Regulatory, Telecom & Media News – Ryerson Review of Journalism pauses name

TVA Group Inc. recorded operating revenue of $147.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a year-over-year decrease of $16.6 million. Fourth quarter operating highlights include consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $46,070,000, a $12,502,000 favourable variance from the same quarter of 2019. $36,739,000 in adjusted EBITDA was recorded in the Broadcasting segment, a $15,014,000 favourable variance due to a 78.4% increase in the adjusted EBITDA of the specialty channels, particularly TVA Sports, whose significant cost reductions reflected the postponement of the start of the 2020–21 NHL season, as well as a 62.0% increase in TVA Network’s adjusted EBITDA. TVA Group recorded $7,453,000 in adjusted EBITDA in the Film Production & Audiovisual Services segment (MELS), a $375,000 unfavourable variance caused primarily by the decreased profitability of soundstage, mobile and equipment rental and visual effects services, while postproduction posted an increase in adjusted EBITDA.

The Ryerson Review of Journalism has announced that until the end of the Winter 2021 semester, this publication will be referred to as the [   ] Review of Journalism as a task force under the auspices of the office of the university’s president examines Egerton Ryerson’s history and relationship to the university to reconcile his legacy, including his role in the establishment of the residential school system in Canada. The School of Journalism is examining changing the names of the two publications run by the school and its students, including The Ryersonian. At a masthead meeting in January, second-year graduate students and fourth-year undergrads voted unanimously (15-0) in favour of pausing the use of the name Ryerson Review of Journalism this semester while these processes are underway.

Rogers Sports & Media has launched inclusion and diversity program All IN to support equity-seeking communities by amplifying stories on a national stage that haven’t always been heard with equal measure. The initiative will offer Big Brothers Big Sisters, Blacbiblio.com, Canadian Women & Sport, Friends of Ruby, and Spirit North free advertising and creative services to support their efforts in uplifting underserved communities. Rogers Sports & Media received more than 550 submissions for the 2021 program. Because of the overwhelming response, an additional 10 organizations that support the Black community will be profiled across the company’s assets. The organizations are BlackHealingTO, Jeffrey Tosh Art, KidsSwag, Lay Up Basketball, MFMG Cosmetics, Naij Hair, Nia Centre for the Arts, Oofii, Shayla’s Voice, and KinkyCurlyYaki.

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) has launched its annual AMI Robert Pearson Memorial Scholarship. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the scholarship program providing financial assistance to students with a disability. Information and eligibility requirements are available at AMI.ca/scholarship and amitele.ca/bourse-ami-tele. AMI partners with the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) to administer the program which awards two $5,000 bursaries to two deserving students with a permanent disability; one from the English community and one from the French. The application deadline is May 31.