CRTC bashes hopes for two High Fidelity HDTV stations in Canada
That's one crazy place, that Canada country. While local governments in the US plead for new companies to enter their programming markets for the sake of added competition, the Great North's CRTC must be convinced that new stations will not compete with an existing analog / pay-TV channel before receiving approval. Thus, three separate applications from High Fidelity HDTV "to operate two new English language high-definitions [Diversion HD and Canada HD] and one standard-definition [Diversion SD] channel in Canada" were squashed. Reportedly, the agency proclaimed that these channels would "compete with stations owned by Astral, CTVGlobemedia and Rogers," which apparently gives it the right to slam the "denied" button. Baffling, huh?
Filed under: Regulatory, New content
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jim @ Sep 6th 2008 3:51PM
Haha, only in communist Canada! I live in Canada and I would love the gvt to pull the plug on the CRTC. They also attack freedom of speech - for example they pulled the plug on the most popular radio guy in QC city.
HC @ Sep 6th 2008 4:48PM
I live in Canada as well and its pathetic... I drive 5 miles across the border and see my cousin who has 100 HD channels while I barely get 35 (some include timeshift) channels on my bell satellite up here. The CRTC needs to be finished and soon. Even local cable companies cannot stand the tyrant that is the CRTC. It takes tons of money for canadian programming but we see nothing. Nearly 90% of the programming most canadians watch is from the U.S. Our one public channel the CBC is so desperate for money, they couldn't afford the rights to the CFL this season, they lost the Hockey Night in Canada theme song, and the coverage of the 2010 and 2012 olympics is now on CTV. The CRTC is not like the FCC which only monitors television, the CRTC chooses what channels can be activated, which cannot, what programs are shown etc...
George @ Sep 6th 2008 8:49PM
Yep, isn't socialism wonderful. Americans will do well to see what your country will turn into if you allow the "far left" into the Whitehouse.
Fairness doctrines, regulatory agencies, and human rights commisions will rule the day. Who needs freedom of choice if the government can do the choosing for you.
Think about that when you cast your ballot.
Franssu @ Sep 7th 2008 11:07AM
The problem is not that Canada is a socialist country -it definitely isn't. The problem is that most regulatory bodies from the different levels of government have been hijacked by established corporations. Astral, CTVglobemedia, Rogers and others rule the CRTC. Government official tend to serve the interest of their established corporate friends first. The market and the public are an afterthought.
This is also why there is NO competition in the telecom industry, leading to a cartel system that destroys economic value by constantly raping its customers up the ass.
So, please stop putting your ideologic shades, Canada is not a socialist country, but rampant corruption is definitely a problem here.
Nick @ Sep 15th 2008 10:29PM
You're an idiot. Socialism works fantastically in most of europe, where 100MbPS internet is considered normal. The reason it doesn't work in canada is the same reason american government doesn't work. Giant corporations have taken over government there, just as here. If the far right had it's way, all companies would be allowed to merge all they wanted, which would doubtless include a dish/directv merger, killing all satellite competition, and thereby eliminating the need for carriers to add new channels.
Think about that when you cast your ballot.
Jimmy @ Sep 15th 2008 11:42PM
I think that censorship might be even more likely with the religious "far right"..
kat @ Nov 1st 2008 11:31PM
Are you serious? You are kidding, right? You ARE being facetious? ...nervous laugh
Todd Sauve @ Sep 7th 2008 2:55AM
The original intent of the CRTC was to regulate cultural content over Canadian airwaves in order that Canada not be overwhelmed with American content. What it has become, however, is simply a government toady for the established broadcasters in the country in order to keep competition OUT. This is mostly the Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal corporate community whom Liberal federal governments have pandered to for decades now. AKA "the iron triangle" from which no federal funding escapes. It is the typical of the Canadian "federation" in as much as only the eastern provinces of Ontario and Quebec are served by the feds. There was hope that this would end when the Conservatives took power but it has not materialized. Perhaps it will if the Conservatives win a majority in the upcoming elections ...
Keep in mind that Canada was modeled from its origin in the 1860s to operate like a miniature British Empire. All provinces other than Ontario and Quebec are relegated to mere colonial status, both politically and economically. Thus the governmental system that plagues the nation to this day :(
Dan @ Sep 7th 2008 4:52PM
The only power they should have is to keep Fox News out and all other crappy news stations.