Shaw is offering buyout packages to 6,500 employees as it looks to reinvent its customer service delivery model

Shaw is offering buyout packages to 6,500 employees as it looks to reinvent its customer service delivery model in a move toward more digital, online, and e-care. About 10 per cent of those Shaw and Freedom Mobile employees are expected to accept the package offered under the Voluntary Departure Program. Details are not being disclosed.

Denise Donlon will be honoured by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) at the 2018 JUNO Awards with the 2018 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award. The award recognizes industry leaders who have greatly contributed to the development of the Canadian music industry. Donlan’s nearly 40-year career has seen her rise through the ranks at MuchMusic to become VP and GM. She went on to become the first female president of Sony Music Canada, and then general manager of CBC/Radio-Canada English Radio. The honour will be presented at the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards Presented by SOCAN on Mar. 24 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The CRTC has set a Mar. 31, 2019 deadline for Canadian telecoms to develop a system to stop caller ID spoofing. The commission is also calling for an industry administrator to authenticate and verify IP-based voice calls and has asked Canadian TSPs to develop a call traceback process. The CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC) has been ordered to file a report on the process within nine months.

Rogers Communications reported $419 million in profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, and a three per cent gain in revenue compared with a year ago, largely driven by wireless revenue growth of seven per cent and a greater number of subscribers on higher rate plans. On an adjusted basis, Rogers earned $455 million or 88 cents per share, compared with an adjusted profit of $382 million or 74 cents per share a year ago. Cable revenue increased two per cent during the quarter due to continued internet revenue growth. Media revenue decreased four per cent primarily due to lower revenue from the Toronto Blue Jays and their 2016 postseason success, and lower publishing-related revenue due to the strategic shift to digital media. That was partially offset by higher Sportsnet revenue and increased sales at Today’s Shopping Choice (TSC).

ZoomerMedia Limited has announced its financial results for the first quarter ended Nov. 30. The company reported revenues of $14.0 million, operating expenses of $12.6 million and EBITDA of $1.4 million. Net income for the three months ended Nov. 30 was $0.5 million. That compares year-over-year to revenues of $14.3 million for the three months ended Nov. 30, operating expenses of $12.2 million and EBITDA of $2.1 million. Net income for the three months ended Nov. 30, 2016 was $1.2 million.

Cogeco Connexion has announced the continuation of its DOCSIS 3.1 network enhancement program over the next three years which will enable the progressive roll-out of its gigabit offering in Ontario and Québec. Cogeco will continue to augment its node segmentation efforts and drive fibre deeper into its access network.

Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) has released the report from a national consultation on why Canadian digital industries continue to struggle to attract and retain women, which make up just 27 per cent of the workforce. Closing the Gender Gap:  A Blueprint for Women’s Leadership in the Digital Economy suggests employers adopt gender-blind recruitment and promotion practices, set targets for women’s engagement, and ensure corporate policy and culture fully align. WCT presented an executive panel in Toronto on Tuesday to celebrate the report’s release that included Barbara Williams, COO of Corus Entertainment, Paul Vallée, president and CEO of Pythian, and Jules Andrew, SVP at RBC, moderated by Carolyn Jarvis of Global News.

The BBC says six of its highest-paid male broadcasters have agreed to take pay cuts after revelations that two-thirds of the public broadcaster’s top earners were men. Huw Edwards, Nicky Campbell, John Humphrys, Jon Sopel, Nick Robinson, and Jeremy Vine have agreed to reduce their salaries. BBC China editor Carrie Gracie quit this month to protest what she called a failure to address the pay gap.

The Western Association of Broadcasters 2018 Awards of Distinction are inviting nominations until Apr. 6. Nominations are being accepted for the Gold Medal Award for Community Service, Leader of Tomorrow and the Hall of Fame. This year, digital entries are being considered for Gold Medal Awards, along with Radio and Television. Applications are also invited for the Broadcast Order of Achievement from employees of WAB member stations, recognizing 25 and 50 years of service to broadcasting. Winners will be announced at the WAB Gold Medal Awards Gala on June 7 in Banff, following the 84th Annual Conference.  

The RTDNA 2018 Regional & Network Awards entry period has been extended to Feb. 4. Click here to view the entry guidelines and awards categories.