Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Telecom giant says U.S. channels need to be included in smaller basic cable

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 11 Sep, 2014 12:54 PM

    One of Canada's biggest cable service providers is rejecting the idea of allowing Canadians to pick TV channels one at a time.

    Rogers Communications has told the country's broadcast regulator it agrees with a proposal to offer its customers a smaller basic service.

    But it says the price for that service should not be capped, and it should include channels from the major American TV networks.

    The company has also strongly rejected a proposal to ban the simultaneous substitution of Canadian advertising over American ads.

    The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is holding two weeks of public hearings on how Canadians receive TV programming and how they pay for it.

    One proposal on the table, which is being promoted by the federal government, would see a so-called pick-and-pay system established.

    The proposal, if enacted, would allow Canadians the ability of picking individual channels, on top of a smaller basic service made up of Canadian channels.

    The CRTC is also debating the notion of capping the cost of basic service at between $20 and $30 per month.

    Rogers also slammed a proposal to include the online revenues of broadcasters in the definition of broadcasting revenue.

    Rogers executive Keith Pelley said that would put Canadian online services at a competitive disadvantage to non-tradition online broadcasters, such as Netflix.

    The Ontario and Quebec governments, along with the CBC and cultural organizations, have suggested that the CRTC regulate Netflix and other online video services to force them to contribute to Canada's television content production system.

    But the Harper government has warned the CRTC that it will reject any attempt to created what it has dubbed a "Netflix tax."

    Rogers executive Phil Lind, who has been with the company for decades, told the commission that the current set of hearings are the most important for Canada's television industry that he's seen in his career.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Canadian Researchers Track 'Angelina Effect' On Cancer Gene Screening

    Canadian Researchers Track 'Angelina Effect' On Cancer Gene Screening
    Angelina Jolie's stunning revelation she had a preventative double mastectomy due to a genetic cancer risk has doubled the number of high risk women considering genetic testing to see if they carry certain genes linked to breast and ovarian cancers, new Canadian research suggests.

    Canadian Researchers Track 'Angelina Effect' On Cancer Gene Screening

    B.C. coroner identifies Washington state man who died in rock-climbing accident

    B.C. coroner identifies Washington state man who died in rock-climbing accident
    KELOWNA, B.C. - A Washington state man has been identified by the BC Coroners Service as the climber who fell to his death while rock climbing on Saturday.

    B.C. coroner identifies Washington state man who died in rock-climbing accident

    Strike Shutters B.C. Public Schools, Students Lament Learning Time Wasted

    Strike Shutters B.C. Public Schools, Students Lament Learning Time Wasted
    The government is giving $40 per day to parents of children 12 and under for each day the strike continues to supplement child care and tutoring costs.

    Strike Shutters B.C. Public Schools, Students Lament Learning Time Wasted

    Access Restricted Around B.C. Wildfire As Crews Mop Up, Cooler Weather Expected

    Access Restricted Around B.C. Wildfire As Crews Mop Up, Cooler Weather Expected
    VANCOUVER - Access around a wildfire in northeastern B.C. has been further restricted even though officials say cooler temperatures are expected to help ease the danger.

    Access Restricted Around B.C. Wildfire As Crews Mop Up, Cooler Weather Expected

    Black Inmate Sues B.C. Over Alleged Kkk Beating And 'torture' By Jail Staff

    Black Inmate Sues B.C. Over Alleged Kkk Beating And 'torture' By Jail Staff
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A black inmate is suing the province of British Columbia, alleging he was targeted by the Ku Klux Klan behind bars and endured “torture” at the hands of a sheriff and a guard.

    Black Inmate Sues B.C. Over Alleged Kkk Beating And 'torture' By Jail Staff

    Lawyer For Accused Serial Killer Asks Jury For Second-degree Murder Conviction

    Lawyer For Accused Serial Killer Asks Jury For Second-degree Murder Conviction
    PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - The lawyer for a British Columbia man accused of killing three women and a 15-year-old girl has asked the jury to convict his client of second-degree murder.

    Lawyer For Accused Serial Killer Asks Jury For Second-degree Murder Conviction