The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is praising the CRTC’s response to its Report of the Task Force for Cultural Diversity on Television, despite the fact that the regulator declined to follow the recommendation that private broadcasters no longer be required to file reports to it on cultural diversity. The CAB filed the report after the commission ordered it to undertake such a study. The CRTC did, however, commend the best practices approach advocated in the report. The CAB states that its members are already working to ensure that the best practices and industry initiatives outlined in the report are undertaken in a timely manner. Below is an excerpt from the commission’s response.

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.

David Drybrough has been appointed as interim chair of the board of directors of CanWest Global Communications Corp. He replaces Frank McKenna, who resigned the position to take up the post of Canada’s ambassador to the United States. Drybrough was appointed to the board in March 2003 (CCR, March 13/03), and has served on the company’s audit committee. He retains his position of chair of that committee. McKenna was on CanWest’s board for six years. The company is currently looking for two independent directors for its board to fill McKenna’s position and that of Jalynn Bennett, who decided not to stand for re-election at the company’s recent annual meeting.

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.

CHUM selects UBS for radio transmission infrastructure
CHUM Ltd. announced March 22 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Unique Broadband Systems Inc. (UBS) to be the principal supplier of the broadcaster’s transmitter infrastructure required for its proposed subscription radio service. CHUM, in partnership with Astral Media Inc., has applied for a terrestrial-based subscription radio service called CHUM Subscription Radio (CSRC). The application is still under consideration by the CRTC. "UBS has proven itself as a leading-edge supplier of the type of ultra-wideband transmitter equipment required for a successful rollout of CSRC," said CHUM Ltd. executive VP of radio Paul Ski. "Together with our previously announced memorandum of understanding with RadioScape for receiver design and manufacturing, this places CHUM in a position to react quickly should our application receive a favourable CRTC decision." A decision from the CRTC is expected in the next few months. If licensed, CHUM anticipates a launch of CSRC in mid-2006.

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.