The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is calling on the CRTC to adopt a new policy framework for community radio and television, one that reflects the realities of the technological age. In its May 4 submission to the commission in response to PN 2001-19, PIAC notes that increasingly, citizens are relying on community-based online networks to get their messages out. As PIAC’s executive director Michael Janigan points out, it’s time for Canada’s policy and regulatory frameworks to "catch up to the people". An excerpt from his intervention appears below:

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Jim Cummins has been named VP of sales and Mike Kaumeyer has been appointed VP of marketing at Star Choice Communications. Cummins will be responsible for expanding the direct-to-home satellite services and subscriber base. He has worked for the past five years with Shaw Cablesystems GP. Kaumeyer has over 14 years of experience in sales and marketing.

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Broadcasters granted right to intervene in JumpTV process
The Copyright Board has granted both the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and the National Association of Broadcasters the right to intervene "with full participatory rights" in copyright hearings regarding JumpTV’s request to retransmit local television signals over the Internet. JumpTV went live just over a week ago with eight television channels from around the world, but none from Canada. The unresolved dispute over whether or not JumpTV can act like a cable operator by picking up local TV signals and retransmitting them through its portal has limited the broadcast streamer to channels for which it has licence deals. (CCR April 26/01, April 11/01).

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A new competitor in the cable TV market has wired its first 1,000 residential units, and has committed to have another 2,000 online by the end of the year. Suite Systems Inc, which last year won two regional Class 1 licences covering 17 communities, is using an IP-based technology to deliver digital cable services to its tenants in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

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Michael McCabe, CEO and president the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), is leaving the organization after 13 years to look for a part-time job in the public policy area. McCabe’s resignation takes effect Nov. 9, after the CAB’s annual convention, running Oct. 28 – 30 in Ottawa. He had three option years on his third five-year contract with the CAB, and had completed the first option year. He decided to opt out of the next two. The contract also contains a clause that would allow McCabe to continue on as a part-time special advisor to the association, but he says that would depend upon what the new president wants.

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Increased copyright expenses and higher expenditures could easily offset increased revenues in Canada’s private radio industry, according to Richard Cavanagh, VP of radio at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB).

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