Finney gets VP role at Bell Media, among other changes

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media division announced Wednesday it has appointed Mark Finney to the newly created position of vice-president of strategic sales, and several other changes in the executive ranks were announced internally.

Where federal parties stand on telecom, media issues

Telecommunications and media have not been prominent issues in this year's federal election campaign, taking a backseat to things such as the Mike Duffy trial, the deficit and Syrian refugees.

The Wire Report has made repeated attempts to talk with the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP about their stances toward telecom and media, but has been largely ignored.

However, here is a look at statements, documents and publicly disclosed initiatives of the three major parties that are indicative of the positions they hold on telecom and media, or have at least held recently.

Rogers Radio teams with YouTube

Rogers Communications Inc. said Friday that its radio division will team with Google Inc.'s YouTube for a weekly show that will look at the hottest trends in music, fashion, entertainment and gaming.

Rogers said in a press release that this marks YouTube's first partnership with radio operations in Canada.

Net-neutrality advocates cry foul over Videotron music service

MONTREAL — Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron is giving itself an undue preference with a new service that allows its mobile customers to listen to music streaming without it counting against their data caps, net neutrality advocates say.

CRTC approves 2 radio acquisitions

The CRTC on Wednesday approved two separate applications for radio station acquisitions from Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. in Grand Prairie, Alta., and Media ClassiQ Inc. in Montreal and Quebec City.

Quebec radio station must play jazz

A Gatineau, Que., radio station on Tuesday was granted a seven-year licence renewal but was not relieved of the requirement that jazz and blues make up least 20 per cent of its musical programming.

Bell Media shakes up executive ranks

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media division has undergone a number of changes to its executive ranks, with four individuals leaving and one new one coming in.

The company confirmed in an email Tuesday that Phil King, president of CTV, sports and entertainment programming, has left. Also gone are: Adam Ashton, senior vice-president of English television and business operations; Chris Gordon, president of radio and local TV; and Charles Benoit, president of television and radio in Quebec. No explanation was provided for their departures.

Radio licences renewed, musical amendments denied

Two Alberta radio stations were granted licence renewals by the CRTC Friday, though both were denied requested changes to the makeup of the music they play.

Harvard Broadcasting Inc.'s CKEA-FM in Edmonton was granted a licence renewal until 2022. However, it was denied a requested amendment that it no longer be required to select 15 per cent of its music from the category known as "special interest music," and that 20 per cent of its blues and jazz selection no longer have to be Canadian.

Canadian OTT startup looks to take on the world

An emerging Canadian provider of over-the-top (OTT) video content hopes that reaching viewers around the world, and particularly those with very specific interests, translates into keys to success in the fast-changing television market.

CRTC denies 2 radio transmitter applications for Vancouver

The CRTC on Friday denied two separate applications requesting to add FM rebroadcasting transmitters in Vancouver for better radio transmission quality from Four Senses Entertainment Inc. and Corus Entertainment Inc.

Federal election debates enter YouTube era

Google Inc. said Tuesday that this Thursday's federal election debate will mark the first time such an event has been broadcast live and in full on its YouTube platform. 

CRTC extends deadline in French-language music review

The CRTC has extended the deadline in its review of the rules for French-language vocal music on the radio from Sept. 3 to Sept. 14.

Unions criticize Senate report on CBC

The National Communications Federation (FNC-CSN) and the union representing Radio-Canada employees are criticising a recent report on the future of the CBC/Radio-Canada issued by the Senate’s transport and communications standing committee.

FNC-CSN and the Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada said that the report had many inconsistencies and did not include enough solutions to the public broadcaster's problems.

CBC should ‘explore alternative funding models’: Senate committee

The Senate's transport and communications standing committee is recommending that CBC/Radio-Canada “explore alternative funding models and additional ways to generate revenue to minimize the Corporation’s dependence on government appropriations.”

CRTC to review rules for French-language music content

The CRTC announced Monday it plans to review rules for French-language vocal music on the radio.

It said in a release that it would re-examine the current framework in order “to ensure that it takes into account the current and future environment” of music.

The aim of the review will be to make sure that French-language vocal music is better discovered, promoted, created and consumed, especially in light of the ongoing movement toward listening to music on platforms other than the radio, the release noted.

Corus reports revenue decline for TV, radio

Corus Entertainment Inc. on Tuesday reported declining revenue in its third quarter in both its television and radio operations, as it ended the period with a net loss of more than $8 million

The company said in a press release that revenue was down 5.1 per cent from a year earlier to $203.1 million. Television revenue was down 4.6 per cent to $162.8 million and radio revenue declined 7.2 per cent to $40.4 million, it said.

French-language radio stations to combine sales

The CRTC said Wednesday that two separately owned French-language commercial radio stations in Gatineau, Que., will be allowed to combine their sales teams.

The stations involved are Cogeco Cable Inc.-owned CKOF-FM, which has a talk format, and RNC Media Inc.-owned CHLX-FM, also known at Rythme FM, which broadcasts adult-contemporary music and jazz.

Rick Brace to replace Keith Pelley at Rogers

Rogers Communications Inc. said Tuesday that Rick Brace will become president of its media division later this summer, replacing outgoing media president Keith Pelley.

Rogers said in a press release that Brace will assume the new role on Aug. 10. It said he has more than 35 years of sports and media experience, including presidential roles at TSN — which he helped start — and CTV.

International Datacasting names co-CEOs

International Datacasting Corp., the Ottawa-based maker of broadcasting technology, said Monday that Chris Barrett and Steeve Huin have been appointed co-CEOs of the company.

Barrett and Huin replace Doug Lowther, who will be available to assist the company transition to the new management, International Datacasting said in a press release. It said Barrett was formerly vice-president of engineering and operations, Huin was vice president of products and services, and both have held leadership roles with the company for the last two years.

CBC gives Susan Marjetti top radio job

Susan Marjetti has been appointed executive director of radio and audio for CBC's English services, CBC/Radio-Canada announced Tuesday.

CBC said in a news release Tuesday that Marjetti has been with the broadcaster for almost 30 years, most recently as managing director of CBC Toronto and the region of Ontario for the last five years.

CMF to go on cross-country consultation

The Canadian Media Fund (CMF) said Tuesday it will be going across the country for a consultation process this fall.

It said in a press release that the consultation process will include several components, including focus groups in 18 different cities across all provinces and territories, and industry working groups.

CRTC calls for radio licence applications in Vancouver

The CRTC is asking for applications for radio stations in the Vancouver area, which it said in its “preliminary view” would “best be served by proposals targeting the ethnic communities,” though it noted that it would consider other types of applications.

CRTC revokes licences for 5 aboriginal radio stations

The CRTC said it was yanking the broadcast licences of five aboriginal radio stations, all operated by a company called Aboriginal Voices Radio Inc., for years of non-compliance with licence conditions and radio regulations.

The stations operate under the call sign CKAV in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa. The CRTC said in a press release that this broadcaster, which first attained licences in the early 2000s, "has not fulfilled its mandate to reflect the distinctive place of the aboriginal community in Canadian society."

Is government easing off on spectrum-transfer policy?

Speculation that the federal government is poised to approve the acquisition of Mobilicity and its spectrum by Telus Corp. or Rogers Communications Inc. has some observers disagreeing whether this would represent a major departure for the federal government in its spectrum-transfer policy.

Commercial-radio revenue down 0.5%: CRTC

The CRTC on Monday said commercial-radio revenue in Canada was down 0.5 per cent for the 12 months ended last August, describing the trend as “stable from the previous year in spite of competition from satellite, online and mobile services."

It said commercial-radio revenue fell to $1.61 billion from $1.62 billion.

The release said local advertising for AM and FM stations decreased by 2.9 per cent to $1.09 billion in 2014, while national advertising sales rose by 4.4 per cent to $497.4 million.

International Datacasting shareholders reject acquisition

Shareholders of broadcasting-technology maker International Datacasting Corp. have rejected the proposed sale of its key assets to a San Diego-based company.

International Datacasting, an Ottawa-based company, said in a press release Friday that 41.5 per cent of votes cast were in favour of the sale to Pico Digital Inc. and 58.5 per cent were against. It said the transaction required approval from at least two-thirds of shareholders.

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.

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.

Robert Blair appointed new Copyright Board chairman

Industry Canada announced Wednesday the new appointment of Robert Blair as the new chairman of the Copyright Board of Canada.

Blair was appointed to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in November 2003 and served for 12 years as a trial judge, Industry Canada said in a press release. He has presided over multiple matters with a particular focus on commercial cases, working out of Toronto, it added.

Quebec, Ontario request more funding for CBC

Quebec and Ontario are making the case to federal political parties for more financial support for CBC/Radio-Canada.

The offices of Jean-Marc Fournier, Quebec’s minister of Canadian intergovernmental affairs, and Madeleine Meilleur, Ontario’s minister of francophone affairs, said in a joint press release Monday that the NDP and Liberals accepted an invitation to a meeting held that day, and that Fournier presented them with observations from a report that was published last week.

Quebec radio acquisition approved

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

Government reducing rural satellite spectrum fees

Industry Canada said Tuesday that it is reducing licensing fees on spectrum for companies whose satellite technology provides telecommunications services to Canadians in rural or remote areas.

The department said in a press release that the new fee structure would take effect on April 1, 2016. Jake Enwright, spokesman for Industry Minister James Moore, said in an email that the changes would save satellite companies $5 million a year. How they would affect each operator depends on how many spectrum licences they have, he added.

Little growth in music streaming services: MTM

Media Technology Monitor (MTM), a project of CBC/Radio-Canada, said in report released Wednesday that the percentage of anglophones using "personalized" audio streaming services over the last year or so has been relatively flat.

MTM said 19 per cent of those surveyed last fall said they use personalized audio services, which is defined as a streaming service "available on the Internet which allows users to select from a number of possible streams and to customize playlists." This included pay services and free services that are ad-supported.

Industry Canada streamlines satellite-station licensing

Industry Canada said Friday that it is implementing a single-licence system for operators of large networks of satellite-to-earth communication stations, a move the department said would save companies in the sector at least $1 million a year.

The government said in a press release that when combined with other changes introduced since 2006, its policies are saving radio, spectrum and satellite users about $10 million annually.

Corus reports Q2 loss

Corus Entertainment Inc. reported an $86.8 million loss for its second fiscal quarter, attributed largely to writedowns in the value of radio-broadcast licences and other associated goodwill charges.

The company said in a press release Thursday that this compared to a profit of $6.1 million in the same period a year earlier.

Corus puts Mario Cecchini in charge of radio

Corus Entertainment Inc. on Tuesday said it has made Mario Cecchini president of Corus Radio, effective immediately.

Corus CEO Doug Murphy said in a press release that Cecchini has more than 25 years of experience in the radio industry, which "will serve our Radio division well as we continue to evolve and adapt our business to the changing needs and listening habits of our listeners."

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.

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.

Doug Murphy takes over as Corus CEO

Corus Entertainment Inc. on Monday announced that Doug Murphy taken over the job of president and CEO from John Cassaday, who has retired after 15 years in this role.

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.

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.

CBC considers sale of Toronto headquarters: report

CBC/Radio-Canada is considering selling its headquarters in Toronto, according to a report in the National Post.

An article published Thursday said a consultant has been hired to determine whether it should sell the million-square-foot building. Fred Mattocks, general manager of media operations for CBC's English services, is quoted as saying it only needs one-third of the space there, though it would like to remain a tenant.

CBC to focus spending on content, Conway says

OTTAWA — CBC/Radio-Canada will emphasize "content over all other expenditures going forward," Heather Conway, the public broadcaster’s executive vice-president of English services, told the Senate's transport and communications standing committee Tuesday.

“So that means when we have the choice of spending money on infrastructure or real estate or content, we will privilege the spending on content,” she said.

CRTC approves Acadian FM channel

The CRTC has approved an application from Radio Acadie ltée for a new French-language FM commercial radio station in Caraquet, N.B. to replace the company’s AM station.

A local French-language community station run by Radio Péninsule Inc., CKRO-FM, had filed an intervention asking the regulator not to approve the new station because it would saturate the market with similar content, reduce the advertising revenues for their station, and not add any diversity to the market.

Bell gets rights to FIFA World Cup until 2026

BCE Inc.’s Bell Media division said Thursday it has reached a 12-year agreement with FIFA for soccer tournaments including the men’s and women’s World Cups.

“With this extension, Bell Media’s CTV, TSN and RDS own exclusive Canadian media rights to the FIFA World Cup package from 2015-2026,” the company said in a release.

The deal also includes some of FIFA's other tournaments, such as the under-17 and under-20 events.

International Datacasting discussing sale

International Datacasting Corp., an Ottawa-based provider of technology for the broadcasting industry, said Tuesday it is in talks with an undisclosed party about the sale of the company.

International Datacasting said in a press release that the discussions are "preliminary in nature and there can be no assurance that they will result in a transaction."

It said it has established a committee of independent directors to assess the potential sale and other "strategic alternatives."

SOCAN reports record revenues for 2014

The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) said Tuesday that collected a record amount of royalties last year, based on preliminary results.

The collective representing songwriters, composers and publishers, said in a press release its total for the 2014 is expected to be $299 million, up eight per cent from $276 million in 2013, which itself was a record.

Alberta radio station can’t ditch folk music: CRTC

The CRTC issued a decision Friday the denied the operator of a Drumheller, Alta., radio station an amendment to its broadcasting licence that requires it make at least 10 per cent of the music it plays “folk or folk-oriented music.”

Senators going to U.K. as part of CBC review

Five Canadian senators are going to the United Kingdom this month on a "fact-finding mission" as part of a study on the difficulties faced by CBC/Radio Canada.

The Senate's transport and communications standing committee said in a press release that five members would be in London from Feb. 9 to 12, to consult with British parliamentarians, representatives of that country's public broadcaster, the BBC, and the BBC Trust, which is its governing body.

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.

CBC funding becoming political ahead of budget, election

MONTREAL — NDP Leader Tom Mulcair is promising, if elected, to reverse funding cuts imposed on CBC/Radio-Canada in recent years, though political observers do not expect the Conservative government to make any surprise moves regarding the public broadcaster in the coming months when it lays out its last budget before the next federal election.

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.

Corus numbers up slightly, CEO announces retirement

Corus Entertainment Inc. said Tuesday its revenues in the three-month period ending Nov. 30 were $227 million, up from $226 million in the same period a year earlier.

It reported profits of $93.28 million, compared to $92.28 million a year earlier, according to a press release. Television profits made up $83.78 million of that number, up from $82.52 million last year.

Sirius reports higher Q1 earnings

Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc. on Monday reported higher profits, revenue and subscriber numbers for its first fiscal quarter ended Nov. 30.

The provider of satellite radio service said in a press release that earnings for the quarter were $8 million, up from $4.8 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Revenue was up 3.3 per cent to $79 million.

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.

CBC cuts local TV newscasts, adds French digital services

CBC/Radio-Canada is making changes to its news operations across Canada, cutting back on the length of its evening TV newscasts and introducing new French-language digital content.

The public broadcaster said in a Thursday press release that its 90-minute local English TV newscasts will switch to either a 60-minute or a 30-minute format, and that it will begin televising its local Radio One morning shows.

There will also be new “local hourly news breaks” on television throughout the day, CBC said.

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.

ACTRA lobbies federal politicians

Representatives of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) union are in Ottawa this week, trying to drum up federal-government support of Canada's cultural industries.

ACTRA said in a press release Wednesday that it wants "long term, stable investments" in production vehicles such as the Canadian Media Fund, Telefilm, the National Film Board and CBC/Radio Canada, along with "equitable tax treatment" for Canadian artists.

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.

Bell Media cuts 80 jobs

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media division cut 80 full-time jobs, the company confirmed Thursday.

Bell Media said in an emailed statement that the operation, which includes CTV, CTV News Channel, TSN, and various other TV and radio properties, represents about 1.3 per cent of Bell Media's workforce.

"The difficult decision was made as the result of continued financial pressure in relation to the industry-wide challenging advertising market for radio and TV," the statement said.

‘Weak’ advertising market here to stay: experts

Canada’s largest media companies take it as a given that the current market for advertising on traditional broadcast media is weak, but experts say broadcasting is shifting to a new normal as online advertising becomes the dominant platform for advertising.

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.

Mary Ann Turcke to head Bell Media sales

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media said Monday that Mary Ann Turcke was appointed group president of its media sales division for local TV and radio.

John Bitove stepping down as Sirius chairman

John Bitove is stepping down as chairman of satellite radio operator Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc., the company said Thursday.

SiriusXM Canada said in a press release that Bitove, who among other things is the founder of wireless carrier Mobilicity, will resign from the chairmanship but seek election as a director on the board at the company's annual meeting in January.

SiriusXM Canada said its board has nominated current director and former Rogers Media president Tony Viner to become the next chairman.

Internet, TV becoming bigger sources of news

Internet and television have become more prominent as primary news sources for anglophone-Canadian adults over the last two years at the expense of print media and radio, according to a new report.

Media Technology Monitor (MTM), a project of CBC/Radio-Canada, said in a report released this week that a survey taken this spring had 43 per cent of respondents saying TV was their main source of news, 33 per cent chose the Internet, and radio or print were each picked by 12 per cent.

Public to be consulted on radio applications

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

Sonja Chong appointed to CBC board

Sonja Chong has been named a part-time member of the board of directors for CBC/Radio-Canada.

Heritage Minister Shelly Glover announced Chong's appointment Monday in a press release that also said Chong would serve at term of five years.

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.

BCE says most Aliant common shares tendered

BCE Inc. and Bell Aliant Inc. said Friday that a vast majority of the common shares of the latter have been tendered to the former, and that the whole deal should be completed on or around the end of this month.

The companies said in joint press release that as of Thursday, which was the deadline for the offer on publicly traded common shares of Bell Aliant not yet owned by BCE, more than 90 per cent of stock sought had been tendered.

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.

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.

Heidi Rasmussen to manage Pattison radio stations in Winnipeg

The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group on Thursday announced that Heidi Rasmussen has been made general manager of two radio stations in Winnipeg.

It said in a press release that Rasmussen would be responsible for the growth, strategy and day-to-day operations of QX104 and FAB 94.3. The company said Rasmussen was previously the general sales manager at Shaw Communications Inc.'s Global Winnipeg TV station.

Emergency-alert system cooperation to become mandatory

The CRTC said in a Friday release it is making participation in a national emergency-warning system mandatory for broadcasters.

Cable and satellite providers, radio stations, over-the-air television broadcasters and video-on-demand services must all begin to issue public alerts such as warnings about tornadoes, floods and industrial disasters, as well as Amber Alerts, by March 31, 2015.

Campus, Native and community-based broadcasters will have another year to comply, and must broadcast the warnings by March 31, 2016.

ACTRA ratifies 3-year contract for advertising

The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) said Monday its members have ratified a new three-year collective agreement with the Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA) and Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA).

ACTRA said in a press release that the deal received 98.5 per cent approval from members and covers July 1 this year to June 30, 2017.

Vancouver station stuck with Canadian blues

A Vancouver radio station has received a renewal of its broadcast licence for the next five years, though it has been denied its request for relief on certain content requirements in the music it plays.

Non-licensed B.C. radio stations face CRTC hearing

The CRTC said Wednesday it will hold a hearing this fall that considers three radio stations it says are in violation of the Broadcasting Act by operating out of British Columbia's Lower Mainland and having their signals transmitted from the United States back into Canada without a CRTC-issued licence.

The operators in question are Radio India (2003) Ltd. and Radio Punjab Ltd. of Surrey, and Sher-E-Punjab Radio Broadcasting Inc. of Richmond.

Re:Sound seeks big hikes in music royalties

Musicians and recording companies are seeking significantly more money from broadcasters and online streaming services in Canada for use of their recordings, according to applications filed with the Copyright Board of Canada.

CRTC chooses Clear Sky radio application for Cranbrook

The CRTC has approved an application by Clear Sky Radio Inc. for a new radio station in Cranbrook, B.C., and denied an application by Newcap Inc. for a radio station in the same market.

The CRTC said Clear Sky’s application “best meets the needs of the Cranbrook radio market,” and that the new station would introduce competition and diversity into the market.

French-language Christian radio station approved for Ottawa

The CRTC has approved a broadcast licence for a French-language FM radio station in Ottawa that will play Christian music.

The commission said on its website that it has approved the application made by Fiston Kalambay on behalf of a to-be-incorporated, not-for-profit group.

A posting on the CRTC's website Tuesday said the station would target members of the French-language community in Ottawa between the ages of 13 and 55.

CRTC denies B.C. radio station CanCon changes

A B.C. radio station has been denied its request to reduce the amount of Canadian music it plays, the CRTC said on Tuesday when renewing the station’s licence.

CHWK-FM in Chilliwack, B.C., owned by Fabmar Communications Ltd., had asked the regulator to decrease the amount of Canadian content it plays from 6 a.m to 6 p.m. during the workweek to the CRTC’s minimum, 35 per cent, from the current 40 per cent.

Watchdog warns CBC, government about language obligations

Official Languages Commissioner Graham Fraser on Thursday warned CBC/Radio-Canada and the federal government about obligations they have to provide programming services in both official languages as the public broadcaster downsizes its operations in the coming years.

CBC plan’s emphasis on mobile not ‘logical’: analyst

CBC/Radio-Canada’s re-focusing of its priorities on its digital and mobile presence is “not a very logical thing to do,” said Barry Kiefl, president of Canadian Media Research Inc.

The public broadcaster said in a strategy paper released Thursday, called "A Space For Us All," that its priorities will be completely reversed from the current pecking order of TV followed by radio, online and mobile.

CBC to outline 5-year plan Thursday

CBC/Radio-Canada will unveil a five-year strategic plan to employees and the general public on Thursday, outlining how it intends to move forward in an era of increasingly limited financial resources.

France Bélisle, CBC's director of public relations, said in an email that a town hall meeting would be held for employees featuring CEO Hubert Lacroix and other executives. She added that details of the plan would be released to news media.

She said it will be a "new five-year plan that will bring CBC/Radio-Canada to 2020 and beyond."

CRTC renews B.C. radio licence with warning

The CRTC has renewed the broadcast license of a radio station in Salt Spring Island, B.C., though it warned that if the station does not comply with its regulatory requirements its license could be suspended or revoked.

On Friday, the commission said it renewed the broadcast license for CFSI-FM Salt Spring Island from Sept. 1, 2014 through Aug. 31, 2015, and at the same time issued mandatory orders requiring the station to comply with the commission’s radio regulations.

T-Mobile launching unRadio music streaming service

T-Mobile US Inc. and Rhapsody International Inc. are introducing a music streaming service that will not count against T-Mobile customers’ monthly data cap, the U.S. wireless carrier announced Thursday.

The new service, unRadio, will be ad-free, allow unlimited streaming and unlimited skipping, and let customers choose their own music, T-Mobile said in a press release. 

BBM changing name to Numeris

BBM Canada has changed its name to Numeris, the broadcast audience measurement company said Thursday.

It also announced a new logo and slogan, “Audiences Count.”

“Building on the foundation we have developed as a trusted and respected partner, the new brand identity articulates our key mandate — to partner with our members to be a driving force in shaping the Canadian media landscape,” CEO Jim MacLeod said in the press release.

More smartphone owners streaming audio, video: MTM

The number of anglophone Canadians who are streaming television content on their smartphones increased 71 per cent from a year earlier, according to a new report from Media Technology Monitor (MTM).

In 2013, 12 per cent of respondents reported watching TV on a smartphone, up from seven per cent a year earlier, according to MTM, a project of CBC/Radio-Canada.

“While smartphone TV streamers watch less traditional TV on a TV set, they more than make up for that time streaming TV,” said the report, released on June 5.