GATINEAU – The CRTC has approved requests to show VOD and PPV programs that include commercials if they were already aired on Canadian TV and the show is offered for free to subscribers.
The commission will amend the licence for the Bell ExpressVu’s Vu! on-demand and pay-per-view services, and Cogeco’s VOD service, to allow this limited use of advertising.
Bell ExpressVu said the amendment would allow it to compete equally with other Canadian VOD services and evolving PPV media. Cogeco said it would be in the public interest.
Rogers Cable supported the move in its intervention to the commission, urging the CRTC to amend the 1990 pay TV regs to provide all VOD and PPV licensees the ability to air shows containing spots that have already been on TV, and for free. Rogers said it would be better to make the change universal than to consider proposals on a case-by-case basis as the CRTC now does.
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters did not oppose the move, and noted that Vu!’s request was the first application before the commission from a pay per view service. The CAB also called for a global review of the issue.
The commission approved similar requests from two VOD services last year, Rogers on Demand, and Illico sur demande (from Groupe Archambault Inc.). It noted a similarity between these VOD services and the Vu! services, and decided the commercials should be allowed.
Another condition for the VOD and PPV services is that they must have permission from the original broadcaster of the show to air it with commercials on VOD and PPV.
The commission said it will consider the possibility of amending the regulations for all VOD and PPV services as part of its review of the regulatory framework for discretionary services.
