Sports Media Canada recognized its 2022 honourees at the 25th SMC Achievement Awards Luncheon on Nov. 17. Those honoured this year included CBC and TSN sportscaster Brian Williams, who received the Career Achievement honour; Andi Petrillo, CBC Sports & OneSoccer, recognized in the Broadcasting category; TSN’s Rick Westhead who won this year’s Sportswriting honour; Vancouver freelancer Nick Didlick won in the Photography category; while Sportsnet’s Jamie Campbell received this year’s President’s Award. John Atkinson, High Performance Director & National Coach, Swimming Canada, was recognized as Sports Executive of the Year.
CBC/Radio-Canada has released its Q2 2022-23 quarterly report. Revenue decreased by 38.3% this quarter, mainly because last year’s results included additional advertising and licensing revenue from broadcasting the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Excluding the impact of Tokyo 2020, revenue from ongoing activities increased by 0.6%, primarily due to higher ad revenue on both conventional and digital platforms. Government funding recognized in the quarter increased by 4.3%, consistent with anticipated operating needs. Expenses were down in Q2 by 9.8%, as last year’s results included the rights and costs to broadcast Tokyo 2020. Excluding the impact of the games, expenses from ongoing activities increased by 8.5%, mainly due to additional programming costs, as well as inflationary pressures and higher costs to travel.
Shaw Communications has announced consolidated financial and operating results for the quarter ended Aug. 31. Q4 consolidated revenue decreased 1.5% year-over-year to $1.36 billion, adjusted EBITDA increased 1.6% year-over-year to $624 million, and net income decreased 32.9% to $169 million. Fiscal 2022 consolidated revenue decreased 1.1% year-over-year to $5.45 billion and adjusted EBITDA increased 1.4% year-over-year to $2.53 billion. Fiscal 2022 results reflect year-over-year growth in Consumer Internet, Wireless service and Business revenue, offset by declines in Wireless equipment and Wireline Video, Satellite and Phone revenue. The prior year results included Consumer revenue of approximately $20 million related to the release of a provision following the CRTC decision on final aggregated Third Party Internet Access (TPIA) rates and higher equity-based compensation costs of approximately $29 million due to the significant increase in Shaw’s share price following the Rogers-Shaw transaction announcement on March 15, 2021.
The Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS) has released its 2021-22 annual report, which shows complaints to the CCTS as a whole decreased by 25% from Aug. 21, 2021 to July 31, 2022. While billing problems were the number one issues for wireless and TV customers, service delivery issues were the top complaint among internet and phone customers. 83% of complaints were filed against just 10 service providers. Bell led service delivery complaints (down 30% year-over-year), followed by Rogers (-15%) and TELUS (-19%).
Édith Cloutier, Rogers’ Regional President for Quebec and VP, Sales, and Nicole McCormick, Senior Manager of Newsgathering at CityNews Toronto, have received the Role Models for Inclusive Leadership, Workplace Progress for Women award from global non-profit Catalyst, which recognizes corporate leaders who have made transformational contributions to women through workplace inclusion. Cloutier was recognized for developing a mentoring program for BIPOC employees in Quebec which launched in 2021. Under her guidance, a second cohort was launched this year with a third beginning in early 2023. McCormick is an established leader in the CityNews newsroom and plays an instrumental role in Rogers Sports & Media’s ALL IN initiative. She also co-chairs the Indigenous Peoples Network (IPN) at Rogers, advocating for team members through various events and employee engagement opportunities.
