By David Farrell
Rogers’ Q2 report card affirms ongoing commitment to 5G
The wireless company reports 14% revenue growth in Q2, to $3.16B and an eight-percent profit gain to $279M in the quarter ended June 30. The big takeaway is an 84% increase in its media businesses, ringing up $546M that were largely driven by sports broadcasts. The Canadian Press’s Nathan Denette says if regulators approve its proposed merger of Western Canadian cable company Shaw Communications Inc., the deal, valued at $26-billion including debt, would give Rogers’ access to the extensive fibre-optic infrastructure needed build out its fifth-generation wireless networks in Western Canada.
Angus Reid data on vaccination interactions
A new poll suggests vaccinated Canadians are unlikely to spend time around those who remain unvaccinated. The Angus Reidsurvey shows 53% of people polled say they won’t spend time around those who have not yet received their shots.
Nearly two-thirds of those aged 18-34 say that as long as they are personally protected through vaccination they will socialize with unvaccinated people.
Three-quarters of those who say they’ll be skipping inoculation view being asked about one’s vaccination status as inappropriate. – Kelly Turner, The Canadian Press
Acadian Broadcasting launches new Halifax rock FM
According to station manager Scott Pettigrew, the station hopes to lure listeners in the 25-45 age range with a blend of ’90s rock hits and new music. Surge FM hopes to build its audience by being the only station in Halifax focusing entirely on modern rock.
Listeners can expect tracks from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arkells, The Foo Fighters, Sloan, City and Colour and others.
An on-air team has yet to be announced. – The Huddle
Gov’t hosts summit on Islamophobia today
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, will take part virtually in the National Summit on Islamophobia today, where she will deliver opening remarks. Convened by Minister Chagger, the summit will bring together diverse Muslim community leaders, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, federal ministers, members of Parliament, and officials from provincial and municipal governments. – Government handout
Verification scams grow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
Directing social media users to fake verification forms is a tactic used to dupe people out of personal information and take over their accounts. Scammers will also slide into direct messages on Instagram and entice users with promises of verification. Variations of this scam have existed for years, but cybersecurity experts say they expect this scam to grow as people spend more time building their brand on social media. – Queenie Wong, CNET
