CCR Update

Friday, October 1, 2004 Bell ExpressVu lowers price in major overhaul of its digital TV lineupDirect-to-home (DTH) satellite TV distributor Bell ExpressVu has lowered the price of its standard TV package to $25 a month from $36. The package includes more than 100 channels, free time shifting on Canadian channels, and no extra fees for service access or multiple receivers. It has also simplified its lineup and is offering a dual-tuner personal video recorder (PVR). CRTC licenses more Category 2 specialty servicesThe CRTC has licensed a number of new digital Category 2 specialty channels, including RTV (Russian Television) to MediaNet Canada (Broadcasting Decision 2004-420), and KBS Canada TV, SBS Canada TV and ISC Canada TV, all three to Seabridge Media Inc. (Broadcasting Decision 2004-419, 2004-418, 2004-417). Global named CCSA supplier of the yearGlobal Television Network was named as supplier of the year by the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA). The presentation was made at the CCSA annual meeting in Toronto last month to Global’s VP and general manager of specialty services Bill Hunt, who joked in accepting the award that “that’s what you get when you negotiate crappy deals for yourself.” Amtelecom won the operator of the year award. Over 200 delegates attended the CCSA’s annual meeting. The conference included Rogers Cable’s Michael Lee discussing his company’s successes with video-on-demand (VOD), Mark Quigley of The Yankee Group talking about consumer acceptance of telephony products offered by cablecos, and Allstream executive VP Ron McKenzie urging small cablecos to partner with Allstream in the delivery of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and to work together to battle against Bell. For further coverage of the conference, see the upcoming issue of Canadian Communications Reports.Galaxi Award winners announced at CCTA meeting VisionTV was a double winner at the Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association (CCTA)’s Galaxi Awards, announced in Toronto on September 22. Vision’s current affairs series 360 Vision received the top prize in the best information, specialty service category and its performing arts documentary Carry Me Home: The Story and Music of Nathaniel Dett Chorale earned the award for best entertainment in the specialty service category. Shaw TV Victoria was a double winner in the community channel division, taking awards for best on-camera performance, and best information. For a list of winners, click here.Cogeco offering all-digital coverage to 91% of Quebec customersCogeco Cable announced September 20 that it would be offering an all-digital service to all cable customers on its two-way network, which represents 91% of its customers in Quebec. Cogeco is also now offering new terminals (Motorola DCT700, Motorola DCT2500, and the Motorola DCT2500). “Based on our studies, our customers are increasingly opting for digital cable television, given its impressive flexibility and superior reliability,” said Ron Perrotta, VP of marketing sales for Cogeco Cable.Channel M signs Rogers’ OMNI Television on as national advertising sales representativeVancouver-based over-the-air ethnic TV channel Channel M signed an agreement September 21 with Rogers’ OMNI Television, which will act as its representative to sell all of its national non-English advertising time, programs and facilities. Airtime Television Sales in Toronto will continue to handle all national English advertising accounts for Channel M. Rogers had applied for a licence for an ethnic station in Vancouver, but was rejected numerous times. The licence went to Multivan in 2002 (CCR, April 12/02).Alliance Atlantis’ Showcase, Food Network Canada, HGTV to launch fall campaignsAlliance Atlantis Communications Inc. is launching three fully integrated consumer marketing campaigns in support of the fall programming on its specialty channels Showcase, Food Network Canada and HGTV this month. Showcase is being marketed as edgy and pioneering, Food Network takes on a fresh on-air look that combines green tones and style variations, and the HGTV campaign will focus on the hosts of its four flagship shows.Fans can vote online for Gemini Viewers Choice award winnerCanadians can vote for their favourite host or interviewer in a TV lifestyle, talk and practical information TV shows at www.geminiawards.ca, with the 10 most popular moving on to consideration as the winner. Voting for this year’s awards show began on September 28. The nineteenth annual Gemini Award nominees will be announced October 26, and the awards will be presented in a ceremony broadcast live on CBC on December 13.

CCR Update

Broadcast | October 1, 2004

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CCR Update

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