By David Farrell
What Was Said
Excerpted from a speech Ontario CRTC Commissioner Monique Lafontaine delivered at the OAB conference in Toronto Thursday.
On the immediate horizon, there are a number of important CRTC events I would like to highlight:
One, later this month, a public hearing will take place to consider applications for a new national multilingual, multiethnic television service.
Two, later this fall, the CRTC will be convening a group of decision-makers to discuss barriers to career advancement for women in the Canadian production industry.
Three, the Commission will launch next year the first call for applications for the new $750-million Broadband Fund. The purpose of this new fund is to provide Canadians with access to broadband Internet services in underserved areas, across the country.
advertisementFour, a review of the Indigenous broadcasting framework will take place to ensure this policy is effective and reflects the realities of radio stations serving Indigenous peoples.
Five, the Commission will deliver a report to the government by February 28, 2019, on whether misleading or aggressive retail sales practices are used by large telecommunications services, including television service providers. The report follows the public hearing held last month in the National Capital Region.
Keep 2012 Copyright exceptions, or hundreds of millions of dollars are at risk, say VI companies
A representative of Canada’s Business Coalition for Balanced Copyright – an alliance of Canadian telecommunications providers including Bell, Rogers, Vidéotron and others – says while its members support a regime that rewards and protects creators, facilitates access to creative content, makes investment in technology and supports educational research, the removal of exceptions added to Canada’s Copyright Act in 2012 would put hundreds of millions of dollars at risk. – Ken Kelley, CARTT.ca
DHX Media signs deal to sell Halifax animation studio
DHX says the sale is part of its ongoing strategic shift to focus and streamline its production operations. The children's entertainment company noted the sale does not include This Hour Has 22 Minutes, which continues to be owned by DHX Media, produced in Halifax and broadcast on CBC. – Canadian Press
Inside the battle for taxpayer-funded multicultural television
The Canadian government wants TV to look as diverse as our country—but producers just want to make a quick buck – Aadil Brar, This Magazine
Online giants should pay their share, CBC head tells government
The Corp’s president Catherine Tait’s recommendations, come as the CBC faces criticism from private media players who argue the public broadcaster shouldn’t be allowed to compete against them online for digital advertising dollars given its federal funding advantage. But she defended the CBC’s move online.
“It’s not the public broadcaster that’s hurting private media in Canada,” she said. “Making the public broadcaster smaller or weaker won’t stop the Googles and Facebooks of the world or the spread of disinformation.” – Emily Jackson, Financial Post
China’s new virtual news anchor
Xinhua unveiled its "artificial intelligence news anchor" Wednesday at an internet conference in the eastern city of Wuzhen.
"Hello, you are watching English news program. I am AI news anchor in Beijing," the computer-generated host announced in a robotic voice at that start of its English-language broadcast.
The news agency said the simulations can be used on its website and social media platforms and will "reduce news production costs and improve efficiency." – CNN
Disney takes a $157M haircut on Vice Media
On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Vice plans to reduce its workforce as much as 15 percent under new CEO Nancy Dubuc. Sources told the Journal revenue had remained fairly flat for the year at roughly $600 million to $650 million and is on track to lose over $50 million for the year. – CNBC
Brit government ponders implications of extending broadcast platforms
UK broadcasters are edging closer to having their shows more visible on pay-TV platforms, connected TVs and voice-activated ecosystems. – Lucinda Southern, Digiday
