LET’S TALK TV: What’s the value of individual services – and how can consumers complain?

By Perry Hoffman

GATINEAU - There is broad consensus among parties to the CRTC’s TV policy review that a mandated small basic package is not likely to come with a lower price tag.A skinny basic to go along with a pure pick-and-pay channel regime could also cause some sticker shock, not only for consumers but also for broadcast distributors looking to acquire programming, according to the big content owners and the VI companies.Bell Canada argues that broadcasters will bear the brunt of unbundling. First, because channels will have less penetration, fewer customers will share the costs of that service, driving prices skywards. Secondly,...