Regulatory, Telecom & Media News – Corus continues workforce reduction

Corus Entertainment expects to have completed a workforce reduction of 800 positions or 25% of full-time staff by the end of August as it continues to look for operational efficiencies. Initially undertaken at the start of fiscal 2023, co-CEO and Chief Financial Officer John Gossling told a Q3 2024 Earnings Conference Call on Monday that the staff reductions are part of ongoing cost-cutting and liability management as the company’s share price continues to hover below the 20 cent mark on the TSX. The company said its Q3 results reflect continued advertising disruption, with consolidated revenue of $332 million in the quarter, down 16% year-over-year. That was offset by a 15% decline in programming costs as well as an eight per cent reduction in administrative and general expenses. Television segment revenue was down 17% for the quarter at $308 million, mainly driven by a 15% drop in ad revenue and a drop in subscriber revenue and episode distribution. Radio results reflect lower advertising demand with segment revenue of $24 million in the quarter, down 10% year-over-year. Read more here.

Bell Media has confirmed it’s eliminating 43 technician positions supporting the media division. A spokesperson told Broadcast Dialogue that the workforce reduction is part of ongoing restructuring announced in February as parent company BCE moves to reduce its workforce by 4,800 positions to drive cost savings. The company said no departures will occur until the period between Aug. 30 and Sept. 27. Read more here.

The CRTC’s proceeding to bring online streamers under its ambit is the subject of a judicial review application at the Federal Court of Appeal, as the Canadian affiliate of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) hopes the court will hear its argument that foreign streamers shouldn’t have to contribute to a news fund from which its members derive no benefit. As part of the implementation of the Online Streaming Act, the regulator issued a proposed order that foreign streamers making $25 million or more must contribute five per cent of their annual Canadian revenues to the broadcasting system, broken down into various funds, including 1.5% toward the Independent Local News Fund (ILNF). The MPA represents the interests of major streamers like Disney+, Netflix, Paramount+ and Hulu. Amazon and Apple have filed separate challenges against the CRTC decision.

Mellissa Fung and Joyce Napier, both veteran foreign correspondents, and actress Tina Keeper, are among the 83 new appointments to the Order of Canada. Other names from film, television and documentary production inducted in this round include science communicator Pierre Chastenay, host of Télé-Québec’s Le code Chastenay; Arnie Gelbart, founder, executive producer and CEO of Galafilm Productions; Sylvia D. Hamilton, a Nova Scotia-based filmmaker, writer, and artist; and former cable magnate James Meekison. Read more here.

RTDNA Canada has unveiled its National Awards finalists, recognizing excellence in digital and broadcast journalism, led by CBC News, CTV News and Global National. National Awards winners will be announced in November.

Michele Brunoro, a senior reporter and anchor with CTV Vancouver, is the 2024 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s B.C. Journalism Fellowship, in partnership with the Jack Webster Foundation. The fellowship affords a working journalist the opportunity to develop a long-form piece of journalism to shed light on a subject of importance to British Columbians. Brunoro has been awarded funding to produce online stories, in addition to TV broadcast pieces, focused on human trafficking in B.C. The project, to be completed in early 2025, includes exploring the effectiveness of laws in B.C., preventive efforts and the work of British Columbians to help victims in other parts of the world. 

The Jack Webster Foundation has announced that longtime CBC Vancouver journalist Belle Puri is the 2024 Bruce Hutchison Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; CBC Vancouver associate producer and disability advocate Cathy Browne is the 2024 Bill Good Award recipient; and Isabelle Southcott, founder of Powell River Living/qathet Living, is the 2024 Shelley Fralic Award recipient. They’ll be celebrated at the 2024 Webster Awards on Oct. 28 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. 

John Krasinski is the star of a new Rogers 5G spot, shot at Innisfil Beach Park on Lake Simcoe. It features The Office and Jack Ryan actor lip-syncing and dancing to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” on Lake Simcoe while streaming the song. Rogers is the presenting sponsor of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour in Canada. The campaign, developed by Publicis, features billboards, transit and airport takeovers, and a significant online presence.