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PrintCRTC's landmark decision not really a decision
The CRTC washed its hands and asks the courts for an opinion on whether or not conventional TV broadcasters have the right to begin charging signals by cable and satellite distributors.
TORONTO—The non-decision last week by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on the war between cable and satellite carriers and the broadcasters is a clear sign that the federal regulator's time is up. The CRTC decided last week to give conventional TV broadcasters—CTV, Global Television and private networks—the right to begin charging for their signals by the distributors, the cable and satellite carriers, but the CRTC also asked the Federal Court of Appeal to rule on its jurisdiction in asking the companies to negotiate for the compensation. CRTC commissioners know that conventional broadcasters have a problem, but they also know they can't help them without breaking the criteria they have followed up until now. In fact, the interests of Canadian consumers have dominated every CRTC decision. Broadcasters and carriers were always allowed to change their commitments and increase fees paid by customers, as long as they could prove they were giving something back in return to customers.
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CRTC's landmark decision not really a decision
The CRTC washed its hands and asks the courts for an opinion on whether or not conventional TV broadcasters have the right to begin charging signals by cable and satellite distributors.
TORONTO—The non-decision last week by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on the war between cable and satellite carriers and the broadcasters is a clear sign that the federal regulator's time is up. The CRTC decided last week to give conventional TV broadcasters—CTV, Global Television and private networks—the right to begin charging for their signals by the distributors, the cable and satellite carriers, but the CRTC also asked the Federal Court of Appeal to rule on its jurisdiction in asking the companies to negotiate for the compensation. CRTC commissioners know that conventional broadcasters have a problem, but they also know they can't help them without breaking the criteria they have followed up until now. In fact, the interests of Canadian consumers have dominated every CRTC decision. Broadcasters and carriers were always allowed to change their commitments and increase fees paid by customers, as long as they could prove they were giving something back in return to customers.
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