Consumers are expected to have more freedom to pick and choose TV channels after a recent CRTC decision that strongly encourages television distribution companies to provide more flexibility.
The federal regulator has said distributors like Bell Canada, Quebecor Media, Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications should give Canadians more flexibility in choosing channels they want as part of their TV packages.
Analysts say so-called pick-and-choose channels will be on the market within the next year and may deter some consumers from moving to online services like Netflix.
RBC Capital Markets analyst Jonathan Allen said a-la-carte TV may keep some customers that would otherwise be lost to internet subscriptions.
Analyst Brahm Eiley of the Convergence Consulting Group said such programming may harm niche specialty channels that are bundled in cable packages.
The CRTC said Bell, Quebecor, Rogers and Shaw have to submit a written report by April 1 outlining the steps they have undertaken to respond to consumer demands.
