CCR Update

NDP MP files Cabinet appeal on CTV/Global TV licence renewalsThe NDP’s critic for culture and communications has filed a petition to the federal Cabinet asking it to overturn the CRTC’s Aug. 2 decisions renewing the television licences of CTV Inc and CanWest Global Communications Corp. Wendy Lill says CTV and Global’s stable of broadcast, print, and Internet properties "constitutes an alarming concentration of power over public expression in this country." The MP for Dartmouth wants Cabinet to send the decisions back to the commission with clear directions, calling for a limited licence renewal of one year for CTV and Global’s network licences while asking the CRTC to develop a policy for the "orderly divestment of cross-owned properties in preparation of a cross-ownership ban." She concludes in her Sept. 13 petition, "The dangerous and unprecedented increase in media concentration permitted by these CRTC decisions must not be allowed to stand." More details: Decision CRTC 2001-457 Decision CRTC DB2001-458 CCTA files Supreme Court appeal on pole access rulingAs expected, the CCTA has filed an application with Canada’s highest court for leave to appeal a recent lower court ruling overturning a CRTC decision on pole access. In July, the Federal Court of Appeal struck down a 1999 CRTC decision that set the rates cablecos must pay to gain access to utility poles. Respondents will have 30 days to file comments with the court on the CCTA’s application. More details. CRTC approves Rogers’ Sportsnet buy, redirects benefitsThe CRTC continues to heavily scrutinize public benefits packages filed as part of applications to acquire broadcasting assets. In approving Rogers Broadcasting Ltd’s acquisition of Sportsnet on Oct. 1, the commission redirected $13.2 million of Rogers’ proposed $14.45 million public benefits package to the Rogers Telefund – Decision CRTC 2001-621. The money was to be used for certain broadcasting infrastructure and interactive programming initiatives, but the commission deemed them to be "part of the normal course of business". Rogers now owns 80% of Sportsnet. Similarly, on Sept. 21, the commission directed CTV Inc to file a new proposal reallocating some $3 million in public benefits related to its acquisition of Montreal’s CFCF-TV – Decision CRTC 2001-604. In that decision approving the transaction, the commission also squeezed $2 million more in benefits out of CTV by including CFCF’s long-term debt as part of the value of the transaction. More details: Decision CRTC 2001-621 Decision CRTC 2001-604 CRTC orders Shaw to give PrideVision fair previewThe CRTC acted quickly to rule on PrideVision TV’s complaint against Shaw Communications Inc and its satellite TV unit Star Choice Communications Inc regarding the way the digital specialty channel is being carried during a free preview. In Decision CRTC 2001-612, by majority vote, the commission concluded that Shaw and Star Choice were subjecting PrideVision to an undue disadvantage in relation to other Category 1 services and thus were in breach of section 9 of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations. In its Sept. 28 decision, the commission noted that both Shaw and Star Choice’s customers could block out the channel if they did not want to watch it. Commissioner Stuart Langford dissented from the majority decision, saying PrideVision did not substantiate its allegations with sufficient evidence. More details: Decision CRTC DB2001-612 Shaw says cable customers don't want automatic access to PrideVision Rogers Cable launches enhanced TVRogers Cable Inc has launched Enhanced Television, the first such offering in Canada, which allows Rogers digital cable customers to interact with programs and commercials. The service, which uses technology provided by California-based Wink Communications Inc, is provided free of charge to digital subscribers. Initially, Enhanced TV is available on U.S. specialty channels CNN, CNN Headline News, and CNBC, and networks such as TBS, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Rogers is working with Canadian broadcasters such as CHUM Television, CFMT Television, and Sportsnet to deploy enhanced Canadian programming before the end of the year. More details. Vidéotron launches new diginets, rebrands digital serviceQuebec cable operator Vidéotron ltée last week launched more than 30 new digital specialty channels and unveiled its new rebranded digital cable/interactive TV service. Called iLLICO, the digital offering comes complete with new digital packaging and pricing. More details. Star Choice to carry Leafs TV diginet in OntarioSatellite TV operator Star Choice Communications Inc announced Oct. 2 that it will carry Leafs TV for its Ontario customers. New and current Star Choice customers in Ontario will be able to preview the regional digital specialty channel along with about 40 other channels free-of-charge until Jan. 1, 2002. Star Choice says more than 400 National Hockey League games will be available this season as part of its regular programming lineup. More details. CRTC restructures broadcasting directorateThe CRTC has restructured its Broadcasting, Licensing and Operations branch in an effort to offer improved service and quicker processing of broadcasting applications. Changes within the newly-named Broadcasting Operations Division include a reduction in the number of units from five to four and the creation of a central contact point for broadcasting industry clients to obtain information about the applications process and broadcasting matters. More details. Look gets extension under CCAATroubled wireless cable operator Look Communications Inc has sought and obtained an order from an Ontario court extending its period of operating under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act until Nov. 30, 2001. Look says it continues to discuss long-term financing with potential investors and its goal is to present a draft plan of arrangement as well as the proposed claims process for court approval within the extension period. More details Bell Globemedia, Bell Canada launch new subscriber-based sports web siteBCE Inc will soon find out if consumers are willing to pay for premium online content. On Oct. 1, subsidiaries Bell Globemedia and Bell Canada launched a new subscriber-based sports web site, the first in a series of convergence products and services to be introduced in the coming months. TSNMAX.ca combines enriched coverage and exclusive reports from TSN and The Globe and Mail with video, personalized features, fantasy pools with prizes of up to $100,000, and wireless alerts of news and scores. After a free trial period, users can subscribe to the service for $4.95/month. More details. PVRs loved by users: U.S. surveyA survey released last month by Atlanta-based NextResearch Inc found that 60 per cent of personal video recorder (PVR) users think that the digital devices are indispensable and that they’d like to have one for every TV in their home. More details: PVR Information Owners find recorders indispensible, study shows @Home Internet service OK, cablecos sayCanadian cable companies using the services of Excite@Home report that the U.S. company’s bankruptcy won’t cause disruption in service. U.S. cablecos, including AT&T Broadband, Comcast Corp, and Cox Communications, have made similar assurances to their high-speed Internet subscribers in recent days. Excite@Home filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. on Sept. 28, the same day it agreed to sell all of its Internet access business assets and related services to AT&T Corp for US$307 million. More details.

CCR Update

News | 10/03/2001 4:00 am EDT

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