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Canada's Olympic Media Team Gears up for 2012

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Cross-platform opportunities and emerging digital media platforms will again take the podium as Canada's Broadcast Media Consortium makes its plans to cover the next Olympic Games.

Keith Pelley, President of Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, announced Gavin Roth as Vice-President, Sales and Christos Nikitopoulos as Vice-President, Programming and Revenue Planning for the Consortium's coverage of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Reporting to Pelley and effective immediately, Roth and Nikitopoulos were both integral members of the Consortium's senior management team for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, which delivered unprecedented multiplatform coverage and consumer choice in multiple languages.

The Consortium's use of the traditional platforms like TV and radio,  as well as its increased use of the Internet for streaming video and video-on-demand services, as well as its delivery of content to portable media devices like cellphones and smartphones, set a new standard for sports programming and content delivery that is expected to equalled, if not surpassed, in London.

"Gavin's and Christos's monumental contributions to our coverage of Vancouver 2010 were a driving force in the success of our sales and programming initiatives.  They are both proven leaders who consistently achieve results through diligent planning and creativity," said Pelley.

Roth is responsible for creating a targeted sales strategy for traditional and new media and taking all aspects of the various client opportunities to market (conventional, specialty, digital, radio and print).  Roth will deliver creative and partnership-oriented solutions, providing clients and brands with an extraordinarily robust and integrated marketing and media solution for London 2012.  Roth assumes the responsibilities previously held by David Strickland, who was recently appointed Senior Vice-President, Business Strategy, CTV Inc.

Previously, Roth was Senior Director, Sales for the Consortium, where he developed partnerships and media opportunities with leading Canadian companies for the 2010 Winter Games.  Prior to joining the Consortium, Roth held senior sales and marketing roles with the Canadian Football League and WWE Canada. 

In this newly-created role, Nikitopoulos is responsible for leading the integrated cross-platform development and execution of programming and revenue strategy on all Consortium media assets.  With his dual role in programming and revenue, Nikitopoulos will drive an audience-centric and revenue maximizing strategy to fully utilize the extensive rights and assets available for London 2012.

Previously, Nikitopoulos was Senior Director, Programming and Revenue Planning for the Consortium's coverage of Vancouver 2010, where he created the revenue plan, digital sales strategy and pre-Olympic Games content plan.  Prior to joining the Consortium, Nikitopoulos held several senior roles in programming, new media, revenue generation and marketing at CBC.

Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium is a unique relationship between leading media conglomerates CTV Inc. and Rogers Media Inc., which together provided unprecedented coverage and consumer choice in English, French and multi-languages on multiple platforms for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  The partnership continues for the London 2012 Games of the Olympiad.  Official brands include CTV, TSN, RDS, RIS Info Sports, Rogers Sportsnet, OMNI, OLN, V, APTN, ATN, CTVOlympics.ca, RDSolympiques.ca, The Globe and Mail, Corus Québec and select Rogers radio stations across the country.

 

 

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'Crisis' Looms in Digital TV Transition: CRTC Boss

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The Canadian TV industry faces a crisis as long-overdue preparations for the switch to digital TV haven not yet begun to ramp up as needed.

"My great concern is that the industry will not be ready," Konrad von Finckenstein, the head of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, told producers, broadcasters and content creators at the Banff World Television Festival.

He was quoting himself, and remarks he made more than two years ago.

Even so, von Finckenstein said, there are still requests for delays today, and so a crisis in at hand.

The federal government wants over the air TV transmission to go digital in August 2011, but a trial run begin as early as April of that year to work out any possible problems, von Finckenstein proposed.

He referenced the painful and also oft delayed transition south of the border in June 2009, when some $1.5 billion USD was spent on subsidies to help pay for converter boxes so consumers could receive the new signals.

Finckenstein urged cable and satellite providers here to mount a widespread consumer education campaign in Canada. He also pressed the federal government to come up with a fund to help consumers pay for the added costs that may arise.

He warned of a widespread backlash if people who currently pay nothing for TV are suddenly forced to invest in cable or satellite signals.

Nearly a million Canadian households currently relie on analog over the air transmission, and their trusted old antenna, it's been estimated. They do not have TVs equipped to receive new digital signals. About another 44,000 won't have access to TV content at all unless they invest in new technology.

As impactful as the transition may be, then, von Finckenstein is worried that broadcasters have not taken the issue as seriously as the CRTC expects them to.

In prepared remarks for the Banff speech, von Finckenstein wrote:

"Canadians want to see high-definition programming on their television sets. If our broadcasting system doesn't adapt to their demands, viewers will be more tempted than ever to watch U.S. programming in HD over-the-air, on cable or on satellite.

This is particularly relevant to the independent producers among you since you are in the business of making compelling programs for Canadians. That means ensuring that your product is shown in the best format possible. You have already purchased production equipment for HD programming. You will no doubt make similar investments in the near future to produce programs in 3D.

You, as independent producers, clearly have an interest in seeing the digital transition carried out on time, and can help build public interest and awareness.

The Commission set the analog cut-off date of August 31, 2011, more than three years ago, giving the industry more than enough time to prepare. This is not a date that we arbitrarily imposed. It was chosen after extensive consultations with the industry and at the request of the government.

In 2008, I spoke at the Broadcasting Invitational Summit-an annual meeting of senior industry stakeholders. I made our position clear by telling them:

"My great concern is that the industry will not be ready. There will be requests for delays, and we will have a crisis on our hands. This must not be allowed to happen."

This date is fixed in stone as far as the CRTC is concerned. It will not be altered. And both Industry Minister Tony Clement and Heritage Minister James Moore have publicly stated that the government has no intention of extending the deadline.

This morning, I'd like to review with you the steps the Commission has taken to facilitate an orderly transition, as well as the pressing issues that are still unresolved.

Most efficient use of spectrum

But first of all: Why did the Commission set a deadline? Why is the switchover to digital television so important?

There are three main reasons, but it all comes down to making the most efficient use of a scarce public resource.

First, the technology available to broadcasters has evolved. Private and public broadcasters have been using the TV spectrum since the 1950s to send their signals to Canadian homes. For much of that time, analog broadcasting was the most effective way to provide televised information and culture to the vast majority of the population.

That is no longer the case.

Today, we have a digital technology that not only improves the picture and sound quality of television programming, but also allows for the broadcast of multiple services on a single channel. This could create interesting opportunities for broadcasters, such as for mobile television services. I would expect that mobile broadcasting is something that would be of great interest to independent producers.

Secondly, spectrum use must be closely coordinated with the United States to ensure that it is harmonized. When they wake up on September 1, 2011, the Americans will expect Canadian broadcasters to have vacated channels 52 to 69. It has been agreed that some of these channels will be repurposed on both sides of the border for public safety services.

Thirdly, the government has earmarked a portion of the spectrum that will be freed up for advanced wireless services. The demand for mobile broadband services is set to explode over the next decade. We will need to move quickly to auction the spectrum if we want to have the capacity meet this growth. Mobile broadband will be a key element of our economy going forward, and I expect that it will feature prominently in the government's national digital strategy.

These three factors help explain why a deadline was necessary and why the transition is so important.

Mandatory and non-mandatory markets

In light of the efforts to coordinate spectrum use with the U.S., the Commission determined that all stations operating on channels 52 to 69 in all markets must convert to digital. We also established a list of 31 markets where the transition will be mandatory, including:

• provincial and territorial capital cities
• markets with a population over 300,000, and
• other markets where there is more than one local television station.

Within these mandatory markets, 174 analog transmitters will have to be converted to digital. We're encouraged by the fact that a number of them are already up and running. To ensure that all of them are converted, the operation of full-power analog transmitters will not be authorized after August 31, 2011.
 
The real challenge, of course, will be in the smaller, non-mandatory markets. In an ideal scenario, every station in these markets will make the transition so that their viewers can also benefit from free access to over-the-air digital television. But we realize that it may be difficult for some broadcasters to absorb the costs associated with upgrading their transmission equipment. That's why we've given them some flexibility so that they may retain their status as conventional broadcasters.

Stations that are on channels 2 to 51 in the non-mandatory markets will be able to continue broadcasting in analog.

However, as I explained a moment ago, channels 52 to 69 will have to be freed up. This involves an additional 17 transmitters in non-mandatory markets. We hope broadcasters occupying those channels will go digital. But they can delay the conversion of their transmitters as long as they move their analog signal to one of the lower channels.

In addition, the rights of analog stations in non-mandatory markets (i.e. mandatory carriage and simultaneous substitution) will be extended to their digital signals that are provided to broadcasting distributors (i.e. BDUs) via direct feed.

Some broadcasters like Télé Inter-Rives and RNC Media have committed to building digital transmitters in mandatory and non-mandatory markets and have already submitted their applications. These smaller broadcasters are to be commended for their initiative.

The longer other broadcasters wait to submit their plans, the more they will be scrambling to find the necessary equipment and qualified engineers at the last minute.
 
The Commission has put in place measures to process applications as expeditiously as possible. We are ready and there will be no delays in issuing approvals.

Over-the-air viewers

On the other side of the coin are the consumers. About 7% of Canadians rely solely on an antenna for their television services. Although the majority of viewers subscribe to cable or satellite television services, some have TV sets in their kitchens and bedrooms that receive over-the-air signals.

Based on the industry's estimates, roughly 900,000 households in mandatory markets may have to take action or else they will not be able to receive the new over-the-air digital signal. A consumer with an older TV set may have to buy a converter box, which retails for about $75, to receive digital signals over-the-air. Should the government want to help with the purchase of converter boxes, a subsidy program of up to $67.5 million would be needed.

In addition, as many as 44,000 households in non-mandatory markets could potentially lose access to free local television after the transition. In these rural and remote areas, satellite is often the only alternative to an over-the-air signal. Satellite providers have indicated that a receiver and dish would cost each household $300 plus installation. Should the government want to help with the purchase of this equipment, a subsidy program of up to $13.2 million would be needed.

However, this would only convert those 44,000 households into satellite customers. They would have to pay the going rate for the television services they used to receive free of charge. This is clearly untenable.

A possible solution for viewers who lose access is what I call the free local package option. Cable and satellite companies could provide these consumers with a package of local and regional television stations at no charge. FreeHD Canada and MTS Allstream are on record as being willing to offer such packages. 

This would require an amendment to our regulations, exempting distributors from having to distribute the full basic television package, which we will gladly make.

Consumer education

Unfortunately, most consumers are in the dark regarding the transition. There have been no attempts at informing them that this is coming next year. The good news is that the majority of Canadians are cable or satellite subscribers and won't notice any difference in their television services. But a small percentage of the population will find themselves in a state of confusion if nothing is done to educate them.

The digital transition must be undertaken in a coordinated fashion in order to minimize the impact on viewers. While we are doing what we can, the government can also play an important role.

Recommendations to government

This past March, we issued a report in which we recommended that the government:

• set out a clear policy and coordinate the implementation plan for Canada's digital transition
• fund and lead a coordinated national consumer education and awareness program, and
• consider funding a consumer subsidy program for the purchase of digital converter boxes and satellite receiving equipment.

As the national public broadcaster, the CBC has a special mandate to reflect Canada to national and regional audiences. According to the Broadcasting Act, its services should be "made available throughout Canada by the most appropriate and efficient means and as resources become available for the purpose."

In the 1970s, the government provided the CBC with capital funding to increase the coverage of its services. Its network of analog over-the-air television transmitters now stretches across the country and reaches the majority of the population. Any policy set by the government should include support for the CBC's digital transition plans.

Follow-up proceeding

After submitting our report, we launched a follow-up proceeding to provide the government with a more accurate picture of how the transition will affect Canadians.

If the U.S. experience taught us anything, it's that the Federal Communications Commission drastically underestimated how many Americans would need to buy digital converter boxes. It ended up having to ask Congress for more funds and distributing 14 million more coupons than it had anticipated.

So in our notice, we asked stakeholders to provide comments on:

• the percentage of households in both mandatory and non-mandatory markets that currently rely exclusively on over-the-air television, and
• the size, type and manner of a subsidy program to help pay for digital receiving equipment should the government decide to go this route.

We also asked for comments on three other outstanding issues.

Free local package

First, as I mentioned earlier, the free local package option could ensure that Canadians continue to have access to the local and regional television stations that they currently receive over-the-air. We are prepared to grant an exception to our regulations, which require that distributors provide a full basic service. However, distributors should not be permitted to distribute any other television services with the free local package or force consumers to purchase any other services.

We have asked stakeholders their views on these terms and conditions, as well as which cable and satellite companies plan to offer such a package.

Public awareness campaigns

Secondly, it is in the best interests of broadcasters and distributors to make Canadians aware of the switchover, or else they risk losing viewers and subscribers. To avoid this, they will need to design a vigorous awareness campaign to provide information through public service announcements and other initiatives. We have asked the public and the industry what specific measures broadcasters and distributors could undertake to create greater awareness.

Trial markets

And lastly, should we have a trial market undertake the transition ahead of the deadline? In our view, a trial market would allow all stakeholders to assess whether the measures put in place to educate Canadians were effective, and give us time to implement any necessary changes before the rest of the country switches over. It has been suggested that Winnipeg and Quebec City could serve as good trial markets given their size and distance from other mandatory markets.

We are planning to make public our determinations on all of these points very soon.

Conclusion

The whole world is going digital. Our neighbour to the south, who also happens to be the largest producer of entertainment programming, is already there. I want to make sure you have the broadcasting infrastructure that you need to reach your audiences. The longer we wait, the more tempting foreign HD content will become. Canada has no choice but to make the transition so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities it will bring.

The industry wants its regulator to provide certainty, and that's exactly what we have done in this case. The deadline in mandatory markets and for channels 52 to 69 is firm. We will not change it.

Time is growing very short. It will be a real challenge to get the job done in the next 14 months, and it will require a strong commitment from everyone involved."

 

 

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TSN Announces Mulit-Year Broadcast Deal with CFL

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TSN’s complete 77-game package is part of its exclusive multi-year deal with the CFL, and includes the playoffs and the season’s marquee event: the 98^th GREY CUP from Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.  All regular and post-season match-ups air in High Definition, and games are also available on demand at TSN.ca.  In addition, fans can enjoy WENDY’S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL games live on TSN.ca, and encore presentations of most games on TSN2.

 Along with every game, CFL fans are well-served this season with the return of the weekly staple, WENDY’S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, plus the CFL ON TSN PREVIEW SHOW, the GREY CUP PLAYOFFS and GREY CUP SATURDAY, plus numerous features and special programming putting the spotlight on the CFL.  SPORTSCENTRE also has daily CFL coverage throughout the season with news, highlights and interviews, plus the CFL on TSN panel providing analysis and handing out game balls to the league’s standout players each week.

 

 

 

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Discovery To Launch New Channel Brands

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Through a renewed joint venture between Discovery Communications and CTV, Discovery today announced the launch of three new channel brands in Canada - DISCOVERY WORLD HD, INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID) and DISCOVERY SCIENCE - later this year. DISCOVERY WORLD HD will launch on   August 2.   Next, INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID) will be available beginning Monday, August 30; followed by DISCOVERY SCIENCE on   September 27.

With a fully-unique primetime schedule, DISCOVERY WORLD HD will showcase a beautiful and brilliant portrait of our world in vivid high definition. INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID) will offer a compelling inside look at forensics, the paranormal and the fascinating human potential for good and evil; and DISCOVERY SCIENCE will explore the cool innovations, experiments and discoveries that shape our world.

"These distinct new brands, each with their own strengths and character, are proven success stories around the world," said Paul Lewis, President and General Manager, Discovery Channel. "I am delighted that we can bring these new services to Canadians and offer viewers compelling new destinations for factual entertainment."

DISCOVERY WORLD HD

 **Rebrand of Discovery HD**

Available in more than one million homes, DISCOVERY WORLD HD is Canada's premiere destination for extraordinary and exclusive content to bring audiences even closer to their world. With breathtaking landscapes, fascinating people and incredible stories from around the world, DISCOVERY WORLD HD offers an unparalleled sensory experience that explores life's most amazing journeys. With awe-inspiring imagery and expansive detail, DISCOVERY WORLD HD reveals the wonders of the world - past and present - with themes ranging from culture, science and natural history to travel and lifestyle.

DISCOVERY WORLD HD will be a Canadian leader in high-definition programming, featuring 100% unique programming in primetime. This fall, in a groundbreaking, fully immersive experience, follow the doomed, the brave and the survivors in the epic television event LAST DAY OF THE DINOSAURS. Also this season, explore the cosmos in THROUGH THE WORMHOLE WITH MORGAN FREEMAN; experience the isolated beauty of the world's biggest ocean with the BBC series SOUTH PACIFIC; and original Canadian series SAVAGED: WITH DAVE SALMONI reveals how to survive an animal attack.

INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY

**Replaces Court TV**

Launched in the U.S. in January 2008, INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID) is the #1 non-sports cable channel in America for growth in all key demos¹. When INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY comes to Canada, it will bring justice to television. The new channel offers arresting entertainment that delivers remarkable insight into the real-life world of investigation, exploration of the latest forensic analysis and true stories that piece together the dramatic puzzles of human nature. INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY expands on these themes by touching on some less common areas of investigation, including the paranormal and modern mysteries.

This fall, renowned journalist Paula Zahn examines headline-grabbing criminal investigations in ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN. Also, explore the fascinating criminal mind with the premiere of PRISON WIVES, which profiles men and women who have fallen in love - and remain devoted to each other - despite one spouse serving time behind bars; and I (ALMOST) GOT AWAY WITH IT which follows the lives of criminals on the run.

DISCOVERY SCIENCE

**Replaces Discovery Civilization**

If it's a big idea, you'll find it on DISCOVERY SCIENCE! Amazing viewers with cool innovations, ingenious breakthroughs and the latest consumer gadgets, Discovery Science explores the field's past, present and future. Taking things apart, peering inside and putting things together in new and unexpected ways - DISCOVERY SCIENCE celebrates the trials, errors and scientific events that change the world forever. Exploring the quirky side of technology, human progress, scientific discoveries and the people behind them, DISCOVERY SCIENCE is where cool and curiosity meet.  

Invisibility cloaks, teleportation and time travel? SCI FI WITH MICHIO KAKU poses the idea that science fiction may not be so far from science fact. And at the intersection of art and science, SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES breaks down famous movie scenes to reveal how each sequence was strung together. Also this season, METEORITE MEN goes on a thrilling hunt for meteors, ancient alien artifacts from distant worlds.

 

 

 

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CTV's Much, MTV Strike Ad Deal with VEVO

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Multi-platform music and digital media companies Much, MTV and VEVO have formed an exclusive partnership that has the music and youth channels representing VEVO’s inventory and client solutions in Canada.

CTV’s MuchMusic and MTV are proven and popular specialty TV and online properties with advertisers and young Canadians. VEVO is an online video network, and includes VEVO.com, VEVO on YouTube, AOL and CBS Interactive Music Group.

VEVO was created in partnership by Universal Music Group (UMG), Sony Music Entertainment (SME) and the Abu Dhabi Media Company. It is operated independently by a dedicated management team with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit.

“This is the perfect marriage of two brands [that] have music and multi-platform expertise,” Brad Schwartz, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Much MTV Group, CTV Inc., said in a release. “MuchMusic and MTV know music and young adults better than anyone in the country and we’re thrilled to be partnering with VEVO to deliver another exciting, premium advertising solution to our partners.”

“With their leading position in the Canadian marketplace, CTV is an obvious partner to build and grow the VEVO business,” added David Kohl, EVP Sales and Customer Operations, VEVO. “With commitments across the VEVO Network from more than 75 brands in the U.S. such as AT&T, Unilever, Ford Motor Company, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and others, we look to help the CTV team activate parallel advertising and marketing initiatives.”

VEVO was created in partnership by Universal Music Group (UMG), Sony Music Entertainment (SME) and the Abu Dhabi Media Company. It is operated independently by a dedicated management team with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit.

Toronto-based MuchMusic is a division of CTV Limited. MTV in Canada is a Canadian programmed and managed business wholly owned by CTV Inc., a division of CTVglobemedia. 

 

 

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Prime Minister Harper notified of billion-dollar CRTC scandal

TORONTO, June 3 /CNW/ - Less than 72 hours after the release of Justice Jeffrey Oliphant's report revealing "inappropriate" business dealings by former prime minister Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been notified of an alleged long-term case of government corruption at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, one which reportedly started during Mulroney's final month in office by commissioners that he had appointed to the CRTC.

The allegations have been made by Keith Mahar, a precedent-setting public interest litigant (Mahar v Rogers Cablesytems Ltd.) who was formerly employed by CHUM Limited for his specialist knowledge of the cable television industry and its regulation by the CRTC

Mahar's lawyer, Paul Armarego, notified Prime Minister Stephen Harper of the affair earlier today and provided him with copies of a number of related documents by FedEx courier. It is alleged that the case of corruption has cost Canadians a total of more than $1.2 billion through an illicit accounting scheme for cable television rates.

A copy of Armarego's submission to Prime Minister Harper has been provided to John A. Honderich, Chair of the Board for Torstar Corporation, owner of theToronto Star.

Prime Minister Harper has been informed that Mahar plans to address this case on his blog: www.mentalympian.wordpress.co

 

 

 

 

 

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