Rogers Communications has announced a 10-year agreement with Comcast that will see its Entertainment OS and 10G internet connectivity technology introduced in Canada. Currently in use by SKY, Foxtel and XUMO, Entertainment OS is designed to provide a seamless user experience across multiple devices, promising “less searching and more watching” with intuitive navigation features, aggregating live TV and subscriptions into a single user destination. In addition to the introduction of a new device powered by Entertainment OS, the partnership also includes broadband and smart home tech, and an expanded suite of home security products developed by Comcast and Xfinity. The announcement came at the company’s Annual General Meeting where Q1 2024 results were highlighted by total revenue and total service revenue increases of 28% and 31%, respectively, driven by revenue growth in Rogers’ Cable and Wireless business. Media revenue decreased by 5% in the quarter primarily as a result of lower subscriber revenue, and lower revenue at Today’s Shopping Choice, partially offset by higher ad revenue. Read more here.
Stingray Radio President Steve Jones says he’s still hopeful issues the federal budget “fell far short” on can be addressed outside the budget process. Earlier this year, Stingray and a coalition of 20 independent broadcasters, appealed for a greater share of the $86M federal advertising spend to go to local media. Jones says there was no movement in the budget on the four key asks that independent broadcasters are seeking, including: eliminating the tax-deductibility of advertising purchased on foreign-owned, internet-delivered media sites and services; extending the Canadian journalism labour tax credit to broadcast news organizations; prioritizing and supporting Canadian-owned media by dedicating 70% of the Government of Canada’s advertising expenditures to local radio, TV, print, and Canadian-owned digital media; and tying any increase in funding to CBC/Radio-Canada to the public broadcaster’s exit from the advertising market. Read more here.
The BC Association of Broadcasters (BCAB) has announced several additions to its May 7th conference lineup, including representation from the CRTC, Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), ThinkTV, Radio Connects, NLogic, Environics Analytics, and more. Set to take place at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, previously-announced speakers include broadcast veteran George Stroumboulopoulos, who is featured in this year’s “Conversation with a Legend.” The 102.1 the Edge (CFNY-FM), MuchMusic and Hockey Night in Canada alum will sit down with Rock 101 (CFMI-FM) morning show host Willy Percy. Sonia Sunger of Global News is also set to moderate a panel discussion exploring how legacy industries can evolve recruitment, talent pipelines and employee growth & development. Read more here.
The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) has announced its shortlists for the CJF Jackman Awards for Excellence in Journalism, honouring news organizations that embody exemplary journalism and have a profound positive impact on the communities they serve; and the Landsberg Award, celebrating a journalist or journalists enhancing awareness of women’s equality issues. All finalists’ story submissions are available on CJF’s Awards page. The winners will be announced at the CJF Awards ceremony on June 12 at the Royal York Hotel.
MTM Newcomers latest report Hold the Phone – Newcomers and Cellphones finds close to three in five newcomers acquired their cellphone after arriving in Canada (57%). Older newcomers are more likely to have done so after arriving in Canada than their younger counterparts (44% among those aged 18-24 vs. 66% of those 45+). Newcomers are more likely to perform online activities on their cellphones, overwhelmingly turning to the device with the exception of watching TV and movies on SVOD services, which they also do often on a computer (57% watch via a smartphone vs. 51% on a computer).
