CRTC sides with Bell over Avis de Recherche in distribution dispute

OTTAWA – French-language public safety channel Avis de recherche has lost a bid to continue to be distributed by Bell in Quebec.On Thursday, the CRTC dismissed the channel’s complaint alleging that Bell’s decision to cease distributing Avis de Recherche while continuing to carry its affiliated service Canal D/Investigation constituted a prima facie case of undue preference.“The Commission finds that Bell has not conferred a preference upon itself and has not subjected ADR to a disadvantage by ceasing the distribution of Avis de Recherche”, reads the decision. “Moreover, Bell has fulfilled its obligations under the Commission’s dispute resolution regime and has not breached its...