Friends of Canadian Broadcasting - Media Monitor: 2008
A Conservative talking-points memo states one arts program was axed because its grant recipients included "a general radical," "a left-wing and anti-globalization think-tank" and a rock band that uses an expletive as part of its name.
August 27, 2008 - Montreal Gazette: Arts programs feel pain of federal cuts by Elizabeth Thompson
The executive director of the Quebec Drama Federation says the majority of groups affected by funding cuts to culture are in Quebec.
August 27, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Harper defends cuts to federal arts programs by James Bradshaw
Prime Minister Harper says federal investment in culture for the 2007-08 fiscal year was $3.4-billion, up from $3.2-billion in 2006-07.
August 27, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Gemini awards take dramatic turn by Etan Vlessing
Nominations for Canada's TV awards put the spotlight on homegrown drama programs.
August 27, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Canwest Announces Breakthrough Online Programming Line-Up
Canwest has announced it will provide online access to over 50 TV programs including U.S. shows such as Heroes, House and The Office.
August 26, 2008 - Canadian Press: Canadian Heritage provides list of $40 million in arts funding cuts
The list provided by Canadian Heritage does not include a separate Foreign Affairs program to assist the travels of artists abroad.
August 26, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Astral tests Virgin branding by Grant Robertson
Virgin Radio is entering the North American radio market through a deal with Astral Media that will see the Canadian company's top-40 station in Toronto fly the Virgin name.
August 26, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: Culture cuts leave Canada behind the pack in the race to store more information online by Michael Geist
Columnist says arts program cuts will leave Canadians without online access to their cultural and historical heritage and will do little to promote Canadian content to the rest of the world.
August 26, 2008 - CBC News: Protesters shut down Thai broadcaster, more than 50 arrested
Anti-government protesters armed with knives and guns stormed a state-owned television station in Thailand and briefly forced it off the air.
August 26, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Mired in mediocrity – and (apparently) loving it by John Doyle
Columnist says the Conservative government cuts to culture stems from media coverage of Bill C-10, which sought to deny funding to TV productions and movies it considered distasteful or offensive.
August 26, 2008 - Toronto Star: Conservatives are big fans of culture, arts by Jim Flaherty
Canada's Minister of Finance says the government cancelled arts programs that had either reached their objectives, had high administration costs, had poor performance, or did not give satisfactory results.
August 26, 2008 - Toronto Star: Olympics turn ratings to pure gold for CBC by Chris Zelkovich
CBC's TV viewership for the Beijing Olympics was 15 per cent higher than the 2004 Athens games but 3 per cent lower than the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
August 26, 2008 - National Post: Arts adds over $84-billion to economy: study by David Akin
A Conference Board of Canada report says the cultural sector employs more than a million Canadians and accounts for 7.4% of the country's gross domestic product.
August 25, 2008 - Canadian Library Association: Fair and Balanced Copyright for Canadians
The voice of Canadian library users and professionals has issued a Grassroots Advocacy Kit to mobilize supporters on concerns about proposed copyright legislation.
August 25, 2008 - Montreal Gazette: Why are the Tories going out of their way to annoy voters? by l. Ian Macdonald
Columnist says Conservative government cuts to culture could be a tactic to shore up their right-wing base going into a fall election.
August 25, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Arts cuts confront PM's wife in Cow Head by James Bradshaw and Oliver Moore
An encounter with Laureen Harper gave a small Newfoundland & Labrador based theatre company the chance to lobby against Ottawa's recent cuts to arts funding.
August 25, 2008 - Globe & Mail: And the gold goes to... the Canadian broadcaster by Kate Taylor
Columnist says CBC provided better Olympic coverage than its U.S. counterpart, NBC, and has set the bar high for Canada's new Olympic broadcaster, CTV.
August 24, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CBC bows out with gold-medal broadcasts by William Houston
Columnist calls CBC's coverage of the past seven Olympics "exceptional".
August 23, 2008 - The Independent: ITV boss condemns 'traffic wardens' who regulate television by Ian Burrell
The head of ITV television has accused the U.K. broadcast regulator of demanding programmes that are only of interest to "niche, marginal and worthy" audiences.
August 23, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: CBC racks up $1.3M tab at training institute by Glen McGregor
Access to Information documents show The CBC spent $1.3 million sending employees on management training courses to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., over a three-year period.
August 23, 2008 - Globe & Mail: A False Choice
Editorial says adequate government financial support for both the arts and sports should be non-negotiable, and setting up a false choice between the two makes little sense.
August 23, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Websites attract Olympic junkies in record numbers by William Houston
Columnist says the lasting story of the Beijing Olympics is the technological advances made in media coverage and the enthusiasm with which the consumer has embraced that coverage.
August 22, 2008 - Variety: Dramas pump up cable's stable by John Dempsey
Nielsen ratings show that for the week ending August 3rd, eight cable TV shows finished in the top 11 most-watched programs.
August 22, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Olympic piracy predictions wrong
With free Olympics video in abundance on the Internet, viewers have had little incentive to seek out grainy pirated images.
August 22, 2008 - Literary Review of Canada: Fatal Attraction by Wade Rowland
An essay by a former CBC and CTV producer/executive about CBC's Richard Stursberg and his "romance with ratings."
August 22, 2008 - Statistics Canada: The Daily: Parent and child reports of children's activity
Report links childhood obesity with sedentary activities like watching television.
August 22, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Cable stocks worth a second look by David Berman
Market analyst says cable companies are winning the subscriber battle against telecom companies, making their stock compelling buys.
August 22, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Ottawa to shift arts funds to Olympic programs by James Bradshaw
Columnist says that $40-million in cuts to cultural programs will be redirected to athletics and a bilingualism plan.
August 22, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Radio 2 changes are for the better by Chris Boyce
The Toronto Program Director for CBC Radio says new Radio 2 programming will better fulfil CBC's mandate of representing the musical diversity of Canada.
August 22, 2008 - Calgary Herald: Group asks feds to block porn channel by Glen McGregor
A faith-based conservative family group wants the Harper government to intervene to block a broadcasting licence issued to a new Canadian porn channel.
August 22, 2008 - Globe & Mail: The Little Giant of Radio by Grant Robertson
Columnist says Nova Scotia based Newcap Radio is proving there is profit in owning small-market radio stations.
August 21, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Canadian channel Lonestar rides in new direction
CanWest is set to rebrand its cable channel Lonestar, which centers on Westerns, as MovieTime, a digital offering of popular Hollywood movies.
August 21, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Global cooling has media firms wary by Georg Szalai
Columnist says the global economic decline could be bad news for Hollywood and media conglomerates.
August 21, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Intel, Yahoo work to build 'TV Widgets' by Eric Auchard
Yahoo says it is working with Intel to create web computer channels that will run alongside TV shows.
August 20, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Cosmo TV in league with Rogers by Etan Vlessing
The Canadian digital cable channel Cosmopolitan TV has secured a space on Rogers Cable, the country's largest cable operator.
August 20, 2008 - Canadian Press: Regulator approves new CBC sports channel, sets strict content rules
The CRTC has approved a new CBC sports specialty channel, but set strict content rules that will limit its ability to carry popular sports such as professional hockey, basketball and football.
August 20, 2008 - Torontoist: The All-New CBC Radio 2 Is For You
FRIENDS says CBC Radio 2 moving away from something only the public broadcaster can do towards programming many private broadcasters already do.
August 20, 2008 - Saskatoon StarPhoenix: TV newscasts need to wise up by Bronwyn Eyre
Columnist says television newscasts that focus on "news-light" in an effort to be positive and accessible loses sight of their presumptive mandate.
August 20, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Tories slashing $44.8-million in arts spending by James Bradshaw
The Conservatives say they are committed to cutting $44.8-million in spending on arts and culture by April of 2010; call the PromArt program "a boondoggle."
August 20, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CBC Radio 2 unveils hip new image by Guy Dixon
CBC executives address fears of a dumbed-down Radio 2 by saying the same producers involved in the old Radio 2, along with new talent, are part of the revamp.
August 19, 2008 - Calgary Sun: Taboo costs for CBC by Peter Zimonjic
Documents obtained through Access to Information show that five CBC managers spent $9,559.17 at a luxury golf spa in 2005 while CBC employees were locked out of their jobs.
August 19, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Canwest Broadcasting appoints Kenton Boston as Vice President of Global National News
Canwest has announced the appointments of Kenton Boston to the position of Vice-President of Global National News and Neill Fitzpatrick as Global National's Executive Producer.
August 19, 2008 - Canadian Press: CBC Radio Two scales down classical music as part of fall relaunch
FRIENDS research indicates that what CBC Radio Two's average 1.1 million listeners per week like best about the station is classical music.
August 19, 2008 - Toronto Star: Your PVR might make you an outlaw Michael Geist
Columnist says that proposed copyright legislation would forbid Canadians from recording television programs for archival purposes.
August 19, 2008 - Variety: Brits give thumbs down to BBC fee by Steve Clarke
New poll says almost half of Britons do not think the BBC license fee offers "good value for money."
August 19, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: CBC to announce Radio 2 remake in pursuit of younger audience by Chris Cobb
FRIENDS says CBC is substantially moving away from its responsibility to transmit world classical culture to new generations of Canadians.
August 19, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: Getting an Olympic fix is as close as your cellphone by Derrick Penner
Olympic partners CBC and Bell say the wireless distribution of television content holds a lot of promise.
August 19, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Phelps, rowers enhance CBC's audiences by William Houston
CBC executives say the network is averaging 1.290 million viewers in prime time for its Olympics coverage, up 14 per cent from what was promised advertisers and 15 per cent ahead of the Athens games in 2004.
August 18, 2008 - Cartt.ca: U.S. DTV converter box coupon program "on track"
According to the U.S. government, nearly 6.4 million "over-the-air" TV households in that country have requested about 12 million coupons from the TV converter box coupon program.
August 18, 2008 - Mediacaster: More Specialty Channels Get CRTC OK
The CRTC approves Baseball TV, the Rural Channel, eScapes and Northern Peaks - described as a Canadian adult programming.
August 18, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Culture hung out to dry
Editorial says Canada's filmmakers, musicians, writers and visual artists have ample reason to be worried about their future.
August 18, 2008 - Globe & Mail: TV still trumps online as top source of news by Jeremy Herron
A new U.S. survey says fewer people are reading newspapers and are instead getting their news online, but television remains the leading source of news.
August 17, 2008 - Washington Post: A Wider Spectrum Of Free Television by Becky Krystal
Digital technology is allowing broadcasters to divide their signals into multiple feeds and offer several channels where there had only been one.
August 17, 2008 - Calgary Herald: Alberta arts, culture funding safe: Blackett by Michelle Butterfield
Alberta's minister of culture and community spirit says funding cuts could be a black mark on the federal government's reputation with the arts community in the province.
August 16, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: Conservatives spend more than Liberals did on cultural programs by David Akin and Juliet O'Neill
The Conservatives say spending on cultural programs - including the CBC - is up 19.7 per cent from when the Liberals were in power.
August 16, 2008 - Toronto Star: Tories cut five more arts programs by Richard Brennan
Cultural organizations say funding cancellations will have 'devastating effect' on Canadian musicians, composers, artists and filmmakers.
August 16, 2008 - Toronto Star: CanWest to pull out of Cinevillage studio by Tony Wong
Blaming a slowdown in the use of studio production facilities, CanWest MediaWorks is exiting one of their main television and film sites in Toronto.
August 15, 2008 - CBC News: When art gets up a Tory snoot By Heather Mallick
Columnist says the "pettiness" of the Conservative government in cutting off money for artists is shameful.
August 15, 2008 - Sherbrooke Record: Radio. What purpose do broadcasting organizations in Canada truly have? by David Teasdale
Article examines the roles of organizations associated with broadcasting in Canada and Quebec such as the CRTC, Industry Canada and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters.
August 15, 2008 - National Post: New iPhone streaming application a boon for Sirius XM:CitiGroup by Grant Surridge
Market analyst says new technology that allows the streaming of satellite radio to iPhones will help Sirius by eliminating the cost of buying a radio.
August 15, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Canadians heavily use wireless at competitive prices by David Farnes
The acting president and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association seeks to address perceptions that Canadians are disadvantaged in the quality and quantity of wireless services.
August 15, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Heritage delegation's Beijing trip expected to cost $324,000 by Daniel LeBlanc
The Department of Heritage is expecting to spend $324,000 for the Canadian delegation attending the Beijing Olympics.
August 15, 2008 - Globe & Mail: 50% domestic porn by Grant Robertson
A new Canadian pay-television pornography channel — to be called Northern Peaks — had been approved by federal broadcast regulators.
August 14, 2008 - National Post: Tories may slash $50 million in arts funding by Adam McDowell
Conservatives stay silent as details about large cuts to cultural funding emerge.
August 14, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Tories to axe five more arts and culture programs by James Bradshaw
Eschewing formal announcements, the Conservative government have posted funding cancellation notices on the web pages of cultural programs.
August 14, 2008 - Writers' Union of Canada: Prom-Art Progrsm Cancelled
Action alert asking Canada's writers to contact their MP and express concern with the government's cancellation of the Prom-Art program.
August 14, 2008 - Toronto Star: The politics of culture
Editorial says that by cutting off funding to artists and cultural institutions, the Conservatives are only showcasing their own philistinism.
August 14, 2008 - Globe & Mail: TSN announces new channel by William Houston
TSN has announced a new digital sports channel with programming featuring the NHL, NBA, CFL, NCAA, curling, auto racing and martial arts.
August 13, 2008 - Cartt.ca: Feds slash $18 million in cultural funding - CTF at risk
The federal government has not yet indicated whether it will continue to contribute to the Canadian Television Fund and the Canada New Media Fund which technically wind-down at the end of March 2009.
August 13, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Business faces challenges under copyright legislation by Sarah Schmidt
Bell is promoting a new product for archiving recorded television shows that will become illegal if the government's proposed copyright legislation becomes law.
August 13, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Why Telus is keeping its TV plans under wrap by Simon Avery
Columnist says television is a critical ingredient for phone companies to offset declines in their land-line business from cable and VOIP competition.
August 13, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Click. The future has arrived by William Houston
CBC officials say CBCSports.ca is averaging two million page views a day so far during the Olympics.
August 13, 2008 - Toronto Star: Tory party frowned on plan to attend hearing, MPs told by Richard Brennan
Canadian Heritage Minister Josée Verner was among several Conservative party officials that refused to appear before the House of Commons ethics committee.
August 12, 2008 - Canadian Press: 'Wheel of Fortune' to embrace jump to CBC with Canuck-themed week by Cassandra Szklarski
"Wheel of Fortune" is set to mark its launch on CBC by adding some Canadian "fun facts" to the American game show.
August 12, 2008 - CBC/Radio-Canada: The New CBC Radio 2 Unveiled - August 19 at noon
CBC announces media event on August 19 to reveal programming changes to Radio 2.
August 12, 2008 - Globe & Mail: 'Left-wing' writer denies applying for travel grant by James Bradshaw and Campbell Clark
Author and journalist Gwynne Dyer, who became an example of wasteful federal spending when the Tories axed a program to send arts and culture abroad, says he traveled at the government's request and never applied for the grant he got.
August 12, 2008 - National Post: Canwest Sells Three U.K. Radio Stations by Grant Surridge
Canwest Global has confirmed the sale of an "orphaned asset" that will add about $7-million annually to the company's operating profit.
August 11, 2008 - Liberal Party of Canada: Conservatives make more ideological cuts to culture funding
Opposition Heritage Critic says the Conservative government's cuts to cultural programs hurts both the arts community and Canada's identity overseas.
August 11, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Georgia switches off Russian TV by Vladimir Kozlov
Georgian government officials say the broadcast of all Russian TV channels in its territory was stopped as a response to an "information war" waged against their country.
August 11, 2008 - National Post: Chopping culture grants penalizes recipients for faults of the program by Duncan McKie
The President and CEO of the Canadian Independent Record Production Association says the cuts to two programs that support cultural exports could not come at a worse time.
August 11, 2008 - Windsor Star: Kids urged to 'get out' by Misty Harris
'Hinterland Who's Who' is set to call attention to the critical need for Canadian young people to get off the couch, off-line and outdoors.
August 11, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Without the arts, our image grows dim abroad by Simon Houpt
Columnist says that if Canada want's to have influence in the rest of the world, sending artists and writers abroad is an integral and cost-effective part of marketing 'Brand Canada'.
August 11, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Grant cancellation wrong and dishonest by Peter Hum
Columnist says artists such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Cirque Eloize and authors David Adams Richards and Susan Swan have been "injured and insulted" by the federal government's decision to cancel a grant program.
August 9, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Why the show may, in fact, go on by Robert Everett-Green
Article profiles a Montreal venture capitalist determined to save the CBC Radio Orchestra.
August 9, 2008 - Ottawa Sun: Getting rid of CBC a no-brainer by Gerry Nicholls
Columnist asks why the government is in the business of producing "lame dramas, inane comedies and terrible reality shows".
August 9, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Tap runs dry for another arts program by Amy Husser
The Department of Canadian Heritage has announced it will no longer provide financing to Trade Routes -- a program that helps organizations in the arts and cultural sector prepare to export and sell their goods and services in international markets.
August 8, 2008 - National Post: The nose knows bottom feeders by Kevin Baker
Columnist uses an example in which CBC Edmonton held a contest asking listeners to rewrite the words to an Ian Tyson song in the manner of "Weird Al" Yankovic as evidence to the dumbing down of the public broadcaster.
August 8, 2008 - National Post: Tories kill arts grants for foreign travel by David Akin
The federal government is set to cancel a program that sent artists abroad to promote Canadian culture because money "went to groups that would raise the eyebrows of any typical Canadian".
August 7, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Independent Producers and Networks Reach Impasse in Terms of Trade Talks
Negotiations between the Canadian Film and Television Production Association and the major Canadian broadcast groups have reached an impasse before even formally getting underway.
August 7, 2008 - Variety: Canwest's Dore open to new gig by Jennie Punter
Kathy Dore is set to step down as president of Canwest Broadcasting after a four year tenure.
August 7, 2008 - Winnipeg Free Press: Canadian TV cool? What gives? by Nicholas Hirst
Columnist says it is unlikely that recent success of Canadian shows in the U.S. will change Canadians' perception about Canadian shows on Canadian TV.
August 7, 2008 - Broadcasting & Cable: RLTV Poll: Many Seniors Unaware of DTV Transition by John Eggerton
A new poll says almost one in four U.S. seniors is not aware of the digital-TV transition in February 2009.
August 7, 2008 - Globe & Mail: The sale of the National Post would reverberate in political circles by Lawrence Martin
Columnist says The National Post appears to be up for sale and a contender for the national paper is a group headed by Liberal Senator Jerry Grafstein.
August 7, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Farewell Sympatico and ExpressVu brands, as Bell adopts new campaign by Simon Avery
Canada's largest phone company hopes to reposition itself against formidable competitors in the wireless, TV, Internet and land-line communications market.
August 6, 2008 - The Guardian: ITV boss appeals for greater freedom from regulation in tough times by Mark Sweney
The executive chairman of Britain's ITV says the broadcaster's programming budget could be reduced unless regulatory burdens including its public service commitments are removed.
August 5, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Canadian Heritage: Appointment to Telefilm Canada
The Minister of Canadian Heritage has appointed communications professional Marlie Oden as a member of the board of Telefilm Canada.
August 4, 2008 - Benton Foundation: Saving Red Lion by Charles Benton
Columnist says U.S. television networks are challenging a 1969 court decision that strikes the correct balance of rights between broadcasters and citizens.
August 4, 2008 - Playback: Op-Ed Online broadcasting: time to tame the Wild West by Bill Roberts
The president and CEO of VisionTV says with more Canadians watching TV programming on their PCs and mobile phones, it's fair to ask whether the CRTC needs to set some policy guidelines.
August 4, 2008 - Playback: The Establishing Shot: Producers, casters ready to talk terms by Mark Dillon
Columnist says Canada's TV producers and the private broadcasters are gearing up for terms-of-trade negotiations this fall.
August 2, 2008 - National Post: Klein, CBC make odd bedfellows by Don Martin
Columnist says that despite spending three decades demonizing the public broadcaster as a hostile, left-leaning, fat-cat operation, Former Alberta premier Ralph Klein has taken a temporary staff position with the CBC.
August 2, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CanWest has lost market's faith, but not Watsa's by Derek DeCloet
An investor says CanWest's stock is currently at "a you're-going-broke kind of price".
August 1, 2008 - Calgary Herald: Canwest offers TV internship to aboriginals by Geoffrey Scotton
Canwest Media has announced it has launched a $210,000 aboriginal internship program at its major Alberta television stations.
August 1, 2008 - Sun Media: CBC workers abused, threatened by Peter Zimonjic
A 2005 "wellness" survey says almost half of CBC's 10,000 employees suffer from "high levels" of psychological distress related to their working conditions.
August 1, 2008 - Canadian Press: CBC's Olympic broadcast aiming for technological heights and heartstrings by Stephanie Levitz
CBC executive says the public broadcaster intends to set the bar extraordinarily high for the next official Olympic broadcaster - CTV.
August 1, 2008 - Playback: Revenues up, Cancon spending down, says CRTC by Terry Poulton
CRTC report says private conventional broadcasters spent $616 million on Canadian programming in 2007, down from $623.7 million in 2006.
August 1, 2008 - Calgary Herald: Canadian boob tube addiction rising: report by Shannon Proudfoot
Reports says on average Canadian adults watch more than four hours of TV a day while youth watch about 2.5 hours per day.
August 1, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Cable making headway in TV and phone sectors by Grant Robertson and Simon Avery
CRTC data show TV revenue for cable companies is growing twice as fast than that of broadcasters.
July 31, 2008 - CRTC: CRTC issues first annual report on the communications industry
The CRTC releases the first comprehensive look at the state of the overall communications industry in Canada.
July 31, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CRTC pushes for power to levy fines by Grant Robertson
Canada's telecom regulator has acknowledged it is virtually powerless to deal with companies it believes are not following the rules – and will now push Ottawa for the power to fine them.
July 31, 2008 - Playback: The Small Screen: Rogers looks to forge new identity for CityTV by Tamsen Tillson
FRIENDS says the organization is watching the Rogers takeover of CityTV closely to ensure commitments of the sale are honoured.
July 31, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: 60% think of quitting CRTC in 5 years by Don Butler
Nearly six in 10 employees of the CRTC say they're thinking of quitting their jobs within five years - one in seven say discrimination has adversely affected their career.
July 30, 2008 - Playback: Viewers swapping remotes for mice by Jonathan Paul
A new report says 20% of Americans are watching episodes of their favorite primetime shows online.
July 30, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Berlusconi's Mediaset suing YouTube over copyright
The media empire founded by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi says it is seeking at least €500 million euros in damages against Google's YouTube for the posting of copyrighted content.
July 30, 2008 - New York Times: OPEC 2.0 by Tim Wu
Columbia Law School professor says the information age is fueled by bandwidth and governments must be careful not to repeat the history of the oil industry by creating a 'bandwidth cartel'.
July 30, 2008 - The Telegraph: BBC fined £400,000 by Ofcom for deceiving viewers and listeners by Nicole Martin
The BBC has been fined £400,000 by Britain's broadcasting regulator for faking competition winners and deceiving viewers on radio and television programmes.
July 30, 2008 - Globe & Mail: ABC looks north for new comedic talent by Michael Posner
ABC executive says that with rising production costs, U.S. TV networks are eager to find "new ways of doing business", including purchasing content from Canada.
July 30, 2008 - Calgary Herald: Canadians can relax over digital TV switch by Nick Lewis
Article addresses the confusion over the conversion from analog television signals to digital starting in February 2009.
July 29, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: XM-Sirius merger not replicated in Canada by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says since XM Canada and Sirius Canada feature content mostly from their U.S. partners, merger talks are seen as virtually inevitable.
July 29, 2008 - PC Magazine: Pandora Argues That Web Royalties Will Kill It by Chloe Albanesius
Web broadcaster and SoundExchange, the organization that represents music copyright owners, clash over the industry's royalty rates.
July 29, 2008 - Globe & Mail: U.S. network backs CBC comedy pilot
ABC has acquired the U.S. rights to a new CBC TV series about a young couple who marry at 18 years of age.
July 29, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Rogers gets wireless boost by Simon Avery
Rogers says the company's wireless business helped propel revenue up 11 per cent to $301-million in its second quarter.
July 29, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Canadian regulator questions satellite radio merger plans by Vito Pilieci
The CRTC wants XM Canada and Sirius Canada to immediately explain any merger plans and how those plans will affect their broadcasts.
July 29, 2008 - Globe & Mail: XM Canada set to go it alone, CEO says by Grant Robertson
XM Canada chief executive officer says the company is prepared to go it alone if it can't agree on the terms of a merger with Sirius Canada.
July 28, 2008 - MediaPost: Print Newspaper Readership Yielding to Internet Publishing by Jack Loechner
Study says newspaper readership among 18-24-year-olds is in slow decline, but readership is fairly stable for the 45-plus demographic.
July 28, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Newcap signs agreement to acquire 12 radio licences in Ontario
Newfoundland Capital Corporation has agreed to acquire 12 FM radio broadcasting licences in Ontario from Haliburton Broadcasting Group for $18.95 million, subject to CRTC approval.
July 27, 2008 - Sunday Herald: The iPlayer is a runaway success.. but could it backfire on the BBC?
Article says that the success of BBC's television on-demand service is driving the need to re-think how TV licence fees are paid.
July 27, 2008 - Toronto Star: Sharing the wealth with new media by Rita Trichur
Independent producers and Canada's major television networks are set to negotiate new program-rights agreements that will tackle new-media rights for the first time.
July 26, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Canon Fire by Robert Everett-Green
Columnist examines CBC's changes to Radio 2 and the politics behind the battle over what constitutes culture.
July 26, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Canadian scribes, producers extend deal by Etan Vlessing
Canadian screenwriters and independent producers have extended their collective agreement through the end of 2009.
July 26, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Radio operators destined to merge: Analysts by Matt Hartley
Analysts say that XM Canada and Sirius Canada will be forced to merge now that the consolidation of their U.S. affiliates has been approved.
July 26, 2008 - Washington Post: Satellite Radio Merger Approved by Kim Hart
The U.S. broadcast regulator has approved the merger of the nation's only satellite radio companies, combining Sirius and XM into a single entity with 18 million subscribers.
July 26, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: Olympics beamed to a TV or BlackBerry near you by Don McGowan
Broadcasters hope new media technology will lead to lucrative new forms of revenue and a wider/younger market for their content.
July 25, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CHUM building purchased by developer by James Rusk
Iconic Toronto building has been purchased by a condo developer for $21-million.
July 24, 2008 - Canadian Press: 'Intelligence' being shopped to U.S. cable networks after Fox turns it down
Executive producer says U.S. cable networks are hungry for original adult dramas.
July 24, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: CRTC revokes licence of dormant Winnipeg radio station
The broadcast regulator has revoked the licence of campus instructional station CJWV-FM Winnipeg for failure to comply with a number of mandatory orders.
July 24, 2008 - Toronto Star: Radio still Tuned in to big profits Rita Trichur
CRTC reports show that commercial private radio stations recorded solid revenue growth in 2007 but that revenues for over-the-air television stations declined for the first time in a decade last year.
July 24, 2008 - Los Angeles Times: Sirius-XM merger likely to be OKd by Jim Puzzanghera
The FCC reportedly is ready to approve the deal if the satellite radio operators agree to new conditions.
July 23, 2008 - Canadian Press: Newcap and Rogers Broadcasting to swap radio stations in Nova Scotia and Ontario
Newfoundland Capital Corp. is trading a radio station in Halifax to Rogers Broadcasting in exchange for a station in Sudbury, Ont., and $5 million.
July 23, 2008 - Cartt.ca: FCC nears deal on XM-Sirius merger
Sources say a tentative deal has been struck by a majority of commissioners at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to approve the merger of Sirius and XM Satellite Radio.
July 23, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Commercial Private Radio Revenues on the Rise
CRTC data show total revenues for Canada's AM and FM radio stations increased by 6.2% going from $1.4 billion in 2006 to $1.5 billion in 2007.
July 23, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Creative Community Backs Independent Producers in Talks with Television Networks
The unions and guilds that represent Canada's professional performers, directors and screenwriters say they support the independent producers' position that equitable terms of trade agreements are needed to secure fairer deals for program rights.
July 23, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Flashpoint a success, moves to new night by Gayle MacDonald
Networks CBS and CTV have moved the new Canadian-made drama Flashpoint from Friday nights to Thursdays, the most-watched night of the week.
July 22, 2008 - Statistics Canada: The Daily: Film and video distribution, 2006
Canada's film and video distributors reported total operating revenues of $1.7 billion in 2006, down marginally from 2005.
July 22, 2008 - MediaPost: Digital Media On The Rise Globally
A new study shows that Interactive media's share of worldwide advertising expenditures is expected to hit 15 percent in 2009.
July 22, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Adbusters Media Foundation: Why Is the CBC Censoring Citizen-Produced Ads?
Adbusters says a refusal by Global TV and CBC to sell airtime to citizens and NGOs violates the right to freedom of expression under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
July 22, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Wireless licence sale helps give consumers a new edge by Simon Avery
Columnist says Canadians can expect to see lower prices and more services for their cellphones beginning next year.
July 22, 2008 - Globe & Mail: After Nipplegate defeat, FCC crusade in tatters by Sinclair Stewart
A U.S. court has ruled the government cannot fine CBS $550,000 for airing a Super Bowl halftime show in 2004 in which Janet Jackson briefly bared her right breast.
July 22, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Consumers win in $4.25B wireless auction: Prentice by David George-Cosh
The wireless spectrum auction that was mandated to lower cellphone prices and increase competition has raised more than $4.25 billion in revenue.
July 21, 2008 - Playback: Canwest looks to develop showrunners by Etan Vlessing
Canwest says the goal of a new training program is to help Canadian TV executives pick potential homegrown primetime hits.
July 21, 2008 - Playback: B.C. studios busy, others quiet across country by Cheryl Binning
Canadian movie producer says Vancouver has an advantage over Toronto and Montreal for U.S. film shoots because of its proximity to L.A. and a larger number of purpose-built studios.
July 21, 2008 - Globe & Mail: NPR tries something new and goes back to tried-and-true by Simon Houpt
Columnist says that NPR's strategy to attract a younger audience failed because the public broadcaster didn't have the "intestinal fortitude" to see it through.
July 19, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: CBC Radio audience down, ratings show by Tony Lofaro
Data show CBC Radio 1 has lost its grip on the No. 1 spot in the Ottawa radio market, losing almost 60 per cent of its audience since last autumn.
July 19, 2008 - Montreal Gazette: Everything you need to know for a dinner-party conversation about ... Flashpoint by Steve Faguy
Columnist profiles Flashpoint, the Canadian produced police drama that has been picked up by U.S. network CBS.
July 18, 2008 - Le Devoir: Europe - L'Union autorise les aides publiques à France Télévisions
EU approves French government plan to invest E150 million in France Télévisions during transition to advertising-free model.
July 18, 2008 - KBS: KBS Board of Governors names new Chairman
The new Chairman of Korea's public broadcaster says he will work to make KBS the most trusted and loved media organization in the country.
July 18, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Conditions won't kill radio deal, says analyst by Deborah Yao
A FCC commissioner says that he would vote in favour of the Sirius/XM satellite radio merger if the companies agree to his tougher requirements.
July 17, 2008 - BBC: Public service media in the digital age
Speech by Sir Michael Lyons, Chairman of the BBC Trust, to EU conference in Strasbourg.
July 17, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: BBC chairman: License fee good for economy by Sam Andrews
The BBC chairman defends the role of the public broadcaster in the U.K. creative economy, arguing that the local industry would be $10 billion worse off if the broadcaster did not exist.
July 17, 2008 - Cartt.ca: CRTC wants to add new media, CTF, to benefits policy
CRTC is looking to alter its benefits policy for ownership transactions so that a percentage is directed to the Canadian Television Fund – and that the buyer could request the money be used on new media.
July 17, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: CBC hopes rookie pilots ignite by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says CBC is looking to build on recent ratings success and has ordered more TV pilots from independent producers.
July 17, 2008 - Globe & Mail: As networks sink ever lower, cable keeps rising above by John Doyle
Columnist says there is optimism in the TV industry over a number of excellent dramas being made by cable channels.
July 16, 2008 - Canadian Press: MTV2 to launch in Canada on Aug. 1 with new original music video show
CTVglobemedia is launching a digital specialty TV channel that will have music videos for up to 10 percent of its programming.
July 15, 2008 - Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP: Re: Proposed Levy on Revenues of Internet Service Providers
Law firm opinion to Rogers Communications concludes Internet Service Providers do not engage in broadcasting and therefore may not be regulated by the CRTC under the Broadcasting Act.
July 15, 2008 - Cartt.ca: CRTC structure realigned
The CRTC has realigned its organizational structure so that activities that are common to both broadcasting and telecommunications will be grouped in the Policy Development and Research sector.
July 15, 2008 - Playback: TVO launches video player
TVOntario is rolling out a new online video player, first on tvokids.com, with an eye to turning out a grown-up version for tvo.org.
July 15, 2008 - Toronto Star: All TV hurts child's play, study says by Andrea Gordon
A new study finds having the TV on while kids are around hinders their ability to focus.
July 15, 2008 - CBC News: YouTube to keep user details away from Viacom
Viacom has backed off its demands to gain access to the viewing habits and personal data of YouTube users.
July 15, 2008 - Montreal Gazette: iPhone is ringing in huge sales
Apple says it has sold one million iPhones in Canada on the first weekend of sales.
July 14, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Canadian Flashpoint No. 1 in U.S.; producer 'shocked' by Gayle MacDonald
More than eight million Americans tuned in for the season premiere of the Canadian-made police drama Flashpoint on CBS.
July 14, 2008 - Calgary Herald: Back to the arts for PBS by Alex Strachan
PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger has announced a major initiative to boost the U.S. public broadcaster's emphasis on the performing arts.
July 14, 2008 - Toronto Star: Business takes sides in net neutrality debate by Michael Geist
Columnist says the issue of net neutrality has been elevated in the public policy debate by Bell Canada's traffic throttling practices.
July 14, 2008 - Broadcasting & Cable: Canadian Invasion by Paige Albiniak
Columnist says Hollywood producers are looking to Canada for fresh programming they can acquire economically and then sell at reasonable prices.
July 14, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: CBC Radio increases its support for Canadian composers
CBC Radio announces a $50,000 increase in its commissions budget for original works from Canadian musicians and orchestras.
July 12, 2008 - Globe & Mail: The wireless fight begins by Simon Avery
Columnist says the struggle to divvy the spoils of Canada's wireless riches has begun; pitting an increasingly savvy and demanding customer against finely tuned telecom incumbents.
July 12, 2008 - Globe & Mail: As CanWest falls, Asper buys by Grant Robertson
CanWest rules on stock ownership for senior managers require that the chief executive officer hold at least twice the value of his annual salary in CanWest shares on the open market.
July 12, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: U.S. regulator's criticism of throttling an important precedent, Net experts say by Vito Pilieci
Columnist says a decision by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission could ensure the Internet remains open to all and that companies such as Bell Canada have no right to restrict the flow of traffic on their networks.
July 11, 2008 - truthout: Is the Fourth Estate a Fifth Column? by Bill Moyers
The president of the Schumann Center for Media and Democracy says media institutions are not currently providing the information needed to make democracy work.
July 11, 2008 - Playback: CBC to CRTC: rethink new media by Terry Poulton
CBC encourages the broadcast regulator to recognize the importance of traditional media as the source of professional broadcast content for all new platforms.
July 11, 2008 - Variety: Entertainment One makes power play by Brendan Kelly
FRIENDS says Entertainment One is bringing together former players from Alliance Communications in a "critical mass of talent and capacity."
July 11, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Astral plans TV revamp by Grant Robertson
Astral Media executives say the company is planning to revamp its pay television services early next year to "reinvigorate" the business.
July 11, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: CBC received 448 info requests from one person by David Akin
Columnist says the requests from one Canadian has forced the CBC to more than double the number of employees in its access-to-information department
July 11, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: CBC/Radio-Canada to CRTC: Reject old assumptions about New Media
CBC/Radio-Canada tells the CRTC new media is neither displacing traditional media, nor will it solve the financial difficulties facing conventional broadcasters.
July 10, 2008 - International Institute of Communications: Explaining Europe's new telecom agenda by Xavier Merlin
Audio recording of Xavier Merlin from the French Department of enterprise and industry speaking about the incoming French Presidency of the EU and their prospective plans and priorities regarding the communications sector in Europe.
July 10, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Internet oversight by Bill Roberts
The president and CEO of VisionTV says there should be Internet oversight urging Canadian content on the Web.
July 10, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Ripped from the headlines by Gayle MacDonald
On the set of the most expensive television series ever produced in Canada - CTV's new cop drama Flashpoint.
July 10, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Rogers blinks on iPhone pricing by Matt Hartley
Columnist says public pressure caused Rogers to slash its mobile data fees in advance of the release of Apple's iPhone.
July 9, 2008 - Playback: Quebec groups slam Industry Canada report by Patricia Bailey
Some of the biggest players in the Quebec film and TV industry want the federal government to ignore a report that recommends reviewing Canadian cultural policies and opening up the broadcasting industry to foreign investment.
July 9, 2008 - Montreal Gazette: Google wrings Bell for throttling Internet by Barbara Shecter
Internet heavyweight Google has waded into a fight with Bell Canada, saying the company should be "prohibited" from the practice of curtailing peer-to-peer Internet use to manage capacity on its network.
July 9, 2008 - Globe & Mail: TV networks losing ground to rival services by Grant Robertson
Columnist says big TV networks in Canada are losing their financial dominance amid the rapid growth of specialty channels and pay-television services.
July 8, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Uncertainty aplenty as Web, media leaders meet by Jeremy Herron
Columnist says that a meeting of media and online leaders will focus on the Internet's increasing fragmentation.
July 7, 2008 - Playback: Entertainment One looks to be new Alliance Atlantis by Etan Vlessing
Entertainment One looks to acquire Blueprint Entertainment, Barna-Alper Productions, Oasis International and Maximum Films.
July 7, 2008 - Playback: CBC faces unique challenges with Beijing Games coverage by Cheryl Binning
CBC's Olympic coverage will have to deal with the technical challenges of broadcasting in HD, a 12 hour time difference and concerns that the Chinese government may block open media coverage.
July 7, 2008 - Playback: Safe is the buzzword for nets this fall by Marise Strauss
Article breaks down what CTVglobemedia, CanWest, CBC and Rogers have planned for their fall TV lineups.
July 7, 2008 - Parliament of Canada: Government response to the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
The government has responded to the Heritage Committee's study of CBC's mandate, rejecting the recommendation for a multi-year contract with Canadians.
July 7, 2008 - Associated Press: NBC to use Olympics to see how people use media by David Bauder
NBC executive says the broadcaster will use the Olympics as a "billion-dollar research lab" to get a sense of how people are using different media platforms to experience the Beijing Games.
July 7, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Analysts keen on Cogeco Cable by Steve Ladurantaye
Analysts say Cogeco Cable's stock is likely to head back toward its former highs, now that the company's acquisition streak is apparently at an end.
July 7, 2008 - CBC News: Bell's internet throttling illegal, Google says
Google says Bell is breaking Canadian telecommunications law by slowing certain internet traffic, and is urging the CRTC to take action against the company.
July 6, 2008 - CBC News: Canadian director fundraises by selling frames of future film
A Toronto filmmaker is selling each frame of his future film to potential investors through an internet site.
July 4, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Minister slams Russian TV standards by Vladimir Kozlov
Russia's new culture minister says the country's TV channels "are not in line with the state's cultural policy" and that "television is littered with material of poor quality and morals, which only does harm and no good."
July 4, 2008 - Canadian Press: Canadians skirt the law to view American TV programs in the Web, study says by Luann Lasalle
Study claims
July 2, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Canada's broadcasters challenging fees by Etan Vlessing
Canadian broadcasters say they will ask the Supreme Court of Canada to decide whether $100 million in annual license fees paid to the federal government represent a legitimate administration fee or an illegal tax.
July 2, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Digital access a priority for NFB
Despite budget and staff cuts, the National Film Board of Canada chairman says the organization trying to build for the digital future.
July 2, 2008 - Globe & Mail: A critical step forward by Paul Crampton
Op-ed links the loosening of foreign ownership restrictions on telecom companies to improved OECD "standard of living" rankings.
July 2, 2008 - Montreal Gazette: Internet traffic jam angers Bell critics by Roberto Rocha
Bell critics say the company is throttling Internet traffic so that it can give priority to its own paid online content.
July 1, 2008 - Strategy Magazine: Winning them back by Mary Dickie
Columnist says that despite challenges caused by the Hollywood writers strike, Canada's major networks are optimistic about the launch of the fall TV season.
July 1, 2008 - Strategy Magazine: Cross-country checkup by Etan Vlessing
A snapshot look at the media industry in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.
July 1, 2008 - CBC News: Peter Mansbridge appointed to the Order of Canada
The chief correspondent of CBC News and anchor of The National is to become an officer of the Order of Canada.
June 30, 2008 - CBC News: Rogers draws fire for iPhone rates by Peter Nowak
More than 18,000 people have signed an online petition asking for lower rates from Rogers on Apple's iPhone.
June 28, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Meet Mother Corp.'s daddy dearest by Jennifer Wells
Columnist says Richard Stursberg, vice-president of CBC English-language services, is determined to radically change Canada's public broadcaster.
June 28, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Canada is not for sale by David Coles
The President of Canada's largest media union says the public interest would not be served if the government accepted a competition panel recommendation to allow foreign control of Canadian telecom and broadcast companies.
June 28, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Shaw in 'competitive mode' as profit soars by Lauren Krugel
Industry Canada says Shaw Communications has spent $212.2-million for licenses in a wireless spectrum auction.
June 27, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Film and TV production lagging in Canada by Etan Vlessing
Canadian film studio operators say Screen Actors Guild talks in the U.S. have put a damper on production in this country.
June 27, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Appointment to the Board of Directors of CBC/Radio-Canada
The Minister of Canadian Heritage has announced financial accountant Patricia McIver to the Board of Directors of CBC/Radio-Canada.
June 27, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: Appointments to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
The Minister of Canadian Heritage has announced Suzanne Lamarre, Steve Simpson and Louise Poirier as full-time members of the CRTC.
June 27, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Romanian legislators call for happy news on TV
Romania's Senate has ordered TV and radio stations to air more "happy" news, arguing that too much gloom is making people ill.
June 27, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CBC's all-sports channel bid comes under fire by William Houston
CBC's bid to launch an all-sports television channel is under attack from media companies that assert the application is misleading and contradicts guidelines established by the CRTC.
June 27, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Rival offer creates fight for JumpTV by Grant Robertson
The founder of MySpace has made public a competing offer for Toronto-based, Internet broadcaster JumpTV.
June 27, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Shaw rings up more profit by Virginia Galt
Shaw Communications reports a third-quarter profit of $128.1-million.
June 26, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Canadian politicians OK'd for radio gigs by Etan Vlessing
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has ruled that radio hosts elected to political office can use the airwaves to promote their own political agendas.
June 26, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Canada eyes road to looser ownership regs by Etan Vlessing
A federal government advisory report recommends that Canada gradually overhaul its foreign ownership rules for homegrown broadcasters and phone companies.
June 26, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: TQS off news hook for now by Etan Vlessing
The CRTC has ruled that the new owners of the struggling Quebec broadcaster can drastically reduce news coverage for three years until they return to financial health.
June 26, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: TQS ruling proves CRTC eroding its mandate
Canada's largest media union says the CRTC's decision to allow TQS to slash local news demonstrates that the CRTC is eroding its mandate to serve the public interest.
June 26, 2008 - Globe & Mail: 'Diversity' is behind Radio 2 changes? What a bunch of twaddle by Russell Smith
Columnist is critical of recent House of Commons hearings on proposed changes to CBC Radio Two.
June 26, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Panel urges overhaul of foreign ownership, competition rules by Heather Scoffield
An advisory report recommends the government "liberalize" foreign ownership restrictions on the telecommunications industry.
June 26, 2008 - Broadband TV News: Sarkozy outlines public broadcasting plans
French president Nicolas Sarkozy has laid out plans that will see advertising banned from France's public broadcasters by December, 2011.
June 26, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CBC Radio widens its net by Guy Dixon
CBC executives have unveiled a new fall schedule for CBC Radio One with programming to appeal to 35 to 49 year olds.
June 26, 2008 - CBC News: CRTC gives nod to Remstar takeover of TQS
The CRTC has approved Remstar Diffusion's acquisition of Quebec's TQS Network, allowing the network to temporarily cut back on local programming and news.
June 26, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: Metro Vancouver's FM radio market gets three new competitors by Malcolm Parry
The CRTC has approved three new FM broadcasters to compete in Metro Vancouver's $131-million-per-year advertising market.
June 25, 2008 - The Guardian: BBC iPlayer: new-look 'radio and TV' service to launch by Mark Sweney
Britain's public broadcaster launches a new version of its online content software with both TV and radio programming.
June 24, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Networks unprepared for digital TV shift: CRTC by Grant Robertson
The chairman of the CRTC accuses Canada's biggest television networks of dragging their feet on millions of dollars of investment needed by 2011 to broadcast in high definition.
June 23, 2008 - FreePress Action Fund: Stop the Bush Cuts to Public Broadcasting
Email action alert calls on U.S. citizens to sign a petition opposing the Bush administration's proposed 56 percent funding cut to public broadcasting.
June 23, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Bidding in wireless auction pushing $4-billion
Rogers, Telus and Bell lead the way in bidding for the wireless spectrum auction that's aimed at bringing more competition to the cellphone market.
June 20, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CBC unveils plans for Hockey Night theme contest by William Houston
CBC executives say the winning composer will receive $100,000 and 50 per cent of royalty fees, with the other half going to minor hockey.
June 20, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: The time is right for a Memorandum of Understanding
CBC says the Government's decision not to endorse the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage's report on CBC/Radio-Canada is a missed opportunity to enhance the accountability and transparency of Canada's national public broadcaster.
June 19, 2008 - CRTC: Notes for an address to the 2008 Broadcasting Invitational Summit by Konrad von Finckenstein
Speech by the chairman of the CRTC focuses on the transition to digital TV, over-the-air transmission, media convergence and accessibility to content for people with disabilities.
June 19, 2008 - Parliament of Canada: Submitted Petitions to the House of Commons
Excerpts from House of Commons transcripts on Arts and Culture and the CBC Radio Orchestra.
June 19, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Watchdog says Net regulation must be addressed by Simon Avery
The head of Canada's Competition Bureau says that as converging communications change consumer expectations and behaviour, policy makers will need to address the question of regulating the Internet.
June 19, 2008 - MediaPost: Parents, Not Peers, Lead Young People to Newspapers
A study on the media habits of young people found that television continues to be the most important source of news and information for people between 15 and 29 years old.
June 19, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Search Engine finds the end by Jack Kapica
Search Engine, the CBC Radio 2 show about technology and digital culture, has been cancelled.
June 19, 2008 - Toronto Star: CRTC report finds `strong growth' at cable firms by Rita Trichur
FRIENDS says record profits for Canada's cable and satellite companies demonstrate the existing TV distribution system works well.
June 18, 2008 - Playback: Liberals propose amendments to Bill C-10 by Etan Vlessing
Liberal senators have unveiled amendments to the controversial tax bill that could allow Bill C-10 to be sent back to the House of Commons for reconsideration.
June 18, 2008 - Globe & Mail: A good day, eh? by Andrew Ryan
Fox signs a production deal with Global to produce the pilot for The Animated Adventures of Bob and Doug McKenzie.
June 18, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Senate to send film tax bill back to House
Liberal senators say they will amend the controversial film-financing sections of the government's omnibus tax bill, despite the fact that the House of Commons passed the legislation as a confidence measure.
June 18, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Need for speed by Julie Fortier
Columnist says that while Internet service providers in other countries are upgrading infrastructure, Canadian companies are throttling traffic.
June 18, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CRTC mulls rules for managing Internet traffic by Grant Robertson and Matt Hartley
CRTC head says that the fight between Bell and independent Web service providers over how traffic is allowed to flow over the Internet is "only the tip of the iceberg," for an industry that could find itself in more disputes.
June 18, 2008 - CRTC: CRTC report shows strong growth in the Canadian broadcasting distribution industry
CRTC says Canadian Cable companies' total revenues exceeded $7 billion for the first time ever in 2007.
June 17, 2008 - Playback: TSN set to air entire CFL package by Marija Djukic and Jesse Kohl
A new five-year deal with the Canadian Football League gives CTVglobemedia's TSN rights to broadcast every game on multiple platforms for the next five years.
June 17, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Female anchors face off on Quebec networks by Ingrid Peritz
Radio-Canada and Quebec broadcaster TVA will soon both have women anchors for their flagship nightly news programs.
June 17, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Fur still flying over CBC's loss of hockey song by William Houston
CTV executive says the CBC would have had money to pay for the "hockey song" if it hadn't spent on two U.S. acquisitions, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
June 17, 2008 - Globe & Mail: AP to meet with blogging group by Seth Sutel
The Associated Press plans to meet with a bloggers' group to help form guidelines under which AP news stories can be quoted online.
June 16, 2008 - New York Times: Purchase of Theme Song, a Staple of Canadian Culture, Upsets Hockey Fans by Ian Austen
Battle over the "hockey song" profiled in the New York Times.
June 14, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Hockey Rights in Canada by John Allemang
Poem about CBC losing the rights to the "hockey song".
June 13, 2008 - CBC News: Montreal news radio station bids farewell
The Canadian Media Guild has renewed a call to the CRTC to protect local newsrooms in the wake of layoffs at a Montreal radio station.
June 13, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CRTC should approve COC and CBC applications for new sports channels by William Houston
Columnist says the sport channel bids from the Canadian Olympic Committee and the CBC are significantly different and should both be approved by the CRTC.
June 13, 2008 - Globe & Mail: A high-minded Othello from an increasingly populist CBC by Kate Taylor
Columnist says the CBC needs to offer arts programming on television that argues powerfully for the art itself.
June 13, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Fine print makes for disturbing reading; Copyright bill by Michael Geist
Columnist says the government has cast aside the concerns of business, education, and consumer groups by introducing a copyright bill that seeks to dramatically tilt Canadian law toward greater enforcement and restrictions on the use of digital content.
June 12, 2008 - CBC News: Broadcasting veteran named chair of CTF
Paul Gratton, the former vice president of specialty channels for CHUM, has been elected as the chair of the Canadian Television Fund.
June 12, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Radio One's Talking Books to fall silent by the fall by Guy Dixon
CBC's Radio One literary show, Talking Books, has been cancelled.
June 12, 2008 - Toronto Star: Canadian films will live on by Hon Josee Verner
Minister of Canadian Heritage defends controversial tax bill.
June 12, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Government to unveil copyright bill by David George-Cosh
New bill said to include contentious provisions including making it illegal to copy music from protected CDs to iPods.
June 11, 2008 - Hollywood Reporter: Funding boost sought as Banff wraps by Etan Vlessing
Columnist says the Banff World Television Festival concluded with a chorus calling for aid for Canada's indigenous producers in the battle against Hollywood.
June 11, 2008 - Maclean's: Dumb-da-dumb- da-dumb! by Charlie Gillis
Columnist says that after years of trading on the cultural significance of hockey broadcasts, it is puzzling why CBC executives would let the iconic "hockey song" slip away.
June 11, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: CBC sensible not to spend millions on hockey song
Editorial says the CBC would have had a hard time justifying spending millions of taxpayers' dollars on the Hockey Night in Canada theme song.
June 11, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Allen stays, new hosts to join Radio 2 by Guy Dixon
CBC Radio 2 is keeping Tom Allen as its morning host, but will be bringing aboard a number of musicians to host its new programs starting this fall.
June 11, 2008 - Globe & Mail: UK likely to reject TV product placement by Kate Holton
The UK government has indicated it will reject proposals from the European Union that would allow broadcasters to raise money from product placements in television.
June 10, 2008 - Montreal Gazette: Too many English stations? by Don MacPherson
Columnist says there is growing support among political parties in Quebec for provincial control over the licensing of broadcasters.
June 10, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Fox takes Little Mosque by Andrew Ryan
The producers of Little Mosque on the Prairie have signed a deal with Fox Television for an American version of the series.
June 9, 2008 - Toronto Star: A lesson for today's politician: Get yourself on YouTube by Fraser MacLean
Dalton Camp Award winner says YouTube is bound to play a key role in the next federal election.
June 9, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Homegrown drama, courtesy of the CRTC
Columnist says newcomer to Canada might not be able to tell the difference between the private broadcasters and CBC by looking at the TV schedules.
June 9, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: CTV Saves 'The Hockey Theme'
CTV has acquired the exclusive tights to 'Canada's Second National Anthem'.
June 8, 2008 - New York Times: No Debate: It's Great TV by Alessandra Stanley
Columnist says the U.S. primary elections should get an Emmy award for great television.
June 6, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CBC fumbles negotiations on Hockey Night theme by Brodie Fenlon
Article says a lowball offer by the CBC to buy the Hockey Night in Canada theme song from its composer prompted the collapse of year-long negotiations.
June 6, 2008 - Toronto Star: Film bill a job-killer, mayors say by Joanna Smith
The mayors of the biggest cities in Canada tell a Senate committee that removing the certainty of tax credits for the film and television industry would devastate a vital part of their economies.
June 6, 2008 - Toronto Star: Media groups slam CRTC proposal by Rita Trichur
A CRTC proposal would split the Canadian Television Fund into separate commercial and cultural streams.
June 6, 2008 - National Post: Fund shows with mass appeal: CRTC by Grant Surridge
The CRTC recommends that the fund created to subsidize the production of Canadian television should support more shows based on popularity alone.
June 5, 2008 - CBC News: Consumer groups voice concern over potential digital copyright bill
A coalition of consumer groups has waded into the copyright reform debate, calling on the federal government to avoid introducing legislation that will limit consumer rights.
June 5, 2008 - Canada NewsWire: The CRTC's Report on the CTF - A $150 M Hit to Public Sector Programming
CBC says changes to the Canadian Television Fund would result in a $150M decline in funding to Canadian public sector television programming over the next 5 years.
June 5, 2008 - Canadian Press: CRTC says private broadcasters, CBC should have separate financing for TV shows by Julian Beltrame
FRIENDS agrees with CRTC recommendation to keep the status quo on Canadian content rules for the CTF.
June 5, 2008 - Globe & Mail: U.S. programs dominate Global's menu by Lee-Anne Goodman
Columnist says Global Television's fall schedule is chock full of American shows.
June 5, 2008 - Globe & Mail: New battleground in TV wars by Grant Robertson
Columnist says CTV's A-channel and Global's E! are being stocked with proven hits and new shows bought from Hollywood.
June 5, 2008 - Toronto Star: CanCon takes back seat for fall by Rob Salem
Columnist says the only new Canadian programming on Global-TV's fall schedule is a 15-episode season of a new Bob & Doug McKenzie cartoon.
June 5, 2008 - National Post: Satellite company breached rules: CBC by Barbara Shecter
CBC says Satellite TV distributor Star Choice has breached broadcast rules with a "cavalier attitude" and should be reined in by the CRTC.
June 4, 2008 - Globe & Mail: TSN scores with more Maple Leafs games by William Houston
A new six-year agreement will significantly increase Canadian NHL content on the sports cable network TSN.
June 4, 2008 - Montreal Gazette: CRTC troubled by TQS plan by Kevin Dougherty
The head of the CRTC says he is concerned about a Remstar Broadcasting proposal to drastically curtail the news coverage at Quebec private television network TQS.
June 4, 2008 - CBC News: Government buffing Prentice's Wikipedia entry
University of Ottawa internet law professor says the government has been editing Minister of Industry Jim Prentice's Wikipedia entry, removing mentions of the recent copyright-reform controversy.
June 3, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Remstar pitches CRTC on revival plan for TQS
The prospective new owners of TQS say they only want to revive the network's TV operation, not the news service.
June 3, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CTV avoids TV writers' strike damage Gayle MacDonald
CTV executives say the network was relatively unscathed by the Hollywood writers strike because of a strategy to acquire cable programs and invest in original programming.
June 2, 2008 - Cartt.ca: Fee-for-carriage: Rogers is desperate, says CTV
CTVglobemedia executive says a recent attack on the fee-for-carriage issue by Rogers Communications shows carriers are desperate and have resorted to fear-mongering.
June 2, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Newspaper readership on the rise
Report says circulation of paid newspapers rose 2.6 per cent worldwide in 2007, with the biggest jump in India and China.
June 2, 2008 - CBC News: CTV announces 2 Canadian-shot dramas for fall
CTV has announced a fall lineup that includes two new Canadian-shot dramas and a Canadian-made reality TV show.
June 2, 2008 - Nanaimo Daily News: Commission won't let Gabriola broadcast CBC radio by Darrell Bellaart
The CRTC has denied an application by the CBC to re-transmit its AM radio signal directly to Nanaimo from Gabriola Island.
June 1, 2008 - Canadian Press: Mass audience or culture? Changes in fund will impact shows on Canadian TV by Julian Beltrame
FRIENDS says recommendations on the reform of the Canadian Television Fund will reveal whether the CRTC has the courage to stand up to the cable companies.
May 31, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: Arguments made in Net 'throttling' clash by David George-Cosh
In a submission to the CRTC, the Canadian Association of Internet Providers has outlined how Bell Canada's Internet throttling has slowed down usage of voice-over-Internet-protocol calls, encrypted traffic, peer-to-peer file sharing and virtual-private networks.
May 31, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Censorship debate boosts film's profile by Jay Stone
Event organizers say no Conservative MPs attended the screening of a controversial Canadian film.
May 30, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Canada: Media giants boost literacy
Canwest Global and CTVglobemedia have announced they will contribute $1.5 million to Media Awareness Network, a not-for-profit media literacy organization.
May 30, 2008 - National Post: CRTC hit by new challenge; Rogers Critique by Barbara Shecter
Phil Lind, vice-chairman of Rogers Communications Inc., says there are "disturbing signals emanating from Ottawa that the regulators are toying with the idea of taking a far more hands-on approach to local news programming."
May 30, 2008 - Toronto Sun: 'Foolish CBC decisions for $100 please, Alex' by Connie Woodcock
Columnist says the reason CBC is including Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! in its fall lineup is that the U.S. game-shows are proven to make money.
May 30, 2008 - Radio World International: CBC Puts Radio, TV, Web Management Under One Roof by James Careless
FRIENDS says Richard Stursberg, CBC's head of English services, does not have the skills and background necessary to successfully integrate the public broadcaster's English radio, TV and Web services into a single entity.
May 29, 2008 - National Post: Star Choice resists return of Toronto station by Barbara Shecter
Shaw-owned Star Choice tells the CRTC that the company shouldn't be forced to return a local Toronto TV station to the airwaves just because "a few people complained".
May 29, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Wrong turn at the CBC by Paul Moore
A former senior producer with CBC-TV's Marketplace likens the show being dropped for Jeopardy! to The National being bumped for the U.S. reality series The One in 2006.
May 29, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Telecom profit growth seen stalling by Catherine McLean
The Conference Board of Canada says profit growth in Canada's telecommunications industry will stall in coming years as competition holds prices in check.
May 29, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Denying tax credits for films could kill industry, Gross says by Gloria Galloway
Actor Paul Gross tells the Senate banking committee that Bill C-10, which proposes to deny tax credits to productions deemed "contrary to public policy," could spell the end of his industry.
May 29, 2008 - Cartt.ca: Fee-for-local news is "government interference on a grand scale," says Lind by Greg O'Brien
Rogers Communications vice-chairman says the CRTC has recently demonstrated an appetite for micro-management that may have implications for how television news stories are chosen and focused.
May 28, 2008 - National Post: Net neutrality bill hits House of Commons
The NDP has introduced legislation to the House of Commons that seeks to keep the internet democratic, open and free from control by service providers.
May 28, 2008 - Globe & Mail: A 'cultural institution'? Yeah, and so is my local doughnut joint by John Doyle
Columnist says Tim Hortons and Canadian Tire have as much right to the label of "cultural institution" as the CBC.
May 27, 2008 - Mediacaster: Net Neutrality: Consumer Groups Call for Action
A coalition of consumer organizations is urging all four federal political parties in Canada's parliament to take a position in favour of net neutrality.
May 27, 2008 - Playback: Upfront show must go on, say nets by Marise Strauss
Canada's private networks plan on unveiling their fall schedules at an industry event in early June.
May 27, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CBC target of surging information complaints: report
Canada's Information Commissioner says his office received 536 complaints about the public broadcaster in 2007-2008, more than any other department or agency of government.
May 27, 2008 - Toronto Sun: CBC back in a big way by Bill Harris
CBC executives say more Canadians are watching more Canadian programming.
May 27, 2008 - CBC News: President says CBC 'could have done better' with songwriters gala
Article says CBC president Hubert Lacroix was grilled by federal MPs over cutting Quebec singer Claude Dubois's performance at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame broadcast.
May 27, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Auction winners could give leg up to new carriers by Catherine McLean
Ottawa is set to auction wireless airwaves in an attempt to bolster competition in a market where prices are higher than in other countries.
May 27, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Game shows to fund CBC programming by Gayle MacDonald
CBC has unveiled a fall schedule that network executives described as being "uniquely Canadian", despite the nightly additions of the U.S. syndicated game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
May 27, 2008 - Toronto Star: CBC Television is playing it safe by Raju Mudhar
Columnist says CBC is banking on a slate of returning sitcoms, dramas, talk shows and satires that have already proved their appeal to viewers.
May 26, 2008 - Playback: Trina McQueen: TV titan's career marked by firsts by Tamsen Tillson
Article profiles TV executive Trina McQueen.
May 26, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: Local officials, celebrities join rally against CBC cuts by Lloyd Dykk
Columnist says 300 people showed up at the Vancouver Art Gallery to protest CBC management's decision to cut the CBC Radio Orchestra.
May 26, 2008 - Canadian Press: CBC fall schedule heralds arrival of two big American game shows by Lee-Anne Goodman
Columnist says CBC's fall schedule lacks much new Canadian-made programming.
May 26, 2008 - National Post: The CBC keeps plodding along by Lorne Gunter
Columnist says the Harper government should ignore calls for increased investment and instead "wrap up" Canada's public broadcaster.
May 24, 2008 - Ottawa Sun: CBC cash grab by Marie-France-Lou Lemay
The CBC President and CEO has asked the federal government to give the public broadcaster a $215-million boost and commit to a seven-year funding plan.
May 24, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Jeopardy! to bump Marketplace from its slot by Marsha Lederman
FRIENDS says CBC should be running Canadian programming, not U.S. syndicated shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
May 24, 2008 - Globe & Mail: CBC delighted with Stanley Cup 'dream series' by William Houston
In the absence of a Canadian team in the Stanley Cup finals, CBC says the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Detroit Red Wings is an appealing alternative.
May 24, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Edward steps out of the Rogers shadow by Catherine McLean and Grant Robertson
Ted Rogers says he doesn't want Rogers Communications sold when he steps down as President and Chief Executive Officer.
May 23, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Time Warner, NBC tie-up is up to 'the Jeffs' by Richard Siklos
Columnist says that Time Warner may be looking to NBC as a new broadcast partner.
May 22, 2008 - CBC/Radio-Canada: Speaking notes for Mr. Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada, at the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television
In his first public speech since being appointed CBC president, Hubert Lacroix says the public broadca