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FYI

Media Beat: November 07, 2018

Media Beat: November 07, 2018

By David Farrell

Bell Media sues Videotron for $100M

An unresolved dispute to resolve contract terms for authorized access to Bell Media content by Videotron subscribers has led to this claim for damages. Videotron apparently terminated the original contract in 2016, and both sides have been negotiating ever since. – Sameer Chhabra, Mobile Syrup


Postmedia invests in a platform for pot enthusiasts

The media firm has invested in a company that runs a lifestyle website for "modern cannabis enthusiasts" to help Postmedia assets be at the forefront of cannabis content and solutions in Canada, the media conglomerate said Tuesday. – Canadian Press

Postmedia cuts four provincial dailies to a shorter week

Postmedia Network Inc. says four Ontario newspapers will publish printed or digital editions one less day of the week with no reduction in the subscription price. Affected cities are Kingston, Brockville, Belleville and Chatham. – Canadian Press

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Broadcast and Telco legislative review deadline extended

In response to comments from several parties, the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel has decided to extend the deadline for submissions to its Call for Comments until January 11, 2019. Details about the panel’s composition and the review mandate here.

Smart speaker ownership on the rise in Canada

The Consumer Technology Association conducted a survey of Canadians’ technology ownership. While products such as televisions, smartphones, and laptops demonstrated near-ubiquity, smart speakers did show promising signs in the market.

The survey found that 93% of Canadian households own a television, while 86% own a smartphone, and 75% own a notebook, laptop, or netbook. Smart speakers were the fastest-growing segment for Canada, with ownership rising 12 percentage points from 2017. The results showed that 15% of Canadian households now own the devices. – Anna Washenko, RAIN News

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Val Blavatnik
Courtesy WMG

Val Blavatnik

Business News

Val Blavatnik to Oversee Warner Music Canada in New Role at Warner Music Group

Blavatnik will oversee Warner Music Canada as managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at WMG. As part of a slew of executive announcements, Simon Robson will be leaving the company, while Alejandro Duque takes the top international role.

Val Blavatnik, the 28-year-old son of Warner Music Group majority owner and vice chairman Len Blavatnik, has been named managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at the Warner Music Group, the company announced Friday (Sept. 25). In his new role the younger Blavatnik, who has held several roles at the company in recent years, and has been a board member since 2023, expects to “unify and drive business and operational strategy across these markets while guiding the company’s investment strategy to support growth,” according to a press release.

The Blavatnik announcement is part of a flurry of new executive announcements that CEO Robert Kyncl made this morning. In addition, Atlantic Music Group chairman/CEO Elliot Grainge will take on ADA in the U.S. as its new chairman, while Alejandro Duque, who has held the dual roles of president of Warner Latin and president of ADA since last July, has been named president of Warner Music International, adding Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa under his oversight. (Duque will continue to oversee ADA outside the U.S.) Zach Friedman, currently COO at Atlantic Music Group, will add the title of vice chair of ADA U.S. to his resume.

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