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Media Beat: July 29, 2021

By David Farrell

A people’s history of the hoser, Canada’s blue-collar icon

There are two attributes to note about the character of the “hoser,” who inhabits some of the most popular television shows, films, and songs to emerge from this country. Firstly, the hoser is, above all, a non-American. Secondly, regardless of geography, time period, and exact living circumstances, the hoser demonstrates a rugged and spirited commitment to the status quo.


But we must not confuse the hoser with a reactionary. – Laurence Miall, Jacobin

CRTC has knuckles wrapped in iPhone in Canada editorial

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued a ruling today in regard to access to in-building wire (IBW) in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), that favoured Bell Canada.

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In a nutshell, the CRTC ruling says “access to fibre IBW is not an essential service and will not be mandated.” The decision means companies using Bell Canada’s fibre IBW will need to negotiate an agreement with the company for access.

Interestingly enough, the CRTC writes in (its) ruling, “the public good policy consideration does not apply to access to fibre IBW because such access does not have a strong connection to social or consumer welfare, public safety, or public convenience.”

Public good policy consideration typically applies to services such as 911, which everyone is mandated to provide. But access to fibre lines does not fall into this category.

“In addition, the Commission does not consider that competition and consumer choice qualify as public good considerations,” writes the CRTC. – Gary Ng, iPhone in Canada

Mark Zuckerberg wants churchgoers to worship on Facebook

Mark Zuckerberg believes the coronavirus pandemic has created a new opportunity for Facebook to grow. His plan involves incentivizing churchgoers — who have become familiar with virtual services over the past year due to lockdowns — to permanently move their religious worship online.

The company is intensifying its formal partnerships with faith groups across the United States and shaping the future of churchgoing as it entices users to connect with God on Facebook, rather than at a place of worship, according to a report by the New York Times. In 2020, the omniscient one told the Jerusalem Postthat he had become humbled, more religious and coming to  "believe in things that are bigger than yourself".

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Ranking the mega-cap tech stocks ahead of earnings

Earnings season each quarter provides investors with an opportunity to gain valuable insight into the best and brightest companies that could lead the market higher in the coming months.

It’s safe to say that mega-cap tech stock earnings are always the main focus, particularly due to the sheer weight of these companies in major indices.

For perspective, the 10 biggest stocks in the S&P 500 Index make up 26.4 per cent of the index’s market value, which tells us that the overall direction of the market will certainly be impacted by the price action of the mega-cap tech stocks following their earnings this week. – Sean Sechler, The Street

Apple posts an $81.4B Q3

Apple hit another new high in revenue from its services segment, with $17.49B. iPhone sales brought in $39.57B. – Tim Baysinger, The Wrap

YouTube Q2 ad revenue hits record $7B

Advertising revenue at the world’s biggest video platform jumped 84%, up from $3.81 billion in the year-earlier period when COVID put a damper on marketing spending. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, reported YouTube’s ad revenue as part of its Q2 earnings — which blew past Wall Street expectations. – Todd Spangler, Variety

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MuchMusic headquarters
Promotional image for '299 Queen Street West'

MuchMusic headquarters

Culture

MuchMusic and MusiquePlus Are Getting Their Own Canada Post Stamps

The influential TV stations, which helped shape Canadian music culture, will be featured on new stamps as of Oct. 10.

Canada Post is honouring two Canadian TV stations that helped shape the country's music industry.

MuchMusic and its Quebec counterpart, MusiquePlus, will get their very own stamps this month.

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