The hearings on Bell’s $3.4-billion takeover of Astral Media has ended, but we need to make sure we keep speaking out as the CRTC makes its decision as to whether or not the deal will be approved. Join our StopTheTakeover.ca campaign and let your voice be heard in telling our
Continue readingTag: Vertical Integration
OpenMedia.ca: The Globe & Mail: Competition Bureau could step in to stop Bell’s takeover
Canada’s Competition Bureau is keeping a close eye on Bell’s $3.4-billion takeover of Astral Media, saying that it could strike down the deal even if it passes review by broadcast regulators. Of primary concern is Bell’s increasing vertical integration, meaning that it owns both producers of content (networks) and the
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Huffington Post: Netflix exec says "Canadians have almost third-world access to the Internet"
Big telecom companies across Canada are continuing to employ ‘usage-based billing’, an punitive billing practice that restricts data allowances. Though many of you fought back against UBB via the Stop The Meter campaign—you prevented it from being imposed across the entire Internet service market—Big Telecom continues to use it to
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Georgia Straight: Competition Bureau slams Big Telecom for misleading Canadians about texting
We all know that telecom price-gouging is out of control in Canada. Big Telecom will do anything in its power to squeeze more from our wallets if they can get away with it – but this time, they’ve been caught. Don’t let Big Telecom get even bigger. Right now, the
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: CBC’s Power and Politics covers the hearing on Bell’s takeover
Bell’s proposed power grab of Astral Media would mean fewer media and telecom choice, higher prices and less opportunity for free speech. With Bell’s $3.4-Billion purchase currently under review, the time to speak out is now. Help in telling decision-makers that you oppose this expansion of Bell’s power at http://StopTheTakeover.ca/.
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Your Voices On the Walls: Weekly News Update from OpenMedia.ca
Hey! Here’s Lindsey with your update: read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Reporting back on the Bell/Astral hearing: The early days
The first couple days of the Bell/Astral hearing have come and gone – and I’ve got to say, they’ve been riveting. No joke. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, you may want to skip this blog for now and start by visiting our campaign page. It’s been really encouraging
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Bell’s Astral Takeover: What’s at Stake?
Bell’s escalating vertical integration is raising concern among Canadian citizens and scholars. Should their takeover of Astral Media receive approval by the CRTC, it will tighten Bell’s grip on the communications market and limit Canadians with fewer media and telecom choices, higher prices and less opportunity for free speech. As
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Media Advisory: The public demands the CRTC stop Bell’s takeover
Takeover_210x150_120816.png The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is examining Bell Canada’s $3.4 billion takeover of Astral Media at hearings in Montreal the week. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, an Ottawa-based consumer group is scheduled to appear before the Commission on Wednesday, September 12. PIAC is a member of the
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: The CRTC made a priority list – We’re checking it twice
The CRTC is making attempts to emphasize affordability, access and a focus on citizen issues with a revised priorities document that was released late last week. By shifting towards an outlook that keeps the best interests of Canadians first and foremost, rather than heeding to corporate industry-defined mandates, the CRTC
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Financial Post: Bell’s vertical integration hearings begin
CRTC hearings began this morning on Bell’s proposed $3.4-billion takeover of Astral Media. If the deal is approved, it would greatly increase Bell’s media ownership across Canada’s broadcast spectrum – all at the expense of restricting fair market choice and competition for Canadians. The time to unite and speak out
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: The Globe & Mail: Bell’s $3.34B takeover will shortchange competition and choice
We’ve seen how Big Telecom has been putting a cap on our data, but now Bell is looking to capitalize on Canadian choice with a $3.34-billion takeover of Astral Media. Should the deal go through, it would provide Bell with a 37.6% stake in Canadian TV viewership and an increased
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: STC: Broadband costs decline – so why don’t our prices?
Canadian citizens are being price-gouged by Big Telecom even as their costs seemingly go down. We’re paying more but falling behind and getting less than our global counterparts due to restrictive data caps that are becoming increasingly prevalent. We’ve seen how Big Telecom has avoided being transparent about their pricing
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Fall Is Coming: Weekly News Update from OpenMedia.ca
Hey! Here’s Lindsey with your update: read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Media momentum starts on Stop The Takeover campaign
We’re one day into our http://StopTheTakeover.ca/ campaign and already we’re gaining incredible momentum thanks to your support. By continuing to rally our voices against Bell’s Astral takeover, we’re not only making ourselves heard but we’re enabling other Canadians to take action. From The Canadian Press: Bell’s proposed $3.4-billion takeover of
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Huffington Post: How Bell’s takeover will worsen Canada’s media concentration
We’ve seen how the Bell/Astral deal is bad for consumer choice before, but a new report is shedding further light on this vertical integration of Canada’s communications. Currently, 81.4% of the value of Canada’s TV distribution market is controlled by companies that also create content, meaning that Big Telecom companies
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Canadians to CRTC: Bell Takeover of Astral is Bad for Canada
Takeover_210x150_120816.png Diverse Coalition forms in response to Bell’s proposed acquisition of Astral Media August 28, 2012 – Bell’s proposed takeover of Astral Media is bad for Canada. That’s the message being sent by the new, broad-based coalition of groups known as the Stop the Takeover Coalition. The Coalition consists of
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: The Bell/Astral deal puts Canadians’ choice at risk: It’s time to reverse the tide
Today was a good day. An unbelievably frantic one, but a good day nonetheless. I’ve been pouring blood, sweat and tears into a submission to the CRTC’s hearings on Bell’s bid to buy Astral Media to be held in Montreal next month. Today was the deadline for submissions to the CRTC. My submission is part
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Where we are today
Lobbyists have been seeking greater control over the Internet on multiple fronts – but citizens have been coming together in huge numbers (and across borders) to use the Internet to save the Internet. This is revolutionizing politics around the world. As we head into fall, we’re energized to see that
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Hitting Milestones: Weekly News Update from OpenMedia.ca
Hello! Here’s Lindsey with your update: read more
Continue reading