Describing it as a ruling “in favour of innovation,” the CRTC has dismissed a complaint from BCE and Telus that Rogers Media was granting its customers “undue preference” with its “GamePlus” NHL service.
GamePlus is an online complement to GameCentre Live that gives Rogers subscribers access to bonus content, including additional camera angles such as “Ref Cam” and “Sky Cam,” along with exclusive analysis and interviews.
Rogers’ rivals had claimed that the company was violating the CRTC’s rules on vertical integration, which require companies that create and distribute media content to make it available to their competitors.
BCE’s original complaint had led Rogers Communications CEO Guy Laurence to label the company a “cry baby.” He also claimed the company was attempting to stifle competition.
In its Monday ruling, the CRTC said programming available on GamePlus is produced for distribution on digital media, allowing it to be offered exclusively and does not constitute an undue preference.
The federal broadcast regulator said it allows companies to provide exclusive content to subscribers, as long as it not created primarily for traditional TV. The objective, it said, is to encourage “innovative ways of presenting content and the creation of compelling content for digital media, including internet and mobile video.”
In a statement accompanying the ruling, CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said Canadians have access to an abundance of content on multiple platforms and that creators, producers and distributors must be creative and find innovative ways to create and deliver content to Canadians through digital media.
“I encourage other companies holding broadcasting rights to be innovative online in order to provide Canadian and international audiences with content that they want to see,” he said.
In a release, Rogers Media president Keith Pelley called it a “smart decision” that is “good for hockey fans.” He called GamePlus a “great add-on” to traditional game broadcasts, particularly as Rogers customers use mobile devices more than ever.
“We won’t stop giving fans new ways to watch hockey and we won’t stop looking for other innovative ways to deliver programming,” he said.
