CRTC - Let's talk TV

[OTAWatcher]

The CRTC is having an upcoming hearing in Gatineau, QC starting on September 8th, 2014 which could significantly change television for Canadians.

Full details of items for discussion are available at http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2014/2014-190-3.htm
but the key proposals to be discussed are as follows:

• The CRTC would require all Canadian TV providers to provide a basic TV package at a price ranging between $20 to $30 per month.  Canadians would be able to purchase an affordable basic cable or satellite package for a set price between $20 and $30. This package would include their local stations, and if offered, a community channel and a provincial legislature channel. It would also include Canadian channels that fulfill important policy objectives under the Broadcasting Act, as well as any other channels that their cable or satellite provider chooses to offer.
• The CRTC would require all Canadian TV providers to offer "pick n' pay" which would allow Canadians would be able to choose the discretionary television channels they receive from their cable or satellite television providers on an individual basis.  However, subscribers who "pick n' pay" their channels would be required to select more Canadian than non-Canadian channels.
• The CRTC would not allow "sim subbing" for live events.  This means that Canadians would be able to watch live events, including sporting events such as the Super Bowl, with American advertisements.
• Local stations would be permitted to shut down transmitters. 
  Service areas would be designated according to the contours of the former transmitter.
  Local stations without transmitters would continue to be distributed on the basic service and be subject to the current weekly local programming requirements.
  BDUs would not be required to pay a wholesale fee for these local stations.
  Local stations without transmitters would continue to be allowed to share CPE and PNI within the same licence group.

Although the "pick n' pay" proposals are welcome additions if they get implemented, I am quite worried about the proposal to allow local stations to shut down their transmitter while still keeping the benefit of being on basic service.  If this passes then a significant amount of broadcasters may simply not see the benefit of OTA broadcasting anymore and shut down their transmitter as a cost saving measure.  This simply can't happen and everyone who watches OTA should try to let the CRTC know that they are against this proposal.

[golf4fun]

Although I do not rely on OTA it is an option I would not want to see reduced or eliminated.

[OTAWatcher]

The CRTC is allowing the general public to post comments on their website in regards to the following topics:

• Should local stations be permitted to shut down over-the-air (OTA) transmitters? Local stations would continue to be available on cable or satellite; just not OTA. Cost savings could be redirected to local content production. Do you agree? Why? How would this affect your TV viewing habits?
   
• Do you agree that Canadian children’s programming should be considered high-priority programming, like the way dramas, long-form documentaries and music and variety shows are today? Why? How else can the CRTC and broadcasters support Canadian children’s programming?
   
• Do you agree that requirements to show Canadian programs during the day should be lifted, while requirements to show Canadian programs in the evening are maintained? Why? Would this affect your viewing habits? If so, how?

Deadline for comment submission is September 19th, 2014 so make sure you get your post your comments in before then at: http://consultation.crtc.gc.ca/en/consultation/19/fostering-local-and-canadian-programming
There's already 8 pages of comments so far but the more people who comment the better.

[joshua minaya]

For the pick n pay option why are they forcing Canadians to view more Canadian channels than non-Canadian channels. I feel they should be a little more flexible than that.

[mairj23]

Pick and Pay channels are always pricey as you're choosing, only the channels that you want, so there is a premium. OTA TV is cheap, just buy an antenna, you'll be able to get the major networks of ABC, NBC, and CBS. The quality of shows are boring though.