Close X
Monday, December 2, 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

    Court dismisses case claiming royal law discriminates against Catholics

    Court dismisses case claiming royal law discriminates against Catholics
    Ontario's top court says a Roman Catholic man can't challenge a royal succession law that he says discriminates against his religion.

    Court dismisses case claiming royal law discriminates against Catholics

    Rogers and Shaw launch video-on-demand service called 'Shomi'

    Rogers and Shaw launch video-on-demand service called 'Shomi'
    Two of Canada's top telecommunications companies have teamed up to launch a subscription video-on-demand service they say can rival the current industry titan Netflix without cannibalizing their own cable and television-on-demand services.

    Rogers and Shaw launch video-on-demand service called 'Shomi'

    Ombudsmen to look at hassles faced by wounded vets headed to civvy street

    Ombudsmen to look at hassles faced by wounded vets headed to civvy street
    Two military watchdogs are opening a joint investigation into how ill and injured soldiers are treated during their transition to civilian life.

    Ombudsmen to look at hassles faced by wounded vets headed to civvy street

    PM Trudeau's Arctic policy sparked international friction: CIA report

    PM Trudeau's Arctic policy sparked international friction: CIA report
    Pierre Trudeau's bid to enhance Canadian sovereignty and promote economic development in the Arctic created some "friction" with the United States, says a declassified CIA report.

    PM Trudeau's Arctic policy sparked international friction: CIA report

    Metis say museum censoring culture by rejecting performer for opening ceremony

    Metis say museum censoring culture by rejecting performer for opening ceremony
    The Manitoba Metis Federation is accusing the Canadian Museum for Human Rights of censorship and is threatening to boycott the institution because it is excluding a decorated Metis musician from its grand opening.

    Metis say museum censoring culture by rejecting performer for opening ceremony

    Woman files civil suit against three Mounties and City of Williams Lake, B.C.

    Woman files civil suit against three Mounties and City of Williams Lake, B.C.
    A woman who alleges she was beaten by a Mountie in Williams Lake, B.C., when she was 17 has now filed a civil suit against the city and three RCMP officers, including one who was acquitted of an assault charge.

    Woman files civil suit against three Mounties and City of Williams Lake, B.C.