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Canadian cable providers must make a basic package available to subscribers for no more than $25 per month as of March 1.
New, cheaper cable packages are becoming available after the CRTC ruled that companies have to make an “entry-level service offering” available to all customers as of March 1.
Such packages can be sold for no more than $25 per month, but that doesn’t include equipment rentals.
Affordable cable bundles
The bundles must include “all local and regional Canadian television stations and provincial or territorial educational services” required under broadcasting rules, the CRTC in its decision last year.
It issued the decision in response to customer concerns that they were paying too much for cable bundles.
This week, the CRTC reminded TV providers that the new package must be promoted to customers.
Rogers now has a basic package that includes channels such as CBC, City and Global. However, the company’s package doesn’t include 24-hour news channels or special offers for movie fans or sports fans. News fans can add theme channel packs for $5, which will give them CTV News, CP24 and BNN.
Last week, Shaw introduced its Limited TV package, which has around 38 channels, but customers can add five additional channels for an additional $15 per month.
As of now, there is no word from other major service providers on what they will be offering, but consumers can expect to learn what others have to offer within a few days.
Agencies/Canadajournal
