Cable wants CRTC to stop CTV campaign

Well, the fighting and bickering continue between CTV and the cable companies. Now cable is demanding that the CRTC bring CTV’s multi-media campaign to an end. Later on in the story, it notes that the CRTC has signalled it wants the two sides to go to a mediator to resolve the argument over carriage fees for over-the-air broadcasters. Fat chance of that working the way the two sides have dug in their heels over this issue.

Globe and Mail, May 23 2009

CTV launches multi media campaign for carriage fees

Under the banner “save local tv”, CTV has launched an ad campaign and website (link below) to further its argument that over-the-air broadcasters (primarily it and Global) be allowed to charge the same fee to cable and satellite subscribers that the specialty, digital channels charge, like TSN and Discovery. This would level the playing field for all television tetworks, they argue. They skirt around, but refer to, another solution: subscribers should pay a fee for every channel they want to watch, and not have to have them bundled into a package with two or three duds they will never watch. Argue for this one folks, and cite CTV:

To protect consumers, we are calling for a review of how cable and satellite companies bundle and bill consumers for the TV channels you choose. We support consumer choice.

savelocal.ctv.ca, May 20 2009