Etan Vlessing

CTV’s Emmys 2012 ratings up from last year
The ABC awards show on CTV pulled in 2.4 million average viewers, up 2% over 2011 with total viewers, and up 5% in the key A25-54 demo.

BCE pitches benefits of Astral Media takeover to CRTC
The company offered the carrot of a homegrown competitor to Netflix Canada if the blockbuster transaction is approved at day one of hearings in Ottawa.

CRTC relaunches CBC/Radio-Canada licence renewals
The move follows a delay since July 2011 on public hearings into renewing the licences for the English and French language public broadcast services.

Broadcasters turn volume down on TV commercials
The move follows an investigation by the CRTC into fluctuations in the loudness of TV ads and regular programming.

CTV signs on for more Anger Management
The Charlie Sheen-starring show premieres in its Tuesday CTV time slot on Sept. 18.

Bell and Cirque du Soleil to make entertainment content in Quebec
Film, TV, digital and gaming content will be jointly created by the brands to be sold in Canadian and foreign markets.

Rogers Media acquires Score Media for $167 million
The latest move in Canada’s TV sports space will see The Score network rebranded under the Sportsnet brand.

Telus joins Say No To Bell Coalition to thwart Astral Media takeover
The company joins Cogeco, Eastlink and Quebecor as they launch a campaign opposing the purchase of Astral Media by Bell.

Food Network renews Eat St. and World’s Weirdest Restaurants
The new seasons have a 2013 airdate on the specialty channel.

Cogeco, Eastlink and Quebecor oppose Bell’s Astral takeover
The consortium opposes the takeover by Bell, and has launched a public campaign, Say No to Bell, to stop the transaction.

Shaw acquires The Client List for Lifetime Canada channel launch
The Jennifer Love Hewitt-starrer will bow on September 2 at 10 p.m., after the premiere of Drop Dead Diva at 9 p.m.

Olympics opening ceremony draws 6.4 million Canadian TV viewers
Around half of all Canadians tuned into some part of the kick-off of the 2012 Summer Games in London.

Rogers Communications posts lower Q2 earnings
The media giant is facing increasing headwinds, including lower smartphone bills and a soft radio and TV ad market.

Shaw Media’s 24/7 news channel for BC gets greenlight
The Global News channel will give the province local, national and international news around the clock from a studio in Burnaby.

CRTC ruling promises more consumer TV package choice
A ruling on a dispute between Bell Media and major distributors opens the way for more pick and pay channel buying for Canadian TV subscribers.