Rogers Communications


Rogers strikes $21bn deal to buy Canadian rival Shaw Communications

Canadian telco giant Rogers Communications has agreed a deal valued at C$26bn ($21bn) deal to buy domestic rival Shaw Communications. The takeover would allow Ontario-based Rogers – whose media arm operates networks such as CityTV and local franchises including FX – to expand its mobile business across Western Canada, where Shaw is stronger. The acquisition, […]

Canadian cable mogul Jim Shaw dies aged 60

The vice chairman and former CEO of Canadian broadcasting giant Shaw Communications, Jim Shaw, has passed away aged 60. The company confirmed his passing yesterday after a short illness. “As a family, our hearts are heavy with sadness,” said his younger Brad Shaw, who has been Shaw CEO after replacing Jim in 2011. “I have […]

Rogers CEO steps down with new chief in waiting

The president and CEO of Canadian telecoms and media giant Rogers Communications has stepped down, with a new chief set to join. Guy Laurence (pictured) has stepped down after three years, with former Telus Corp. boss Joseph Natale taking over “as soon as he is in the position to join Rogers”. Natale was most recently […]

Doomed Canuck SVOD net ‘neared 1m subs’

Canadian on-demand service Shomi has come close to attracting 900,000 subscribers, it has revealed after this week deciding to close the net down. Shomi parents Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications this week decided to shutter the SVOD net in the face of stiff market competition. However, Shomi’s senior, VP and general manager, David Asch, said […]

Shomi shutters amid ‘challenging’ SVOD market

Canadian subscription video-on-demand player Shomi will close on November 30. Its cableco parents, Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications, said the Netflix competitor was closing for a plethora of reasons. Their decision makes Shomi the latest well-financed SVOD platform to shutter. Vivendi chose to end German service Watchever in July to focus on mobile platform Studio+. A Shomi […]

Netflix rival Shomi launches today

Subscription on-demand service Shomi is launching today in Canada. The service has been widely regarded as Canadian cable giants Rogers Communications and Shaw Communication’s response to the growth of Netflix in the territory. Shomi will go live in beta today offering Shaw and Rogers customers access to programming from the likes of Sony Pictures Television, […]

Shaw Media appoints new president

Shaw Media has appointed Barbara Williams as its president following the passing of Paul Robertson earlier this month. Williams has also been named executive VP, broadcasting by Shaw Communications, the parent company of Canadian networks group Shaw Media. She was previously senior VP, content at Shaw Media, a role that saw her responsible for creating […]

Canadian pay TV continues to tumble

Canadian pay TV subscriptions have fallen for the third straight quarter, new research reveals. Gains in IPTV failed to offset losses in cable and satellite in the second quarter of 2013, analyst firm IHS reported, meaning the last time Canadian pay TV recorded growth was in the third quarter of 2012. Overall subscriptions fell 10,810, […]