Canada: Telco watchdog hears slew of comments on future of TV

Canada’s telco regulator is in the midst of major hearings on the future of the nation’s television industry that is set to wrap up at the end of the week, say reports.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has heard hefty debate from large broadcasters and cable providers, reports say, as well as smaller competitors and various interest groups at the hearings.

Significantly, top telcos Bell, Rogers, Shaw and Quebecor voiced opposition to the CRTC’s proposed rules that would force cable providers to offer basic packages and the rest of offered content would be sold on a pick-and-pay basis. Those proposals include price caps and certain, Canada-based programming.

Reports say the companies are not against offering a basic package, but do not want to be told what content to include in those packages.

Reports say the majority of larger broadcasting competitors also opposed a move away from bundled programming.

Full content: CBC News

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