OTTAWA–GATINEAU – Let the unbundling begin. The CRTC said Thursday that Canadians TV viewers will be able to subscribe to a skinny basic programming package for $25 starting next March, and by December, will be able to choose TV channels on a pick-and-pay basis as well as in small packages.
In the fourth in a series of decisions stemming from its TV Policy Review, known as Let's Talk TV, the Commission said that a skinny basic service “will prioritize local and regional news and information programs" plus include public interest channels such as the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), education channels, and, if offered, community channels and the services operated by provincial legislatures.
Canadians will then have the choice of supplementing that entry-level service by buying individual channels on a pick-and-pay basis or through small, “reasonably priced packages” or stick with the programming that they already have.
“Viewers are in control. Canadians have a World of Choice at their fingertips”, said CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais, in a statement. “Today's decision is not about making choices for Canadians. Rather, it is about setting out a roadmap to give all Canadians the freedom to choose the television content that meets their unique needs, budgets and realities – which can even include free, over-the-air television stations. Each household will be able to find the right value proposition.”
The decision also introduced a code of conduct for broadcasters and television service providers which aims to clarify the terms and conditions under which wholesale agreements between the two are struck. “For example, it ensures that cable and satellite companies offer independently-owned channels in at least one pre-assembled package and that channels cannot be unduly withdrawn from subscribers as a result of a commercial dispute at the wholesale level”, reads the announcement. The content of the code will be finalized by September 2015 following an expedited public process.
Canada's multicultural communities were also granted greater and more affordable access to Canadian ethnic and third-language channels.
Blais said that the changes “are being introduced in a responsible and measured way” in order to soften the impact on broadcasters and TV service providers.
“We recognize that broadcasters need time to adapt their business and programming strategies, while cable and satellite companies need to update their informatics systems”, he added. “There is nothing, however, that would prevent them from offering Canadians greater choices ahead of the schedule outlined by the Commission.”
More to come.
