Corus Applies to CRTC for Local TV Licence

Corus Entertainment has applied to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission  for a new hyper-local TV service,  If approved, Corus Audio & Advertising Services Ltd says it will launch the service, called Local1 for now, within six months.

The application describes a new Western Canadian television network, with chaannels planned for 64 cities across the country, and some 28 communities throughout B.C., including Vancouver and Victoria.

According to the application, content on the network "would focus on the provision of local information customized for each community"

Local1's website says its strategy is to take advanatage of the fact that other broadcasters are "reducing or cancelling local TV programming in many Canadian markets."

A highly segmented or multi-zoned screen display is shown on its website, with weather, news feeds, road reports and community and municipal information being displayed on screen.

The applicant proposes to offer programming from several categories (as set out in Item 6 of Schedule I to the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990: 1, 2(a), 3, 5(b), 11, 12, 13 and 14) and it has asked the Commission for condition of licence with respect to advertising, includingh a twelve minutes limit on advertising material during each clock hour. In each community where the service is distributed, the licensee may broadcast no more than six  minutes of local advertising.

Reports indicated Corus is discussing carriage and distribution with Shaw Communications Inc., the largest cable operator in Western Canada.

The CRTC is inviting feedback and comments on the application, No. 2009-1674-4,  through March 15.

CWC Honours Women in Digital Media, Broadcast Communications

Canadian Women in Communications (CWC) has announced the winners of its CWC Annual Awards for 2010.

CWC's Annual Awards-Woman of the Year and the Leadership Excellence Awards-acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and leadership of women in the Canadian communications industry.

"By publicly recognizing outstanding women leaders with awards, CWC highlights the crucial role women play in the industry's success," CWC president Stephanie MacKendrick explained in a release. "Our 2010 Annual Award winners are exceptional role models who inspire all of us in the industry to achieve excellence."

CWC will present the awards at its Annual Awards Gala on March 29, 2010, in Ottawa at the Fairmont Château Laurier.

The CWC 2010 Annual Award winners are:

CWC 2010 Woman of the Year

This award recognizes an outstanding woman who has made a significant contribution to the communications industry throughout her career, and who has contributed materially to the advancement of women within the industry.

Kirstine Stewart

General manager, CBC Television, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Kirstine Stewart is one of the brightest stars in Canada's television industry. Since joining the CBC in 2006 as general manager of CBC English Television, she has revitalized ratings and generated new revenue streams. As the network's chief creative officer, she has overseen the launch of such hits as Dragons' Den, Little Mosque on the Prairie, The Border, Battle of the Blades, The Tudors and The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. Her strategy of programming original, quality Canadian content that reflects and showcases Canada has paid off, earning CBC-TV its highest audience share in years, while also garnering numerous awards and much critical praise. At CBC-TV, Kirstine has created a corporate culture that supports and promotes women's career development. She has launched numerous initiatives that focus on helping her employees advance while maintaining a work life balance. Kirstine is an outstanding role model who has paved the way for other women to advance to the highest levels of the industry.

CWC 2010 Leadership Excellence Award Winners

The CWC Leadership Excellence Awards celebrate women of achievement who have distinguished themselves in any sector of the communications industry and have, in recent years, contributed to the industry through their achievements in one of the following categories: mentor, innovator, trailblazer, technology innovator, outstanding leader, champion of women's advancement, change leader or CWC leader. This year's

CWC Leadership Excellence Awards are presented by KPMG.

Valerie Creighton - Change Leader

President and CEO, Canadian Television Fund

Change might intimidate some, but not Valerie Creighton. Throughout her career, she has expertly navigated change by repeatedly seizing the many opportunities it creates. Her career track record exemplifies the ability to successfully guide organizations through transition. In 2000, Valerie led SaskFilm's restructuring while simultaneously boosting its productions volumes by 195 per cent in six years. With her distinct ability to guide those with contrasting views and interests into finding a common ground, Valerie possesses all the hallmarks of a great leader. Since joining the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) in 2006, she has led the organization through major restructuring initiatives, the most recent being its evolution into the Canadian Media Fund. Her strength as a charismatic leader lies in her ability to mentor, inspire and empower those around her to embrace change through common sense, humour and a focus on excellence.

Martha Fusca - Trailblazer

President and CEO, Stornoway Communications

Martha Fusca exemplifies the essential qualities of a trailblazer. She holds a unique place in the Canadian broadcast and production sectors as the first woman in Canada to launch, co-own and run television networks. Beginning her career as a producer of documentaries, in 2000 Martha founded Stornoway Communications, now the parent company of three TV networks. A leader in the industry, she also co-founded the Independent Broadcasters Group (IBG), an affiliation of independent, conventional television, pay and specialty licensees. A strong supporter of women in the industry, Martha acted as president and board director during the early days of Women in Film & Television - Toronto (WIFT-T). She also supports the development of independent productions across Canada, commissioning Mickey, the first independent television series to come out of Newfoundland and Labrador. She is a consummate role model demonstrating that there are no limits to what women can achieve in the industry.

Lina L. Lawrence - Technology Innovator

Director, IT business services, MTS Allstream Inc.

Throughout her career, Lina has married innovation with technology to resolve modern business challenges. At Bell Mobility, she launched the first Internet browser application in the telecom industry. She was instrumental in developing the first IT governance department that ensured IT, corporate governance and legislative compliance at one of the major pension plans. Gifted at leading and managing complex IT initiatives, she possesses the ability to energize her teams to achieve success in challenging environments. In her current role at MTS Allstream Inc., Lina's team-building skills coupled with her flair for innovation have enabled her to successfully transition and develop the project management office and IT financial reporting function into business units that provide increased value to the organization. Lina has always recognized that success requires a team effort and continually strives to empower the leadership potential in those around her while managing for strong results.

Karen Lawson - Champion of Women's Advancement

Associate director, business development, Bell business markets, Bell Canada

Karen's commitment to helping others and giving back was instilled early in life by the example of her mother, a strong woman who was widowed at a young age. She became a champion of women's advancement to ensure that her two daughters would have equal opportunities in their career choices. She has been active on a variety of boards including Youth in Motion, KINSA and MircroSkills, to name a few. As board chair of Smart Women in Technology (SWIT), Karen developed a number of programs that encouraged young women to embrace careers in math, science and technology. For the past two years, she has managed the Women in Bell Business Markets that helped increase the visibility of women within the company. In this role, Karen spearheaded an internal speakers' series that introduced women at Bell to key industry thought leaders. A committed mentor, Karen has coached many women to achieve their career ambitions.

Jodi Orr - CWC Leader

Taylor the midday host on 102.3 BOBFM, CTVglobemedia & chair, CWC Southwestern Ontario Regional Board

Jodi Orr is an inventive, determined and effective community builder. Over the past year, she has taken CWC's Southwestern Ontario Region to a whole new level. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Jodi engaged her broadcast colleagues to help create and launch a national radio and television public service ad campaign that showcased CWC programs and benefits. Through her efforts, members in the London area have had access to high-calibre speakers and role models, such as London Ontario's Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best. Her work to engage her regional community has paid off, generating a significant increase in membership and attendance at CWC events. Always ready to pitch in and help, she works closely with numerous charities and causes, serving on the board of southwestern Ontario's Make a Wish Foundation. As a volunteer leader, she has devoted her own time to CWC as a tremendous ambassador for the organization, its mandate and the women it represents.

Donna Whitney - Champion of Women's Advancement

Director, commercial advanced property solutions, Rogers Communications Inc.

Since her career began, Donna has dedicated herself to supporting the career advancement of women, expertly leading numerous initiatives to foster women's career growth.

At Rogers, Donna is a founding member of the Rogers Women's Network, which develops and encourages senior women to share their leadership competencies through education, networking, coaching and mentoring. She is also active in the Rogers Mentoring Program, helping to cultivate the next generation of corporate leaders.

As chair of the CWC Regional Board in Toronto, Donna has increased the engagement of members through the introduction of a variety of new programs that address women's career development needs. She is also a board member of CATA-WIT, a non-profit organization committed to the advancement of women in the technology sector. Leader, mentor and role model, Donna is a generous and effective contributor to the advancement of women.

Madeline Ziniak - Outstanding Leader

National vice-president, Rogers OMNI Television

Madeline has spent her 30-year career championing cultural diversity in broadcasting. At OMNI, she led the network's expansion from one multilingual and multicultural station into five that reach more than 40 ethnocultural communities in major markets across the country. Her initiatives have helped to raise public awareness on fundamental and sensitive issues, such as discrimination and domestic violence, which challenge everyone, including many members of the communities that OMNI serves. As an industry leader in inclusivity, she co-chaired the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' task force on cultural diversity in television. A recipient of the Order of Ontario in 2001, Madeline also received the Order of Canada in 2009 for her contributions to the development and growth of multilingual and multicultural media in Canada. Her strong, perceptive and determined leadership has helped break down barriers for Canada's numerous multicultural communities by providing them with the opportunity to have their voices and cultures reflected through the medium of television.

Canadian Women in Communications (CWC) is a national, bilingual organization dedicated to the advancement of women in the communications industry through strategic networking, targeted professional development and meaningful recognition. There are currently over 1,200 CWC members in nine Regions across Canada.

BREAKING NEWS -- Canadian Association of Broadcasters to Cease Operation

Chairman Elmer Hildebrand says the organization has decided to close this June.

Hildebrand has been trying since December to help the CAB find common ground between broadcasters and cable operators, who have been forcing increasingly different views on the industry.

After reviewing its strategy, the organization concluded that TV operators like CTV and Canwest wouldn't be able to find a common ground with cable companies like Rogers Communications Inc., which have broadcasting assets.

Hildebrand says he hopes to form a new organization in the future that solely represents radio broadcasters.

CRTC Seeks Input on New Media

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC, or The Commission) is again seeking input for its deliberations about new media content delviery and distribution.

The CRTC says it wants to get the information it needs to “understand trends in Canadain broadcasting in new media”. It also wants to know from whom it should get such information.

The Commission is therefore inviting comments that address the issues and questions set out in its notification, posted below. The Commission will accept comments that it receives on or before 19 April 2010. Parties may also file replies on or before 3 May 2010.

The comments can apply both to “affiliated” and “non-affiliated” new media broadcasting undertakings.

In 1999, the CRTC issued an exemption order (Public Notice 1999-197 - the New Media Exemption Order), relieving new media enterprises from certain reporting obligations, such as technical, financial and contextual.

Ten years later, in Broadcasting Order 2009-660, the Commission extended the overall exemption order for new media broadcasting undertakings,  but imposed reporting requirements on such undertakings.

Specifically, each new media undertaking was told to report, as requested by the Commission, information regarding its activities in broadcasting in new media and such other information required by the Commission to monitor the development of broadcasting in new media.

At that time, the Commission also revised its definition of a new media broadcasting undertaking. The definition that was adopted and will be used for the purposes of this proceeding is as follows:

The undertaking provides broadcasting services, in accordance with the interpretation of "broadcasting" set out in New Media, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 1999-84 / Telecom Public Notice CRTC 99-14, 17 May 1999, that are:

a. delivered and accessed over the Internet; or

b. delivered using point to point technology and received by way of mobile devices.

Now, in the present proceeding, the Commission seeks to establish what information new media broadcasting undertakings should be required to report pursuant to the New Media Exemption Order. Collection of this information is intended to provide the Commission with information to monitor broadcasting in new media in Canada.

The Commission recognizes that appropriate reporting requirements should balance the scope and depth of information required to monitor broadcasting in new media with the burden associated with such reporting. Reporting requirements should not impose an undue burden on new media broadcasting undertakings.

The Commission seeks responses with supporting rationale to the specific questions posed in its notice of consultation. 

The Commission noted in its New Media Policy that it is not concerned with user-generated content1. As such, the Commission does not intend to impose any reporting requirements on undertakings engaged exclusively in transmission of user-generated content. Further, to the extent that an undertaking offers both user-generated and professionally-produced broadcasting content2, any reporting requirements will apply only to the latter form of content. The Commission also notes that it is only interested in obtaining data from undertakings that have the appropriate legal rights in Canada to the content in question.

The Commission has referred to the Federal Court of Appeal the question of whether Internet service providers (ISPs), when they provide access to broadcasting content, are broadcasting undertakings within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), and thus subject to the New Media Exemption Order including any reporting requirements. Consequently, the Commission is of the view that it would be premature in the present proceeding to consider what information should be collected from ISPs acting solely as access providers. If the Federal Court of Appeal determines that ISPs are subject to the Act when they operate as access providers, the Commission will at that time assess whether any reporting requirements ought to be imposed on ISPs acting solely as access providers. The Commission notes that, to the extent that ISPs act as content providers or aggregators, measurement of those activities will be considered in the present proceeding.

The Commission considers it essential to collect information relating to new media broadcasting content in Canada to ensure that it has an understanding of the new media broadcasting environment in Canada. To that end, the Commission seeks to collect information on audio and audio-visual new media broadcasting content available to Canadians. With this information, the Commission will be able to examine whether new media broadcasting content is addressing the objectives of the Act.

The Commission seeks comment on what type of information ought to be collected (e.g. availability, consumption, financial data) and on the metrics that should be used in the collection of such data. 

Q1. What information should the Commission collect to better understand the new media broadcasting industry in Canada? What are the appropriate metrics for measuring such information?

With respect to content availability in particular, the Commission seeks comment on the following questions.

Q2. What are the most appropriate metrics for monitoring the availability of new media broadcasting content? In particular, address the appropriateness of using the following metrics for monitoring availability of new media broadcasting content: 

the number of audio and audio-visual programs offered by a new media broadcasting undertaking in the past year; and 

the total hours of new media broadcasting content offered by a new media broadcasting undertaking in the past year. 

Q3. What are the most relevant and feasible metrics for measuring the availability of Canadian content3 in new media broadcasting? In particular, address the appropriateness of using the percentage of Canadian content, either in terms of total number of hours or total number of programs, offered on new media platforms as a possible metric for monitoring availability of Canadian new media broadcasting content. 

Q4. To understand whether broadcasting in the new media environment is serving a comprehensive range of interests and tastes, consistent with the broadcasting policy set out in the Act4, to what extent is it appropriate to categorize content based on the following five characteristics for the purposes of reporting? What are the most appropriate metrics for measuring these characteristics? 

type of programming (e.g. original new media content/content common to new media and conventional broadcasting, live content/on-demand content, complete program/clip); 

origin (e.g. Canadian/foreign, independent/broadcaster-affiliated5/in-house production); 

genre6; 

accessibility (e.g. captioned and/or described)7 ; and 

language of content. 

Much of the information currently submitted as part of the annual reporting by broadcasting undertakings is granted confidentiality, or is disclosed only in an aggregated manner. The Commission therefore seeks comment on the following question.

Q5. Should confidentiality be extended to information regarding any of the data which parties propose the Commission collect in Questions 1 through 4 above? If so, to what extent should such confidentiality be extended? 

The Commission proposes that reporting by new media broadcasting undertakings pursuant to the New Media Exemption Order be carried out on an annual basis concurrent with the annual broadcasting survey. The Commission further proposes that this annual reporting commence in the fall of 2010.

The Commission seeks comment on the following question.

Q6. Considering the dynamic nature of the new media environment, what is the appropriate frequency for reporting pursuant to the New Media Exemption Order? In particular, address the appropriateness of annual reporting, as proposed in paragraph 14. 

Who would be subject to the reporting requirements? 
16. 
Given the potentially large number of new media broadcasting undertakings that are subject to the New Media Exemption Order, the Commission considers it would be appropriate to collect information from only a subset of undertakings whose data would be most relevant and from whom data gathering is most feasible. These undertakings may include content aggregators associated with conventional broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs), radio-streaming websites, conventional broadcaster websites, certain content aggregators featuring a significant amount of professionally-produced broadcasting content and any other websites identified as drawing a significant audience to its professionally-produced broadcasting in new media content.

For the purpose of reporting requirements, the Commission has identified two general categories of new media broadcasting undertakings:

new media broadcasting undertakings affiliated with a broadcasting undertaking that is not subject to the New Media Exemption Order (i.e., a conventional broadcasting undertaking)8 ; and unaffiliated9 new media broadcasting undertakings. 
 
With respect to affiliated new media broadcasting undertakings, the Commission considers that such undertakings are easily identifiable and relatively limited in number. During the New Media proceeding10, the Commission heard submissions that conventional broadcasters are currently a primary source of professionally-produced broadcasting content in new media. The Commission noted in the New Media Proceeding that, on the distribution side, the search for a viable business model in broadcasting in new media is leading to experimentation with aggregator services, such as the broadband portals offered by conventional BDUs.

 The Commission seeks comment on the following question.

Q7. Should all affiliated new media broadcasting undertakings be subject to reporting requirements? If not, what are the appropriate criteria and methodology for identifying those new media broadcasting undertakings affiliated with a conventional broadcasting undertaking that ought to submit data?

Unaffiliated new media broadcasting undertakings
  
The new media environment offers opportunities for undertakings not affiliated with conventional broadcasting undertakings to contribute to the overall Canadian broadcasting system. Internet and other new media technologies allow Canadians to access new media broadcasting content from around the world. Considering the potentially large number of these undertakings, for the purposes of reporting, it may not be feasible or necessary to identify every new media broadcasting undertaking making professionally-produced content available to Canadians. In addition, the Commission notes that the Act only applies to broadcasting undertakings including new media broadcasting undertakings that are carried on in whole or in part within Canada or in certain other limited circumstances.11

 The Commission seeks comment on the following questions.

Q8. Considering the potentially large number of unaffiliated new media broadcasting undertakings, what criteria and methodology should the Commission use to define the subset of unaffiliated new media broadcasting undertakings, carried on in whole or in part in Canada, that should submit data? In particular, should the subset be defined by level of revenue, unique visitors, and/or the amount of content transmitted? 

Call for comments 

The Commission invites comments that address the issues and questions set out in this notice. The Commission will accept comments that it receives on or before 19 April 2010. Parties may also file replies on or before 3 May 2010.

CRTC Seeks Input on New Media

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC, or The Commission) is again seeking input for its deliberations about new media content delviery and distribution.

The CRTC says it wants to get the information it needs to “understand trends in Canadain broadcasting in new media”. It also wants to know from whom it should get such information.

The Commission is therefore inviting comments that address the issues and questions set out in its notification, posted below. The Commission will accept comments that it receives on or before 19 April 2010. Parties may also file replies on or before 3 May 2010.

The comments can apply both to “affiliated” and “non-affiliated” new media broadcasting undertakings.

In 1999, the CRTC issued an exemption order (Public Notice 1999-197 - the New Media Exemption Order), relieving new media enterprises from certain reporting obligations, such as technical, financial and contextual.

Ten years later, in Broadcasting Order 2009-660, the Commission extended the overall exemption order for new media broadcasting undertakings,  but imposed reporting requirements on such undertakings.

Specifically, each new media undertaking was told to report, as requested by the Commission, information regarding its activities in broadcasting in new media and such other information required by the Commission to monitor the development of broadcasting in new media.

At that time, the Commission also revised its definition of a new media broadcasting undertaking. The definition that was adopted and will be used for the purposes of this proceeding is as follows:

The undertaking provides broadcasting services, in accordance with the interpretation of "broadcasting" set out in New Media, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 1999-84 / Telecom Public Notice CRTC 99-14, 17 May 1999, that are:

a. delivered and accessed over the Internet; or

b. delivered using point to point technology and received by way of mobile devices.

Now, in the present proceeding, the Commission seeks to establish what information new media broadcasting undertakings should be required to report pursuant to the New Media Exemption Order. Collection of this information is intended to provide the Commission with information to monitor broadcasting in new media in Canada.

The Commission recognizes that appropriate reporting requirements should balance the scope and depth of information required to monitor broadcasting in new media with the burden associated with such reporting. Reporting requirements should not impose an undue burden on new media broadcasting undertakings.

The Commission seeks responses with supporting rationale to the specific questions posed in its notice of consultation. 

The Commission noted in its New Media Policy that it is not concerned with user-generated content1. As such, the Commission does not intend to impose any reporting requirements on undertakings engaged exclusively in transmission of user-generated content. Further, to the extent that an undertaking offers both user-generated and professionally-produced broadcasting content2, any reporting requirements will apply only to the latter form of content. The Commission also notes that it is only interested in obtaining data from undertakings that have the appropriate legal rights in Canada to the content in question.

The Commission has referred to the Federal Court of Appeal the question of whether Internet service providers (ISPs), when they provide access to broadcasting content, are broadcasting undertakings within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), and thus subject to the New Media Exemption Order including any reporting requirements. Consequently, the Commission is of the view that it would be premature in the present proceeding to consider what information should be collected from ISPs acting solely as access providers. If the Federal Court of Appeal determines that ISPs are subject to the Act when they operate as access providers, the Commission will at that time assess whether any reporting requirements ought to be imposed on ISPs acting solely as access providers. The Commission notes that, to the extent that ISPs act as content providers or aggregators, measurement of those activities will be considered in the present proceeding.

The Commission considers it essential to collect information relating to new media broadcasting content in Canada to ensure that it has an understanding of the new media broadcasting environment in Canada. To that end, the Commission seeks to collect information on audio and audio-visual new media broadcasting content available to Canadians. With this information, the Commission will be able to examine whether new media broadcasting content is addressing the objectives of the Act.

The Commission seeks comment on what type of information ought to be collected (e.g. availability, consumption, financial data) and on the metrics that should be used in the collection of such data. 

Q1. What information should the Commission collect to better understand the new media broadcasting industry in Canada? What are the appropriate metrics for measuring such information?

With respect to content availability in particular, the Commission seeks comment on the following questions.

Q2. What are the most appropriate metrics for monitoring the availability of new media broadcasting content? In particular, address the appropriateness of using the following metrics for monitoring availability of new media broadcasting content: 

the number of audio and audio-visual programs offered by a new media broadcasting undertaking in the past year; and 

the total hours of new media broadcasting content offered by a new media broadcasting undertaking in the past year. 

Q3. What are the most relevant and feasible metrics for measuring the availability of Canadian content3 in new media broadcasting? In particular, address the appropriateness of using the percentage of Canadian content, either in terms of total number of hours or total number of programs, offered on new media platforms as a possible metric for monitoring availability of Canadian new media broadcasting content. 

Q4. To understand whether broadcasting in the new media environment is serving a comprehensive range of interests and tastes, consistent with the broadcasting policy set out in the Act4, to what extent is it appropriate to categorize content based on the following five characteristics for the purposes of reporting? What are the most appropriate metrics for measuring these characteristics? 

type of programming (e.g. original new media content/content common to new media and conventional broadcasting, live content/on-demand content, complete program/clip); 

origin (e.g. Canadian/foreign, independent/broadcaster-affiliated5/in-house production); 

genre6; 

accessibility (e.g. captioned and/or described)7 ; and 

language of content. 

Much of the information currently submitted as part of the annual reporting by broadcasting undertakings is granted confidentiality, or is disclosed only in an aggregated manner. The Commission therefore seeks comment on the following question.

Q5. Should confidentiality be extended to information regarding any of the data which parties propose the Commission collect in Questions 1 through 4 above? If so, to what extent should such confidentiality be extended? 

The Commission proposes that reporting by new media broadcasting undertakings pursuant to the New Media Exemption Order be carried out on an annual basis concurrent with the annual broadcasting survey. The Commission further proposes that this annual reporting commence in the fall of 2010.

The Commission seeks comment on the following question.

Q6. Considering the dynamic nature of the new media environment, what is the appropriate frequency for reporting pursuant to the New Media Exemption Order? In particular, address the appropriateness of annual reporting, as proposed in paragraph 14. 

Who would be subject to the reporting requirements? 
16. 
Given the potentially large number of new media broadcasting undertakings that are subject to the New Media Exemption Order, the Commission considers it would be appropriate to collect information from only a subset of undertakings whose data would be most relevant and from whom data gathering is most feasible. These undertakings may include content aggregators associated with conventional broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs), radio-streaming websites, conventional broadcaster websites, certain content aggregators featuring a significant amount of professionally-produced broadcasting content and any other websites identified as drawing a significant audience to its professionally-produced broadcasting in new media content.

For the purpose of reporting requirements, the Commission has identified two general categories of new media broadcasting undertakings:

new media broadcasting undertakings affiliated with a broadcasting undertaking that is not subject to the New Media Exemption Order (i.e., a conventional broadcasting undertaking)8 ; and unaffiliated9 new media broadcasting undertakings. 
 
With respect to affiliated new media broadcasting undertakings, the Commission considers that such undertakings are easily identifiable and relatively limited in number. During the New Media proceeding10, the Commission heard submissions that conventional broadcasters are currently a primary source of professionally-produced broadcasting content in new media. The Commission noted in the New Media Proceeding that, on the distribution side, the search for a viable business model in broadcasting in new media is leading to experimentation with aggregator services, such as the broadband portals offered by conventional BDUs.

 The Commission seeks comment on the following question.

Q7. Should all affiliated new media broadcasting undertakings be subject to reporting requirements? If not, what are the appropriate criteria and methodology for identifying those new media broadcasting undertakings affiliated with a conventional broadcasting undertaking that ought to submit data?

Unaffiliated new media broadcasting undertakings
  
The new media environment offers opportunities for undertakings not affiliated with conventional broadcasting undertakings to contribute to the overall Canadian broadcasting system. Internet and other new media technologies allow Canadians to access new media broadcasting content from around the world. Considering the potentially large number of these undertakings, for the purposes of reporting, it may not be feasible or necessary to identify every new media broadcasting undertaking making professionally-produced content available to Canadians. In addition, the Commission notes that the Act only applies to broadcasting undertakings including new media broadcasting undertakings that are carried on in whole or in part within Canada or in certain other limited circumstances.11

 The Commission seeks comment on the following questions.

Q8. Considering the potentially large number of unaffiliated new media broadcasting undertakings, what criteria and methodology should the Commission use to define the subset of unaffiliated new media broadcasting undertakings, carried on in whole or in part in Canada, that should submit data? In particular, should the subset be defined by level of revenue, unique visitors, and/or the amount of content transmitted? 

Call for comments 

The Commission invites comments that address the issues and questions set out in this notice. The Commission will accept comments that it receives on or before 19 April 2010. Parties may also file replies on or before 3 May 2010.

BREAKING NEWS -- Canadian Association of Broadcasters to Cease Operation

Chairman Elmer Hildebrand says the organization has decided to close this June.

Hildebrand has been trying since December to help the CAB find common ground between broadcasters and cable operators, who have been forcing increasingly different views on the industry.

After reviewing its strategy, the organization concluded that TV operators like CTV and Canwest wouldn't be able to find a common ground with cable companies like Rogers Communications Inc., which have broadcasting assets.

Hildebrand says he hopes to form a new organization in the future that solely represents radio broadcasters.

Shaw Buys Canwest Global and Pay Off Creditors

Canwest Global Communications has struck a deal that will see Global TV  and a handful of lucrative specialty channels move under the control of Western Canadian cable giant Shaw Communications.

Shaw  said Friday it will buy control of the broadcasting assets of a restructured Canwest Global Communications Corp.   It has also agreed to help Canwest pay back creditors as it deals with a mountain of debt.

Jim Shaw, president and CEO of the diversified communications company founded by his father J.R. Shaw, said the deal will result in Canwest as a "pure play" Canadian broadcaster. Shaw will take "effective control of one of the premier broadcasters and owners of content in the Canadian broadcasting industry at a reasonable valuation," he said.

"We believe that Shaw's investment results in a number of benefits to the broadcasting system, including an ability to strengthen local programming, ensure the ongoing viability of the second-largest private conventional television network in Canada and sustain a dynamic and competitive television market."

While a price tag hasn't been attached to the deal, some industry observers expect Shaw to have negotiated a discount, considering that Canwest has been struggling to restructure its overall operations - including a stable of daily newspapers slated to be sold separately.

Canwest spokesman John Douglas would not comment on whether Leonard Asper will leave his post at the company, but confirmed that the Shaw agreement would include buying out all of the current shareholders - which would include the Asper family.

Shaw Communications Corp. would own at least 20 per cent of Canwest's equity and 80 per cent of its voting stock after the deal.  .

In terms of assets, the agreement would give Shaw 11 local TV stations across the country, and ownership of a group of specialty cable channels, including History Television, Showcase, MovieTime and HGTV, some of which were acquired from Alliance Atlantis in 2007.

Shaw's announcement said financial terms of the deal would be filed with Ontario Superior Court on a confidential basis and remain so until court approval is obtained, which must be done by April 15.

Both companies will meet in court next Friday to flesh out some of the details, which could include more details on the price for the deal, and the fate of the Asper holdings, and whether Leonard Asper will continue to be linked with the company.

The recapitalization must be completed by Aug. 11, at which time Canwest will delist from the TSX Venture Exchange.

Shaw president Peter Bissonnette said that the proposed takeover is more than just a play for broadcast TV assets, but also a move to bulk up Shaw's content holdings ahead of a shift into the mobile phone market.

"We're going to be launching a wireless product in the next while and having content available for those customers that come to Shaw, we think would have some value," Bissonnette said in an interview.

Shaw has said it plans to launch its own wireless services by early 2011, entering a highly competitive market for mobile devices that includes several new discount carriers, as well as longtime market leaders Rogers , Bell  and Telus.

He also said that Shaw is looking to gain the rights to more video-on-demand content for its cable subscribers..

Canwest also owns a major chain of Canadian newspapers - including the National Post, Montreal Gazette and Ottawa Citizen - which are not part of the Shaw deal and are expected to be sold before the restructuring under court protection is completed.

Bissonnette said the newspapers were never an asset that Shaw was interested in picking up.

 Some industry observers have suggested that Shaw should've kept its eye on the basics of moving into the mobile phone market, rather than planning such an ambitious media launch pad.

Canwest said the proposed deal with Shaw has the support of key creditors.

CTV To Move Regular Lineup to A Channel During Olympics

CTV's Official Song for Olympic Games Reaches #1 on iTunes

CTV congratulated Decca/Universal Music recording artist Nikki Yanofsky today on the occasion of I Believe, her recording of CTV’s Official Song for Vancouver 2010, reaching #1 on the iTunes Canada Top Songs chart. I Believe is the 16-year-old singing sensation’s first #1 hit single. I Believe reached the top of the chart barely two weeks after being released and is currently out-selling top artists such as Taylor Swift, The Black Eyed Peas and Ke$ha.

The words and music for I Believe were written by Glass Tiger front man Alan Frew and composer Stephan Moccio, evolving out of Canada’s OlympicBroadcast Media Consortium’s theme music. Yanofsky's recording was produced by Moccio and vocal production was a collaborative effort between 14-time Grammy Award-winning legend Phil Ramone, Grammy Award-winning songwriter Jesse Harris and Moccio.

The French version of the popular single, J’imagine, performed by Saguenay, Quebec’s Annie Villeneuve is also charging up the charts in Quebec. The single is currently #4 on Quebec radio according to Neilsen Broadcast Data Systems.

“Congratulations to Nikki, Alan and Stephan for creating such an empowering anthem for the Consortium’s broadcast of the Games,” said Ivan Fecan, President and Chief Executive Officer, CTVglobemedia and Chief Executive Officer, CTV Inc.

“It is fitting that I Believe, a song that champions the human spirit, is soaring in this celebrated moment of our country’s history,” saluted Randy Lennox, President and CEO, Universal Music Canada.  “Nikki Yanofsky is a national treasure whose vocal performance on this Olympic anthem embodies the hopes of us all.”

Following the worldwide premiere of the song’s music video during the Super Bowl ,   I Believe has been watched more than 94,000 times onCTVOlympics.ca and the Consortium’s branded channel atyoutube.com/CTVOlympics. In addition, the video is the #1 video viewed on demand at CTVOlympics.ca and is the most viewed video atyoutube.com/CTVOlympics this week.

CTV, Universal Music Canada and Free The Children have also teamed up to bring the spirit of the Olympic Games to more than 5,000 schools across the country. Free copies of the EP featuring I Believe, J’imagine and the instrumental tracks are being made available to schools to be used during morning announcements and at school assemblies with the hopes of engaging the country’s youth in Canada’s Olympic Games.

Olympic Consortium Originates Opening Ceremony Coverage

For the first time in Canadian television history, a domestic Canadian broadcaster will produce and deliver its own exclusive coverage of an Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

Airing live beginning at 5:45 p.m. PT / 8:45 p.m. ET this coming Friday, Feb. 12, the VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES OPENING CEREMONY will deliver a truly Canadian vision of this momentous Canadian event.

Hosted in English by Brian Williams, Lloyd Robertson and Catriona Le May Doan and in French by Pierre Houde, Richard Garneau and Alexandre Despatie, the OPENING CEREMONY will be directed for Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium by the legendary Louis J. Horvitz, the six-time Emmy® Award winner and the record 12-time director of THE ACADEMY AWARDS®, who recently directed THE 52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS.

The VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES OPENING CEREMONY will be broadcast live by the Consortium on 10 television networks in 11 languages, two websites, 24 radio stations and in 64 Cineplex Entertainment theatres across the country. Following its live broadcast, the OPENING CEREMONY will be available immediately on demand on CTVOlympics.ca and RDSolympiques.ca and the following day on Video on Demand to digital television subscribers.

The Consortium has been working around the clock at BC Place for the unveiling of its own, fully unilateral coverage. The broadcast will be presented from a total of 25 different Consortium cameras in the stadium, along with access to dozens of other international camera feeds. The Consortium will also incorporate feeds of Canadian athletes and spectators watching from Whistler.

"Being in charge of our own destiny with regard to all aspects of the telecast allows us to customize the show to the degree our viewers have never seen before," said Rick Chisholm, Executive Vice President of Broadcasting, Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium. "When the Canadian flag is raised, when our National Anthem is performed, and when our 206 Olympic Games athletes march onto the field at the end of the parade of nations, Canadian viewers deserve a unique Canadian perspective that stands above what everyone else in the world will see."

Hosting the English-language coverage is decorated broadcaster Brian Williams, who will be working his 13th Olympic Games, and CTV Chief News Anchor Lloyd Robertson, who has guided Canadians through historical events for more than 50 years. Joining them in the broadcast booth high-above BC Place stadium is Catriona Le May Doan, one of Canada's most highly decorated Olympians, who will bring insight into the excitement, nervousness and anticipation that our athletes will be experiencing on the stage floor.

In French, three-time Gemini Award winner Pierre Houde will be in the broadcast booth alongside Richard Garneau, the dean of Olympic Games broadcasting, who will be covering an unprecedented 22nd Olympic Games. They will be joined by two-time Olympic Games silver medallist Alexandre Despatie.

Directing it all is Louis J. Horvitz.

"We demanded excellence for our viewers and Louis J. Horvitz is the best director in the world," said Ivan Fecan, President and CEO, CTVglobemedia and CEO, CTV Inc. "His experience in globally-celebrated live event productions made him the perfect choice to direct the OPENING CEREMONY."

"To be invited by the Consortium to direct the OPENING CEREMONY is a distinct honour for my family and me," said Horvitz, whose father Louie Horvitz was born in Hamilton, ON. "With my father being Canadian, he sees my participation as the crowning achievement of my career. I fully embrace the magnitude of the responsibility that has been bestowed on me to present this significant event to Canadians."

Horvitz has directed numerous major live event broadcasts during his distinguished career, including 14 EMMY AWARDS, 12 ACADEMY AWARDS, THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, THE MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS, and U2 Half-Time at Super Bowl XXXVI. Horvitz has been nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning the award on six occasions for his directing work on THE ACADEMY AWARDS. Horvitz won the Directors Guild of America Award in 1998 and a pair of prestigious NAACP Image Awards for his work in support of the United Negro College Fund. In 2009, Horvitz directed the historic KIDS INAUGURAL: WE ARE THE FUTURE broadcast for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

The OPENING CEREMONY airs live on CTV, TSN, Rogers Sportsnet, V, RDS, RIS Info Sports, OLN, OMNI, APTN and ATN and 24 Rogers Radio and Corus Québec radio stations. In addition to English and French, the Ceremony will be broadcast in Cantonese, Cree, Inuktitut, Italian, Mandarin, Mohawk, Portuguese, Punjabi and Tamil.

Horvitz will also direct the Consortium's original unilateral coverage of the VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES CLOSING CEREMONY on Sunday, Feb. 28. Sitting alongside Horvitz in the production truck for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be renowned producer and multiple Gemini Award winner Larry Isaac, who has worked seven Olympic Games in addition to 13 Stanley Cup finals.

About Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium

Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium is a unique relationship between leading media conglomerates CTV Inc. and Rogers Media Inc., which together will provide unprecedented coverage and consumer choice in English, French and multi-languages on multiple platforms for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and 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.

CRTC Approves FreeHD

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved “in part” applications to operate a national direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution undertaking and a national satellite relay distribution undertaking (SRDU).

FreeHD Canada wants to provide programming services (mostly Canadian content) to subscribers in both anglophone customers and francophone markets.

As well, it says it wants to distribute all conventional television stations that meet a certain threshold based on the number of hours per week of local programming, and it has positioned itself as a way to ‘save local TV’ if successful.

The CRTC says it is “supportive of initiatives intended to ensure that Canadians do not lose access to free conventional television services” when the digital transition comes to Canada.

The CRTC says it supports in principle the offering of a package of local conventional television signals at no monthly charge to the viewers, and is predisposed to take the necessary steps to permit this to occur.

But, the CTRC noted, it is already looking at other policies and procedures relating to local programming and funding mechanisms, so a decision about FreeHD’s plans would be “premature”.

The CRTC calls for amended applications and specific authorizations to help address such issue, and it noted that licence approval will be subject to general and specific conditions going forward.

Randy Kitt

CEP79M President