Sportsnet delivers content on a branded sports page in Toronto freepaper Tonight

Rogers's Sportsnet magazine and other media content is now the branded source of sports information in the Toronto freevening paper Tonight. For instance, in a sample issue online, there are columns by Mike Farwell and Sid Seixeiro of radio station SN590 and a story by Kasie Hollins, the Sportsnet.ca digital content editor.

Rogers titles will be providing content for new 24-hour news TV channel

Maclean's and other Rogers Publishing magazines will be tapped for content for the new 24-hour news television channel being launched by Rogers Communications Inc. CityNews Channel will be launched in October, a complement to the company's 24-hour news radio station 680 News and Citytv. The new channel will be going up against the recently launched Sun News as well as established all-news outlets CTV News Channel and CBC News Network and Toronto-only CP24.

“We're taking the number one news radio format in Canada, 680 News, and bringing it to television under the brand CityNews Channel,” president of Rogers Broadcasting, Scott Moore, said in a statement Monday.
“By incorporating our trailblazing and trusted news brands from CityNews, 680 News, and publishing – including Canada’s most trusted news magazine, Maclean’s – CityNews Channel is poised to be the destination local news channel.”

CRTC announces cross-media ownership rules that change little, or nothing

The Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) has brought in new regulations that won't change media concentration in Canada. That's right, won't. Media owners cannot own more than two outlets (say local television and radio stations) in one market...unless they already own more than two outlets in one market. According to a story on CBC.ca, if a media group did own two or more local outlets and wanted to purchase another (a newspaper, say, or a magazine), they would have to sell one of their original holdings.

While this new regime by the broadcast regulator may have some impact on future deals, it leaves in place all existing media conglomerates and exempts "national" outlets like the Globe and Mail and the National Post.

The new regulations are the outcome of hearings held over the past year as the result of two high-profile takeover deals: CanWest Global's purchase of Alliance Atlantis Communications; and CTV's acquisition of Chum Ltd. But, of course, neither of these deals is affected, which makes the new regulations something of a non sequitur.