GATINEAU – Pay television network Super Channel appeared before the CRTC Wednesday to share their example of “inequity in minority language rights regulations”.
Citing his frustration that Super Channel is not carried by Quebec-based cable company Videotron “despite repeated attempts”, Super Channel president and COO Malcolm Knox said that the existing rules regarding Canadian television services in minority language markets don’t require Videotron to distribute even ‘must carry’ services.
“We are here today because the Commission gave us – Super Channel – a `must carry’ national premium television service licence a little over two years ago and we are still not able to reach consumers in one of the largest markets of the country,” Knox said in a press release.
“This is a significant handicap considering this large English-language population is concentrated in a number of key markets – including greater Montreal and the Outaouais – all controlled by Videotron.”
Quebecor-owned Videotron is Canada’s third largest cable company. It reported 1.6 million cable customers in Quebec as of June 30, 2008.
