Officials at the Interactive Broadcast Development Group Inc (IBDG), Canadian Digital Television (CDTV) and Global TV are applauding the first Canadian terrestrial broadcast of a DTV signal, though its unveiling in Toronto last week drew mixed reactions. The signal, a prototype ITV application dubbed Global Explorer, offers a web-like news experience over-the-air. Potential applications include VOD, personalized content, t-commerce and even visual chat.
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The web partners in a new production of Degrassi Street are crediting the merger of BCE Inc and CTV Inc for an innovative, two-screen approach to youth programming. This fall, CTV will begin airing a new Degrassi series from Epitome Pictures that will incorporate a real-time online corollary web site with push email and other interactive elements to make young viewers part of the story.
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Iceberg Media has signed an equity agreement with Universal Music Canada that will see the Toronto-based company more closely integrate its research and marketing activities with the music industry heavyweight. The deal is the second major coup this month for Iceberg. On Aug. 15, BCE Inc-owned Sympatico-Lycos launched a new online music service featuring four channels provided by Iceberg.
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An Ottawa-based online radio station could face legal challenges similar to ICraveTV.com unless it can prove that copyrighted songs on its site are staying within Canada’s borders, according to an Internet law expert. IceRadio.com Inc, a recent spinoff from parent company SoftTV.net, has a catalog of over 25,000 tunes available for on-demand streaming, including those from the most popular artists. The site explicitly states that the music is for Canadian ears only, although the service appears to rely on the honour system rather than a firewall to keep non-Canadians out.
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Craig inks deal with MTV Networks Craig Broadcast Systems Inc has inked a deal with Viacom International Inc’s MTV Networks to launch digital specialty services TV Land Canada, MTV: Music Television, and three music channels in Canada this September. Craig’s Category 1 teen channel, previously known as Connect, will be renamed MTV Canada. The three music channels, with the MTV brand, will be aimed at Canadian viewers. TV Land Canada will feature old television programming from all genres, and will bring TV Land’s "Nick at Nite" anchor program to Canada. More details.
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Wireless technologies are poised to play a greater role in bridging the digital divide between rural and urban Canadians. Whether through advanced third generation wireless or fixed wireless, the opportunities to provide all Canadians with high-speed access to the Internet are on the horizon. The Canadian wireless industry believes that the federal government should maintain a balanced approach to debt reduction and the fiscal responsibilities on the industry, while at the same time promoting the use of wireless technology research and development.
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Norsat International Inc has made sweeping changes to its senior management ranks. Walter Buller has been named CFO, joining the company from a global technology-based public company. He has more than 30 years experience in senior executive positions and management consulting roles. He was president at Gendis Business Services Inc, VP finance at Sony Canada and Camgard Supply and senior auditor of forensic accounting at KPMG in Europe. Michael Heaven becomes Norsat’s COO. He joined Norsat back in October 2000 from Honeywell Inc, where he had spent 15 years and was most recently VP and GM of operations for the company’s manufacturing facility in Vancouver. In this new role, he will be responsible for moving technology from the prototype stage to commercialization and will be charged with overseeing all product development and delivery operations across the entire company. Ian McEachern has taken over as CTO. He has had a close relationship with Norsat, as the company acquired two companies that he had worked for in the past. He has more than 15 years of experience in the satellite communications industry including nine years with Telesat Canada. Lindsay Ryerson becomes VP sales and network engineering. Previously, he was VP and GM at Aurora Distributing, a division of Norsat. He will be responsible for new business development and worldwide field operations including sales, network engineering, system integration and customer support. Frank Franczyk has been promoted to VP product marketing. He joined Norsat in Arpil 2000, following the acquisition of SpectraWorks. He has more than 15 years experience in the satellite communications industry and spent eight years at Telesat. Marieke Wijtkamp becomes director of corporate branding. She joined the company this July and brings solid experience in branding and communications, having served as VP marketing and communications at a global technology firm. Sharon Batchelor, director of human resources, has more than 20 years experience in the field, having served in similar positions with several firms. Prior to joining Norsat, she was manager of HR at Information Systems Management-BC, MPR Teltech and was a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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eDispatch enters into merger agreement with AirIQ Mobile workforce management software company eDispatch.com Wireless Data Inc has entered into a merger agreement with AirIQ, a wireless application service provider specializing in the mobile asset management business. The combined company will be a leading provider of mobile resource management including fleet and mobile workforce management.
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The Canadian government is planning a trade mission to the Asia Pacific region next year in hopes of boosting the flow of Canadian wireless products and applications to the highly-populated region. It recently launched a campaign aimed at attracting 15 firms ranging from fixed wireless equipment makers to applications developers and chip design houses to participate in the excursion.
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