The Public Interest Advocacy Centre today welcomed the decision of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission to protect consumer interests in their review of mandatory distribution of programming for cable and satellite services. In announcing the renewal, and approval of new television programming broadcasters for mandatory distribution to Canadians through cable and satellite television services, the CRTC recognized the importance of consumer interests in making television services accessible and affordable for Canadians while encouraging competition and uniqueness of programming in the Canadian market.
“The CRTC’s decision today ensures that Canadians’ essential interests are well served by basic television services in Canada. The Commission has also heard the consumer interest in keeping rates low in approving these channels,” said John Lawford, Executive Director of PIAC.
PIAC supported a number of the approved applications by a number of the proposed cable service programmers at CRTC hearings including the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), Canal M, Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), AMI-tv, AMI-audio, the Legislative Assemblies of Nunvut and the Northwest Territories, ARTV, and AMI-tv Français.
“We are happy that the CRTC set wholesale rates for basic broadcasting services that Canadians can afford,” added Lawford.
PIAC represented the Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC), Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of British Columbia (COSCO), and National Pensioners and Senior Citizens Federation (NPSCF) before the CRTC at the mandatory distribution hearings.