CBC News has unveiled the list of communities it’s set to deploy up to 30 new journalist hires to across the country. Previously announced in November, following CRTC approval of Google’s Online News Act commitment to compensate Canadian news organizations for use of their news content, the new hires are set to go out and report from 22 communities across the country, including six locations in B.C., one location in the North, nine across the Prairies, three in Ontario, and one location each in Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. CBC says with the additional roles, it will increase its footprint from 48 to 66 local stations and bureaus across the country. Read more here.
The CRTC has launched its latest consultation looking at market dynamics within the Canadian broadcasting system. The commission says the consultation will explore the dynamics between small, medium and large broadcasters, television service providers and online streaming services with an eye to building a modernized Broadcast Act that ensures a sustainable, fair and competitive system where Canadians can find the services and content they want. One of a series of consultations working toward implementing the Online Streaming Act, Scott Shortliffe, Executive Director, Broadcasting, said this proceeding won’t present a lot of preliminary views as the commission tries to understand the market and how it’s working. Read more here.
Corus Entertainment’s first quarter financial results saw revenue decrease 12% in the quarter ended Nov. 30, as both television and radio revenues fell. The company reported net income attributable to shareholders of $11.9 million ($0.06 income per share basic) for the quarter with its net debt to segment profit ratio at 4.48, up from 3.84 times in the previous quarter. TV revenue fell 11% to $303.6 million, compared with $342.4 million in the same quarter last year – including a 16% dip in advertising revenue – while radio revenue dropped 14% to $23.5 million, from $27.5 million year-over-year. Read more here.
Cogeco financial results for the first quarter ended Nov. 30 saw revenue decrease by 1.4% to $765.0 million. On a constant currency basis, revenue decreased by 1.8% due to a decline in revenue in the American telecommunications segment and media activities, while revenue remained stable in the Canadian telecom segment. President & CEO Frédéric Perron said high-speed internet subscriber growth remains strong in Canada, subscriber metrics are improving in the U.S, and preparation for an upcoming Canadian wireless launch is on track. Media activity revenue decreased by 7.8%. “At Cogeco Media, competitive dynamics in the radio advertising market remain challenging, however, our digital advertising solutions continue to provide a growing contribution to our overall revenue, and we continue to experience strong listener engagement with radio stations remaining at the top of the ratings,” Perron said.
The Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS) has released its annual report, showing 88% of complaints were lodged against 10 service providers. Reflecting the period from Aug. 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024, the majority of complaints surrounded billing issues, followed by service delivery and contract disputes. Rogers led complaints, accounting for 28% of billing issues and 27% of all complaints, up 103% year-over-year. Complaints against Bell were up 73%, accounting for 17% of complaints to the CCTS, followed by TELUS (14% of all complaints), which experienced a 56% jump in customer issues.
The 2024 Michener Award is now open to submissions until Feb. 21. The Michener Award is presented annually to news organizations, rather than individuals. Entries are judged for their professionalism, their impact on the public, and the degree of arms-length public benefit that is generated. Winners for 2024 Michener Award will be announced at the Michener Awards Ceremony in June at Rideau Hall. Learn more about previous recipients here.
