Tag Archives: CRTC

More than 66,000 Canadians have already signed up to the new basic TV package

From a media release:

In just five weeks, more than 66,000 Canadians have already signed up for the new basic television package, according to data collected by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). In addition, more than 1 out of 3 of these Canadians have also taken advantage of the new packaging options by subscribing to individual channels, small packages or both.

On March 1, 2016, Canada’s licensed television service providers began offering a new basic package that costs no more than $25 per month. The companies also began offering either the option to pay for individual channels (“pick-and-pay”) or small packages of no more than 10 channels.

The CRTC recently asked Access Communications, Bell, Cogeco, Eastlink, MTS, Rogers Communications SaskTel, Shaw Communications, TELUS and Vidéotron to provide data on the number of subscribers that have subscribed to the new basic television package.

The CRTC reminds Canadians that television service providers will be required to offer full pick-and-pay starting on December 1, 2016.

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Link: Forcing pick-and-pay TV was a bad move by the CRTC

From Kate Taylor of The Globe and Mail:

Forcing pick-and-pay TV was a bad move by the CRTC
Forcing pick-and-pay on the broadcasting distribution industry was a bad decision from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, a piece of ill-conceived populism that did not, in the end, make any difference to the election prospects of the departing Tories and won’t actually save consumers much money – but still has the potential to do damage to the Canadian television industry without ever addressing the hard decisions that need to be made about broadcasting regulation. Continue reading. 

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CRTC welcomes new era of choice for TV viewers

From a media release:

As of today, Canadians can subscribe to an affordable basic television package that costs no more than $25 per month. They will also have the option of supplementing this package with additional channels, either individually or in bundles of up to 10 channels.

In March 2015, the CRTC announced these changes in TV packaging rules following the Let’s Talk TV conversation. During this extensive process, Canadians told the CRTC they wanted more choice, flexibility and affordability in TV services.

Affordable basic package
All licensed television service providers must offer the affordable basic package. This package must cost no more than $25 per month (not including equipment) and must include the following channels:

  • local and regional television stations
  • channels of public interest such as the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)
  • educational channels, and
  • community channels, and services operated by provincial legislatures, where available.

The affordable basic package may also include at no additional charge:

  • local AM and FM radio stations;
  • non-local over-the-air TV stations (up to a maximum of 10);
  • stations affiliated with American commercial networks (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) and PBS;
  • educational channels of another province or territory in each official language (if no educational channel is offered).

Pick and pay and small bundles
Canadians also now have more options, as licensed TV service providers must offer channels either individually (“pick and pay”) or in packages of up to 10 channels.

Although service providers with fewer than 20,000 subscribers are not required to offer the affordable basic package, pick and pay or small bundles, most Canadians have access to two satellite television providers who must offer these options.

Canadians can search for the television service providers in their area using the CRTC’s new online tool.

Quick Facts

  • As of March 1, 2016, television service providers must offer channels either individually or in small packages of up to 10 channels.
  • By December 1, 2016, television service providers must offer both pick and pay and small packages.
  • These changes will ensure Canadians have the ability to choose the television content that meets their unique needs, budgets and realities.
  • Canadians who are satisfied with their current services do not have to make any changes to their subscriptions.
  • More than 13,000 Canadians shared their views on the future of their television system during Let’s Talk TV: A Conversation with Canadians.
  • The CRTC announced a number of important changes to the TV system in an environment that is in profound evolution.

Quote
“Today marks the beginning of a new era of choice for Canadian television viewers. The television system is evolving as Canadians’ viewing habits change and technology provides more options. During the Let’s Talk TV conversation, Canadians told us that they wanted the freedom to choose services according to their needs, their realities and their budgets. Canadians can now make television choices on their terms.”

- Jean Pierre Blais, Chairman and CEO, CRTC

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Link: CHCH-TV owner to address CRTC

From Steve Buist of the Hamilton Spectator:

CHCH-TV owner to address CRTC
The timing is both impeccable and highly ironic.

Channel Zero Inc., owner of Hamilton’s CHCH-TV, will be making a presentation Monday on the opening day of hearings being held by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

The topic of discussion? A policy review of local and community television programming in Canada. Continue reading.

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Link: More choice, smaller bills in store for TV viewers

From James Bradshaw of The Globe and Mail:

More choice, smaller bills in store for TV viewers
So-called cord cutting, and how to contain it, will be top of mind for many TV executives in 2016, as viewers will be given new choices. The federal broadcast regulator has promised rule changes to let customers choose which channels they pay for, and will require companies to shrink the size of basic cable and satellite bundles.

At the same time, and perhaps more importantly, new streaming technologies and online competitors built in the mould of Netflix Inc. are expanding, giving viewers a wider range of relatively low-cost alternatives, in turn causing some to rethink the value of their monthly TV bill. Continue reading.

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