TORONTO – Canadian Telco TV companies Telus, SaskTel and MTS hosted their 10th annual fall forum at the Toronto Telus headquarters for about 200 programming and other partners, outlining their growth so far and plans for 2016.
Telus reported 954,000 Optik TV subscribers with coverage of 90% of B.C. and Alberta households. They claimed an industry leadership position in HD channels with 233. Research showed that over 40% of their customers were already consuming over the top services and they have embraced that with Netflix, TEDtv, NFB and CraveTV all available to subscribers through their set top boxes.
The company has also been pro-active in already introducing a skinnier Essentials basic package for $30. They did so by keeping sports out of it and having a sports theme pack for $14 that reflects their higher costs. The company also offers 25 theme packs for $7 each, three you-pick combos and three pre-built popular combos. Customers can add movies for $10 in a combo and also have a choice of 80 a la carte channels. They are showing early success with this new model plus they found that their addition of the Netflix option has been an enhancement to their line-up and found subscribers are content lovers not content trimmers.
SASKTEL’s MaxTV Everywhere was key to adding customer value and retention, said its representatives. They are integrating OTT apps, 4K, HD, Cloud PVR and testing different offers. Having GO apps for Crave TV, Sportsnet and TSN has been especially beneficial for customer build and retention. In 2016 SaskTel will introduce “Skinny Basic” plus packages with 10 or fewer channels in packages as well as single channels to manage the paradox of choice for their customers.
MTS reviewed its numerous executive changes and the move to their new address at 333 Main St. Winnipeg (at Portage). The company will focus on basic services in 2016 allowing customers to choose their entry level services and in 2017 will address further revised packaging options.
