CBC News says it’s adding up to 25 journalists in a dozen communities underserved by broadcast news outlets as part of its pledge to “address the gap” in areas where it does not have a presence. The public broadcaster said the new positions – set to be hired early in the New Year – will be focused in Western Canada, while also introducing four new late night TV newscasts in Atlantic Canada, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., and Newfoundland and Labrador. The announcement, which follows CRTC approval late last month of Google’s Online News Act commitment to compensate Canadian news organizations for use of their news content, builds on an expansion in 2022 to smaller cities like Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, Cranbrook, Nanaimo, and Kingston. Read more here.
BCE Q3 2024 results saw consolidated adjusted EBITDA grow 2.1% in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023, delivering 1.7 percentage-point increase in adjusted EBITDA margin to 45.6% – the highest quarterly margin in more than three decades. A net loss of $1,191 million was reported with net loss attributable to common shareholders of $1,237 million, or $1.36 per common share attributable to approximately $2.1 billion in non-cash media asset impairment charges. Bell Media revenue was up 10.1% with 25.1% adjusted EBITDA growth; digital revenue up 19% as digital platforms and ad tech continue to drive strong growth, operating revenue increased 10.1% to $782 million, driven by both higher year-over-year advertising and subscriber revenues. Ad revenue was up 7.9%, reflecting higher digital advertising revenue, stronger year-over-year TV sports specialty performance, and the financial contribution from the acquisition of OUTEDGE Media Canada. Subscriber revenue growth of 13.5% reflected retroactive adjustments related to contracts with Canadian TV distributors and continued Crave and sports direct-to-consumer streaming subscriber growth.
TELUS has released its unaudited results for the third quarter of 2024. Consolidated operating revenues and other income increased by 1.8% over the same period a year ago to $5.1 billion. Growth was driven by higher service revenue and other income from copper and real estate monetization in the TELUS technology solutions (TTech) segment, offset by lower service revenue in the TELUS digital experience segment (TELUS Digital). Compared to the same period a year ago, net income in the quarter of $257 million was up 88% and Basic earnings per share (EPS) of $0.19 increased by 111%.
Ericsson and the Government of Canada have signed an expanded funding agreement that will see Ericsson invest more than CAD $630 million in its Canadian R&D operations, a substantial increase from last year’s announcement. The funding increase will further enhance Ericsson’s R&D capabilities at its research facilities in Ottawa and Montreal, creating 200 new high-skilled jobs and more than 600 co-ops through its university partnerships. Ericsson’s R&D centres will focus on the development of quantum communications and AI-powered network management, while also expanding its Cloud RAN, 5G Advanced, and 6G capabilities.
Videotron’s Canada-International wireless plan has added 28 more international destinations to its coverage area, purporting to now span over half the globe with 100 destinations. Videotron has also increased the data cap on the Canada-International plan to 45 GB. In addition to Canada and previously included destinations such as France, England, Mexico, China, and India, subscribers to the Canada-International plan can now stay connected in Ecuador, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka and more. Current subscribers will have the new destinations automatically added to their plan at no extra charge.
The Sidney Hillman Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2025 Canadian Hillman Prizes, honouring excellence in investigative journalism in service of the common good. The Hillman Prizes celebrate print, digital and broadcast reporting in the public interest that exposes injustice and leads to meaningful public policy change. The judges will consider entries in three categories: print/digital, broadcast (TV, radio, podcast) and local/community news. Winners will be awarded a $2,500 honorarium, as well as travel to New York City to be a guest at the U.S Hillman Prize ceremony on May 6.
