Rogers Communications

Rogers Communications
Name	Rogers Communications
Type	Public company
Traded as	TSX: RCI.A, RCI.B, NYSE: RCI
Industry	Telecommunications, Mass media
Founded	0 1960
Founder	Edward S. Rogers Sr.
Hq location	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Key people	Edward Rogers III, Tony Staffieri
Products	Wireless, Cable television, Internet, Home phone, Media

Rogers Communications is a prominent Canadian communications and media company. Founded in 1960 by Edward S. Rogers Sr., it has grown from a pioneering FM broadcasting venture into a national conglomerate. The company operates across wireless, cable, and media sectors, competing with rivals like Bell Canada and Telus. Its headquarters are located in Toronto, Ontario.

History

The company's origins trace back to CFRB, a radio station acquired by Edward S. Rogers Sr., an inventor of the world's first alternating current radio tube. Following his death, his son, Edward Rogers Jr., revived the family business, securing a license for Canada's first FM broadcasting|FM radio station in 1960. Expansion accelerated in the 1970s with entry into the cable television market, acquiring franchises in Toronto and other communities. A pivotal moment was the 1989 acquisition of Canadian Cablesystems, which dramatically expanded its cable footprint. The launch of Rogers Wireless in 1985 and its subsequent PCS network rollout positioned the firm as a major player in mobile telephony, competing directly with Bell Mobility.

Corporate structure

Rogers is governed by a board of directors chaired by Edward Rogers III, with Tony Staffieri serving as President and CEO. It is a public company with dual-class shares, trading as RCI.A and RCI.B on the Toronto Stock Exchange and as RCI on the New York Stock Exchange. The Rogers Control Trust, controlled by the Rogers family, holds a majority of voting shares. Major operating segments include Rogers Wireless, Rogers Cable, and Rogers Sports & Media, the latter housing assets like Citytv and Sportsnet. The company also holds significant stakes in entities like Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Brookfield Asset Management.

Services and operations

The company's wireless division, operating on GSM, HSPA+, and 5G NR networks, provides mobile phone and Internet services under the Rogers Wireless, Fido, and Chatr brands. Its cable television and Internet arm delivers broadband via hybrid fibre-coaxial infrastructure, competing with Shaw Communications before its acquisition. The Rogers Sports & Media unit owns national television networks such as Citytv and Omni Television, specialty channels including Sportsnet and FX Canada, and radio stations like KiSS 92.5. It also operates the Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers Centre.

Financial performance

As a component of the S&P/TSX 60 index, the company reports substantial annual revenue, primarily driven by its wireless and cable segments. Key financial metrics are closely watched by analysts from firms like RBC Capital Markets and CIBC World Markets. Major capital expenditures fund network upgrades, including nationwide 5G NR deployment and fibre-to-the-home expansion. The 2023 acquisition of Shaw Communications for over C$20 billion significantly altered its balance sheet and market position, subject to scrutiny by the Competition Bureau and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Corporate affairs

The company is a major sponsor of cultural and sporting institutions, including the Rogers Cup tennis tournament and the Canadian Broadcasting Centre. Its philanthropic arm, the Rogers Foundation, supports community initiatives and Toronto Metropolitan University. Corporate governance practices are reviewed by committees overseeing audit and compensation. Regulatory affairs involve ongoing engagement with CRTC on matters like net neutrality and broadband access, and with ISED on spectrum licensing.

Controversies

The company has faced significant scrutiny, including a major nationwide network outage in July 2022 that disrupted 9-1-1 services and Interac transactions, prompting investigations by the CRTC and the federal government. A protracted boardroom battle in 2021 involving Edward Rogers III, former CEO Joe Natale, and the British Columbia Supreme Court drew extensive media coverage. Other issues include CRTC rulings on mobile virtual network operator access, Competition Bureau challenges to the Shaw Communications merger, and public disputes with Vidéotron over wireless competition.

Category:Companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange Category:Telecommunications companies of Canada Category:Mass media companies of Canada