CTV Montreal anchor Mutsumi Takahashi and former CBC Radio producer and composer David Jaeger have been named Members of the Order of Canada, among 105 new appointments by the Governor General. Also named a Member is Dr. Yiyan Wu of the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) – a leading authority and researcher in digital TV and multimedia communications. Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels has been named a Companion of the Order for his significant influence on North American culture.
The Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel held its first working session June 26-27, under the leadership of chair Janet Yale in Ottawa. The Review Panel will continue to meet over the summer and expects to launch its consultation and outreach plan this September.
BCE Inc. has been awarded a multi-year contract to operate Alberta SuperNet, the government-led initiative providing broadband network connectivity in 429 communities throughout the province. Bell currently owns and operates the SuperNet network assets serving 27 urban centres in Alberta, and will now also operate the network elements connecting a total of 402 communities in rural Alberta. Bell has entered into an agreement to acquire Axia NetMedia Corporation, the Calgary-based operator of SuperNet’s rural assets. Terms of the transaction, expected to close this fall, will not be disclosed.
Anthem Properties Group Ltd. has acquired the former CBC/Radio-Canada site in Calgary. The 2.43 acre site at 1724 Westmount Boulevard in the Hillhurst-Sunnyside neighbourhood is slated for residential redevelopment. The site was home to the public broadcaster for nearly six decades before the local bureau moved into a new, modern facility last fall. Anthem is proposing to develop a townhome community with panoramic views of the river valley and downtown Calgary.
