Prime Time 2011: Vertical integration on trial; Telus prosecutes, Rogers defends

By Perry Hoffman

OTTAWA - Opponents and supporters of vertical integration faced off in a feisty debate during a session at the Canadian Media Production Association’s (CMPA) annual Prime Time conference in Ottawa on Thursday. Representing the “prosecution” in the session, titled Vertical Integration on Trial, Telus argued that producers and independent broadcasters are going to be disadvantaged by having fewer outlets for distribution. As well, broadcasters would have to fight the vertically integrated company on issues such as channel placement. A critical issue, according to Michael Hennessey, senior VP of government and regulatory affairs at Telus, is one of access where independent...