TORONTO – Broadcaster Asian Television Network says it is continuing to feel the sting of piracy as its revenue continues to decline, but that it is hopeful the Broadcast and Telecom Legislative Review Panel might have a lifeline for it come January.
For the second quarter, ended June 30, operating revenue came in at $2.9 million, down from $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2018. Net loss for the period came in at $941,000, more than double Q2 2018’s $426,000.
“Declining revenues are predominantly as a result of increased internet piracy and consumers shifting towards illegal digital IPTV set-top boxes,” reads the ATN press release.
“The company is actively involved in fighting this negative trend. Fair Play Canada, a coalition with more than 25 organizations combating the impact illegal piracy is having on our subscription and advertising revenue, has been lobbying the… CRTC to establish an independent anti-piracy, website-blocking agency, which would curtail digital media theft.
“As the matter was out of CRTC's jurisdiction the Government of Canada has appointed an external Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review (BTLR) panel ("Panel") to review Canada's communication legislative framework. The Panel has set the date to conclude on the matter by January 30, 2020,” the release continued.
“In addition, as part of the industry's continuing efforts to battle the pervasive problem that piracy and illegal IPTV has posed to the industry, Bell and Rogers will be requesting a site blocking order against alleged 'pirate' IPTV provider GoldTV. The order, which is planned to formally be requested in September, will request various ISPs including Bell Media, Eastlink, Cogeco Inc., Rogers, Fido, Shaw Communications Inc., TekSavvy Solutions Inc., Telus Corp., and Videotron to block the GoldTV sites.”
