Bell Media has been unsuccessful in its bid to keep U.S. commercials off Canadian TV during the Super Bowl. On Sept. 7, the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed Bell’s appeal of the August CRTC decision that ordered the removal of simultaneous substitution on the Super Bowl game, effective January 1. Bell, owned by BCE Inc., has the exclusive rights to air the Super Bowl in Canada and the decision is expected to cost the company millions in advertising dollars. The National Football League intervened in the appeal and argued that an appeal will be of little use if the matter is not decided before the next Super Bowl in February. Bell says it will continue its fight.
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) released its decision Sept. 14 regarding a news report broadcast on CTV Toronto (CFTO-DT) on Dec. 16, 2015 during CTV News at Six, concluding that the incidental appearance of a person in a news report does not breach privacy. A CTV reporter and cameraperson visited a property management company where several employees appeared momentarily on screen, prompting a complaint. CBSC found that no clandestine techniques had been used because the camera was clearly visible and that the broadcast did not infringe the employee’s privacy because the complainant was not named or otherwise identified, her voice was not audible, and the footage was taken in a location accessible to the public. The story was in the public interest. Therefore it did not violate the RTDNA Code of Ethics.
CHCH-TV Hamilton is returning to live weekend news broadcasts starting Oct. 29. The live half-hour broadcasts of the CHCH Evening News will air both Saturdays and Sundays at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. After filing for bankruptcy in December 2015, CHCH owners Channel Zero cut programming, including the weekend newscasts.
Business News Network (BNN) launched Canada’s only real estate news television program House Money, hosted by veteran business and policy Anchor and Reporter Greg Bonnell. The show debuted Sept. 13 and examines the booming and controversial real estate market.
Bell Media’s Gusto channel has started production on 10 original food and lifestyle programs, all to be produced in 4K or super high definition. Nine of the food based shows will be shot in Ottawa later this year, the tenth, The Search For Canada’s Next Designer, a collaboration with IKEA, is currently in production in Toronto. No premiere date yet.
The Weather Network is introducing DoubleClick’s Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) to its Android TV app. Owners Pelmorex Media Inc. said it positions the network to become the first to launch an Over The Top (OTT) app capable of offering individually tailored ads to viewers. The ad content would be delivered via the cloud. The DAI technology gives the network the ability to fill ad breaks based on geographic location of the viewers.
