TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - With less than 36 hours remaining until a potential strike or lockout, CityNews Channel and 680News join forces to provide the city's best source for live, multiplatform coverage of the CUPE labour dispute. CityNews Channel delivers expanded coverage all weekend, including Citytv simulcasts starting this evening, live streams on CityNews.ca and 680News.com, and via the CityNews and 680News mobile apps.  Throughout the weekend, Toronto's only 24-hour live radio station, 680News, brings listeners crucial information with round-the-clock live coverage from City Hall and the latest updates on the services that impact their city most.

"The CUPE labour dispute is a sensitive issue that will potentially touch the lives of all Torontonians," said Tina Cortese, Vice-President of News, Citytv. "We will provide viewers with the compelling coverage they expect from Toronto's best source for breaking news."

"Combining our efforts with CityNews Channel broadens our coverage to reach even more listeners, around-the-clock - something that only 680News can deliver," said John Hinnen, Vice-President and General Manager, 680News. "Providing listeners with up-to-the minute coverage, no matter where they are, further demonstrates our commitment to delivering the information our listeners need, when they need it."

Live, extended coverage also includes:

More live coverage from the reporters who know Toronto like no one else, including CityNews anchors Gord Martineau, Roger Petersen, Andrew Krystal, Francis D'Souza, Cynthia Mulligan, Avery Haines, Pam Seatle and Melanie Ng.  Plus 680News anchors Paul Cook, Marlane Oliver, John Ross and Catherine Jette

A CityNews Channel simulcast on Citytv Toronto at key breaking news hours, including non-stop coverage, beyond the strike deadline on Saturday night:

Friday, Feb. 3:
4pm to 5pm and 11:30pm to 12 midnight
Saturday, Feb. 4:
7am to 9am, 12 noon to 2pm and 5pm to 12:30am
Sunday, Feb. 5:
7am to 9am, 6:30pm to 7pm and 11:30pm to 12 midnight
Monday, Feb. 6:
**Live coverage starting on Breakfast Television at 5am
4pm to 5pm and 11:30pm to 12 midnight

Comprehensive on-demand stories on CityNews.ca and 680News.com, including live blogs with up-to-the-second updates from the CityNews and 680News newsrooms - with comments from viewers, listeners and readers

A complete list of city services affected by a potential strike or lockout and timeline of key events leading up to the work stoppage

For continuous updates on the labour dispute, tune in to 680News and CityNews Channel on Rogers Digital Channel 15. CityNews Channel is available on television, online at CityNews.ca and on mobile devices with the CityNews mobile app.

TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - HBO Canada, a multiplex channel of Corus Entertainment's Movie Central (Western Canada) and Astral's The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) is home to some of comedy's biggest stars when Danny McBride returns as washed-up major-league pitcher Kenny Powers in the third season of Eastbound & Down, followed by the premiere of Ricky Gervais' new comedy series, Life's Too Short, starring Warwick Davis. The eight-episode third season of The Eastbound & Down  premieres Sunday, February 19 at 10 p.m. ET/MT, followed the seven-episode season of Life's Too Short at 10:30 p.m. ET/MT on HBO Canada, day-and-date with HBO in the US.

From Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, Life's Too Short, follows actor Warwick Davis as he struggles to jumpstart his fading career and maintain his status as Britain's "go-to" little person. He runs a talent agency for fellow showbiz little people called Dwarves for Hire, though he often takes the best roles for himself, and serves as vice chairman of a society for small people, though he'd rather be chairman. Davis also seeks advice from his old pals Gervais and Merchant (playing versions of themselves) in hopes that their A-list celebrity connections will aid his career.

The new season of Eastbound & Down returns to the story of Kenny Powers, a former star pitcher whose self-destructive behavior knocked him out of Major League Baseball. Picking up a year after Power's soul-searching time in Mexico as La Flama Blanca, the third season finds Powers in action on the "Redneck Riviera" (aka Myrtle Beach, SC), somehow resurrecting his baseball career by becoming the closer for the minor-league Myrtle Beach Mermen. Even as he tries to pass himself off as the "King of Myrtle Beach," Powers struggles to come to terms with growing older and accepting the responsibilities of being a new father.

TORONTO, Feb. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - TELETOON Canada Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. today announced a partnership that will bring Cartoon Network and Adult Swim to Canadian television later this year. This new digital specialty network is a complementary, ad-supported channel with a built-in fan-base. Canadian audiences can expect to see shows such as The Amazing World of Gumball, Adventure Time and Regular Show during the Cartoon Network block between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by an Adult Swim late-night lineup commencing at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

"We are honored that Cartoon Network has entrusted TELETOON to manage these two great brands in Canada," said Len Cochrane, President, TELETOON Canada Inc. "This marriage between TELETOON and Cartoon Network will grant us the opportunity to offer more cartoons, more stories and more excitement to everyone, everywhere."

This partnership, arriving on the eve of TELETOON's 15th anniversary and Cartoon Network's 20th anniversary, includes a programming, trademark and branding deal that will bring the best of Cartoon Network's exclusive first-run content that has never been seen before in Canada, in addition to almost 2,000 half-hours of vintage Cartoon Network and Adult Swim library selects.

"Cartoon Network and Adult Swim are beloved brands with programs that have a large and loyal global audience," said Stuart Snyder, President and COO, Turner's Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media Division. "We are looking forward to extending the reach of both of these brands in the Canadian marketplace with our new partnership with TELETOON."

The deal will allow TELETOON to launch the Cartoon Network brand in Canada in both standard and high definition across linear television, Video on Demand, broadband and mobile platforms. TÉLÉTOON will serve its French audience by launching a Cartoon Network programming block, along with making programming available online, through mobile and Video on Demand.

OTTAWA, Feb. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - Telesat, Canada's premiere satellite services provider, announced today a proposal to remedy gaps and shortcomings in the communications infrastructure serving the North that were identified in the Arctic Communications Infrastructure Assessment (ACIA) Report prepared for the Northern Communications & Information Systems Working Group and sponsored by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. Under Telesat's proposal, called the "Arctic Communications Infrastructure Initiative", Telesat commits to make a substantial investment, in the context of a broader public/private partnership, in a robust, stable and affordable communications network that will meet the needs of the Northern communities over the next decade. Specifically, Telesat estimates it will cost $160 million to provide the additional communications infrastructure to meet the requirements outlined in the Report for the next ten years. Telesat is prepared to invest approximately $40 million, or 25% of the estimated total project cost, toward the initiative in both satellite bandwidth and ground segment upgrades.

The Arctic Communications Infrastructure Initiative would more than double the satellite bandwidth available for broadband in the North and, moreover, provides a practical and near term plan for upgrading the communications infrastructure that is so urgently needed across the Arctic to ensure that every community has redundant and robust communications facilities to prevent service disruptions. Telesat estimates that, once approved, the project could be implemented in less than 12 months' time.

"Telesat has been serving the North for 40 years and is deeply committed to ensuring that Northern communities have access to a broadband communications infrastructure that is on par with that which exists in Southern Canada," said Paul Bush, Telesat's Vice President, Business Development.  "Our Arctic Communications Infrastructure Initiative will more than double the communications capacity serving the Arctic, provide urgently needed network redundancy in every Northern community, and put in place the long term funding required to ensure this modern and robust network is in place for at least the next ten years. Telesat is committing to invest 25% of the project cost for this important initiative and looks forward to working with other interested parties to ensure that those living and working in the North have access to a state-of-the art robust and broadband communications infrastructure, an infrastructure that is essential for Canada's safety, sovereignty and security and the economic prosperity of the Arctic communities."

Telesat formally submitted its Arctic Communications Infrastructure Initiative to the co-chairs of the Northern Communications & Information Systems Working Group that led the development of the ACIA Report.

Thomas Szaky shocked his parents a few years ago when he decided to drop out of Princeton University to start a business marketing worm poop. To their dismay, he explained his organic plant food would be made from worm droppings and be packaged in recycled pop bottles as house plant fertilizer.
But the 26-year-old Canadian had the last laugh when his fledgling company landed the Wal-Mart account. First-year sales from the Wal-Mart exposure and distribution exceeded $25 million!
Each week, thousands of inventors, manufacturers’ agents and sales people try unsuccessfully to get their products stocked on Wal-Mart shelves. So how did a young Mr. Szaky nab the business at mighty Wal-Mart?

“I don’t know” he says.  “I made sixty one phone calls and the last one finally worked. I guess it was just sheer persistence.”

Selling is often defined as ‘a transference of confidence’. Your persistent pursuit of product knowledge in a changing media landscape coupled with a clear understanding of how your products can achieve your prospects’ goals will build the confidence that in turn creates persistence.

But do you understand the difference between persistence and stalking?

Calling a prospect 61 times in pursuit of an order for your station can be stalking.

How do you feel if every time you see a particular individual they are trying to sell you something?
Preparing a series of valid business reasons for a prospect to meet with you separates stalking from persistence.

A valid business reason for every customer contact means creating an agenda or having a mission which benefits the customer, whether they buy during that meeting or not. It may be a helpful tip to grow their business, you might give them a lead or some useful marketing statistics, or deliver news that affects their business.

Consistently planning a valid business reason for every call demonstrates respect for your clients’ time and clearly positions your interest in growing their business.

 Click here to arrange a free online demo of how we can help you create more valid business reasons for prospects to meet with you, and to increase your sales.

Your help

A special thanks to all who completed the survey last week to help us create the most relevant ENS on Sales content.

If you did not complete our survey last week please take 5 minutes to do so here; Click here to do a short online survey to help us do a better job for you.

Wayne@wensmedia.com

TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2012 - TVO announced today that the TVO Docstudio iPad App will feature an exclusive pre-broadcast opportunity to view the documentary Lone Twin. The TVO-commissioned film Lone Twin, by filmmaker Anna Van der Wee (The Dead Are Alive: Eyewitness in Rwanda), airs exclusively on the TVO Docstudio App, from February 1-12. The documentary will have its world broadcast premiere on TVO on Wednesday February 15 at 9 pm ET.

"We are excited to offer this new avenue for our TVO viewers to enjoy our exclusive high quality content," says TVO's commissioning editor Jane Jankovic. "Now TVO viewers can watch many of their favourite documentaries anywhere and anytime on their iPad."

In Lone Twin, filmmaker Anna Van der Wee asks the question: what happens when one twin dies? Having lost her fraternal twin brother in a tragic accident at age 20, Van der Wee takes audiences deep into the fascinating world of twins by revealing what twins can teach us about ourselves and our search for the perfect soul mate. Lone Twin is a moving journey into the nature of solitude, togetherness and the universal search for wholeness.

The TVO Docstudio App lets users view a selection of award-winning and critically acclaimed Canadian documentaries in HD from their iPad. The app also features an up-to-date look at the TVO broadcast schedule, and features a social component that allows users to share what they are watching with their friends and family via email, Facebook or Twitter. 

The TVO Docstudio App is available for free from the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.ca/appstore.

TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2012 - It's Super Buzz Weekend on CTV. The network announced today that it will launch its new BELIEVE promotional campaign in support of its broadcast of the London 2012 Olympic Games during its exclusive coverage of SUPER BOWL XLVI this Sunday. Featuring the voices of Canadian actors Ellen Page and Gordon Pinsent on CTV and TSN, the campaign begins just after the six-month countdown to London 2012 was marked on January 27. Additionally, the network will use the opportunity to debut more than one hundred versions of never-seen-before, on-air creative, supporting CTV's star-studded mid-season schedule and upcoming programming on Bell Media specialty channels.

"The SUPER BOWL is not only an amazing platform for clients to reach their customers by the millions, but it is also a tremendous opportunity for us to introduce, tease, and launch campaigns for upcoming programming on CTV and other Bell Media properties," said Rick Lewchuk, Senior Vice-President, Bell Media Agency. "In addition to introducing the stunning new London 2012 BELIEVE campaign, we are keeping the overall SUPER BOWL viewing experience as fresh as possible with a wide range of brand-new creative."

The original award-winning BELIEVE campaign debuted in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games - helping to inspire a nation and introduce Canadians to its Olympic heroes. The London 2012 BELIEVE campaign rekindles the incredible feeling of national pride that grew out of Vancouver 2010, engaging new Canadians by showcasing how the Olympic spirit of BELIEVE has spread to their homelands. Showcasing both Canadian and international athletes, the production involved three separate crews shooting over six months across Canada, the U.S., India, China, the Philippines, Poland, Italy, Portugal, Jamaica, Scotland, and England to create the look and feel of a trailer for a dramatic feature film.

With three major mid-season series launching on CTV the night of and the week following SUPER BOWL XLVI, CTV will utilize Sunday's broadcast to promote these new programs in front of one of the largest television audiences of the year. The three series include the highly anticipated new musical drama SMASH (Feb. 6), new paranormal thriller series THE RIVER (Feb. 7), and the hit vocal competition series THE VOICE, which debuts its second season immediately following the game, before moving to its regular Monday timeslot Feb. 6. The Bell Media Agency will also introduce its campaign for THE 84th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS® (Feb. 26) and THE 2012 JUNO AWARDS (April 1), and tease additional mid-season shows GCB (March 4) and MISSING (March 15).

The Bell Media Agency will also unveil new creative for upcoming sporting events including TSN's TradeCentre, NCAA March Madness, SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS, and the 100th Grey Cup, as well as promote the upcoming original CTV documentary DARKNESS AND HOPE: DEPRESSION, SPORTS AND ME (Feb. 8) in support of next Wednesday's Bell Let's Talk Day.

Toronto, ON (February 1, 2012) – Bravo!FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent), Canada’s largest funder of short-form film and video content, announced today that it is enhancing its funding guidelines for producers creating short-form work. Among the enhancements are doubling of grants to up to $50,000, removing the requirement for producers to invest a minimum of (up to) 50% in a project, and standardizing the length of commissioned projects to make them easier to program on television.

With the continued goal to support and foster independent Canadian producers, Bravo!FACT’s restructured guidelines places a new emphasis on short-form contemporary drama. The change is designed to expose Bravo!FACT-funded content to a wider, more inclusive audience on broader platforms.

“It is our continued objective to support independent and emerging producers, and we believe we can do that better than ever before by offering tangibly enhanced awards,” said Sally Basmajian, Vice-President and General Manager, Comedy and Drama, Bell Media. “With Bell Media’s ability to generate national and international exposure, we are striving to shine a very bright light on our Canadian production community.”

Chaired by Michael A. Levine, the new Bravo!FACT jury will be composed of senior Bravo! executives and industry professionals whose ongoing goal will continue to be increasing public recognition and appreciation of Canadian talent.

 “The restructured guidelines carry on the Bravo!FACT tradition of encouraging independent producers to express themselves creatively through short-form content,” said Michael A. Levine, Bravo!FACT Chair. “Now there is more flexibility in terms of funding as well as the enhanced opportunity for the community to showcase their work to a wider audience.”

The enhanced guidelines include:

·                     The length of eligible short-form projects has been standardized to one minute, or seven minutes and thirty seconds.

·                     Funding will now generally range from a maximum of $10,000 for a one-minute short, to a maximum of $50,000 for a seven-minute-and-thirty-second short.

·                     There is no longer the requirement for independent producers to match a minimum of (up to) 50% of the overall funding.

Bravo!FACT 2012 submission deadlines are March 9, June 8, August 31, and December 7. For full details on the Bravo!FACT guidelines and how to submit, please visit www.bravofact.com.

TORONTO, Jan. 31, 2012 - Canada's premiere radio content syndication group, Orbyt Media, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Canada's hottest, hit song remix artists, The Angry Kids!

The Angry Kids fancy themselves as a team of superheroes with superhuman abilities and strength.  Well, they also happen to have become world-renowned electronic artists along the way. The chart-topping duo, have a resume that boasts fully authorized appearances from international mega-stars, (eg. Bob Marley, Lights, City and Colour, Nik Kershaw, 30 Seconds To Mars, DJ Tiesto and beyond…) all being recipients of their craft, which combines original material and legitimate sample-based composing they create knockout hit after hit.

Having established themselves worldwide on the club scene as both producers and DJ's, the musical prowess of The Angry Kids is about to hit the Canadian radio airwaves with three brand new hit music mix shows.

Exclusively licensed by Orbyt Media, The Angry Kids' Flash Mix, The Saturday Night Hit Fix and 5 O'Clock Hit Fix will all launch across the Virgin Radio Network (Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary) beginning in January 2012.

A 35-minute, non-stop, commercial free weekly show, The Angry Kids' Hit Fixx features up-to-the-minute chart toppers with a twist.  Every week The Angry Kids deliver a fully produced show featuring the hottest tracks edited, remixed and re-sampled to create a seamless, energetic, drive time companion heading into the weekends. The demand has seen this show get an early start and is already on the air in Edmonton, Montreal, and Toronto!

The Flash Mix delivers the same energy and flow but in a bite-sized ten minute parcel, while The Saturday Night Hit Fix is the flagship show programmed with five full hours of current chart hits, the biggest club tracks and the hits of tomorrow all mixed to perfection.

Syndicated across Canada by Orbyt Media, The Angry Kids' mix shows are aimed at the contemporary hit radio format and are offered on a market-exclusive basis.

MONTREAL, Jan. 31, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA) is pleased to announce its association with Astral for the presentation of its 30th edition, to be held in Montréal from March 15 to 25, 2012. As co-presenter and media partner of FIFA for a second consecutive year, Astral will also present the 2012 Grand Prize.

"FIFA is delighted to renew its partnership with Astral. Its extremely dynamic communications network will definitely help enhance FIFA's prestige with the public," said René Rozon, General Director and Founder, FIFA.

"Astral is pleased to be among the principal partners in music, television and film culture in Québec and Canada. FIFA is the most important festival of its kind in the world and that is why we are so proud to be its partner and to leverage our diverse media platforms to extend its influence and promote its programming," said Jacques Parisien, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Astral.

Mr. Parisien also agreed to act as the Honorary President of the Festival's gala evening benefit to be held March 20. This evening will help FIFA pursue its mandate to promote and develop arts appreciation within the business community and help ensure its continuity.

An advertising campaign produced by FIFA will be aired as of February on Astral's specialty television channels, radio stations, advertising faces and websites. The campaign will be heard across Montréal and in many Québec regions, and even in Toronto this year to increase the visibility of this great celebration of films on art.

BONN, GERMANY--(Marketwire - January 31, 2012) - Deutsche Welle (DW) is reinforcing its position in the international media landscape with a comprehensively revised television program, a new online presence -- at the new address www.dw.de -- and a new corporate design. At a press conference in Berlin on January 31, Deutsche Welle Director General Erik Bettermann referred to the set of changes as "a milestone for representing Germany better around the world."

On February 6, 2012, DW will expand its Spanish television program for Latin America from two to 20 hours daily. The 24-hour schedule is completed with fours of German programming. According to Bettermann, this is all part of the reform process for Germany's international broadcaster. The core of this process is being able to better communicate with the target audience through new, focused, language-based channels, regionalized programming and a variety of multimedia content that can be used online.

After receiving an introduction to the expanded Spanish-language program at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 26, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said: "It is great to have a partner like Deutsche Welle broadcasting for 20 hours in Spanish. It opens up new opportunities in Latin America. The program will be a bridge to Europe, and Germany in particular."

TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - This February, Eastern Canada's premium pay television network, Astral's The Movie Network, is offering audiences the chance to sample its most popular and acclaimed series for free via the engaging, state-of-the-art On Demand and Online platforms of television providers Rogers, Videotron, Cogeco and EastLink. The offer is available from Saturday, February 11 to Sunday, February 26 to customers with access to the free On Demand services of participating cable providers, and includes an unrivalled line-up of series, including the hottest US cable hits and homegrown titles.

The Movie Network Free Sampling Preview will include select episodes of:

-- Acclaimed HBO series like Luck, the new horseracing drama starring Dustin Hoffman, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, True Blood, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Treme;

-- Showtime programming such as Dexter, Nurse Jackie, Californication, House of Lies and Episodes;

-- the epic swords and sandals series Spartacus: Vengeance from Starz; and,

-- cutting-edge originals from The Movie Network including Call Me Fitz, Less Than Kind, Good Dog and Funny As Hell.

"We are thrilled to be working with our partners at Rogers, Videotron, Cogeco and EastLink to provide Canadians with a sure-fire cure for the winter blues: a free sampling of the hottest premium television in the country," said Domenic Vivolo, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Astral Television Networks. "This free sampling of our service will not only provide Canadians with an opportunity to experience our unique and highly successful program offering, but it will also enable them to enjoy this content on the various multiplatform viewing options that are available to subscribers of The Movie Network at no additional charge."

The two-week preview will be available via these television providers on the following platforms:

-- Rogers: Free On Demand (Channel 100) and Free Rogers On Demand Online (www.rogersondemand.com)

-- Videotron: Free illico On Demand (Channel 900) and Free Online illico web (illicoweb.tv)

-- Cogeco: Free On Demand (Visit Free On Demand on channel 600)

-- EastLink: Free On Demand (Channel 200)

Toronto, January 30, 2012- Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund's (Fund) English-Language Program is proud to announce that In Darkness has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film category!

In Darkness is the story of Leopold Soha, a sewer worker and petty thief in Nazi-occupied Poland who comes upon a group of Jews who offer him money to hide them in the sewers. Although discovery means certain death, Soha agrees. Before long the danger outweighs the cash and Soha abandons them. However, circumstances intervene, and Soha protects the Jews even after their money runs out, risking everything for what he was really trying to save: his own soul.

The project, previously called Hidden, is a Canada/Germany/Poland coproduction that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival® in September 2011. It was supported by the Fund's Script Development and Equity Investment Program.

This is the second Academy Award nomination for Polish director Agnieszka Holland, who was previously nominated for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published for Europa, Europa. It is the first Oscar nomination for Canadian writer David F. Shamoon and for the Canadian producers, Eric Jordan and Paul Stephens, of The Film Works.

“Congratulations to everyone who was involved with making this film for being nominated, not just for an Academy Award, but in a category represents the greatest films from around the world, says John Galway, the Fund's English-Language Program President. We'd also like to congratulate our partners Fonds Harold Greenberg whose Equity Investment project, Monsieur Lazhar, will be competing in the same category.”

Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund is a member of the Astral family. Founded in 1961, Astral is one of Canada's largest media companies. It operates several of the country's most popular pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home advertising and digital media properties. Astral plays a central role in community life across the country by offering diverse, rich and vibrant programming that meets the tastes and needs of consumers and advertisers. To learn more about Astral, visit astral.com.

TORONTO - January 30, 2012 - After an overwhelming appearance at CMW in 2010 and a platinum-selling self-titled album in Canada immediately thereafter, Slash will be returning to this years' Slacker Canadian Music Week to participate in a celebrity interview on Friday, March 23 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel before a sold-out performance later that evening at The Phoenix Concert Theatre.

His career originated as guitarist for the iconic rock band Guns N' Roses and has evolved on his own with Slash's Snakepit, Velvet Revolver and now his solo efforts. His tours have taken him around the globe more times than most and have seen him perform hundreds of shows in front of thousands of fans - each one with its own tale to tell.

In a command interview with media personalities John Roberts (Fox News Senior National Correspondent) and Kyra Phillips (CNN Newsroom anchor), attendees will have an intimate opportunity to hear Slash address the virtues of touring, the impact of live performance and fan engagement, recount some of his most memorable moments from the road, as well as reveal the details of his sophomore solo album set to release in May 2012.

To see Slash in this exclusive setting, please visit www.cmw.net to register as a delegate or purchase a limited ticket to this individual event.

(January 30, 2012 – Toronto, Canada) – This February, Eastern Canada’s premium pay television network, Astral’s The Movie Network, is offering audiences the chance to sample its most popular and acclaimed series for free via the engaging, state-of-the-art On Demand and Online platforms of television providers Rogers, Videotron, Cogeco and EastLink. The offer is available from Saturday, February 11 to Sunday, February 26 to customers with access to the free On Demand services of participating cable providers, and includes an unrivalled line-up of series, including the hottest US cable hits and homegrown titles.

The Movie Network Free Sampling Preview will include select episodes of:

·            Acclaimed HBO series like Luck, the new horseracing drama starring Dustin Hoffman, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, True Blood, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Treme;

·            Showtime programming such as Dexter, Nurse Jackie, Californication, House of Lies and Episodes;

·            the epic swords and sandals series Spartacus: Vengeance from Starz; and,

·            cutting-edge originals from The Movie Network including Call Me Fitz, Less Than Kind, Good Dog and Funny As Hell.

“We are thrilled to be working with our partners at Rogers, Videotron, Cogeco and EastLink to provide Canadians with a sure-fire cure for the winter blues: a free sampling of the hottest premium television in the country,” said Domenic Vivolo, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Astral Television Networks. “This free sampling of our service will not only provide Canadians with an opportunity to experience our unique and highly successful program offering, but it will also enable them to enjoy this content on the various multiplatform viewing options that are available to subscribers of The Movie Network at no additional charge.”

The two-week preview will be available via these television providers on the following platforms:

·            Rogers: Free On Demand (Channel 100) and Free Rogers On Demand Online (www.rogersondemand.com)

·            Videotron: Free illico On Demand (Channel 900) and Free Online illico web (illicoweb.tv)

·            Cogeco: Free On Demand (Visit Free On Demand on channel 600)

·            EastLink: Free On Demand (Channel 200)

TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2012 - Today, Rogers announced that its Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network, Canada's fastest and largest, is now available in more cities surrounding Montréal, including; Laval, Terrebonne, Brossard, Longueuil and Vaudreuil with plans to expand to more than 25 additional cities this year. This will bring LTE to more than half the Canadian population by the end of the year.

Rogers was the first to launch an LTE network in Canada, starting in Ottawa last July, followed by Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver in September. This year, Rogers will continue to expand the LTE network bringing the benefits of speed and the LTE experience to more Canadians across the country.

"We were proud to be first to bring the LTE network to Canadians," said John Boynton, Rogers Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "Today, we reach over 11 million and we are continuing to expand. By the end of 2012 we will double this with 20 million Canadians able to use LTE devices to download apps, stream HD videos and music or play on-line games, with no delays or buffering."

Rogers was the first to launch LTE devices in Canada and continues to add to its line-up with the addition of the Samsung Galaxy Note™ in February. The all-in-one LTE tablet and smartphone hybrid has a 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED touchscreen display. Running on Android OS 2.3, the Samsung Galaxy Note™ is made of tough Gorilla Glass, has an "S Pen" stylus pen to take notes, and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. With the eight megapixel camera users can record 1080p HD videos, and since it runs on the LTE network they can upload videos to YouTube in seconds.

Other LTE devices that Rogers carries include two smartphones, the Rogers exclusive Samsung Galaxy S II LTE smartphone™ and the HTC Raider™ as well as Canada's first LTE tablet, the Rogers exclusive, HTC Jetstream™. Rogers also offers its LTE Rocket stick™ (Sierra Wireless AirCard ® 313U) and the LTE Rocket mobile hotspot (Sierra Wireless AirCard® 754S), another Rogers first, allows customers to connect up to five laptops, gaming units, music players and more, at LTE speeds.

The national launch of the LTE network reinforces Rogers proud history of innovative firsts and commitment to investing in Canada's digital future. Rogers was the first carrier in North America to launch a HSPA+ network and offers Canada's only GSM network. Rogers was the first in the world to launch BlackBerry® devices; and the first in Canada to launch both Android products and the iPhone.

Canadians can learn more about Rogers LTE network and devices at www.rogers.com/lte.

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, Jan. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) confirmed that the new wholesale rates for independent Internet service providers (ISPs) will be implemented on February 1, 2012.

The large telephone and cable companies will proceed as scheduled with their proposed implementation plans, with the exception of the Bell companies. Their implementation plan has been modified on an interim basis while the CRTC resolves issues raised by the Canadian Network Operators Consortium.

"We are moving ahead with the implementation as planned to ensure that independent ISPs will continue to offer competitive and innovative services to Canadians," said Leonard Katz, the CRTC's Acting Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Telecommunications. "Some temporary adjustments have been made to ensure a smooth transition to the new billing regime and to ensure consumers are not inconvenienced."

As an interim measure, independent ISPs who are customers of the Bell companies will have the flexibility to either merge their business and residential Internet traffic, or keep them separate.

In November 2011, the CRTC established how large telephone and cable companies should charge independent ISPs for the use of their networks. In the case of wholesale residential and business services, the large telephone and cable companies may charge a flat monthly fee regardless of how much bandwidth customers of the independent ISPs use. The flat-rate model took effect November 15, 2011.

These decisions affect only the wholesale services the large telephone and cable companies provide to independent ISPs. The CRTC does not regulate the rates or packages that ISPs offer to consumers.

Telecom Order CRTC 2012-60

TORONTO, ON - January 26, 2012 - SiriusXM Canada (TSX: XSR), the country's leading audio entertainment company, today announced that it will host the SiriusXM Indie Awards as part of its sponsorship of Canadian Music Week. The 12th annual celebration acknowledging the year's top Canadian independent bands will take place in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on Saturday, March 24, 2012.

The awards show will feature performances from some of last year's hottest artists including The Sheepdogs, Dan Mangan and Rich Aucoin. SiriusXM subscribers across Canada and the U.S. will be able to listen to the Awards and concert live on The Verge on XM 151 and Iceberg on SIRIUS 151.

"SiriusXM Canada is excited and proud to present the SiriusXM Indie Awards as part of Canadian Music Week," said Andreanne Sasseville, Director, Industry Relations and Canadian Content Development, SiriusXM Canada. "We're looking forward to showcasing an amazing night of performances from some of Canada's top independent artists - all of whom are taking North America by storm."

This year's SiriusXM Indie Awards travels the map to deliver a stellar line-up of performances by some of the year's breakthrough artists, including: crowd karaoke, confetti dance party of Halifax's Rich Aucoin; the vintage boogie and neo-psychedelic sound of Saskatoon's The Sheepdogs; the lushly textured folk of Vancouver's Dan Mangan; the driving gloss-rock sounds of Toronto's Young Empires; and the gritty garage-rock of Vancouver's The Pack A.D.

From south of the border, sonic visionaries Passion Pit will close out the evening with their brand of electro-pop in a headline concert. Fans will have the chance to hear some of their favourites from the bandís first two albums - Manners and Chunk of Change - while getting a sneak peek into new material from their forthcoming release due early this year.

Tickets for the SiriusXM Indie Awards are on sale now for $30.00 plus taxes through all Ticketmaster outlets, Rotate This, and Soundscapes, as well as online at www.ticketmaster.ca, www.indies.ca. Ticket buyers may also call 1-855-985-5000 to charge by phone.

In addition to these performances, the 2012 SiriusXM Indie Awards will honour the achievements of 140 deserving artists across 28 categories when nominations are announced later this month.

For photos, updates, and announcements, please visit www.indies.ca.