Bell’s CraveTV to go pure OTT

BCE Inc. will make its CraveTV streaming service available to all Canadians as of Jan 1., 2016, it said in a press release Monday, in what marks a change in strategy for the company.

Bell Media president Mary Ann Turcke said in the press release that as “our business model has continued to evolve the time is right to also offer CraveTV as a standalone product.”

Comcast to launch video-streaming service

Comcast Corp. is launching an Internet-based video streaming service to be available to subscribers of its Xfinity Internet service.

The company said in a blog post Sunday that the service, called Stream, will allow customers to “watch live TV from about a dozen networks — including all the major broadcast nets and HBO — on laptops, tablets and phones in their home.”

It added the service also includes on-demand programming, as well as TV-everywhere access and a cloud-based PVR.

Shopping Channel sale ‘makes sense’ for Rogers: analyst

A potential sale of the Shopping Channel could net Rogers Communications Inc. $300 million, which Cannacord Genuity analyst Aravinda Galappatthige said is an “attractive price” for the channel.

In a research note Monday, Galappatthige referred to a report by Reuters that said Rogers was selling the channel and had attracted bids, some from foreign buyers and some more than 300 million.

CRTC wants details on Shomi availability to BDUs, ISPs

The CRTC is asking Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. for detailed information about how and when they made their streaming service available to other broadcast distributors and Internet service providers.

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."

CRTC consulting on some Talk TV decisions

The CRTC has opened a consultation on a number of decisions it made as part of its Let's Talk TV review of television services ahead of making official changes to its broadcasting regulations to include them.

Pros and cons of Periscope as journalism tool

The use of live-streaming apps such as Periscope and Meerkat has helped journalists provide unfiltered, live as-it-happens moments for viewers, according to some proponents, though others claim such technology compromises the quality and accuracy of news.  

Periscope, which was bought by Twitter Inc. in March, is among the most popular live-streaming apps journalists have been using. Users download the app on smartphones, log in and begin a live broadcast of whatever they’re doing.

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.

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.

U.S. kids prefer video content on mobile devices: survey

A new study conducted by Miner & Co. Studio. suggests watching regular cable TV is declining among kids in the United States, who would prefer to watch their favourite shows on a smartphone or tablet.

The report released Monday noted that 57 per cent of parents surveyed said their children would prefer to watch shows on other devices because they are able to take the device anywhere, the devices have easy interfaces, and kids are able to watch and re-watch shows at any time.

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.

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.

Netflix hires another lobbyist for Canada

Telus makes NFB content available through Optik

Telus Corp.’s Optik TV customers will now have access more than 1,000 National Film Board of Canada (NFB) films on their TV via a new app.

Telus announced Thursday in a press release that the NFB app is now available to Optik TV subscribers in Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec.

Seasonality losing importance in TV: study

Shifts in TV consumption reveal most Canadians aren't concerned about seasonality of popular TV shows, according to a new study conducted by Videology Inc.

Videology said Thursday in a press release that 39 per cent of consumers aren’t aware that most new seasons begin in September, and another 25 per cent don’t bother waiting for the September TV season "because good TV is available all year long."

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.

Telcos losing advantage over cablecos in TV: analyst

Cable companies are “poised to level the playing field” against telephone incumbents in the area of TV service as they launch more advanced technological services of their own, Barclays Capital analyst Phillip Huang said Monday.

Huang wrote in a research note that in recent years, telcos have “differentiated with their advantage" in IPTV services, "which were successfully marketed to consumers as the sexier next-gen TV vs. legacy cable service.”

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.

TV-Internet connections rising: MTM

New data from Media Technology Monitor (MTM) indicates growth in connections between television sets and the Internet.

MTM, a project of CBC/Radio-Canada, said in a report released Thursday that 42 per cent of anglophone Canadians polled this spring reported accessing the Internet with a TV. That was up from 38 per cent last fall and 33 per cent the previous spring.

New OTT options tempting TV consumers: study

A new study from Digitalsmiths, a subsidiary of TiVo Inc., shows almost 60 per cent of TV-service customers in Canada and the U.S. are spending more than $100 US a month for their subscriptions, and about one in four are unsatisfied with their service, which is the highest level since 2013.

Dissatisfaction mainly came from increasing fees that TV-service providers are charging, said the report released last week.

Shaw writes off $55M on abandoned IPTV project

Shaw Communications Inc. on Thursday reported a decline in its quarterly income with much of the drop attributed to a $55-million write-down taken on an abandoned IPTV project.

Shaw said in a press release that it started work in 2013 on an "end-to-end IPTV solution," and then "paused" late last year to review the platform under development and assess other options. Ultimately, it decided to discard the work that had been done. The net effect of the writeoff amounted to $41 million after tax, Shaw said.

Weather Network app launched for Apple Watch

Pelmorex Media Inc. announced Thursday the launch of a new Weather Network app for Apple Inc.’s Apple Watch.

Fibre Internet customers more satisfied, says market study

The proportion of Canadians connected to the Internet by fibre is rising and these people are more satisfied with their Internet service than others, according to market research data released Thursday.

J.D. Power and Associates said in press release that its most recent study of Internet service satisfaction in the country showed 18 per cent of Canadians reporting a fibre-optic connection, up from 15 per cent a year earlier.

Game of Thrones breaks viewership records: Bell

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media division said Wednesday that the June 14 season finale of Game of Thrones on HBO Canada broke a record for the most-viewed pay- or specialty-TV broadcast of all time in this country.

It said there were 1.6 million viewers for that broadcast. Bell said there was an average audience of 1.4 million viewers throughout the fifth season of Game of Thrones, which also set a record and was 11 per cent more than viewership for the series during the fourth season.

Verizon completes purchase of AOL

Verizon Communications Inc. announced Tuesday that it has completed its acquisition of AOL Inc.

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.

DHX to start trading on Nasdaq

DHX Media Inc. announced Monday the company was approved to list and start trading on the Nasdaq on Tuesday.

“Listing on the Nasdaq represents a significant milestone in the continuing evolution of DHX Media,” CEO Dana Landry in a press release. “Many of our industry peers are listed on U.S. exchanges and we believe launching on the Nasdaq will provide us with greater access to a wider range of investors, positioning the company for future growth.”

The company will continue trading the Toronto Stock Exchange, DHX added. 

Corus files to disaffiliate channel from CBC

The CRTC published Friday notices from Corus Entertainment Inc. seeking approval to disaffiliate one of its Ontario TV channels, as well as its rebroadcasting transmitters, from CBC/Radio-Canada.

Corus said it is getting into a “comprehensive program supply agreement” with BCE Inc.’s CTV to provide content for CHEX-DT in Peterborough, Ont.

Canadian telecom prices remain high in international comparisons: report

Prices of low-end wireless plans have continued to climb for the second year in a row, while Canada’s rates for broadband, wireless and bundled telecom services remain high compared to other countries, a new report found.

OMNI cuts comply with licence terms, Pelley tells MPs

OTTAWA — Amid grilling before the House of Commons heritage committee on Wednesday, Keith Pelley, president of Rogers Communications Inc.’s media division, repeatedly stated that despite recent cuts to news programming, OMNI stations are in compliance with their licence terms.

“We, in every aspect of OMNI, are meeting our conditions of licence, and that is very important for you to understand,” Pelley said.

Rogers IPTV launch to coincide with skinny-basic offering

Rogers Communications Inc. will launch its IPTV service at about the same time it starts adjusting to new rules that require service providers to provide skinny-basic TV packages for no more than $25 a month, the company's chief financial officer told an investor conference in Toronto on Wednesday.

"With that enhanced user interface, it'll be good vehicle in which to launch some of the new, what I would call, packages," Tony Staffieri said during the TD Securities Telecom & Media Forum.

CRTC consulting on amendments to exemption order for small BDUs

The CRTC put out a call for comments on amendments to the exemption order for terrestrial TV-service providers that serve less than 20,000 subscribers.

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.

CTV News partners with Facebook for election coverage

BCE Inc.’s CTV News announced Tuesday it has partnered with Facebook Inc. for coverage of this year's federal election campaign.

CTV said in a press release the partnership starts immediately and continues until the October election. Features of the new service will include access to Facebook’s experts, information on topics that are trending on the social network, how parties and candidates are using Facebook, and how well they are engaging with people on Facebook, the release said.

60% of mobile data on WiFi by 2019: Juniper Research

Almost 60 per cent of the data generated globally by smartphones and tablets will be offloaded to WiFi networks by 2019, Juniper Research Ltd. said Tuesday.

Juniper said in a press release that more than 115,000 petabytes from mobile devices will be offloaded in 2019, up from less than 30,000 PB this year.

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.

PIAC says evidence shows undue preference with Shomi

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) told the CRTC that evidence presented by other parties supports its case that Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.'s Shomi has not been distributed in line with telecommunications and broadcasting policy.

HuffPost TV channel approved for Canada

The television channel of AOL Inc.'s Huffington Post, called HuffPost Live, has been approved for distribution in Canada, the CRTC said Friday.

NDP, Liberals say OTT services should disclose

In supplementary comments on a House of Commons heritage committee report on the feature film industry, the federal NDP and Liberal parties said government should have access to information about revenues and viewership of over-the-top (OTT) services.

DHX reaches U.S. deal for Teletubbies with Nickelodeon

DHX Media Inc. announced Thursday it has licensed the new Teletubbies series exclusively to Viacom Inc’s Nickelodeon division in the U.S.

The press release said the popular children’s television show will broadcast on Nick Jr. DHX also said that all 365 classic Teletubbies episodes will be available on Noggin, Nickelodeon’s mobile subscription service for preschoolers.

Union asks CRTC for expedited hearing on OMNI cuts

A union representing media workers is asking the CRTC to hold a public hearing within the next month on cuts to Rogers Communications Inc.’s OMNI stations, and to reinstate eliminated ethnic newscasts.

Unifor filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC, which appeared on the regulator's website on Wednesday. It told the CRTC that holding an expedited hearing is necessary to ensure communities affected by the cuts have access to coverage of this year’s federal election.

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.

Blue Ant sells content to Eastern Europe

Blue Ant Media Inc. announced Tuesday sales of more than 100 hours of nature and wildlife content from its factual, lifestyle, reality and documentary series catalogue for distribution in Eastern Europe and other international locations.

DHX to premiere new Degrassi show on Netflix

DHX Media Ltd., announced Tuesday that it will be premiering Degrassi: Next Class, a new series part of the Degrassi franchise, on Netflix Inc.

The company stated in a press release that the show will be available on Netflix worldwide in early 2016, except in Canada, Australia and France, where it will be available online at a later date.

The release said the new series, which is part of the popular Canadian-based television franchise that began in 1980s, will be filmed at DHX’s studio in Toronto.

Large telecoms oppose CNOC application for interim relief

Canada’s biggest telecom companies are asking the CRTC to dismiss an application by smaller providers that, if granted, would make usage-sensitive rates interim, allowing small Internet service providers to access refunds and retroactive rate adjustments should the CRTC lower wholesale rates in the future.

BCE Inc. said in an intervention that doing so would introduce “significant and unnecessary uncertainty that harms the marketplace and ultimately consumers and the public interest.”

CMPA announces new board of directors

The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) announced Monday the results of its board of directors election.

The release stated that Jamie Brown of Frantic Films was re-elected as chairman of the board.

It named the following members that will make up the new board:

Netflix expanding to Italy, Portugal, Spain

Netflix Inc. announced it will be expanding its video-streaming services to Italy, Spain and Portugal.

The company announced in two separate press releases on Thursday and Saturday last week that it would be available in the three countries starting October 2015.

Service in Spain and Italy will offer subtitles and voice-over translation, and service in Portugal will offer only subtitles, the releases said.  

Cogeco acquires new U.S. company

Cogeco Cable Inc. announced Monday that its U.S. subsidiary Atlantic Broadband will acquire MetroCast Communications of Connecticut from parent company Harron Communications LP for $200 million US.

MetroCast Connecticut has a network that passes nearly 70,000 homes with TV, Internet and/or phone services, Cogeco said in a news release.

Race relations group complains about OMNI cuts

The Urban Alliance on Race Relations and other parties have submitted a complaint against Rogers Communications Inc. with regard to recent OMNI program cuts, asking the CRTC to immediately review and intervene with the decision.

The letter requested the CRTC to restore all OMNI TV's local news programming, for Rogers to provide enough funding for its in-house productions, and to reinstate news programming staff and restore its sales and marketing division.

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.

Showtime streaming available for U.S. Apple customers next month

CBS Corp. said Wednesday that it will offer Showtime as an over-the-top (OTT) streaming service to customers of Apple Inc. in the United States, starting next month.

The launch will coincide with the premiere of two new seasons of Showtime’s hit shows Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex on July 12, CBS said in a press release.

CBS said the new service will be available on the Showtime app for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches, as well as for Apple TV customers, for $10.99 US per month.

Shaw raising Internet, TV service rates

Shaw Communications Inc. says it will be increasing prices for residential Internet and television services to compensate for its own higher costs.

CRTC to hold public hearing to review CCTS

The CRTC said Thursday it will hold a public consultation to review the structure and mandate of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS).

The consultation will include a public hearing, which will begin on Nov. 3, the CRTC said in a press release. It said it will look into whether the CCTS should oversee the proposed TV-service provider code of conduct, and whether the cooperation with CCTS by all TV-service providers should be made mandatory.

BDUs say Shomi has not been made available

Some companies have disputed the notion put forward by Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. that their video-streaming service Shomi has been made available to other service providers.

‘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.

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.

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.

TekSavvy’s Abramson takes on incumbents at Telecom Summit

TORONTO — With a key decision from the CRTC on smaller service providers’ access to wireline telecommunications networks expected soon, three incumbents’ regulatory bosses took on their counterpart at TekSavvy Solutions Inc. over the issue at the Canadian Telecom Summit on Tuesday.

DHX expands licensing service to more countries

DHX Media Ltd. announced Tuesday that its full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG), will expand business offices to the Middle East, Turkey and Greece.

The company said in a press release that offices are planned to open in Dubai and Athens. CPLG will partner with FWD Branding Ltd. and License2Brand to create CPLG Middle East, North Africa (CPLG MENA) and CPLG Turkey and Greece, respectively, the release stated.

Terms of trade called ‘effectively dead’ after court decision

The Federal Court of Appeal on Friday dismissed the Canadian Media Production Association’s attempt to appeal the CRTC’s decision to eliminate terms of trade agreements, in what a former head of the organization said is a “huge disappointment to producers.”

CRTC scolds Rogers, Shaw for Letterman simsub errors

The CRTC has sent letters to Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. regarding mistakes the companies made in the simultaneous substitution of the last episode of the Late Show With David Letterman, which aired last week.

The regulator said it had received “several complaints regarding improperly executed simultaneous substitutions.”

PIAC complaint against Shomi to go ahead

An undue preference complaint against Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.’s streaming service will proceed despite the companies’ plans to widen its availability.

DHX Media show to premiere on Hulu

DHX Media Ltd. announced Thursday that it has signed a deal with Hulu to premiere Dr. Dimensionpants to its U.S. subscribers.

Josh Scherba, senior vice-president of distribution at DHX, said in the press release that he is happy the show will now be seen in the United States, adding to the list of areas where the show already broadcasts including Canada, Europe, Latin America, Australia and the Middle East.

Shomi stand-alone proposal could be financially feasible: analyst

At some point this summer, Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.’s Shomi streaming service will be made available to customers of other TV and Internet service providers (ISPs), expanding its user base beyond Rogers and Shaw subscribers.

Shomi senior vice-president and general manager David Asch said Wednesday in a phone interview that Shomi would be available to all Canadians with an Internet connection on an over-the-top (OTT) basis.

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.

Charter announces deal to buy Timer Warner Cable

Charter Communications Inc. announced Tuesday it is acquiring Time Warner Cable Inc. for $78.7 billion US, including the assumption of debt.

At the same time, Charter Communications said in a press release that it is buying a majoriy Bright House Networks LLC for $10.4 billion US.

Charter CEO Tom Rutledge said in the release that the new union of the three companies will bring new and innovative ideas to create better products to benefit 23.9 million customers spanning 41 states across the United States.

Bell launches Fibe TV app

BCE Inc. on Tuesday announced the release of a new Fibe TV app, which it said will allow customers to access this TV service anywhere, at any time, on any screen. 

Videotron rolls out Apple watch app for TV customers

MONTREAL — Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron has launched a new app for Apple Inc.’s smartwatch that the company hopes will increase discoverability of channels available though its cable packages and appeal to early tech adopters.

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.

Tap streaming services to fund Canadian productions: CMPA

OTTAWA — Streaming video services like CraveTV and Shomi can and must be regulated as broadcasting entities in order to ensure funding for Canadian programming, the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) argued Friday.

TVO seeks $114,075 refund from documentarian

Ontario public broadcaster TVO said Friday it is terminating an agreement with White Pine Pictures Inc. for a documentary on Premier Kathleen Wynne and seeking to refund $114,075 that it says was paid to the company.

TVO said in a press release that several of the conditions of its agreement with White Pine were not fulfilled, including having a director attached to the project. It said Roxana Spicer had resigned as the film's director, and the "lack of a director is a fundamental deficiency for a documentary production."

Fewer TV subscribers generating more revenue: CRTC

Television-service providers in Canada took in more revenue last year despite having a smaller subscriber base to draw from, according to new data from the CRTC, and one analyst says that’s due to pricing trends that could soon come to an end soon.

The commission said in a press release Thursday that cable, IPTV and satellite-TV providers had revenue of $8.9 billion in the year ended Aug. 31 last year, up 1.5 per cent from the previous year. TV subscribers were down "modestly," the regulator said, to 11.4 million from 11.5 million a year earlier.

Corus gets CTV content for Ontario TV stations

Corus Entertainment Inc. said Wednesday it has reached a deal with BCE Inc. to receive CTV programming for three TV stations in Ontario.

It said in a press release CKWS-TV in Kingston, CHEX-TV in Peterborough and Channel 12 in Oshawa will start to get a slate of CTV programming on Aug. 31. Included are shows such as The Amazing Race Canada, MasterChef Canada and CTV National News with Lisa LaFlamme, Corus said.

Corus said more details would be announced closer to when the deal takes effect.

Kevin Crull to join Sprint

Kevin Crull, former president of BCE Inc.'s Bell Media unit, will join Sprint Corp. as chief marketing officer at the end of this month, Sprint said Wednesday.

The company said in a press release that Crull will report to Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure and his responsibilities will include customer acquisition and retention, and digital and social efforts.

“Kevin did an amazing job at Bell Media and I expect him to do even better at Sprint,” Claure said in the release.

Bell Media names Stuart Garvie sales president

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media division on Tuesday said Stuart Garvie would be its next president of sales.

DHX announces global publishing deal for Twirlywoos

DHX Media Ltd. said Wednesday that it has reached a deal to license the global publishing rights to Twirlywoos, a TV show for preschoolers for which Halifax-based DHX produces, distributes and manages the marketing rights.

The company said in a press release that the licensing deal is with HarperCollins Publishers, which it said will produce physical and digital books based on the series, as well as audio products and gift items. DHX said the first products will be available in the United Kingdom and other areas will follow.

CRTC never indicated terms of trade could be eliminated: CMPA

The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) argued in documents filed Thursday in the Federal Court of Appeal that its challenge of a CRTC decision eliminating terms of trade should proceed because it was not given sufficient notice that the CRTC was considering getting rid of the agreement, which guaranteed certain rights for producers.

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.

DHX revenue almost triples over 1 year

DHX Media Ltd. said Thursday that revenue for its third quarter ended March 31 almost tripled from a year earlier to $85.6 million from $29 million, thanks to a major acquisition and gains in its distribution and production businesses.

U.S. channel carried in Canada against its will

A U.S. affiliate of ABC has been denied by the CRTC its request to be removed from the list of non-Canadian television channels approved for distribution in Canada.

The commission turned down an application from Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. to have KSTP-TV Minneapolis removed from the list on the grounds that it would deprive viewers of a valued service, adding that some of the issues brought up by the U.S. broadcaster concern Canadian copyright law and are not under the CRTC's jurisdiction.

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.

David Asch new SVP of Shomi

Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. have named David Asch senior vice-president and general manager of their video-streaming service, Shomi.

The move is effective immediately, the companies said in a press release Tuesday, adding that Ach “will oversee day-to-day management, business strategy and growth plans for the streaming service.”

Asch was previously senior vice-president of content at U.S. DVD rental company Redbox Automated Retail LLC.

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.

CRTC approves new IPTV service from VMedia

The CRTC on Friday approved a new IPTV service from VMedia Inc., despite arguments from some interveners that the proposed service would be transmitted over the public Internet and should therefore not be licensed as a broadcast distributor.

CRTC allows PIAC complaint to proceed against Shomi

The CRTC will allow a complaint by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) against video-streaming service Shomi to proceed, despite requests from its owners that the matter be dropped.

Marci Wiseman joins Entertainment One

Entertainment One Ltd. said in a press release Thursday that Marci Wiseman is its new executive vice-president of global business and legal affairs.

“She will direct legal and business affairs activities on a global basis, which includes film and television production, acquisition, international co-production, direct distribution and international sales,” the press release said.