New 'Skinny Basic' Cable Packages Must Be Promoted, CRTC Tells TV Providers

[twizz]

New 'Skinny Basic' Cable Packages Must Be Promoted, CRTC Tells TV Providers
9 hours ago | Updated 8 hours ago

The Canadian Press CP

CP

TORONTO — Canada's broadcast regulator is reminding the country's TV service providers that they must soon begin to offer and promote so-called pick and pay cable and satellite TV packages.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission issued an information bulletin Wednesday to remind the telecoms that they must promote this service in some way to consumers in less than two weeks, said CRTC chairman, Jean-************ Blais.

Under a March 1 deadline set by the CRTC, all Canadian TV providers must offer a "skinny basic" package of channels — priced $25 or less — and either a la carte channel selection or small bundles of channels. By December, these companies must offer all three options.

The new CRTC regulations arose from consultations with Canadians about TV choice and affordability.
Netflix Canada: What's Streaming in February 2016?

But so far few of the telecoms have announced what their basic packages will include.

VMedia announced its skinny package in June with 28 channels for less than $18. Shaw now offers a $25 limited-TV package with 40 channels.

So far, none of the other major TV providers — Bell, Telus or Rogers — have listed basic cable plans priced at $25 or less online.


http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/9256848

 

[GameBoy27]

That's because they're too busy trying to lock customers into 2 year deals before the March 1st. deadline.
Fucking weasels! :frusty:

 

[oldjones]

New 'Skinny Basic' Cable Packages Must Be Promoted, CRTC Tells TV Providers
9 hours ago | Updated 8 hours ago

The Canadian Press CP

CP

TORONTO — Canada's broadcast regulator is reminding the country's TV service providers that they must soon begin to offer and promote so-called pick and pay cable and satellite TV packages.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission issued an information bulletin Wednesday to remind the telecoms that they must promote this service in some way to consumers in less than two weeks, said CRTC chairman, Jean-************ Blais.

Under a March 1 deadline set by the CRTC, all Canadian TV providers must offer a "skinny basic" package of channels — priced $25 or less — and either a la carte channel selection or small bundles of channels. By December, these companies must offer all three options.

The new CRTC regulations arose from consultations with Canadians about TV choice and affordability.
Netflix Canada: What's Streaming in February 2016?

But so far few of the telecoms have announced what their basic packages will include.

VMedia announced its skinny package in June with 28 channels for less than $18. Shaw now offers a $25 limited-TV package with 40 channels.

So far, none of the other major TV providers — Bell, Telus or Rogers — have listed basic cable plans priced at $25 or less online.


http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/9256848

Isn't it long past time TERB stopped auto-censoring "P i e r r e" ? If we must still be protected from seeing the evil name, isn't that a job for actual human intelligence instead of the pretend artificial variety?

 

[basketcase]

Part of me is excited by the a la carte options being a big saver.

Then I remember we're talking about the Canadian Telecom companies.

 

[Indiana]

They've been too busy processing all the February price increases.

 

[glamphotographer]

The day when you can pick and pay your channels will be the day the Leafs win the cup.

 

[Occasionally]

Part of me is excited by the a la carte options being a big saver.

Then I remember we're talking about the Canadian Telecom companies.

They'll probably make single channels cost $5 each. That'll turn off people, so the'll just go back to ordering one of the standard cable packages.

The cable company will say to the CRTC... "See, we offered it. There you go."

 

[MattRoxx]

I have Bell's most basic tv package. It's 47.95/month and there's nothing I can find on MyBell user page about lower price or more basic package being offered for less in March.

 

[bassetto87]

I'm actually pretty excited about this. I terminated my cable subscription a year or two ago because I felt that I was being ripped off. Since then I've just been watching Netflix and NHL Game Center Live on my computer (which I plug into my TV using an HDMI cable).

If $25 can get me CBC, Radio-Canada, and maybe CTV and CP24, I'll get it. And if I can add on TSN, Sportsnet and HBO individually (not forcing me to pay for like 100 other channels that I never watch) at reasonable prices, I'll get them too.

 

[Occasionally]

I checked out the vmedia packages to see what they offer. The cheap pack includes all the key network channels both Canadian and US... CBC, CTV, NBC, Fox etc.... But no sports or CP24. $18/mth

http://www.vmedia.ca/tv/theskinny/

 

[basketcase]

Could simply go with app like kobi. If the new options aren't a deal I may ditch cable all together.

 

[reaper29]

Could simply go with app like kobi. If the new options aren't a deal I may ditch cable all together.

+1 :thumb:

 

[kkelso]

I've had Sling for several months now and couldn't be happier with the value.

KK

 

[Twister]

Could simply go with app like kobi. If the new options aren't a deal I may ditch cable all together.

You mean Kodi, but with kodi you get very few canadian channels if that matters. Its not as stable many times you get buffering and the buffering has more to do with the source rather than your internet speed.

 

[Butler1000]

It sucks. They have a 228 channel deal for 40 bucks that's is far superior.

The CRTC needs to get on them and tell them that 20+ channels sucks. You can get this with an antenna for cripes sake.

 

[sauna1701]

It sucks. They have a 228 channel deal for 40 bucks that's is far superior.

The CRTC needs to get on them and tell them that 20+ channels sucks. You can get this with an antenna for cripes sake.

29 channels are radio stations and 69 channels are music channels.
Also includes time-shift channels ( Atlantic, BC and Calgary time for same shows you see in Toronto on Global, CTV ).
Lets not forget French Channels and Home Shopping.

I had the 228 channel package and 90% of the time I probably only watched 15 channels.

 

[GPIDEAL]

29 channels are radio stations and 69 channels are music channels.
Also includes time-shift channels ( Atlantic, BC and Calgary time for same shows you see in Toronto on Global, CTV ).
Lets not forget French Channels and Home Shopping.

I had the 228 channel package and 90% of the time I probably only watched 15 channels.

Fucking Cdn telecom oligopolies!

I wish I could piss on Ted Rogers' and Alexander Graham Bell's graves.

 

[polisci]

Here's Rogers skinny basic tv package:

http://redboard.rogers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Starter-Packages-Feb-24-2016.pdf

Don't know how many of those channels are in HD.
A lot of useless channels on the basic before you start adding the channels and $$$.

I thought this was about "pick and pay".
Bottom line is you still have to take channels you don't really want to get the ones you want. :frown:

This new Rogers menu is actually more expensive than why I currently have. Fuck Rogers

You're right, where's the Pick & Pay options ? Fuck Rogers

There's going to be a lot of complaints. Fuck Rogers

 

[Butler1000]

29 channels are radio stations and 69 channels are music channels.
Also includes time-shift channels ( Atlantic, BC and Calgary time for same shows you see in Toronto on Global, CTV ).
Lets not forget French Channels and Home Shopping.

I had the 228 channel package and 90% of the time I probably only watched 15 channels.

Point being I looked at the basic and they discluded a lot I would have considered basic. Party because they are Bell Media stations I suppose.

I actually use the music stations a bit. Nice mix no commercials. I also like the time shifting for pvr. I can set up some of my shows that come on at the same time and watch a third station like the news.

And no sports at all. Add the sports to the skinny and it's more just for that.

The 40 buck basic is? pretty damn good for the price. And no comparison to the skinny. The skinny just plain sucks.

 

[MattRoxx]

So mad at Bell right now.

http://www.thestar.com/business/2016/02/25/skinny-basic-tv-at-25-a-month-coming-next-week.html

A Bell Canada spokesperson said future packages will offer consumers “the best choice in individual TV channels and packages at tremendous value, while respecting CRTC rules.
“For competitive reasons, we don’t announce new offerings in advance of their availability.”

This is such a load of bullshit I wish CRTC could fine them for it. They won't offer the skinny cable until March so customers won't actually be able to buy it until the next month or pay period. And Bell routinely announces new offerings in advance of their availability.
I'm sure they blare all over an area when "Fibe Will Be Available Soon, Ask Us About It".