Corus closes Shaw Media deal, announces new exec slate

Corus Entertainment Inc. has closed its $2.65-billion acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc.’s media division and appointed a team of executive vice-presidents for the combined company.

Barbara Williams, formerly president of Shaw Media, is now chief revenue officer at Corus and will “oversee all strategic and operational aspects of generating audience growth and engagement across Corus’ platforms,” the company said in a press release Friday.

CRTC approves Shaw-Corus deal, with no tangible benefits

The CRTC has approved the acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc.’s media division by Corus Entertainment Inc., and decided not to require Corus to pay any tangible benefits, a contribution which could have amounted to $265 million had the regulator decided otherwise.

The commission said in a press release Wednesday afternoon that both Shaw and Corus have “been effectively controlled by the same person, Mr. JR Shaw,” since Corus was founded in 1999.

TV subscription rate down to 77%: MTM

The percentage of Canadians subscribing to TV service in Canada fell to 77 per cent in the fall of 2015, according to a new report released Tuesday by Media Technology Monitor, a project of CBC/Radio-Canada.

CRTC tells CCTS to step up enforcement, ‘naming and shaming’

In addition to expanding the mandate of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) Thursday to include TV service, the CRTC told the organization to make more use of enforcement tools at its disposal, including “naming and shaming.”

The CRTC said it believes that “promoting and monitoring compliance are necessary first steps in enforcement… it is not clear how much effort the CCTS has put into these activities or into enforcement, but at this point it would appear to be insufficient.”

As skinny basic arrives, experts doubt consumer appeal

On the day Canadian TV providers were required to make their skinny basic options available to consumers, experts expressed skepticism about how many Canadians will sign up for the new offers and their ability to improve the trend toward cord-cutting.

Drew McReynolds, an analyst with RBC Dominion Securities, said in a research note Tuesday that the new options launched by the TV providers “are designed to protect profitability and/or incentivize households to largely stick with existing channel bundles, which in some cases have been improved.”

Rogers to offer $3-$18 theme packs with skinny basic

Rogers Communications Inc.’s $24.99 skinny basic offer will include the U.S. "4+1” networks ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and PBS, and its theme packages will cost between $3 and $18.

Rogers spokeswoman Jennifer Kett sent details of the new offer, which will be available as of March 1, in an email Wednesday.

Satellite spectrum fees changing

Lower fees for spectrum used for satellite communication will go into effect on April 1.

According to a notice from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development published in last week's Canada Gazette and posted on the department website Friday, existing radio licence fees of $333 per MHz per year for fixed-satellite service and broadcasting-satellite service spectrum will fall to $120 per MHz per year.

Heritage committee to conduct study on news media

The House of Commons heritage committee will undertake a study on the news media.

The committee will hold at least 10 meetings that will study how Canadians and “especially local communities, are informed about local and regional experiences through” broadcast, digital and print media, it said in a motion passed Tuesday.

The committee will also look at “the unintended consequences of news media concentration and the erosion of local news reporting and the impact of news media.”

CMF, CMPA to help promote Canadian kids’ productions

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) said in a press release Monday that it has teamed up with eight organizations, including the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the BCE Inc.-supported Bell Fund, to help promote Canadian kids’ content and opportunities for Canadian producers at the Kidscreen Summit.

The conference, which will take place in Miami, Fla. this week, is “one of the world’s leading children’s entertainment content markets,” CMF said.

CRTC asks Bell, Rogers, Shaw, Quebecor to renew TV licences

The CRTC said Monday that BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc. and Quebecor Inc. should apply to renew their TV licences that will expire in 2017.

Bell profits down 8.8 per cent in Q4

BCE Inc. reported net earnings of $542 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, down 8.8 per cent from the same time a year earlier.

It said Thursday that final quarter revenues were up 1.4 per cent to $5.60 billion, up from $5.53 billion a year earlier.

Bell added that profits fell because of higher severance payouts, acquisitions and other costs, "of which $120 million related mainly to workforce restructuring initiatives.”

CRTC approves new hybrid VOD service

The CRTC has approved a video-on-demand licence application by Gold Line Telemanagement Inc., a Markham, Ont.-based company that offers over-the-top (OTT) subscriptions to international TV and radio services.

Videotron says original show breaks Illico viewing record

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron said Thursday that its over-the-top (OTT) service Club Illico’s original series Blue Moon reached 100,000 views in less than 48 hours within its launch.

Videotron said in a French press release that Blue Moon was the first show to receive so many views in such a short period of time in the history of Club Illico, and added that this was the first show across all categories of content to break the record.

It noted that the show was available to about 250,000 customers since Jan. 25.

CRTC news fund proposal would ‘gut’ community TV: Cogeco

Cogeco Communications Inc. told a CRTC hearing Wednesday that a plan the commission proposed to create a new fund for local TV news programming, to be funded by existing financial resources within the broadcasting system, would amount to “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Nathalie Dorval, Cogeco’s vice-president of regulatory affairs and copyright, said doing so “particularly when both Peter and Paul are increasingly losing customers and money to Uncle Sam, is neither an effective nor a fair public policy option.”

Bell, Channel Zero tell CRTC local TV needs help

GATINEAU — The first day of the CRTC’s hearing on local and community television painted a picture of traditional TV in flux, as operators of conventional stations said declining ad revenue is making local TV unsustainable, while Vice Media LLC said it’s moving into traditional TV in order to capture a wider range of advertisers.

CACTUS complaints result in 4 CRTC proceedings

The CRTC has grouped 61 complaints by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) into four Part 1 proceedings, giving Shaw Communications Inc., Cogeco Cable Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., and Eastlink until April 15 to respond.

Gusto TV sells show to South Korean 4K channel

Canada's Gusto TV on Tuesday announced that has sold one of its original shows to a South Korean 4K channel.

It said in a press release that 30 episodes of A is for Apple — a cooking-challenge program — had been sold UMAX, which is owned by Cable TV VOD Corp.

UMAX is known as becoming the first dedicated 4K channel in the world in 2014.

Rogers broadcasts first 4K NBA game

Rogers Communications Inc., the National Basketball Association and BT Group PLC’s BT Sport teamed up Thursday to produce the world's first live broadcast of an NBA basketball game in 4K, a Rogers spokesman confirmed Friday.

The game between the Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic, played at London's O2 arena, was to be made available to Rogers cable customers in Canada through 4K-capable NetBox set-top boxes on channel 999, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

Tangible benefits unclear for Corus-Shaw deal: expert

Regulatory approval of Corus Entertainment Inc.'s planned purchase of Shaw Communications Inc.'s media division shouldn't be a problem since there's no real change in who's controlling the assets, said one consultant, though there is some question as to how tangible benefits will apply in this deal.

CRTC proposes fund for local TV news

The CRTC is proposing a new fund to support local TV news programming, which would be funded by existing financial resources within the broadcasting system.

The proposal was included a paper released Tuesday, which will be used as a basis for discussion at an eight-day hearing on local and community television that begins Jan. 25.

CCTS to enforce TV service provider code

The Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) said in a press release Friday it will be responsible for administering the CRTC's new television service provider code of conduct.

TV service provider code takes effect September 2017

Television service providers have another 20 months before they are forced to abide by a new code governing their relationship with customers.

Community TV channels do not meet CRTC standards: CACTUS

The Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) said Thursday that most cable community TV channels do not meet CRTC standards for operating a community TV channel, according to one of the organization's members.

TV regulatory changes could cost 15,000 jobs: report

New CRTC regulatory changes from the Let’s Talk TV decisions could lead to a loss of more than 15,000 Canadian jobs and take $1.4 billion from the Canadian economy annually by 2020, according to a new report released Tuesday that was co-authored by independent TV consultant Peter Miller and research company Nordicity.

Content on multiple platforms can lower future revenue: report

Having premium content on linear TV and on over-the-top (OTT) services can cause adverse effects on revenue growth and will cause consumers to expect lower costs for premium TV content, according to a new report from Needham & Co. LLC.

TV ads most influential among Canadians: survey

In a survey of Canadian adults, 57 per cent said they are most likely to notice an advertisement while watching TV, compared to 13 per cent who said they were most likely to do so while listening to the radio and only two per cent who said they were likely to do so watching video content on a mobile device, according to a new survey conducted by Thinktv Inc. that was released Wednesday.

Yahoo launches mobile app in U.S. to find OTT content

Yahoo Inc. announced Thursday the launch of its Yahoo Video Guide mobile app for customers in the United States to search for video content across multiple services they have installed on their devices.

The company said in a blog that customers will be able to “quickly and seamlessly search” for content in order to find out which over-the-top content provider is streaming programming they want to watch. The post added that customers can click on the content and will be redirected to the app where that content is available.

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.

Bell denied requests for no quota on independent programming

The CRTC on Friday approved requests from BCE Inc. to delete many genre-related terms on its licences for three different specialty channels, but it was denied in all three instances its requests that the requirement that 25 per cent of Canadian programming, other than news, current affairs and sports, come from independent production companies.

DHX produces new kids TV show to air in Canada, U.K.

DHX Media Ltd. announced Thursday it has been commissioned by BBC’s children's broadcasting arm, CBBC, in the U.K. to produce two seasons of Airmageddon, a new TV show for kids that features competitive radio-controlled drone flying.

It said in a press release that the show will be produced by DHX in collaboration with U.K.-based Conceive Media Ltd., and added that DHX will be responsible for distribution and licensing of the show in Canada and globally. 

CRTC denies application to amend third-language exemption order

The CRTC denied an application from Ethnic Channels Group Ltd. Wednesday to amend the exemption order for discretionary TV services serving fewer than 200,000 subscribers in order for third-language undertakings to devote 15 per cent each week to Canadian programs rather than 15 per cent of the broadcast year and the evening broadcast period.

Amazon offers to link video producers to audiences

Amazon.com Inc. announced Tuesday it is launching an over-the-top (OTT) streaming subscription program for video providers to reach out to Amazon Prime members, and will also allow Prime members to add other video subscription services onto their membership.

It said in a press release that, for video providers, Amazon will be responsible for driving subscriber acquisitions, managing customer care services as well as payment services and managing compatibility of OTT services across different devices.

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.

ADR files complaint against Bell

A Quebec TV station that focuses on disseminating public-safety and police-related information has filed a complaint against BCE Inc. for its impending exclusion of carriage of the channel, though the CRTC has ordered Bell to keep ADR.TV (Avis de recherche) available for subscribers at least until the matter is sorted out.

DHX signs 5-year deal with DreamWorks

DHX Media Ltd. announced Tuesday it has signed a five-year deal with DreamWorks Animation LLC to produce, broadcast and distribute content across several channels.

DHX said in the press release that it will be co-producing 130 episodes of original animated children’s content at the DHX studios and will broadcast on its Family Channel, Family Jr., Family CHRGD and Télémagino channels. It added that DHX will manage distribution of content within Canada and DreamWorks will manage distribution around the rest of the world.

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.  

Blue Ant sells content to Asia

Blue Ant Media Inc.’s international division announced Friday it has made sales of more than 175 hours of content from its catalogue of factual, factual entertainment, nature and wildlife, lifestyle and documentary series to channels in the Asian market.

Blue Ant to distribute Cream Productions content

Blue Ant Media Inc.’s international division announced Tuesday in a press release that it has signed a multi-year, exclusive distribution deal with Cream Productions Inc., an international factual content creator based in Toronto.

Bell holds out on distributing Bloomberg TV

When Channel Zero Inc. announced the launch of its Bloomberg TV Canada channel this week, it listed every TV-service provider that was carrying it and absent from that list was Canada's biggest provider of TV service.

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.

Telus, Cogeco challenge Bell appeal of wholesale code

Telus Corp. and Cogeco Cable Inc. have filed their opposition to BCE Inc.'s attempt to fight, before the Federal Court of Appeal, the CRTC's wholesale code governing relationships between television stations and TV-service providers.

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.

Market has adjusted to 2-year wireless contracts: analyst

Third-quarter results indicate the mobile market has adjusted to the higher-priced, two-year contracts that became the norm after the CRTC implemented the wireless code in 2013, says Scotia Capital telecom analyst Jeff Fan.

In a research note issued Monday evening, Fan said this assertion is based on data showing that, for the first time in three years, all the publicly traded wireless carriers in Canada combined reported higher net gains for postpaid customers than a year earlier.

CRTC says 30-day cancellation ban not for single channels

The CRTC on Friday made certain clarifications about the policy implemented early this year to prohibit providers of telecommunications services from requiring 30-days' notice of subscription cancellations.

Responding to concerns expressed by some providers, it said the regulation would be modified to explicitly state that the policy only applies to the cancellation of TV services as a whole, not individual channels or particular packages.

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.

Bell becomes largest TV provider for Canadians

BCE Inc. announced Wednesday that the popularity of its Fibe TV service has made its the largest TV provider in Canada for the first time with more than 2.7 million customers across the country.

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.

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.

Bell Media asks for CBC disaffiliations in B.C.

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media division has asked the CRTC to approve the disaffiliation of two TV stations it owns in British Columbia from CBC/Radio-Canada.

CRTC approves change of licence conditions for OWN

The CRTC approved Wednesday an application from Corus Entertainment Inc. on behalf of OWN Inc., the Oprah Winfrey Network, to amend certain conditions of its broadcasting licence as well as its terms-of-trade agreement.

New Star Wars movie coming to Netflix in Canada only

Canadian Netflix Inc. subscribers will be the only ones able to stream Walt Disney Co.'s Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2016.

A Netflix representative confirmed in a phone call that the seventh installment, and latest release, in the movie franchise is slated to be available on Netflix eight months after the movie is out of movie theatres in Canada, the only jursdiction where it will be available on the streaming service.  

CRTC denies ownership transfer of ethnic channel

The CRTC denied Thursday a transfer of ownership application submitted by NMTV Inc., a national third-language general interest ethnic specialty channel.

The application, which was filed on Aug. 1, requested the commission change NMTV's ownership and licence. It was denied because “a broadcasting licence cannot be issued, amended or renewed if the application is submitted by a non-Canadian,” the CRTC said.

Shaw sees 40% rise in profits in Q4

Shaw Communications Inc. announced Thursday a 43.8 per cent increase in its fourth quarter profits.

CBC gets rights to 2022, 2024 Olympic Games

CBC/Radio-Canada said in a press release that it has secured the broadcasting rights for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the 2024 Olympic Games.

Liberal government positive for big telecoms: analyst

A telecom-market analyst says incumbent telecommunications-service providers would benefit under a Liberal government.

Scotia Capital analyst Jeff Fan said in a research note released the Friday before Monday's election: "A Liberal majority could be a fresh and positive change for the incumbents."

He said that while a Liberal government would not want to see less competition in the telecom sector or higher prices, it would likely take an approach "very different from that of a Conservative majority."

Supreme Court denies Bell appeal against Quebecor

The Supreme Court on Thursday denied BCE Inc.'s appeal of damages it was ordered to pay Quebecor Inc. subsidiaries for the hacking of Bell's satellite-TV service a decade or more ago and the lost revenue that resulted among competing providers of TV service.

The case was dismissed with costs, with the court providing no reason for its decision. Quebecor said in a press release that Bell now owes it $141 million, including interest and expert fees.

Corus expands original content distribution to U.S. broadcasters

Following Corus Entertainment Inc.’s announcement at MIPCOM, the global entertainment content conference, it said in a press release Monday that it has signed deals to distribute its original content to two U.S. broadcasters.

Corus said that Walt Disney Co.’s ABC Family has secured the rights to Cheer Stars, and Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. has secured the rights to Masters of Flip.

Federal election unlikely to change telecom policy: Huang

Barclays Capital analyst Phillip Huang said in a research note Monday that, despite the uncertain outcome of this month's federal election, a significant change in policy with regard to telecommunications is unlikely.

Huang noted that polls have indicated a close race between the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP, with a minority government looking likely. He added that "minority governments have historically shied away from pushing any significant/contentious new policy objectives."

Pick-and-pay TV prices could reduce cord cutting, say experts

Prices for TV subscriptions in the coming pick-and-pay era will be one of the main factors determining how over-the-top (OTT) video services are affected, say experts, noting that competitive pricing in TV packages might curb the cord-cutting trend. 

Bell seeks exemption from emergency alert requirements

BCE Inc. is asking the CRTC to amend its condition of licence that requires it to distribute emergency alerts to satellite-TV customers who still have a set-top box that isn’t capable of receiving the alerts.

OMNI TV to air first original series

Rogers Communications Inc.’s OMNI TV announced Wednesday it will be broadcasting its first production of an original series on its channel.

OMNI said in the release that the show, titled Blood and Water, will be a Chinese crime drama that was filmed in Vancouver and will be available in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.

TV wholesale code finalized, takes effect in January

The CRTC on Thursday released a final version of its anticipated wholesale code governing the business relationships between TV-service providers and channel operators, which, among other things, bans provisions that would prevent a particular channel from being offered on a stand-alone basis or as part of a package that customers can create themselves.

The rules, which take effect on Jan. 22, will also ban so-called penetration-based rate cards (PBRCs) that require service providers to compensate channel operators when certain thresholds for advertising revenue are not met.

CRTC to review local, community-TV regulations

The CRTC is asking whether maintaining a physical presence in an area is necessary to produce local programming and whether community-access TV is still relevant as part a proceeding on local and community television it announced Monday.

The regulator said it will review its policies on local and community-TV programming, and hold a public hearing on the matter early in the new year.

Incognito says it can save ISPs millions

Incognito Software Systems, a Vancouver-based provider of Internet account management services, announced Thursday a new line of services it says can save broadband providers millions of dollars by preventing fraud and finding mistakes.

Shaw asks for exemption from public alert system

Shaw Communications Inc. has filed an application asking the CRTC to exempt it from the requirement, as a condition of licence, that all its satellite-TV customers be able to receive messages from the National Public Alerting System (NPAS).

In an application that appeared on the CRTC's website Wednesday, Shaw said it has about 181,000 Shaw Direct customers that still have receivers that are not capable of receiving NPAS alerts. It asked that the exception remain in place until it can replace all these older receivers.

CMF provided $365.5B in funding last year

The Canadian Media Fund (CMF) said Monday that it provided $365.5 billion in funding for television and digital-media productions last year.

That's up from $354.5 billion that it reported spending in the previous year's annual report.

The CMF said in a press release Monday that money spent in the 2014-15 fiscal year, which ended in March, triggered $1.3 billion in activity in the Canadian video-production industry, up 11.3 per cent from the year before.

Sprint offers free service to DirecTV customers

U.S. wireless carrier Sprint Corp. is offering free service to customers of DirecTV, the satellite-TV provider that was recently purchased by AT&T, a competitor to Sprint in the mobile market.

Sprint said in a press release that between Aug. 28 and Sept. 30, DirecTV customers who opt for Sprint mobile service, or add additional services with Sprint, can receive unlimited talk and text for a year and 2 GB per month of data on up to five lines, if using a non-subsidized smartphone.

DHX snags 6 broadcasters for new show

DHX Media Inc. announced Wednesday it has signed six broadcasters globally to air a new BBC-commissioned TV show called Twirlywoos.

CBS, Cablevision carriage agreement features streaming

CBS Corp. and Cablevision Systems Corp. announced on Tuesday that CBS All Access and Showtime streaming services will be delivered to Cablevision’s Optimum Online customers as part of a multi-platform carriage agreement.

Bell says non-refundable monthly payments are OK

BCE Inc. says in a filing with the CRTC that it is not violating regulations by requiring customers to pay for various services by the month in advance and not providing partial refunds if subscriptions are ended before the paid-for period is finished.

Cord-cutting accelerated in first half of 2015: report

A report from Boon Dog Professional Services Inc. released Wednesday said Canada's publicly traded TV-service providers lost six times as many subscribers in the first half of 2015 than in the same period a year earlier.

FCC approves AT&T, DirecTV merger

The FCC announced Friday it has approved the merger of AT&T and cable- and satellite-TV provider DirecTV.

FCC said in a press release that the terms of the merger between the largest U.S. telephone and Internet service provider and the largest U.S. satellite video provider will require the merged company to expand and deploy its services to 12.5 million customer locations, schools, and libraries.

Wireless price hikes affecting other telecom spending: report

“Sharp” price hikes in wireless service over the past year are prompting people to reduce how much they spend on other telecommunications services, according to a Conference Board of Canada report released Thursday, though some analysts say they wouldn’t necessarily draw the same conclusion.

The Conference Board said in a press release that the cost of telecom services, along with “changing consumption habits and a slower economy, will cause Canadian consumers to reassess their telecommunications spending in 2015."

Bell overcharging departing customers, says Quebecor

Quebecor Inc. has filed an application asking the CRTC to force BCE Inc. to stop charging customers after the date they cancel telecommunications services.

TV tangible-benefits spending up 27% last year: report

Companies spent $138.7 million on TV-related tangible benefits in Canada in the 12 months ended Aug. 31 last year, marking a 27 per cent increase from a year earlier, according to TV-industry research company Boon Dog Professional Services Ltd.

Broadcaster challenges 2-year-old CRTC decision in court

ADR.TV said Friday that it has applied to Federal Court for a judicial review of the CRTC's decision in August 2013 not to grant it mandatory carriage on basic TV packages in Quebec past Aug. 31 of this year.

The channel said in a press release that it is a "public interest television network," providing police bulletins 24-hours-a-day on missing people and suspects at large.

CRTC approves 7 non-Canadian TV channels

The CRTC on Friday granted approval for seven non-Canadian television channels to be distributed in Canada, six of which were sponsored by BCE Inc.

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.

BDUs worried about wording in new cancellation regulation

Canadian TV providers are worried the wording the CRTC proposed to prohibit policies requiring 30-day notice to cancel TV services could be interpreted to apply to the cancellation of individual channels.

Rogers Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc., TekSavvy Solutions Inc. and Eastlink all expressed the same concern in interventions posted to the CRTC website Friday and Monday, and asked the CRTC to clarify its wording.

‘Golden age of TV’ facing changes: panel

TORONTO — There has never have been a better time than now to be a consumer of television, it was said during a panel discussion Wednesday at the Canadian Telecom Summit, but it was also discussed how big changes are afoot, and those in the industry are facing uncertainty.

Peter Miller, chairman of Interactive Ontario, which promotes the digital-media content industry, spoke about how now is the “golden age of TV” because consumers have never before had the ability to access whatever they want, when they want.

Misgivings expressed over proposed TV-service code

A number of Canadian broadcast distributors have taken issue with aspects of the CRTC’s proposed code governing the relationship between TV providers and their customers, including the requirement that distributors must notify customers when a channel changes its terms of service.

In interventions that had to be filed by Monday, Telus Corp. called that notification proposal a “bizarre requirement,” adding that there is “no reciprocal requirement for channels to alert TVSPs [television service providers] of any programming changes.”

Stingray plans to raise $140M from IPO

Stingray Digital Group Inc. announced Tuesday that its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange will include 22.4 million voting shares for total proceeds of $140 million.

Based on these prices, market capitalization for Stingray will be about $296 million, the company said in a press release.

The offering is set to close June 3, Stingray said.

CRTC consulting on 30-day notice ban for telecom services

The CRTC said Wednesday in a notice of consultation that it is looking for comments on its elimination of 30-day notice requirements for cancelling telecom services, which has been in effect since January.

CRTC opens online discussion on TV code

The CRTC said in a press release Tuesday it has opened an online discussion forum on a code of conduct for TV providers it proposed in March.

Broadcasters, BDUs at odds over proposed wholesale code

While many broadcasters and TV providers expressed support for the CRTC’s proposed changes to its wholesale code, which governs carriage agreements for TV channels, they took differing positions on whether the code should be mandatory and whether it should ban minimum penetration and revenue guarantees.

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.

Pay-per-view sports getting boost from boxing

Despite streaming services eating away at the profits of pay-per-view movies and TV shows, TV providers could see their biggest PPV revenues in history on Saturday as two of boxing’s biggest names fight in front of a worldwide audience.

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to face each other at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, in a fight that promoter and Top Rank Inc. CEO Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, told ESPN could raise $300 million US between ticket sales, pay-per-view sales and sponsorships.