Two major stories alter the Canadian mediascape—but will Toronto still be its centre?
Tuesday was a big day in the Canadian media. Yes, the Americans accused us of being lowdown, filthy pirates, but more importantly, there were major changes at two of the country’s biggest cable and telecom giants. First up: an office with a nice view is opening up at Bloor East and Jarvis Bikelane Ted Rogers Way, as Tony Viner leaves the company after almost 40 years.
The Globe and Mail reports:
Mr. Viner is part of the team that helped the late cable and wireless visionary Ted Rogers assemble a dominant player in Canadian communications. The Rogers brain trust made convergence work before the concept existed. Mr. Viner proved a masterful operator in radio, television and print. He’s also half of a successful sibling act in media—brother Peter Viner is a long-time Canwest Communications executive.
Speaking of Canwest, the other big news is that the Aspers’ dream is finally over: the national television network headquartered in Winnipeg has been dismantled. But instead of moving to the Centre of the Universe (do Torontonians still call their city that?), it will be run out of Calgary—the home of new owner Shaw Communications.
The idea of media hegemony moving even farther west of Kipling station would feel like a real shot to Toronto’s dominance if it weren’t for the fact that Canwest’s newspapers are most likely to be bought up by Torstar.
• Viner to retire from Rogers [Globe and Mail]
• Rogers Media CEO announces retirement [Canoe]
• Last Days of the Asper Empire [Globe and Mail]
• Canadians drop gloves, punch US in face over piracy list [Ars Technica]
• Torstar, Fairfax confirm bid for CanWest newspapers [Toronto Star]
