APTN commits to U.S. expansion

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) is launching an American sister network.

The All Nations Network (ANN) will be headquartered in New Mexico, with network distribution represented by Castalia Communications, APTN said in a Friday press release.

CRTC launches telecommunications database

The CRTC has a new online tool to help people find phone, mobile, Internet and television services in their area.

FCC opens “unlock the box” proposal to comment

A new proposal from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) aims to free TV subscribers from their leased set-top box agreements with cable and satellite operators.

In a 3-2 decision on Thursday, the U.S. regulator approved starting a process to "create a framework" to provide "innovators, device manufacturers and app developers" with the information necessary to develop new technologies "reflecting the many ways consumers access their subscription video programming today," the FCC said in a press release.

Shaw launches skinny basic package

Shaw Communications Inc. announced Wednesday it has launched its skinny basic TV package, called Limited TV.

The package, along with new small theme packs that can be combined with existing TV packages, is now available for purchase, Chethan Lakshman, vice-president of external affairs at Shaw, said in an email Thursday.

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."

CBC board to be gender-balanced: Joly

OTTAWA — Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly told a Senate committee Wednesday evening that the government aims to have a gender-balanced board of directors for CBC/Radio-Canada, as part of review of the governance structure of the public broadcaster.

“We want to make sure that there’s an open and transparent process in order [to] have the right governance,” she said at the Senate heritage committee, where she appeared as part of a study into ministerial mandate letters.

CRTC won’t change course despite appeals, criticism: Blais

CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said Wednesday the CRTC will stick to the course of action it has set despite disapproval by those who feel the CRTC’s direction “upsets their entitlements and threatens their livelihoods.”

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.”

Dominique Lapierre to head CMF programs administrator

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Telefilm Canada announced Wednesday the CMF has appointed Dominique Lapierre as the national director of the CMF programs administrator.

“Having served in the position on an interim basis for the past year, Ms. Lapierre manages the team responsible for ensuring the efficient administration of the CMF’s funding programs,” the press release said.

CMF noted in the release that Telefilm has been in charge of program administration since 2006.

Stingray launches app for Telus Optik TV

Stingray Digital Group Inc. announced Tuesday it is launching a TV app for Telus Corp.’s Optik TV subscribers, called Stingray Music Videos TV.

It said in a press release that the app will be available to Optik TV customers in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec and “provides free access” to 10,000 music videos.

Among other features, customers will have access to curated themed playlists, be able to create their own personalized playlists, and control video playback, Stingray said in the release.

CRTC denies request for public hearing on Shaw-Corus sale