Etan Vlessing

Contact Etan by sending an email to etan.vlessing@sympatico.ca

Articles by Etan Vlessing

Bell Canada slams CRTC for ignoring market realities

In a formal appeal to the feds regarding the Astral decision, the phone giant said the regulator relied on a 1978 working paper when making its decision on the deal.

It’s official: BCE to appeal to feds to acquire Astral Media

The formal request to the federal cabinet will be made Monday, and follows the CRTC denying the $3.38 billion transaction in a shock decision on Thursday.

CRTC chair defends BCE-Astral Media decision

Jean-Pierre Blais’s comments come as a federal spokesperson says Ottawa is not prepared to amend CRTC’s Thursday ruling denying the deal.

‘Shocked’ Bell Canada slams CRTC rejection of Astral Media deal

The phone giant said it is appealing to the federal Cabinet to possibly overturn the regulatory denial of its $3.38 billion takeover bid.

Kraft’s Jim Kozak joins CBC Revenue Group

The hire follows Jack Tomik leaving to join rival Rogers Media and Alan Dark being promoted to general manager of the sales division.

CRTC denies Bell Canada takeover of Astral Media

It’s back to the drawing board for Astral Media as the industry’s largest independent player is denied a bid to be taken over by the Canadian phone giant.

CBC and CTV play to draw with Big Bang Night and HNIC repeats

The Big Bang Night on CTV comedy block drew 1.24 million viewers on Saturday night, while the CBC drew a respectable 293,000 viewers to a repeat of a 1979 NHL playoff game.

OUTtv unveils three new shows for fall

The lineup includes DTLA, a gay drama about eight friends in Los Angeles that the Canadian specialty channel co-produces.

Big Bang Night in Canada: trademark infringement or publicity stunt?

The CBC and Bell Media fought a short-lived legal tussle over the words “in Canada” used to promote CTV’s two-hour The Big Bang Theory comedy block on Saturday nights, against Hockey Night in Canada on the pubcaster’s schedule.

CTV orders Backpackers digital series

The standalone live-action series will be rolled out across a variety of Bell Media platforms aimed at a young adult demo.

CTV to broadcast 2014 Junos from Winnipeg

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences will stage the music industry kudosfest at Manitoba’s MTS Centre for the second time.

Walt Disney promotes across four Rogers screens

The trailer for Tim Burton’s animated feature Frankenweenie will reach consumers across the media group’s TV, mobile phone, tablet and internet platforms.

CBC’s Dragons’ Den launches real-time social engagement

iPowow! Canada has partnered with the CBC to introduce an armchair Dragon that allows viewers to engage with the show via their mobile device, tablet or PC.

Citytv spotlights audience growth during fall premieres

Rogers Media’s Malcolm Dunlop on how the channel is growing off last year’s success.

Bill Roberts exiting ZoomerMedia TV

The president and CEO, a 12-year veteran at ZoomerMedia, turned VisionTV into a specialty channel reaching 10 million Canadian homes.