Torstar Corp. is to acquire a 25 percent stake in domestic broadcaster Blue Ant Media for $22.7 million. The deal marks a return to broadcasting for Torstar after it sold a minority stake in CTV, Canada’s top-rated broadcaster, to phone giant BCE.Blue Ant Media is led by Michael MacMillan, a former CEO of Alliance Atlantis Communications until he cashed out in 2007.MacMillan has since returned to broadcaster with his Blue Ant Media earlier this year acquiring a controlling interest in GlassBOX Television, and a minority interest in Quarto Communications. Also Wednesday, Blue Ant Media unveiled a deal to acquire Canadian broadcaster High Fidelity HDTV Inc. and its four premium high definition channels – Oasis HD, eqhd, radX and HIFI.Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Blue Ant Media will pick up an initial 29.9 per cent stake in High Fidelity HDTV, with the 70.1 percent stake to be acquired after the deal received regulatory approval from the CRTC. U.S. private equity firm Providence Equity Capital Markets will help Blue Ant Media finance its High Fidelity HDTV acquisition.”We view the investment in Blue Ant Media as strategic, providing Torstar with the opportunity to further diversify our Canadian media asset base” David Holland, president and CEO of Torstar, said Wednesday. Hollywood Reporter.
“Days with Juliet” records joy of local family
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Faithful South Bayview Bulldog reader Elise has begun a blog for friends and relatives recording the happy times of her Days with Juliet. This great picture of Elise, husband Leo and Juliet was taken a by a friend a couple of nights ago.
Rosedale Public School steel band on BT
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Rosedale Public School’s celebrated steel band made an appearance on Breakfast Television Wednesday morning. Felice Natividad sounds especially good on these instruments.
No tobogganing at Talbot Park this winter
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The annual family fun of tobogganing the hills of Howard Talbot Park (seen last year above) has had to be stopped for this winter only. The word comes Roger Macklin, General Supervisor of Parks Operations for this area of Toronto. It is for a good cause. The park has recently been re-sodded and the new turf needs to “breath” under the snow cover. Rough treatment impedes that and might cause some other difficulty with growth. Mr Macklin’s full letter may be read here.
How we began a beautiful friendship with dogs
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What you knew by nature about your dog — and yourself — has been given a scientific table on which to sit. International research into the evolution of wolves into dogs, and how dogs became man’s best friend, has found that it was apparently mean’t to be. Humans and wolves were made for each other. Both were highly social species who lived and hunted as family units. It’s theorized that as long as 33,000 years ago, dogs and humans found it convenient to hunt together. Keep in mind life was perilous for both. Some scholars have suggested that early humans learned to hunt big game by watching, following, and stealing from wolves. It is also possible that wolves benefitted from following human hunters who with fire and spears were more profligate and efficient killers.
Globe asks if investors will stay with RIM
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With the stock driven down some 75% by strategic mistakes and tough competiton, the Globe and Mail is asking if investors will stay with Research in Motion until its new smartphones come on the market next year. Will investors stay on board for the RIM ‘transition’
Preview of the new 2013 Mercedes Benz SL550
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Mercedes-Benz has released photos of its new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550, the sixth generation of the SL Class, with its global debut set for next month’s Detroit Auto Show.
Santa meets Cooper on South Bayview
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Santa Claus made an early visit to South Bayview today getting some last minute requests. Here he is with Cooper who was out with his Mom and Dad along our wide new sidewalks. Seems he wants a pirate ship. We’re sure Santa will know.
Ambulance call stops rush hour on Bayview
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A fire engine manoeuvres across Bayview just north of Millwood Friday evening during an ambulance call. It appears to have been routine but rush hour traffic was shut down for a few minutes.
Short pants postie looks cool on South Bayview
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According to the Weather Channel it was a chilly minus 2 Friday morning as this short pants postie did his rounds on South Bayview. Today (Saturday) it’s forecast to be as low as minus 5 (feel like minus 11). Guess it’s a good thing that this brave postie doesn’t have to do his mail walk on Saturday too.
Popular posts: Parking rules re-published
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The following post appeared in March 2011 and has had much positive response. We repeat it here with updates regarding the extended grace period: The pestilence of parking tickets seems to be with us for good, but there are rules. The Toronto Police Service has established a few directives for parking officers. In regular legal hours (i.e not rush hour) officers are supposed to permit a five minute grace period. If anyone gets a ticket within less than ten minutes after the expiry time, call the TPS. We’re told the ticket will be annulled. The number is (416) 808-2222. On July 11, 2011 during its last meeting of the summer, City Council voted to implement the ten minute grace for all time-restricted parking offences, excluding major arterial routes during rush hour periods (rush hour periods are defined from Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. It continues to be true that unless the parking officer has actually slapped the ticket on your windshield, or handed it to you, no proper service has occurred. In other words, if you can drive away before the ticket is served, you will not be responsible for it. Shockingly, certain anti-due process types at City Hall under the old regime wanted to eliminate this right in law and declare you guilty regardless.
TTC tokens jump to $2.60 New Year’s Day
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TTC fares will go up by 10 cents on New Year’s Day, but it remains Toronto City Council’s call as to whether the commission will move forward with controversial plans to dramatically cut back its service.
Cash fares will remain stable at $3 for adults and $2 for students and seniors, but tokens will increase from $2.50 to $2.60, and Metropasses will increase by $5 per month.The commission also agreed in principle to usher in 10 cent increases in 2013, 2014 and 2015. “We need to bring in some predictability … and get out of this annual cycle of how we are going to make ends meet,” said TTC chair Karen Stintz.