BCE Inc. has released its Q2 2017 results reporting net earnings of $811 million, with net earnings attributable to common shareholders of $762 million, or $0.84 per common share; BCE operating revenue was up 6.7 per cent in Q2 to $5,699 million, mainly driven by seven per cent growth in service revenue, reflecting increases at both Bell Wireless and Bell Wireline, including contributions from the acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS) on Mar. 17, as well as higher year-over-year revenue at Bell Media. In Q2, BCE reported 88,611 net new wireless postpaid customers, a net loss of 21,695 prepaid subscribers; 16,427 net new Fibe TV customers, a net loss of 29,764 satellite TV customers; and 1,407 net new high-speed Internet customers. At the end of Q2, total BCE customer connections across all services totalled 21,923,299, up 4.8 per cent from the year before.
TVA Group Inc. recorded a net loss attributable to shareholders in the amount of $1.9 million or $0.04 per share in the second quarter of 2017. TVA recorded adjusted operating income of $5,076,000 in the Broadcasting & Production segment, due mainly to a 30.2 per cent decrease in the adjusted operating loss of TVA Sports, which saw ad revenue grow for the third consecutive quarter, with year-over-year increases of 77.6 per cent. Film Production & Audiovisual Services recorded $2,031,000 in adjusted operating income, up $1,093,000 due to increased soundstage and equipment rental. TVA’s board of directors has approved a plan to expand the MELS production complex in the Technoparc, near the Bonaventure Autoroute. The project involves construction of a 160,000 square-foot building which will include a 60,000-square-foot soundstage. Groundbreaking is planned for the fall, with the facility ready by summer 2018.
Lionsgate has released its Q1 2018 results, reporting revenue of $1.01 billion, net income attributable to shareholders of $174 million, or basic EPS of $0.84. The results included the company’s gain on the sale of its equity interest in EPIX during the quarter. With Lionsgate’s acquisition of Starz, fiscal 2018 first quarter results aren’t directly comparable to prior reporting periods. Media Networks segment revenues increased 9.2 per cent to $390.5 million from $357.6 million last year. Segment profits decreased 7.9 per cent in the quarter due to higher marketing costs to support the increased number of original series. Motion Picture segment revenues increased 15.8 per cent to $472.4 million, driven by the strong home entertainment performances of John Wick: Chapter Two, La La Land, Saban’s Power Rangers and The Shack. Television Production revenues declined 18.6 per cent to $156.6 million in the quarter due to the timing of episodic deliveries.
The CRTC has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office, promoting close cooperation in the enforcement of spam and telemarketing laws in both jurisdictions. The CRTC has entered into similar bilateral agreements with the United States Federal Trade Commission, United States Federal Communications Commission, New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs and Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) has proposed setting aside 30 megahertz of spectrum in the 600-MHz frequency band for newer, wireless operators with less than 10 per cent of the national market share. The move would create room in the market for smaller wireless competitors like Shaw’s Freedom Mobile, Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron Ltd., Tbaytel, Sasktel and Eastlink, who would be able to bid without competition from the big three national carriers – Rogers, BCE Inc. and Telus. All bidders would be able to compete for licences covering the other 40 MHz. “Low-band” spectrum is highly-valued for its in-building penetration and range.
Benztown has put together an audio tribute to the legendary Glen Campbell, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 81 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Listen here.
