The CRTC has summoned leading Canadian cable and satellite companies to a public hearing outlining how their “skinny basic” cable packages are being rolled out to consumers.
The federal broadcast regulator plans to call just four providers to the public hearing: Bell, Rogers, Shaw and Vidéotron. The hearing begins Sept. 7 in the Ottawa area.
The CRTC said it wanted to ensure providers are offering the new pricing and packaging options to Canadians “in a manner that is consistent with its regulations and the spirit of its policy.”
As part of new regulations stemming from the “Let’s Talk TV” hearings, cable and satellite companies have been required to offer subscribers a $25 bare-bones cable subscription since March 1.
According to the CRTC, nearly 100,000 Canadians have signed up for these packages since their introduction, with the “majority” also taking advantage of flexible pricing options by adding individual channels, small packages, or both to their package.
However, reports say there were nearly 600 customer complaints in the wake of the introduction, ranging from higher-than-expected costs when additional fees are factored in, to a lack of selection.
“The new basic package and new flexible packaging options were introduced to give Canadians the ability to tailor their television services to their needs,” said CRTC chairman and CEO Jean-Pierre Blais in a release. “Concerns have been raised, however, about how some television service providers have been implementing these new options.”
Blais said the hearing would help verify whether cable and satellite companies’ actions are aligned with its objectives to allow Canadians to tailor their TV services to their needs.
The CRTC has asked companies to provide information on their basic packages and flexible packaging options, including on any additional products or services Canadians are required to purchase to receive the package.
The CRTC also announced Tuesday it had administratively renewed the licenses of TV providers whose licenses were set to expire on Sept. 1 in order to have sufficient time to hold the hearing.
All cable and satellite companies are required to begin offering individual TV services on a pick-and-pay basis effective Dec. 1.
