OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The Canadian cable industry wants to add six more channels to the eligible satellite list.
The Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association has asked that the Commission add Radio Television Portugal International (RTPi), New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV), Phoenix North American Chinese Channel (Phoenix), TV Globo and PTV-Prime USA to the eligible satellite list for digital distribution.
The CRTC put out a call for comments on the request to add those channels today.
RTPi is the international television network of Radiotelevisao Portuguesa, SA, Portugal’s public broadcasting company. The RTPi service consists of diverse, general interest, Portuguese-language programming, including news and current affairs, drama, sports and music.
NTDTV is an independent, non-profit, Chinese-language television network with its headquarters in New York City. Its programming is more than 90% Mandarin, and includes world news, arts and entertainment, variety shows and documentary/educational programs.
Phoenix features high quality programming that caters to Chinese communities in North America, providing news and entertainment television from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and other countries in the Asian Pacific region. The channel broadcasts primarily in Mandarin. Content includes drama series, music, talk shows, current affairs, lifestyle shows, infotainment and locally produced programs.
TV Globo is a 24-hour general interest channel in the Portuguese language targeted at the Brazilian and Portuguese community abroad. TV Globo programming includes tele-novelas, live news, variety programming, talk shows, documentaries and sports (soccer and live events).
PTV is a 24-hour family-oriented channel in the Urdu language targeted to South Asian communities residing in North America. PTV’s diverse programming from Pakistan includes dramas, sitcoms, music, news, documentaries and religious segments.
Comments are due in by June 23rd.
As for the sixth channel referred to in the headline of this story, the CCTA has also asked to add Channel One Russia Worldwide TV to the list, but the Commission has not yet called for comments on that particular request.
Channel One Russia Worldwide is a 24-hour Russian-language channel targeted to Russian speaking communities in North America. The channel originates in Moscow and is the international version of Channel One, Russia’s major television network. Channel One Russia Worldwide TV offers a diverse mix of programming including news and documentaries, dramatic specials, feature film presentations, contemporary performances, game shows and sports.
“CCTA believes that legitimizing carriage of non-Canadian services will not only respond to consumer demand for greater choice but it will provide our customers with an incentive to remain a vital part of the Canadian broadcasting system and help increase the benefits associated with digital cable television,” says the association’s submission, referring to the fact that many people in Canada seeking third-language channels such as the ones mentioned above have instead turned to illegal U.S. satellite systems.
