Maru/Matchbox has conducted a poll, commissioned by The Canadian Journalism Foundation, that finds millennials have a greater appetite for paying for news content than their older counterparts. The poll found 13 per cent of adults between 18 and 34 choose paid access over free access accompanied by advertising, compared to seven per cent of those aged 35 and up. The poll results show millennials (42%) are also more likely than their older counterparts (27%) to prefer in-depth and specific coverage versus general.
Bell has launched its first pilot project with BeWhere Technologies and Huawei using wireless sensors connected to its LTE-M wireless network at the Henry of Pelham vineyard to increase the St. Catharines, ON winery’s environmental monitoring. The project’s goal is to improve planning and sustainability by giving the winery the ability to remotely monitor temperature and water levels, and automatically turn on fans with temperature inversions. It’s projected to lower operating costs and improve quality.
Quebecor Inc. has reported its Q3 2017 consolidated financial results for Quebecor Media. Revenues were $1.03 billion for the quarter, up $36.4 million (3.6 per cent) from the same period of 2016; adjusted operating income was $421.1 million, up $31.3 million; Net income attributable to shareholders was $171.9 million ($1.42 per basic share), compared with a net loss attributable to shareholders of $8.3 million ($0.07 per basic share) in the same period of 2016. The Telecommunications segment grew its revenues by $30.0 million (3.8 per cent) in the third quarter. Videotron significantly increased its quarterly revenues from mobile telephony ($21.4 million or 16%), Internet access ($15 million or 6.1%), business solutions ($2.5 million or 8.8%) and the club illico over-the-top video service ($2.3 million or 29.5%). The Media segment grew its revenues by $9.9 million (4.5%) and its adjusted operating income by $11.3 million (32.8%) in the third quarter.
Quebecor Media has launched a six-second advertising format on TVA, TVA Sports, LCN, addick.TV, CASA, Moi & Co. and Taken 2, in addition to several Quebecor Media digital platforms. The company says studies show consumers’ attention is optimal during the first 5.7 seconds of an execution and therefore, the entire six-second ad is well seen, understood, and remembered.
Ian Scott delivered his first speech to industry as head of the CRTC to the International Institute of Communications Canada conference in Ottawa this week. Scott did not offer a grand vision statement, promising to regulate in the public interest. He was careful to clarify that includes the views of both industry and consumers.
The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) will honour New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey with its Special Citation for their investigative reporting on sexual harassment and assault allegations against Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein. The honour will be presented at the annual CJF Awards in Toronto on June 14. Awarded at the CJF’s discretion, the first Special Citation was presented in 2016 to the Boston Globe Spotlight Team, the year their explosive 2003 investigative series exposing widespread child abuse and the systemic cover-up by the Catholic Church, was depicted in the movie Spotlight.
