Rogers Communications (TSX: RCI.A, TSX: RCI.B, NYSE: RCI) is one of Canada’s largest communications companies, owner of television, radio and print publications as well as providing service to Internet, cable and phones.  Early concepts of the company started in the 1930s when Edward S. Rogers, Sr. was given an early television licence, but the company did not get its true debut until the 1960s, when Rogers Sr.’s son, Ted (who passed away in December 2008), launched CHFI, Canada’s first FM radio station.  Rogers also launched CFTR, an AM station which in its current incarnation, is an all-news station.

In the later 60s, Rogers Cable was born.  Eventually becoming the largest cable system in Canada, the company also owns several stations, including OMNI Television (over-the-air multicultural/multilingual network), CITY-TV and the Shopping Channel.  In the recent decades, Rogers has earned the reputation of being a monopoly, because of all the smaller companies it has acquired. 

In the late 80s, Rogers ventured into the wireless business and eventually spun off its own division.  They were a pioneer in the cell phone industry as they provided service long before the general public bought phones.  However, they are also known for their extremely expensive charges, especially for cell phones and their limited contracts.  This is common in Canada as there are only three major cell phone provider and the discount companies only provide basics.  Many wireless devices make their debuts with Rogers, including most Blackberries (the latest Blackberry Storm is the first to debut with Bell and Telus rather than Rogers and Apple’s iPhone, which made its entry to the Canadian market with Rogers in 2008).  Rogers also provides Internet service to many homes, offering several different packages.  Rogers’ Internet service is partnered with Yahoo (while its competitor, Bell, partnered with MSN).

In addition to television, radio and wireless, Rogers has a publishing division too.  Several of Canada’s most-read magazines, such as Flare (fashion), Chatelaine (lifestyle – seems to cater to a more mature crowd), the news magazine Maclean’s and Canadian Business, are published by Rogers. 

Rogers is traded on both the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the New York Stock Exchange.  In addition, it has split into two on the TSX.  Here are Tuesday, January 13′s openings and closings, as well as the 52-week ranges:

NYSE: Opened at 26.50, closed at 26.28.  Its 52-week high was 46.40 and the low was 22.61. 

TSX (RCI.A): Opened at 34.80, closed at 34.50.  The 52-week high was 50.50 and the low was 32.00.

TSX (RCI.B): Opened at 32.55 and closed at 32.20.  The 52-week high was 46.46 and the low as 29.00.