Announced at the inaugural Bell Cybersecurity Summit in Toronto, Bell says Bell Cyber helps advance its goal of becoming the country’s “most trusted Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP).”

The new brand promises to offer next generation Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS), “combining Bell’s internal security platforms, telco-grade infrastructure and resiliency DNA with real-time threat detection and advanced Security Operations Centre (SOC) capabilities.”

Also announced at the summit was Bell Cyber’s new autonomous SOC, purported to use AI and automation to detect and contain threats in under five minutes. Its announcement noted that its SECaaS platform is hosted on a secure, Canadian cloud, ensuring customer data is housed, governed and managed entirely within Canada “offering peace of mind amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and increasingly sophisticated threat actors.”

“Today we celebrate the launch of Bell Cyber, a big milestone we’ve been working on for our customers. Leveraging Ateko and Bell AI Fabric solutions, Bell Cyber is a central pillar of our strategy to lead in Enterprise with AI-powered solutions,” said John Watson, Group President of Bell Business Markets (BBM), AI and Ateko. “This announcement is an investment in the security of our customers and our country, strengthening our ability to protect enterprises and institutions in an increasingly complex threat landscape.”

Bell Cyber partners include Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, Microsoft and Fortinet.

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The kids’ and family entertainment purveyor says following a recent CRTC decision finding WildBrain was not the subject of undue disadvantage from Rogers, the company has been unable to negotiate a new carriage agreement with Rogers for the aforementioned channels. WildBrain says Rogers has subsequently informed them it intends to remove the channels from its distribution service in the coming months. As a result, WildBrain’s previously-announced $40 million deal to sell a majority stake in the channels to Halifax-based IoM Media Ventures will no longer go ahead.

WildBrain says in combination with a decision by Bell to also remove the channels, it’s determined that side of its business is no longer commercially viable and plans to surrender its licenses to the CRTC.

The move means WildBrain will no longer be subject to Canadian control restrictions under the Broadcasting Act and will subsequently remove its variable voting structure applicable to non-Canadian shareholders. The company says simplifying its voting structure will provide greater strategic flexibility and opportunities.

“For nearly four decades, Family Channel has been a trusted destination for Canadian kids and families,” said WildBrain President & CEO Josh Scherba, in a company announcement. “We’re incredibly proud of the legacy we’ve built—thanks to our loyal viewers, dedicated television employees and the many talented Canadian producers we’ve partnered with.”

“While it is unfortunate that the channels will be discontinued, the impact on our broader business is minimal and does not affect our go-forward strategy. WildBrain remains a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, with unique strengths in monetizing entertainment IP across content creation, audience engagement and global licensing. We have deliberately positioned our business to align with changing consumer habits, including a strategic exit from the declining broadcast space in Canada,” he continued.

Scherba noted that the company experienced 17% growth year-to-date through its third fiscal quarter, underscoring the strength of its diversified platforms beyond its TV business, despite “ongoing industry headwinds.”

“We remain focused on sustaining that momentum by leveraging our iconic IP—such as Peanuts, Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies—across streaming, YouTube, consumer products and immersive fan experiences,” he said. “As the entertainment landscape evolves, so do we—with a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to delivering quality content and beloved brands to kids and families around the world.”

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Announced Tuesday morning, under the agreement Bell Fibe TV and Satellite TV subscribers will now have access to Rogers Sports & Media channels HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Magnolia Network and Investigation Discovery, along with continued access to Bravo. As of the announcement, those channels are available to all customers in free preview.

Conversely, Rogers Xfinity customers will continue to have full access to Bell Media’s Specialty portfolio, which includes channels such as USA Network, Oxygen True Crime, and CTV specialty channels, including CTV Comedy Channel, CTV Drama Channel and CTV Sci-Fi Channel. Rogers Xfinity customers continue to have access to HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Magnolia Network and Investigation Discovery.

“Delivering the most compelling content to Canadians is our focus, and this agreement furthers that goal. We are providing customers more choice and ensuring Rogers customers will continue to have access to Bell Media favorites like Highway Thru Hell , Heavy Rescue 401 and Fear Thy Neighbor on our specialty channels,” said Kevin Cluett, SVP, Distribution and Product Platforms, Bell Media, in the announcement. “By making these channels more widely available, we’re giving viewers more of what they love while strengthening the Canadian broadcasting ecosystem.”

“It’s great that more Canadians will now have access to North America’s most beloved and specialty TV brands like HGTV, Food Network and Discovery, and can access new titles and the latest seasons of top shows from Rogers Sports & Media,” added Hayden Mindell, SVP Television, Rogers Sports & Media. “The premium content we’ve invested in is unmatched in Canada, offering Canadians the programming they want most, including hits like My Lottery Dream Home , Beat Bobby Flay and Expedition Unknown, along with new series Chasing The West with Drew and Jonathan Scott.”

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