron's data roaming rates within Canada. It said the data roaming rate for Europe has been cut to 60 cents per MB from $1. In the Caribbean, it said both its data and voice rates have been cut by half, to $1 per MB and 60 cents per minute, respectively.

Rogers spends billions on spectrum, focuses on A, B pairings

OTTAWA — More than half the money raised in the government’s 700 MHz auction of wireless spectrum came from Rogers Communications Inc., which invested heavily in two key blocks in regions across the country.

The company, which spent nearly $3.3 billion in the auction, avoided most of the prime C, C1, and C2 blocks of the 700 MHz spectrum to spend heavily on 18 licences for A and B blocks paired together regionally.

All told, the company walked away with 22 licences for spectrum blocks across the country.

Quebecor files complaint against Bell Fund

Quebecor Inc.’s media division has filed a complaint against the BCE Inc.-supported Bell Fund, claiming it had three TV projects that were unfairly turned down for funding last year.

Videotron to offer unlimited mobile data

Quebecor Inc. subsidiary Videotron will begin offering an unlimited data plan to its wireless customers on Jan. 8.

In a release Tuesday, Videotron said the plan, which will be available for $80 “for a limited time,” would “be applicable on the latest devices currently carried by Videotron, such as the LG G2, the Nexus 5 and the Galaxy Note 3.”

It added Videotron would be the only carrier in the province “to offer an unlimited mobile data option on an extensive 4G network.”

Quebecor posts third-quarter loss, gains in some areas

Quebecor Inc. reported a third-quarter loss on Thursday, attributed largely to a $177-million write-down it took on the value of various assets.

That left the company with a quarterly loss of $167.8 million, compared to a profit of $17.1 million a year earlier, Quebecor said.

Revenue was up 1.9 per cent to $1.08 billion, it said, including gains in its telecommunications segment, where sales grew 5.1 per cent to $33.1 million.

TVA revenues, profits rise

Quebecor Media Inc. subsidiary TVA Group Inc. reported revenues of $102.2 million in the three-month period that ended Sept. 30, up from $97.2 in the same period a year earlier.

The company reported a profit of $6.3 million in its third-quarter financial results on Tuesday, up from $1.5 million at the same time a year earlier. 

Television revenues were $83.7 million, falling from $81.6 million a year earlier, it said, while publishing revenues rose to $19.2 million from $16.85 million a year earlier.

Videotron applies to operate new Montreal TV channel

Videotron has applied to the CRTC for a licence to launch a new community TV channel catered to Montreal’s English-speaking community.

In a release Thursday, the Quebecor Media Inc. cable subsidiary said the new channel, if approved, would provide 21 hours of original programming per week, and would be “devoted to expressing the realities of the Anglophone and cultural communities” in the Montreal area.

Quebecor reports $45.1m loss in second quarter

Quebecor Inc. reported a loss of $45.1 million as revenues rose 0.8 per cent during its second quarter of 2013.

For the three-month period that that ended June 30, revenues were $1.09 billion, up from $1.08 billion from the same period a year earlier, the company said in a release Thursday.

Verizon more of a threat to incumbents than Quebecor: Dépatie

Quebecor Media Inc. does not feel overly threatened by competition from Verizon Communications Inc. though the U.S company’s potential entry into Canada’s 700 MHz spectrum auction could leave Quebecor “empty-handed,” said Robert Dépatie, the company’s president and chief executive.

TVA profits, revenues fall in Q2

Quebecor Media Inc. subsidiary TVA Group Inc. reported revenues of $111.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 that ended June 30, down from $113.5 in the same period a year earlier.

The company said profits were $6.98 million in the second quarter, falling from $20.85 million a year earlier.

Television revenues were $96.5 million, down from $97.3 million in the second quarter of 2012, while publishing revenues fell to $15.8 million from $17.2 million a year earlier, TVA said.

Charges for paper bills justified, providers say

Canadian consumers need incentives to make the switch to environmentally friendly electronic bills, SaskTel said in response to CRTC questions about telcos' charges for paper billing. 

CRTC gives BCE, Videotron until July 30 to settle carriage dispute

The CRTC temporarily suspended its final offer arbitration process for a carriage dispute between BCE Inc. and Quebecor Media Inc. to give the companies more time to negotiate a deal.

Quebecor buys La Semaine