REGINA – For the first time, a telco TV provider is getting as local as the local cable community channel.
SaskTel Wednesday announced the launch of Max Local On Demand, a unique new service featuring original local community programming, all on demand, something no other Canadian service provider currently offers.
SaskTel, as is its condition of license, has created an Independent Programming Committee (IPC) with representatives from each of the nine districts in which Max serves (Estevan, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn and Yorkton) to advise programmers of the new service.
“SaskTel Max customers can now access locally produced TV programming that focuses on the people, places and interests important to people in Saskatchewan through the video on demand platform,” said SaskTel president and CEO Robert Watson.
Incumbent cablecos Access Communications (based in Regina) and Shaw Cable (whose largest Saskatchewan market is Saskatoon) have produced local cable community channels for many years but do not carry the programming on demand.
In September, the CRTC amended SaskTel’s broadcast licence to allow the addition of community programming to the SaskTel Max service. Through the Max video on demand platform, customers will have access to free local content from around the province on channel 48.
One of the neat features of the service is that folks can access local programming from beyond their own city, meaning that viewers in Regina will be able to call up local content from, say Prince Albert, if they wish.
The IPC will be responsible for ensuring the content provides freedom of expression and journalistic, creative, and programming independence while being representative of the communities SaskTel Max serves. The IPC will be comprised of the following representatives:
* Colin Keess, Estevan
* Brian Martynook, Moose Jaw
* Chandra Matlock, North Battleford
* Rob Procyk, Prince Albert
* Brett Bell, Regina
* Stan Thomas, Saskatoon
* Fred Sandeski, Weyburn
* Randy Goulden, Yorkton
* Mark Frison, Swift Current
SaskTel will be able to access a portion of its gross broadcast revenues previously given to the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) to fund content production, similar to how cable companies can access funding for their community channels.
SaskTel will be working with its production partner, Saskatchewan-based Media Group, to develop high-quality programming initially featuring sports, arts & entertainment, and events. The provincially-owned telco will also be seeking customer-produced programming where the content and quality are acceptable and meet all CRTC and legal guidelines.
