Monday, December 22, 2025
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

    Man charged with murder after father, adult son found slain in Prince Edward Island

    Man charged with murder after father, adult son found slain in Prince Edward Island
    A 46-year-old man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of a man and his adult son at a home in rural Prince Edward Island.

    Man charged with murder after father, adult son found slain in Prince Edward Island

    Family passes on love for twins who died 61 years ago by helping other newborns

    Family passes on love for twins who died 61 years ago by helping other newborns
    More than 60 years after the death of their twins, a B.C. family is passing on its love for the little boy and girl by helping other newborns.

    Family passes on love for twins who died 61 years ago by helping other newborns

    Taxes no longer a pain in the app for small, medium-sized businesses: CRA

    Taxes no longer a pain in the app for small, medium-sized businesses: CRA
    Taxes may no longer be a pain in the app for Canada's small and medium-sized businesses.

    Taxes no longer a pain in the app for small, medium-sized businesses: CRA

    Ex-B.C. lotto boss who broke conflict rules repays $55K in wages

    Ex-B.C. lotto boss who broke conflict rules repays $55K in wages
    The former boss of the B.C. Lottery Corporation has paid back $55,000 collected while he was found to be in a conflict of interest.

    Ex-B.C. lotto boss who broke conflict rules repays $55K in wages

    Lions guarantee victory over rival Riders, or BC Place fans get free tickets

    Lions guarantee victory over rival Riders, or BC Place fans get free tickets
    The B.C Lions are guaranteeing a win at home against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday, and they're backing up their boast with free tickets if they don't come through.

    Lions guarantee victory over rival Riders, or BC Place fans get free tickets

    Ex-Quebec doctor who killed his kids hopes to be released from custody

    Ex-Quebec doctor who killed his kids hopes to be released from custody
    A former Quebec doctor who stabbed his two children to death is hoping to be released from a psychiatric hospital before his new trial.

    Ex-Quebec doctor who killed his kids hopes to be released from custody