30M tuning in to Olympics: CBC

The first 10 days of Olympic coverage were watched by about 30.4 million Canadians “across all networks and platforms,” CBC/Radio-Canada said Tuesday.

The ongoing Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, garnered peak eyeballs on Sunday, when 20.4 million Canadians tuned in, CBC said in a press release, with seven million alone tuning in for the men’s 100-metre running final.

TV still golden in multi-platform Olympic coverage: experts

While digital and mobile options for watching the Summer Olympics are gaining in popularity and engagement, television continues to own the podium for the Canadian outlet broadcasting the two-week multi-sport tournament happening now in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Competition Bureau warns fans about sports streaming fine print

The Competition Bureau said in a press release Monday that customers signing up for sports streaming websites should make sure they understand what they’re getting when they subscribe to such services.

Customers “should be aware that important information about the availability of some games may not be adequately disclosed, or may be buried in fine print disclaimers that are easy to miss,” it said.

Hockey heartache helps push TVA Group to $5.7M loss

A poor showing by the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens helped to usher in a $5.7 million net loss for TVA Group Inc., the broadcasting and magazine publishing arm of Quebecor Inc.

According to a report on its second quarter earnings, TVA Group said it brought in $144.2 million in revenue by the end of the three months ending June 30, compared to $159.4 million the same quarter a year earlier. The $5.7 million loss was higher than the $2.6 million it lost in the same quarter of last year.

Sports fans less likely to cut the cord: report

English-speaking sports fans are more likely to have TV subscriptions, according to new research from Media Technology Monitor (MTM).

Twitter to live-stream out-of-market MLB games

Canadians will be able to watch some Major League Baseball (MLB) games on Twitter Inc.’s social media service.

The company said in a press release Monday that it would live-stream out-of-market games from the MLB and the National Hockey League (NHL) in the United States.

Sports, conventional TV tame Corus gains on Shaw deal

Corus Entertainment Inc.’s first quarterly report since it bought Shaw Media showed the acquisition drove a significant increase in overall revenues, profits and expenses, despite a fall in the division’s revenue due to a drop in its conventional TV audience and advertising.

“I wouldn’t attribute the softness to anything but market conditions,” Doug Murphy, Corus’ president and chief executive officer, said on a Wednesday morning conference call with analysts.

Global sports channel approved, despite protest from Bell, Rogers

The CRTC has added One World Sports to its list of non-Canadian channels authorized for distribution, despite arguments from Rogers Communications Inc. and BCE Inc. that it would compete with their specialty sports services.

Live-stream of Wimbledon available on Twitter

ESPN is streaming live coverage of the Wimbledon tennis tournament on Twitter Inc.’s social media service.

The website states the live feed is brought to viewers by Wimbeldon and ESPN. It appears to have been made available without an official press release or announcement.

Stroumboulopoulos out, MacLean back at Hockey Night in Canada

George Stroumboulopoulos is leaving Hockey Night in Canada after two years of hosting the program, Rogers Communications Inc.’s Sportsnet said in a press release Monday.

“Stroumboulopoulos will depart the company to explore new creative opportunities,” the release added. Longtime host Ron MacLean will return to the program, hosting alongside Sportsnet reporter David Amber.

Sports now make up 50% of top 10 grossing channels: CRTC

Sportsnet One and TVA Sports are, for the first time, in the top 10 highest-grossing TV channels, according to the CRTC’s latest stats on Canadian programming—and of those top 10, five are sports channels.

The commission released its 2015 financial results for specialty, pay, pay-per-view (PPV) and video-on-demand (VOD) television services on Thursday.

TheScore launches Facebook Messaging bot for sports updates

TheScore Inc. launched its chatbot for Facebook Inc.’s Messenger on Wednesday, making it one of the first sports media companies to build a messaging bot to update users on sports developments.

The bot allows Facebook Messenger users to receive automated and up-to-date information on teams they follow, the company said in a press release.

CRTC within right to ban Super Bowl simsub, lawyers argue

The CRTC has every right to put measures into place banning simultaneous substation for the Super Bowl, according to new documents filed with the Appeal Court.

CBC’s Olympics coverage to include virtual reality

CBC/Radio-Canada’s coverage of the summer Olympics in Brazil will incorporate some virtual reality content.

The broadcaster said in a press release Wednesday that “it will provide viewers with both a 360-degree motion-sensitive stream as well as an immersive virtual reality stream for use with compatible headset technology.”

Simsub legal action not premature: Bell, NFL

Lawyers for BCE Inc. and the National Football League (NFL) fired back at the claim their legal action against the CRTC’s simultaneous substitution decision is premature in new legal documents filed with the Appeal Court.

CRTC revokes unused Shaw licences

The CRTC granted Tuesday Shaw Communications Inc.’s request to revoke broadcasting licences for Fox Sports World Canada and Global Reality Channel.

NFL to stream on Twitter, Canadian OTT rights still up for grabs

The National Football League (NFL) announced Tuesday a new deal with Twitter Inc. to stream NFL games on the social media platform, and though Canadians won’t have access, whether they’ll be able to watch through Rogers Communication Inc.'s Sportsnet Now OTT service instead still hasn’t been determined.

Both Rogers and the NFL confirmed the deal in which Twitter will live-stream 10 NFL games over the 2016 season won’t apply to Canada.

Exec cites ‘tipping point’ in customer demand as Sportsnet goes OTT

Rogers Communications Inc. will begin offering its Sportsnet channels without a TV subscription for $24.99 per month, the company announced Thursday.

Scott Moore, president of Sportsnet and NHL properties at Rogers, said in a phone interview that the company chose to do so because “this is what a certain segment of our consumer base is asking for. You would have to have your head in the sand over the last three to five years if you weren’t paying attention to the way people consume video content.”

Rogers launching 4K versions of Sportsnet channels

Rogers Communications Inc. will make two dedicated 4K sports channels available this week, the company announced Monday.

Sportsnet 4K and Sportsnet ONE 4K will be available as of April 1, the day before the first ultra-high definition broadcast of a Major League Baseball game featuring the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox, Rogers said in a press release.

Simsub order should wait until after court challenge, says Bell

The CRTC shouldn't be moving forward with its plan to end simultaneous substitution of the Super Bowl next year until related court challenges are settled, according to BCE Inc.

Canadian Super Bowl ads get biggest response: Bell

Commercials aimed at Canadians had the biggest impact during this month's Super Bowl, according to a study commissioned by BCE Inc.

According to a Bell press release issued Wednesday, 14 out of the 20 most-engaging ads in the Feb. 7 CTV broadcast came from "advertisers exclusive to the Canadian broadcast, while another four had a unique ad targeted to Canadians."

Business as usual for last simsub Super Bowl: Bell

There hasn’t been an increase in ad sales for Sunday’s upcoming Super Bowl, Perry MacDonald, senior vice-president of English television and local sales at BCE Inc.’s media division, said in a phone interview.

There is “no difference in sales volumes considering this could be the last year for simsub,” he said. “We’re still seeing a high level of interest overall from advertising."

Videotron to stream 4K sports content

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron announced Thursday it will be offering live sports in 4K quality to its Illico ultra-high-definition set-top-box customers.

The company said in a press release that it will stream 12 games in total – four upcoming Ottawa Senators NHL games and eight Toronto Raptors NBA games.

Videotron said in an email that these are the only games that will stream "for the moment," and will be produced by BCE Inc.’s TSN on channel 910.

Growth in telecom to lag behind economy: Conference Board

According to the Conference Board of Canada, high debt levels and weak job prospects will make it difficult for Canadians to increase spending on telecom services in 2016, limiting industry growth.

A new report said the"industry’s pace of growth has slowed remarkably in recent years, from an increase of more than [four] per cent in 2010 to a mere 0.4 per cent” the Conference Board forecasts for 2015.

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.

Bell launches another challenge to Super Bowl simsub rules

BCE Inc. has opened up its battle against the CRTC's plan to ban simultaneous substitution during the Super Bowl on another front.

Rogers dives into 4K video, gigabit Internet

Rogers Communications Inc. on Monday announced it is moving forward with two different kinds of technology — 4K video and gigabit-speed Internet — though one commentator says the success of either of these initiatives is uncertain.

Rogers CEO Guy Laurence said during a live-streamed press conference from Rogers Centre in Toronto — home of the Blue Jays baseball team — that 40 per cent of television sets sold in Canada this holiday season will be 4K.

"This is going to be a 4K Christmas," Laurence said.

Bell’s Super Bowl appeal ‘premature’: AG

The Office of the Attorney General, participating on behalf of the CRTC in BCE Inc.’s appeal of the commission’s decision to eliminate simultaneous substitution for the Super Bowl, has asked the Federal Court of Appeal to dismiss the case, with costs.

NHL Network broadcasting licence revoked

The CRTC on Thursday granted BCE Inc.'s request that the regulator revoke the broadcasting licence for the NHL Network.

BCE's Bell Media division had licensed the rights to the NHL Network in Canada, which operated as a Category B specialty channel. A letter from Bell to the CRTC, dated Aug. 21, said the channel was slated to cease operations on Aug. 31.

Nelson Millman joins Sirius to head NHL Network

Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc. said Thursday that Nelson Millman is its new program director for NHL Network Radio.

The satellite-radio operator said in a press release that Millman has 42 years of experience in radio, including as general manager of Toronto sports radio station The Fan 590, which is part of Rogers Communications Inc.'s Sportsnet family.

Rover to power mobile app for Pittsburgh Penguins

Rover Labs Inc., a Toronto-based maker of mobile engagement technology, announced Tuesday it is partnering with the Pittsburgh Penguins to bring fans exclusive content to their mobile devices at games through a new app.

The company said in a press release that fans attending games at Consol Energy Centre in Pittsburgh will be greeted with content such as concession offers and discounts to enhance “the fan experience.”

CBS to live-stream first regular-season NFL game

CBS Corp.’s sports division said Tuesday that next month it will live-stream a regular-season National Football League game for the first time.

NFL granted status in Bell simsub case

The Federal Court of Appeal has approved the National Football League as an intervener in the appeal BCE Inc. has made against the CRTC's decision to ban simultaneous substitution during the Super Bowl, starting in 2017.

An entry that appeared on court's website Monday indicated that the NFL would be permitted to submit evidence in this case.

NFL shouldn’t intervene in Super Bowl case: attorney general

The National Football League shouldn’t be granted leave to intervene in BCE Inc.’s challenge of the CRTC’s decision to eliminate simultaneous substitution during the Super Bowl, the attorney general said.

NFL seeks to intervene in Super Bowl simsub appeal

The National Football League has filed for permission to be an intervener in BCE Inc.'s appeal against the CRTC's decision to start banning simultaneous substitution during the Super Bowl.

A motion filed by the NFL with the Federal Court of Appeal this week said it has a direct financial interest in this matter. The partially redacted filing said it entered an agreement in 2010 with Bell's CTV network to provide Super Bowl coverage in Canada, and that agreement was updated and extended in 2013.

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 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.

Sports channels drive specialty-channel revenue boost: CRTC

In recent years, it has almost become conventional wisdom in the industry that sports content is a good way for broadcasters to buffer themselves from trends toward cord-cutting and online video, and CRTC numbers released Thursday seemed to back that up.

The regulator said in a press release that sports specialty channels, including BCE Inc.’s TSN and RDS and Rogers Communications Inc.’s Sportsnet, increased their revenues to $124.2 million in the 12-month period ending Aug. 31, up 13.6 per cent from a year earlier.

Rogers’ hockey content brings Sportsnet neck-to-neck with TSN

Rogers Communications Inc. and BCE Inc. both used Numeris data Tuesday to proclaim their sports channel is No. 1 in the market, a virtual tie that Rogers said was enabled by its hockey content.

CRTC sides with Bell in TVA dispute

The CRTC has ruled in favour of BCE Inc. in a dispute with Quebecor Inc. over carriage fees for Quebecor’s TVA Sports channel in the French-language market.

The CRTC said it found that “Bell’s offer to increase the current rate is more reasonable than Quebecor’s.”

Shrinking ad market squeezing TV broadcasters, CRTC data shows

Statistics presented by the CRTC on Monday showed Canada's over-the-air TV broadcasters are facing an increasingly tight advertising market.

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.

PIAC, seniors group denied costs in CRTC proceeding

The CRTC has denied an application by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations of British Columbia for reimbursement of about $13,500 for their participation in a complaint against Rogers Communications Inc.'s NHL GamePlus web product.

Playoff viewership up 40%, Rogers says

Viewership of the first round of the NHL playoffs is 40 per cent higher than last year at an average of 1.36 million viewers, Rogers Communications Inc. spokeswoman Jennifer Neziol said in an email.

Citing data from Numeris, she said the games between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens are attracting an average of 3.22 million viewers, which is 58 per cent higher the first round series between the same two teams in 2013, "and the highest average for either team in five years.”

Rogers revenue up, helped by NHL contract

Rogers Communications Inc. on Monday reported a 5.1 per cent annual gain in revenue for the first quarter, driven largely by a 26 per cent jump in its media division that benefited from Rogers' exclusive national rights to NHL hockey broadcasts.

Rogers enjoying playoff boost, but benefits hard to quantify

Having five Canadian teams reach the NHL playoffs for the first time in more than a decade is set to translate into a winning season for Rogers Communications Inc. as it completes the first of 12 years of a $5.2-billion rights agreement with the National Hockey League.

Keith Pelley leaving Rogers this summer

Rogers Communications Inc. said Friday that Keith Pelley will leave as president of the company's media division this summer to take over as CEO of the PGA European Tour.

BCE locks up French Open tennis through 2024

BCE Inc. announced Wednesday it has extended its deal with the French Tennis Federation to broadcast the French Open through 2024.

TSN and RDS will remain the exclusive Canadian home of the tennis Grand Slam tournament, the company said in a news release.

Jeffrey Orridge appointed CFL commissioner

Jeffrey Orridge, former head of CBC/Radio-Canada’s sports division, has been named the new commissioner of the Canadian Football League.

Orridge takes over for Mark Cohon, who served in the position for eight years.

According to a news release, the new commissioner has a degree from Harvard Law School and has worked in sports marketing and licensing with Time Warner Co. and Reebok International Ltd.

Orridge officially starts with the league on April 29.

Is broadcasting heading for more litigious environment?

BCE Inc.’s appeal of a CRTC decision to ban the use of simultaneous substitution for the Super Bowl in future years could be a sign of more conflict and court challenges to come as the broadcasting industry awaits further decisions from the CRTC’s Let’s Talk TV review, some experts are warning. 

Rogers includes NHL streaming, Shomi with new Internet packages

On Wednesday Rogers Communications Inc. announced a new brand of broadband Internet, Ignite, that comes bundled with subscriptions to two of Rogers' online video-streaming services.

The company said in a press release the new Internet packages will include Shomi, a joint streaming service owned with Shaw Communications Inc. that features movies and television series, and Rogers' own NHL GameCentre Live for hockey games. Individually, GameCentre costs $200 a season and Shomi is $8.99 a month.

Bell appeals CRTC’s Super Bowl simsub decision

BCE Inc. is launching a court challenge of the CRTC’s ban on the use of simultaneous substitution during the Super Bowl.

Bell Media spokesman Scott Henderson said in an email Monday that “the CRTC erred in law, exceeded its jurisdiction, and demonstrated a lack of awareness of Canadian attitudes, opinions, and values.”

IPhone 6 Plus data usage double that of regular iPhone 6: report

Users of Apple Inc.'s iPhone 6 Plus are using twice as much data as those with the iPhone 6, according to a report from Citrix Systems Inc.

The U.S. provider of workplace mobility technology said in a press release earlier this month that the bigger, 5.5-inch screens of the iPhone 6 Plus — compared to 4.7 inches for the regular iPhone 6 — leads more video viewing. Its report said that data usage on the iPhone 6 Plus is 10 times that of the iPhone 3GS.

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.

NHL interest declined over last year: SRG

Solutions Research Group Consultants Inc. (SRG) released results of a survey Tuesday that suggest interest among Canadians in following the National Hockey League declined over the last year.

The company said in a press release that the survey of 1,500 Canadians 12 and older in December found that 53 per cent followed the NHL either on TV or on digital media. That was down from 56 per cent in a similar poll done one year earlier.

CRTC says no to Bell meeting regarding simsub

The CRTC has turned down a request from BCE Inc. to meet and discuss the regulator's decision to get rid of simultaneous substitution for the Super Bowl starting in 2017.

Super Bowl worth estimated $15-$19M in ads for Bell

BCE Inc. said Friday that it will use its broadcast of the Super Bowl on its CTV network this Sunday to promote its original Canadian programming, including 19-2, Orphan Black and Masterchef Canada, which will air directly following the game.

Bell said in a press release that it devoted 12 minutes of airtime during last year’s game to promoting its original Canadian shows, which was worth more than $4 million.

Analyst says Rogers downgrade related to hockey

Canaccord Genuity analyst Dvai Ghose says concern over hockey viewership is among the reasons he downgraded the stock of Rogers Communications Inc. this week.

In a research note Wednesday, the telecom industry analyst pointed to a Toronto Star article that said the National Hockey League all-star game attracted 1.48 million viewers on Sunday, down from 2.54 million when the previous all-star game was played in 2012. The two-year layoff was the result of the Olympics last year and a player lockout in 2013.

YouTube to host own Super Bowl halftime show

For the first time, Google Inc.’s YouTube streaming service is hosting a live Super Bowl halftime show of its own that will stream during the break of the NFL championship game on Feb. 1.

Hosted by Harley Morenstein, Montreal-based creator of the Epic Meal Time web series, the halftime show will be live-streamed on the same Ad Blitz channel on which YouTube hosts its Super Bowl-related content, such as pregame and halftime advertisements from major brands as well as behind-the-scenes footage and other extra content.

Live sports, the lynchpin of traditional TV, making inroads to OTT

As new over-the-top (OTT) services continue to be launched both in Canada and the United States, online alternatives for live sports have also been increasing.

But in a world where live sports continue to be crucial for the traditional television system — and the kind of revenue only available through that system is necessary to pay for expensive sports rights — it seems companies will have to continue a balancing act between the two technologies.

Sports, news push mobile-video viewing in Q3: Ooyala

Sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Wimbledon tennis championship helped push mobile video in the third quarter of 2014, with mobile and tablets views making up 30 per cent of all worldwide online video, according to the latest report from online video company Ooyala Inc.

The company said in the report that mobile views in the third quarter doubled from the same period last year and quadrupled since the same period in 2012.

WWE Network, Sport Plus approved for distribution

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

Telus supports Bell complaint about GamePlus

Telus Corp. has filed a letter with the CRTC that supports BCE Inc.'s complaint against Rogers Communications Inc.'s online hockey streaming products.

Olympic rights deal ‘fiscally responsible,’ CBC says

CBC/Radio-Canada says it will either break even or earn a profit on its acquisition of the broadcasting rights for the 2018 Olympics in South Korea and the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

Rogers becomes first Canadian carrier to aggregate LTE spectrum

Rogers Communications Inc. said Friday it has become the first Canadian wireless carrier to combine spectrum bands for enhanced LTE service, a move it said will improve the mobile-video experience of its customers, particularly those streaming hockey coverage.

TSN mobile app available for Telus Optik customers

Customers of Telus Corp.’s Optik TV service can now access content from BCE Inc.’s TSN channels mobile devices, Telus said Friday.

“TSN's five national feeds are now available through Optik on the go,” the company said in a press release.

Rogers sells out ads for first week of NHL season

Rogers Communications Inc. has sold out advertising for the opening week of the NHL hockey season, which begins Wednesday, Rogers spokeswoman Jennifer Kett said in an email.

“For NHL opening week alone, we’ve closed more than 25 integrated sponsorships and counting, and Rogers Hometown Hockey activations are fully sold out with great partners like Scotiabank, Dodge, McDonald's, Samsung, and Xbox,” she said, adding there is “increased interest from corporate Canada.”

Rogers launches second-screen hockey app

Rogers Communications Inc. announced it is releasing a new hockey app that will give customers access to new camera angles and additional content like interviews and analysis.

“Exclusive to Rogers’ customers, and it is the ultimate second-screen experience,” said Rogers Media president Keith Pelley at the launch event in Toronto on Monday. “It allows our customers to select replays, to pick camera angles, to be the producer, to be the director.”

Shaw offers TSN, Sportsnet TV-everywhere apps

Shaw Communications Inc. said Thursday its customers can now access TV-everywhere products for BCE Inc.’s TSN and Rogers Communication Inc.’s Sportsnet specialty channels.

Rogers VP predicts end of TV broadcasting, as we know it

GATINEAU, Que. — You can’t assume that young people who have never had subscription-TV service will eventually get it, Ken Engelhart, Rogers Communications Inc.’s vice-president of regulatory affairs, told the CRTC on Thursday.

Videotron cites mobile TV as key in LTE launch

Four years after Videotron flipped the switch on a new wireless network, the carrier is launching an LTE network that president and CEO Manon Brouillette says will help the company deliver TV content to its mobile customers.

Videotron, owned by Quebecor Inc., was one of the companies that picked up set-aside spectrum in the 2008 AWS auction, and has been delivering HSPA service to the province of Quebec and the Ottawa region since September 2010.  

Rogers NHL streaming plan result of OTT shift: analyst

Rogers Communications Inc.'s launch of a hockey streaming product shows the company wants to "build up its OTT [over-the-top] capabilities" as more TV viewers move away from linear television and toward streaming options, RBC Dominion Securities analyst Drew McReynolds said.

TSN channel expansion starts Aug. 25

BCE Inc.'s TSN said Monday that it will debut its expanded format of five national broadcast feeds on Aug. 25.

Pay-per-view could stick around or go the way of the VHS

In 1985, a Los Angeles Times article explained that U.S. TV providers were planning to compete with “the burgeoning home-video business” that had “savaged” them by launching national pay-per-view (PPV) networks, which the Times explained was a “relatively new technology” allowing viewers to order programs much in the same way as “they buy movie theater tickets--or as they rent videocassettes.”

Rogers signs 10-year deal with WWE

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Thursday that it has signed a 10-year broadcast deal with wrestling promoter and entertainment company WWE that will make Rogers the exclusive distributor for the company’s pay-per-view events and a new all-WWE premium channel.

Rogers said in a press release it will sponsor an application to the CRTC to bring the WWE Network to Canada, and that it will offer a preview of the channel this summer to all cable, satellite, and TV providers for those who wish to subscribe.

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.

Telus to provide WiFi at Ottawa CFL stadium

The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, which owns the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks, said this week it has reached a 10-year deal with Telus Corp. to provide, among other things, free WiFi at the Redblacks' home stadium.

OSEG said in a posting on the Redblacks' website Monday that Telus is the "official communications supplier" for TD Place, the team's newly renovated stadium.

2014 World Cup most-watched ever, CBC says

CBC/Radio Canada said the 2014 FIFA World Cup was the most watched ever in Canada, with 30.7 million people viewing at least a portion of the month-long tournament.

The broadcaster said in a release Monday that the July 13 final between Germany and Argentina was the most-watched match of the tournament at 4.93 million viewers, “edging the 2010 Final for the record as the most-watched [World Cup] broadcast in Canadian history.”

TSN Radio to cover soccer World Cup

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media division said Monday that its TSN Radio network will have the radio rights to the FIFA World Cup that starts this week.

Bell said in a press release that TSN Radio's coverage would kick off on Thursday with the broadcast of a game between host country Brazil and Croatia. It added that its programming would include pre-game, post-game and halftime discussions with soccer analysts Gareth Wheeler, Kristian Jack, Jason deVos and Luke Wileman.

Rogers launches Sportsnet streaming service

Rogers Communications Inc. on Tuesday announced the launch of an online streaming service and mobile application for Sportsnet programing.

The company said in a press release the service is called Sportsnet Now, and for the time being is available as a "preview" to Rogers customers. Rogers spokesman Sebastian Gatica clarified in an email that this means those who subscribe to Sportsnet on Rogers cable.

World Cup presents chance to test 4K TV

When the World Cup begins in Brazil in two weeks, 3.2 billion people around the world will tune into the tournament, according to FIFA’s estimates.

And while many of them will cheer on their team through a high-definition television, some broadcasters will be using the World Cup as an opportunity to test 4K — or ultra-high-definition— television signals. 4K TVs have a resolution that’s about four times higher than regular high-definition sets.

Rogers announces first sponsorship in NHL deal

Distributors will pay for Rogers’ rich hockey deal: analyst

Broadcast distributors across the country are likely to pay for a big chunk of the billions of dollars for which Rogers Communications Inc. is on the hook as a result of the deal it struck for 12 years of exclusive national broadcast rights to National Hockey League games, says one analyst.

CBC to take Radio 2 off the air, advocacy group says

OTTAWA — CBC/Radio-Canada will stop over-the-air broadcasts of its Radio 2 service and make it an “exclusively on-line music offering,” advocacy group Friends Of Canadian Broadcasting said at a news conference on Thursday.

Africa Sports channel considered for distribution

The CRTC is considering an application to approve for distribution in Canada a U.S.-based channel that specializes in African soccer.

BeIN Sports gets carriage on Eastlink, Videotron

BeIN Sports Canada, the sports specialty television network owned by Qatari Sports Investments, said Tuesday that it is adding its channel to the East Coast and Quebec markets through Eastlink and Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron.