Shaw 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 […]

Purdy exiting BBC Kids in Canada

Lisa Purdy is to leave her director post at Canadian children’s channels BBC Kids and Knowledge Kids. Purdy has been in the role at Knowledge Network since 2011, but exits on November 18. “After five years of strengthening the Knowledge Kids brand and establishing the BBC Kids service, I’m ready for a new challenge,” she […]

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 […]

Ex-HIT exec to lead Nelvana Enterprises

Former HIT Entertainment exec and industry veteran Pam Westman has joined Corus Entertainment to lead its Nelvana Enterprises division. At Nelvana Enterprises, the sales arm of Corus-owned content producer Nelvana, Westman will oversee brand development and management, a role that includes content and digital sales as well as L&M duties. Antoine Erligmann, who heads up […]

Corus-Shaw deal gets watchdog okay

The merger of Canadian broadcast and telecoms groups Corus Entertainment and Shaw Communications has been given regulatory clearance. As both companies are effectively controlled by J.R. Shaw, despite operating separately, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has given the merger process the go-ahead. The new-look company would not “result in a change in effective control […]

Corus in ‘game-changing’ C$2.7bn Shaw deal

Toronto-listed Corus Entertainment is to pay C$2.65 billion (US$1.86 billion) to buy rival Shaw Media. This marks the latest round of top-level consolidation in the Canadian television and telecommunications market, coming under three years after Corus rival Bell Media bought Astral Media for C$3.4billion and during the emergence of DHX Media as a new major […]

Scripps ups int’l CFO to new post

Scripps Networks Interactive has promoted international chief financial officer Simone Nardi to a new post. He will now be managing director, finance and operations for Scripps Networks International, the worldwide arm of the US cable channels group. Based out of New York, he will continue to report to SNI’s international president, Jim Samples. Nardi (pictured) […]

SVOD platform goes live across Canada

Subscription on-demand service Shomi is now available to all internet-connected consumers in Canada. The service was previously available to customers of joint venture parents Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications, but has now expanded its reach, a move first first mooted in May this year. The platform launched in beta in November 2014, and has since […]

Fresh Off the Boat docks at Shomi

Canadian SVOD platform Shomi has acquired Eddie Huang-inspired network comedy Fresh Off the Boat. The Rogers Communications- and Shaw Communications-owned Shomi bought the 13-part show from distributor 20th Century Fox Television Distribution. The show, which debuted internationally at the 2014 LA Screenings, has performed well for US broadcast network ABC, and was renewed for a […]