CCR Short Takes

More cablecos apply for basic cable rate deregulationCogeco Cable Inc. has filed an application with the CRTC for basic cable rate deregulation for its systems in the Quebec regions of Alma, Sainte-Adèle, Baie-Comeau, Drummondville, Grand-Mère, Magog, Rimouski, Sept-Iles and St.-Hyacinthe, as well as its system in Kingston ON. Previously, the company had remained tight-lipped about its plans for rate deregulation (CCR, Dec. 19/01). Also, Monarch Cablesystems Ltd. has applied for rate deregulation for Medicine Hat AB. Other companies that have filed applications are Vidéotron ltée (CCR, Jan. 31/02), Rogers Cable Inc. (CCR Dec. 6/01; CCR, Oct. 11/01) and Regional Cablesystems Inc. (CCR, Oct. 11/01). Shaw Communications Inc. president Peter Bissonnette told CCR that his company had no plans to file for deregulation (CCR, Dec. 6/01), but in a news release announcing financials this week, the Calgary-based cableco indicates plans to file for deregulation. Shaw Cable increases digital subscribers, lays off 400 Shaw Cablesystems increased the number of digital boxes it had deployed to 487,971 in the second quarter ended February 28, 2002 from 422,046 at November 30, 2001, according to financials released March 26 by the company. Shaw-owned satellite TV distributor Star Choice had 731,323 subscribers, up from 674,129 at November 30. But losses of $74.4 million in the quarter have prompted the company to increase its cable and Internet prices by $3 a month effective May 1. It also announced its intention to sell off its U.S. cable assets, the proceeds of which would go to pay down debt, and that it had laid off 400 employees. Virtual Museum of Canada turns one, plans more in second yearThe Virtual Museum of Canada (www.virtualmuseum.ca) promises more innovative virtual projects and new online exhibits in its second year of operation. Organizers say that 30 new projects will be made available online during 2002-2003. The portal dedicated to putting histories and treasures entrusted to Canadian museums was inaugurated in March 2001. It is an important element of the federal government’s strategy to produce and promote Canadian cultural content online. CRTC sets hearing to consider numerous radio applicationsAt a June 3 public hearing, the CRTC will consider licence renewal applications for national pay audio services, Galaxie and DMX Music – Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing 2002-4. It will also consider licence applications for an English-language FM station that will run tourist information in Halifax NS, for a FM community radio station in Haliburton ON to run on the 96.9 MHz frequency, a contemporary Christian music station in London ON to operate on frequency 105.9 MHz and a French-language community radio station in Gravelbourg SK. Other applications are for licences for a English-language tourist information FM station in Lloydminster AB, a Christian music FM radio station in Edmonton AB, aboriginal language FM station in Fort Vermilion AB, a contemporary FM radio station in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The deadline for interventions is May 9. Rogers introduces new baseball package for digital subscribersRogers Cable Inc. is introducing a new Major League baseball package, consisting of 750 regular season out-of-market games, on April 1. That translates into about 35 games per week from outside a customer’s local viewing area. The package, called MLB Extra Innings, will be available on the Viewer’s Choice Pay Per View service on Rogers digital cable. It is priced at $159.99 for the season or $19.99 per month for eight months. A free preview of the new service runs April 1 to 7. CBC to receive NAB excellence award for innovationsThe Canadian Broadcasting Corp. along with an Indonesian radio broadcaster will receive the U.S.-based National Association of Broadcasters’ 2002 International Broadcasting Excellence Awards. The CBC is being recognized in the network category for its "unique innovations and effective utilization of resources to advance the business of broadcasting." Specifically, the public broadcaster is being lauded for its National Satellite DVC Project, a system of advanced video coding and modulation technologies that has created an efficient network for the distribution of multiple TV programs by satellite. The awards will be presented at the NAB2002 convention in Las Vegas on April 10. Talks to resume between Radio-Canada, workersRadio-Canada management and about 1,200 unionized employees who are off the job in a labour dispute were scheduled to resume talks before a mediator March 28. The two sides were to return to the bargaining table after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ruled March 27 that Radio-Canada management had implemented a legal lockout. The union complained to the board that it was illegally being prevented from returning to work. The Syndicat des Communications de Radio-Canada (SCRC) declared a 24-hour strike March 21, but afterwards management refused to let them return to their desks. Management claimed an indefinite strike had been called since labour codes didn’t recognize walkouts of 24 hours. However, the CIRB ruled that the union had the right to hit the picket lines for a limited time, and declared a lock-out. The union is at loggerheads with management over a number of issues, including wage disparities (CCR Update, March 20/02). Time Warner prepares for copyright battleAOL Time Warner Inc. has registered two new lobbyists in the copyright debate. Shira Perlmutter, VP and associate general counsel for AOL Time Warner, has been registered to deal with "potential amendments and/or additions to Canadian intellectual property legislation, including but not limited to Copyright Act." Stikeman Elliott’s Randall Hofley, Ottawa, has also been registered as a lobbyist in the same area, with Perlmutter listed as his client. Academy rules Emily of New Moon ineligible for GeminisThe Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television has ruled that the Salter Street Films-Cinar Corp. coproduction, Emily of New Moon, is ineligible for consideration in the upcoming 17th annual Gemini Awards. Expressing regret, Academy officials told the producers that seasons four and five did not have their first Canadian release within the given qualifying period. The show would have been eligible last year. "Eligibility, by its very nature, is not a mere ‘technicality’," reads an Academy media advisory, "but rather a cardinal rule and framework which defines the competition each year. " The decision by the Academy, the media release notes, was unanimous. CRTC rules it’s premature to reconsider five-to-one ruleIt is still premature for the CRTC to undertake a review of the five-to-one linkage requirements for Category 2 digital services, the commission says . In response to a January 14 request for such a review by Corus Entertainment Inc., the CRTC indicated in a March 14 letter that it has "no evidence before it which indicates that a review is necessary at this time. " Corus president John Cassaday publicly questioned the rule requiring distributors to carry five non-affiliated Category 2 services for each affiliated service distributed as far back as the Canadian Cable Television Association’s convention last May. Corus is affiliated with Shaw Communications Inc.

CCR Short Takes

Broadcast | March 28, 2002

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