http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl? http://www.eblah.com en http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1371584165/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1371584165/#num1 Menzies appointed to CRTC

      Peter Menzies

By Michelle Clancy

| 18-06-2013

Peter Menzies has been appointed as vice chairperson (telecommunications) of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a five-year term.

"I am pleased that Mr Menzies will continue to contribute to the Commission's work," said James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "His leadership and vast experience in the communications, media, regulatory and public policy sectors are sure to be of great benefit to the organisation."

Menzies was first appointed to the CRTC as a part-time member in 2007. In 2009, he was appointed as a full-time member, designated for the Alberta/Northwest Territories region. Pending the appointment of a new Alberta/Northwest Territories commissioner, Menzies has agreed to continue to liaise with stakeholders in the region.

Prior to his full-time appointment to the CRTC in 2009, Menzies was president of Menzies Strategies. Over the course of his 35-year career, he worked for the Calgary Herald, the Calgary Sun and Cowichan News Ltd, in addition to serving on several boards. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Acadia University and studied journalism at the University of Victoria.

Read more: Menzies appointed to CRTC | Rapid TV News http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2013061828354/menzies-appointed-to-crtc.html#ixzz2Wb7b402r




.]]> Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:36:05 B Control http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1371510188/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1371510188/#num1 Appointment to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

             Raj Shoan

By Canadian Heritage

    June 17, 2013

GATINEAU, QC, June 17, 2013 -- /CNW/ - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced the appointment of Raj Shoan as a full-time member of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), designated for the Ontario region, for a five-year term.

"I am delighted that Mr. Shoan will be joining the CRTC," said Minister Moore. "His extensive knowledge of laws and regulations in the broadcasting and telecommunications industries, as well as his strong experience in the field, will be solid assets to the Commission."

A lawyer by trade, Mr. Shoan holds extensive experience in Canada's broadcasting sector. He has also served on the Board of Directors of FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings). Mr. Shoan holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and History) from McGill University.     

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises, in the public interest, all aspects of the Canadian broadcasting system, as well as the telecommunications services providers and common carriers that come under federal jurisdiction.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/17/5503331/appointment-to-the-canadian-radio.html#storylink=cpy



.]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:03:08 Airwaves http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1371170015/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1371170015/#num1 CRTC releases 2012 financial results for Canadian conventional television stations


CNW Canadian News Week
     June 13, 2013

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC, June 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) released statistical and financial information on Canadian conventional television stations for the broadcast year ended August 31, 2012. These annual reports allow interested parties, including Canadians, to stay informed about the state of the Canadian communications industry.

Despite a decline in revenues, private conventional stations invested 17.6% more on Canadian programming, while spending slightly less on foreign programming. This activity resulted in new television programs for Canadians, including programming related to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, and thousands of jobs in the Canadian production sector. In 2012, these stations employed 6,343 people and paid $537.2 million in salaries.

Canadian programming

Total expenditures on Canadian programming by private conventional stations rose from $562.9 million in 2011 to $661.8 million in 2012, of which $133 million was paid to independent producers to acquire programming.

These investments supported the production of Canadian programming in all regions of the country, including programs of national interest such as dramas, comedies, documentaries and award shows. Specifically, conventional stations invested $58.9 million for drama series, $82.3 million for general interest programming, $353.6 million for news programs, $16.5 million for long-form documentaries, $32.3 million for other information programs, $29.4 million for music and variety shows, $68.5 million for sports programming, and $17.5 million for game shows.

The purchasing of foreign programming declined from $729 million in 2011 to $726 million in 2012.

Profitability

Private conventional television stations saw their revenues drop by 5% from $2.14 billion in 2011 to $2.04 billion in 2012.  In the same period, expenses went from $1.9 billion in 2011 to $1.92 in 2012, an increase of just over 1%.  As a result, profits before interest and taxes (PBIT) declined from $151.6 million to $22.9 million, and the PBIT margin decreased from 7.1% to 1.1%.

Revenues and expenses

In 2012, revenues from the sale of local advertising remained relatively stable at $355 million.  However, private broadcasters experienced a decline in national advertising revenues from $1.47 billion in 2011 to $1.35 billion in 2012. At the same time, investments in the acquisition and production of programs increased from $1.36 billion in 2011 to $1.44 billion in 2012, which represented a 5.8% increase.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

The CRTC's report also includes financial and statistical information on the CBC's French- and English-language conventional television stations. In 2012, the national public broadcaster reported advertising revenues of $372.7 million, which represented a 1% increase from the $369.6 million generated the previous year.

In addition, the CBC's programming expenditures totaled $786.1 million, 93% of which was spent on Canadian programs.

CRTC reports

Each year, the CRTC compiles financial data on Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications industries to produce a series of reports. The CRTC has published similar reports for Canadian cable and satellite companies as well as specialty, pay and pay-per-view services and video-on-demand services

The CRTC will soon publish the financial results for AM and FM radio, followed by the release of its annual Communications Monitoring Report, which provides an overview of the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications industries.

Conventional Television - Statistical and Financial Summaries 2008-2012

The CRTC

The CRTC is an administrative tribunal that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

SOURCE: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
For further information:

Follow us on Twitter @crtceng

Media Relations:
MediaRelations, Tel: 819-997-9403, Fax: 819-997-4245

General Inquiries:
Tel: 819-997-0313, TDD: 819-994-0423, Fax: 819-994-0218
Toll-free # 1-877-249-CRTC (2782)
TDD - Toll-free # 1-877-909-CRTC (2782)
Ask a question or make a complaint

These documents are available in alternative format upon request.


http://www.newswire.ca/en/stor.....-television-stations


.]]> Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:33:35 Sidney Spit http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1371061379/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1371061379/#num1 Engaging Canadians

The following speech was given by Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission at the Banff World Media Festival, in Banff, Alberta on this day June 12, 2013

Click HERE


.]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:22:59 Sam http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1370288925/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1370288925/#num1 New CRTC wireless code lets consumers cancel contracts after two years, caps roaming fees




    June 3, 2013

Consumers will be able to cancel their cell phone contracts after two years with no cancellation fee thanks to a new wireless code announced today by the Canadian-Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

However, don’t rush out to sign a new wireless contract just yet. The new code will apply to new contracts for cell phones and other mobile wireless devices starting December 2, 2013.

The  code, welcomed by consumer advocates who have long called for an end to locked-in long term contracts and other onerous conditions that can see cell phone bills skyrocket, also caps extra data charges at $50 a month and caps international data roaming charges at $100 a month.

In another change that could help consumers save on roaming  bills, wireless companies will have to unlock cell phones after 90 days or immediately if the customer pays the full, price for the phone with no subsidy.

Telus, which has been proactive in implementing some of the changes that are now a requirement under the CRTC’s new code, has allowed customers to unlock their subsidized phones 60 days after they purchase them for a fee of $35.  Other carries, like Rogers, followed suit some time later.

The new code was welcomed by Vancouver-based consumer advocacy group Open Media.ca, that termed it a start to addressing Canadian consumers concerns.

“This new Code of Conduct is further evidence that the CRTC has started to listen to the concerns of Canadians,” Lindsey Pinto, OpenMedia.ca communications manager, who spoke at the CRTC hearings, said in a release. “Under the new Code, Big Telecom will find it more difficult to abuse cell phone users through restrictive contracts, price-gouging, and disrespectful customer service.”

“This is a positive start, but some of these rules will need to be built upon going forward. What is most important now is that Industry Canada do its part to fix our broken cell phone market. Canadians will never get the choice and affordability we deserve when just three companies control up to 94 percent of the market.”

Among changes under the new wireless code, consumers will be able to:

Terminate their wireless contracts after two years without cancellation fees even if they have signed on for a longer term.

Return their cellphones within 15 days and specific usage limits if they are unhappy with the service

Accept or decline changes to the key terms in a fix-term contract

Have contracts that are easy to read and understand.

The CRTC’s new wireless code will apply to all service providers in Canada, covering postpaid services – that is consumers who pay a monthly bill for their wireless services, and where applicable to pre-paid wireless services – that is the pay-as-you-go service in which consumers pay a flat rate for a package of talk, text or data services with no on-going contract.

“Every day, Canadians rely on wireless devices while in their homes, at their jobs, at school or travelling abroad,” Jean-Pierre Blais, chairman of the CRTC, said in a release announcing the changes. “The wireless code will contribute to a more dynamic marketplace by making it possible for Canadians to discuss their needs with service providers at least every two years.”

The new code follows an online public forum by the CRTC that was held from February 11 to 15 of this year and attracted more than 5,000 participants.


http://blogs.vancouversun.com/.....s-caps-roaming-fees/

.]]> Mon, 3 Jun 2013 12:48:45 Fine Tuning