By David Farrell
Covid economic picture spelled out by StatsCan
From 2019 to 2020, the average total income of Canadian tax filers overall rose by 5.5% to $54,200. Tax filers in the bottom half of the distribution benefited from a much larger increase, as their average income grew by 19.2% to $22,100. These increases for the overall and bottom half of the income distribution are tied to the impact of COVID-19-related government transfer programs introduced in 2020.
The patterns of income growth were quite different for individuals in the very highest parts of the income distribution. Overall, Canadians with the highest incomes from 2019 to 2020 experienced the largest declines in average income.
Rogers tries to build a case for a competitiveness of the proposed Videotron-Freedom deal
… Rogers worked to show that if Quebecor Inc.-owned Videotron Ltd. purchases Shaw-owned Freedom, the combined business would become a significant player in the telecom industry, putting pressure on companies like Bell, especially since Bell does not offer bundled internet and mobility services to consumers in British Columbia and Alberta. – The Canadian Press
Bill C-11: Clarifying the clarification
CRTC Chair Ian Scott returns to the Standing Senate Committee on Transportation and Communications tomorrow for yet another appearance on Bill C-11. According to multiple sources, the appearance came at Scott’s request, who is seeking yet another chance to “clarify” his earlier remarks. I’m hardly one to criticize multiple committee appearances, but the continued effort to clarify earlier comments smacks of political involvement. Indeed, when combined with the controversial Section 7(7) of the bill, it suggests that the government envisions a permanent erosion of the independence of the broadcast regulator in Canada.
Scott’s adventure with Bill C-11 started with an appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on May 18th, when he was asked about user content regulation by MP Rachael Thomas: …
Thomas: So all these individuals are individual users creating content. It would appear that the bill does, or could in fact, capture them, correct?
Scott: As constructed, there is a provision that would allow us to do it as required.
Two weeks, later Scott was back before the committee with Liberal MP Chris Bittle asking Scott to clarify his comments on user content regulation:... Michael Geist blog
Bell Media’s big bet on FIFA World Cup comes at a cost
… “Advanced advertising for the upcoming FIFA World Cup is exceeding our expectations with revenues already up 50 percent from the 2018 World Cup,” BCE chief financial officer Glen LeBlanc boasted on a Nov. 3 conference call with analysts. “This success is a testament to the massive popularity and value advertisers place on premium sporting events.”
It is also a testimony to the willingness of sponsors and broadcasters alike to put profits before principles – at least for as long as they can get away with it.
This year’s World Cup has been steeped in controversy… – Konrad Yakabuski, The Globe and Mail
Canadian community and campus radio listenership on the rise
The survey was conducted with 1,500 Canadian adults from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2, 2022.
Survey findings include:
· 66% of Canadians consume local news through campus or community radio stations.
· 64% of Canadians consume national news through campus or community radio stations.
· 68% of union members listen to some form of campus or community radio.
· 74% of Canadians who are active in their community listen to campus or community radio.
· Since 2017, listenership of campus and community radio has increased by over 4.4 million listeners.
· Men are more likely to listen to campus or community radio than women.
Destiny Media posts fiscal 2022 results
FX adjusted revenue increased by 1%; unadjusted revenue declined by 3%;
Renewal of Universal Music Group agreement with a 10% increase in annual fees;
Warner Music Group revenue grew by 48% in the USA; 30% worldwide;
Latin market development continues with a 64% increase in active users; the signing of the first pilot agreement.
advertisementLaunched Play MPE®’s global distribution infrastructure in the browser platform; development staffing moving to new product development.
During the year under a normal course issuer bid, the Company repurchased and cancelled 143,100 shares for a total cost of $0.179M.
Elon Musk’s Google partnership changes everything
Tesla Pi phone set for launch and it kills Apple’s tech
TikTok plans to double staff in Bay area
TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, aims to nearly double its staff in Mountain View, Calif., to about 2,000, according to two people familiar with its hiring targets. Some of the hiring is out of necessity: TikTok pledged to hire more U.S.-based engineers after the app came under scrutiny from U.S. government officials in recent years. – Juro Osawa, The Information
Murdoch tells Trump he will not back fresh White House bid
Rupert Murdoch has reportedly warned Donald Trump his media empire will not back any attempt to return to the White House, as former supporters turn to the youthful Florida governor Ron DeSantis. – Mark Sweney, The Guardian
Facebook stops fact-checking Trump after presidential run announcement
Facebook will stop fact-checking Donald Trump after he announces his 2024 presidential run due to Meta’s political speech policy, CNN reported Tuesday.
“Some of you have reached out seeking guidance regarding fact-checking political speech in anticipation of a potential candidacy announcement from former President Trump,” a Meta manager emailed fact-checkers Tuesday, according to a memo obtained by CNN. The memo reminded staffers “political speech is ineligible for fact-checking. This includes the words a politician says as well as photo, video, or other content that is clearly labelled as created by the politician or their campaign.” – Loree Seitz, The Wrap
