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| Cable industry disappointed CRTC denies application to add popular U.S. stations |
| Posted
on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 09:10 PM |
The Canadian Cable Television Association has expressed regret that the CRTC turned down its application to add popular U.S. channels like HBO and ESPN to digital cable lineups without any opportunity for Canadian television viewers to make their voices heard. At the same time CCTA remains encouraged that the door is still open for future applications.
"The future of TV is digital cable. It's the launching pad for a whole range of advanced services to serve the digital home from video-on-demand to high definition television" said Michael Hennessy, Acting CCTA President. "The best way to rollout advanced digital networks in Canada is to start by offering consumers the best TV channels available in Canada and the U.S."
CCTA had argued in its application that in a competitive and fully discretionary environment, the only models that will succeed are those built around consumer choice.
"The success of the Canadian broadcasting system has been built on providing Canadians the best we have to offer along with the best of the rest of the world. This is no different," said CCTA Chair, Dean MacDonald. "The consumer knows that with competition and new technology they can switch suppliers or even leave the Canadian system when their voice is not heard. Being able to respond to consumer demand and ensure customer satisfaction is critical to the success of all businesses and cable is no different."
"We recognize our application challenged the status quo, but we also believe that it represented a valid response to a more competitive environment, that balanced the objectives of the Broadcasting Act with the needs of consumers" said Hennessy. "We believe that supplying consumers what they want, when they want is critical to the future success of the Canadian broadcasting system and Canada's continued leadership in broadband.".
MacDonald emphasized that the CRTC's decision to dismiss the application would not prevent the cable industry from continuing to find new ways to meet consumer demand.
"We still think it is important to seek out innovative ways to strengthen the future of broadcasting and we will be looking at other options," said MacDonald. "Our customers across the country are telling us what they want to watch and we need to deliver the goods."
CCTA is the national association representing approximately 90 Canadian cable companies that collectively provide a wide range of entertainment, information, Internet and other communications services to six million homes through some 800 cable systems.
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