CRTC ruling denies broadcaster's request to charge cable co.

ah802

Broadcasters here in Canada applied to the CRTC for financial relief. The regulator's denied their request to charge cable and satellite distributors for carrying their channels, sighting increases would be passed along to consumers. CRTC gave the broadcasters a consolation prize, however, saying they can negotiate with the distributors for so-called "distant signals," something that could net $70-$90 million in revenues.

CTV: video

http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/crtc-ruling/#clip108398

In another development the CRTC decides on limited regulation for VoIP but in that same thread... mentions overtones to the P2P process; a lot of the small ISP are awaiting that ruling. The decision is consistent with previous Commission decisions not to regulate retail Internet services. The decision also means that the CRTC will not regulate computer-to-computer (peer-to-peer) VoIP services which reside solely on the Internet.

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/Eng/NEWS/RELEA...05/r050512.htm
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2...t.html?ref=rss

CRTC has stated our goal is to not have to regulate. And once there is sustainable competition in local markets, we will not do so. But in reality... a monopolistic market. CRTC had decreed that from now on media owners may hold outlets in only two of the three media. The CRTC is preserving the current unacceptable levels of concentration," said Lise Lareau, president of the Canadian Media Guild, which represents workers at the CBC. The federal regulator's vision of Canadian television in the future is at least 51 per cent Canadian content.

http://canadianpress.google.com/arti...2O5byL1h7JIBxQ

One small note:

Cable fees have risen beyond the rate of inflation and in these latest rulings, I see no relief for the consumer and the expected decisions regarding the sad state of OTA and the 2011 switchover were absent.