happyfan
03-19-2015, 05:36 PM
The CRTC is expected to announce today that cable subscribers will soon be able to purchase a basic $25 a month package and have pick-and-pay options.
Sources have told CBC News the regulator will tell cable and satellite companies that they must offer the so-called "skinny basic" option, to consumers.
The cable package is expected to be around $25 a month and would consist of local stations and mandatory channels, such as the Weather Network, APTN, educational channels and accessibility channels, plus all news channels in English and French.
By comparison, the cheapest online advertised television package for Rogers customers in Ontario is $40.48 a month for "190+ channels," while Bell offers Ontario customers more than 150 channels on both Fibe and satellite options for an advertised price of $41.98 a month on its website.
This will be the first time the CRTC has regulated a basic cable package price since 1998.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's is also planning to make providers offer pick and pay options.
Customers will be allowed to pick a selection of channels they want from a list of options – the so-called "pick a pack" option or "pick-and-pay" — buying only the channels they want on a monthly basis.
Consumers are expected to have the option of keeping the cable packages they already have.
The CRTC has been holding hearings into revamping cable options for consumers for the past year.
While there has been some resistance from the industry, there is a feeling that change is inevitable and the changes may help the cable and satellite industry keep the customers they have and maybe lure some back.
Sources said the CRTC is expected to give the cable industry some time to adjust to the new rules, introducing them gradually over the next year and a half.
The announcement on upcoming changes will be released at 4 p.m. ET.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/crtc-reforms-to-include-25-basic-cable-or-satellite-package-1.3001370
Sources have told CBC News the regulator will tell cable and satellite companies that they must offer the so-called "skinny basic" option, to consumers.
The cable package is expected to be around $25 a month and would consist of local stations and mandatory channels, such as the Weather Network, APTN, educational channels and accessibility channels, plus all news channels in English and French.
By comparison, the cheapest online advertised television package for Rogers customers in Ontario is $40.48 a month for "190+ channels," while Bell offers Ontario customers more than 150 channels on both Fibe and satellite options for an advertised price of $41.98 a month on its website.
This will be the first time the CRTC has regulated a basic cable package price since 1998.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's is also planning to make providers offer pick and pay options.
Customers will be allowed to pick a selection of channels they want from a list of options – the so-called "pick a pack" option or "pick-and-pay" — buying only the channels they want on a monthly basis.
Consumers are expected to have the option of keeping the cable packages they already have.
The CRTC has been holding hearings into revamping cable options for consumers for the past year.
While there has been some resistance from the industry, there is a feeling that change is inevitable and the changes may help the cable and satellite industry keep the customers they have and maybe lure some back.
Sources said the CRTC is expected to give the cable industry some time to adjust to the new rules, introducing them gradually over the next year and a half.
The announcement on upcoming changes will be released at 4 p.m. ET.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/crtc-reforms-to-include-25-basic-cable-or-satellite-package-1.3001370