MONTREAL – Astral Media CEO Ian Greenberg said today that Bell Canada has stopped proceeding towards the launch of its much-anticipated Internet protocol-driven terrestrial digital television service.
When asked about new platforms like IPTV and how it might impact Astral’s television business, Greenberg said Bell has put its plans to launch the service “on ice.”
“And that’s happened in the last two weeks. So I don’t think there’s much to discuss on IPTV,” said Greenberg.
He later said the decision was made by Bell just within the past 10 days. Any Bell IPTV service would, of course, carry a number of Astral channels such as The Movie Network and Family Channel.
Bell has repeatedly delayed activating its Southern Ontario and Quebec terrestrial TV distribution license for a number of reasons surrounding costs and technology (it’s depending on Microsoft for the IPTV platform).
IPTV – or other forms of Telco TV – can deliver services like caller ID on the TV screen, multiple picture in picture and a more seamless marriage of personal (photos and music) web, gaming and TV content on the TV screen, among other features.
As reported by Cartt.ca last month, Rogers Cable had expected Bell to launch IPTV in Toronto imminently.
A Bell spokesperson responded to Cartt.ca’s query on the matter by saying simply: “We don’t announce products before we can sell them or (have) rollout schedules.”
– Greg O’Brien
