Why the CRTC reversed its own policy and allowed BCE to buy a Quebec cableco In a controversial decision released Feb. 6, the CRTC approved the sale of Câblevision du Nord du Québec to Télébec, a Quebec telco owned by BCE Inc. In Decision 2001-45, five commissioners opposed the decision in dissenting opinions, saying it gives BCE a monopoly in delivering telephony, cable TV, and satellite TV services to the more than 100,000 people living in the region. Commissioner Stuart Langford called it an "unprecedented policy reversal" by the commission that appears to "turn a blind eye to the conclusion that 'Canadians want and deserve choice'." An edited excerpt of commissioner Stuart Langford's written dissent appears below:

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Global Communications Ltd has given Jack Tomik the extra title of general manager of BCTV. The network's new national newscast will originate from BCTV. He retains his role as senior VP of CanWest Media Sales. As well, Art Reitmayer , former president of the station, has been appointed VP of special projects at CanWest.

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Shaw-Star Choice structural separation questioned by CAB
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters says Shaw Communications Inc isn’t adhering to rules that mandate a structural separation between itself and affiliate, Canadian Satellite Communications Inc. Cancom recently merged with another Shaw affiliate, Star Choice Communications Inc. In a Jan. 26 submission to the CRTC, the CAB says some of its member broadcasters received a letter from Cancom president Peter Classon, asking whether the affiliation fee per subscriber paid by Star Choice was equal to the rate given to Shaw for the same service. According to the CAB, the letter stated it was Cancom’s intention “to clear up all outstanding rate discrepancies by year end,” given the new ownership structure between Star Choice, Cancom and Shaw. The CAB also points out that Harold Roozen is a director of Shaw and chair of Cancom. The dual appointment is in conflict with the CRTC’s conditions of licence, which prevent members of Cancom’s board from being members of Shaw’s board or any of Shaw’s subsidiaries, affiliates or related companies. Moreover, Classon has been appointed Cancom president while continuing as senior VP of Shaw, contrary to conditions of licence. The CAB made the comments in connection with applications by Cancom and Star Choice to renew their respective broadcasting licences for national satellite distribution (PN 2000-176). The licence expires Feb. 28.
 

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Radio competition in the Toronto market could reach new heights if Industry Canada acts on a CRTC recommendation to make room for up to 16 new FM channels in the country’s largest and most spectrum-congested market. Responding to an Order in Council on the possibility of introducing more ethnic radio stations in Toronto, the commission released a report Jan. 31 saying it’s willing to issue more licences. But first it needs more radio spectrum.

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Canada’s two largest broadcast unions say large networks should be forced to publicly reveal how much they spent on Canadian programming to ensure past commitments are being met. The unions and other groups are responding to a CRTC review that may force CTV, Global Television and TVA to disclose total revenues and how much they spent on Canadian programming between 1997-2000. The proceeding – PN 2001-5 – could also result in the CRTC releasing data on the actual and potential audience reach of the networks, and a comparison of viewing levels to Canadian and foreign programming by program category for the years 1997-1999.

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Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc chair and CEO Michael MacMillan appears to have gotten his hands on the independent film channel he coveted during digital licensing hearings last year. The CRTC awarded the channel to Halifax-based Salter Street Films Ltd, which was purchased Monday by Alliance Atlantis in a transaction valued at between $75 million and $80 million. The sale of the channel still must get the approval of the CRTC.

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