[pastarocket]

-heard this from the Harper government's throne speech today about plans to mandate an unbundling of TV channel packages that companies provide to us.

Pick-and-pay cable pricing could mean end of some channels: industry insiders | News1130 (http://www.news1130.com/2013/10/16/pick-and-pay-cable-pricing-could-mean-end-of-some-channels-industry-insiders)/

Industry Minister James Moore says the Harper government’s throne speech today will outline plans to mandate an unbundling of TV offerings.

The Conservatives are expected to instruct Canada’s broadcast regulator to require that cable and satellite TV service providers offer a form of a-la-carte pricing, where consumers can choose to pay for individual channels.

The move will be “evolutionary” for Canada’s broadcast sector, say industry watchers who see pick-and-pay as a necessity with broadcasters trying to compete with increasingly popular online services, including Netflix.

But content producers and independent specialty channel operators are running scared.

“We’re very worried,” says a television executive who did not want to be identified.


-new pricing model for television channels not expected to happen until 2015 or later.

Thank goodness for Netflix. :)

[snails]

tbh its been a long time coming, I hate buying huge bundles just to watch 1-2 channels...

Discovery and AMC is all I need!

but yes, netflix ftw!

[willystyle]

I don't see how this will have an immediate impact with consumer pricing. The Cable providers will just jack up the prices for the most popular channels, and eliminate the ones that nobody subscribes to, to make up for the shortfall of revenue.

Just like in the wireless telecommunication industry, they've abolished 3 year contracts for 2 year terms then increase monthly plan prices substantially, north of 40% to make up its shortfall.

[Mr.HappySilp]

I don't see how this will have an immediate impact with consumer pricing. The Cable providers will just jack up the prices for the most popular channels, and eliminate the ones that nobody subscribes to, to make up for the shortfall of revenue.

Just like in the wireless telecommunication industry, they've abolished 3 year contracts for 2 year terms then increase monthly plan prices substantially, north of 40% to make up its shortfall.

Exactly! Want AMC only? Sure pay $5 for that channel only or get it in a bundle for $7. Which one will you pick! Also by the CRTC regulations basic cable needs to include a certain number of local, french, mulit cultural channels, so are they going ot make basic cable a-la-carte as well?

[Hondaracer]

^ because idiots don't realize the effect it will have nor do they recognize value

HBO for $12 or 5 channels plus HBO for $15

This pricing change is just gonna hurt the consumer but your typical simpleton who is too afraid to call into their provider and complain about service will think they struck a victory saving that $3 a month
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[Mr.HappySilp]

Also some of the less popular channels will be gone. I mean when channels are package some less popular are packaged into popular ones, hoping people will watch it (lets' face it who watch encore ave or movie time......). The channel that simply isn't making money will jsut disappear thus less choice for cosumers.

Rmember what happen when the gov step in the regulate the cell phone industires to get rib off 3 year contract? The big 3 simply raise the price of the 2year plan (with shiiter package and data limit), and increase the up front cost to sign a phone on contract. Not only now people have to pay more to get cell phones, but also for us who have a decent plan now it will be even hard to call retentions and get a deal becasue our existing plan is good compare to the new plans.

[twitchyzero]

is there currently a sports only bundle on shaw/telus? That's all TV is only good for IMO with the internets these days.

[Mr.HappySilp]

is there currently a sports only bundle on shaw/telus?

Frist you have a basic cable first, I am sure you cna get sports bundle after that.

[GS8]

I cancelled my TV completely. Biggest source of gouging I've seen (next to cellular service and Impark).

[sonick]

+1 on the Cancelled-TV team. Hulu, Netflix, Local Streaming & OTA all the way.

Although internet is still pricey for what you get when not on a new customer promo :okay:

[Manic!]

i think it's ridiculous that TSN and sportsnet are in 2 different packages so I am all for this. Whats the point in paying 3 extra bux for 5 more channels if you will never watch them. I get 100's of channels from bell but could do with less than 40.

[GLOW]

hulu is available in canada? or is it via a DNS mask?

[sonick]

hulu is available in canada? or is it via a DNS mask?

DNS. Tunlr.net

[Gridlock]

Fuck you shaw! And the "your days are numbered" horse you bleed us with.

Netflix, hulu and a pretty little computer next to the tv. done.

[belka]

I don't even have cable. I just hook up the computer to the TV when I want to stream a Canucks game (NHL Gamecenter) or watch a movie. Other than a PS3 my TV has no use for anything else.

[4444]

i just want what was setanta sports for english football (i'm prissy and need my football in HD, so no streaming). everything else is available online.

i can only see the consumer getting screwed on this, somehow - everything seems to screw the consumer, the screw is even harder when the government is involved

[willystyle]

The consumers will be on the losing end of this. Not only your bill will not change (in fact, it may actually increase), you are now getting less channels for the same cost that you were paying before without the garbage content. If I'm paying the same cable bill as before, I will take the garbage channels with me.

For those who don't pay for cable anymore, why do you all still pay the big 3 for internet access? You should go for Teksavvy, or Distributel instead. They use the same infrastructure as the oligopoly and there are unlimited bandwidth packages.

[Mr.HappySilp]

The consumers will be on the losing end of this. Not only your bill will not change (in fact, it may actually increase), you are now getting less channels for the same cost that you were paying before without the garbage content. If I'm paying the same cable bill as before, I will take the garbage channels with me.

For those who don't pay for cable anymore, why do you all still pay the big 3 for internet access? You should go for Teksavvy, or Distributel instead. They use the same infrastructure as the oligopoly and there are unlimited bandwidth packages.

Teksavvy is not as fast as my shaw currently....... The big 3 isn't stupid since they provide Internet as well when they see cable service decline and more people are using online steaming they will just increase their Internet package and lower the bandwidth limit......

[Lomac]

The consumers will be on the losing end of this. Not only your bill will not change (in fact, it may actually increase), you are now getting less channels for the same cost that you were paying before without the garbage content. If I'm paying the same cable bill as before, I will take the garbage channels with me.

For those who don't pay for cable anymore, why do you all still pay the big 3 for internet access? You should go for Teksavvy, or Distributel instead. They use the same infrastructure as the oligopoly and there are unlimited bandwidth packages.

Because Teksavvy and the like aren't available in a lot of places that reside outside of the central hubs. My only current choice for internet and tv is Telus satellite. That said, TV is pointless for me. I only watch one show on HGTV (Holmes) and occasionally Highway Thru Hell on Discovery. Apart from that, it's all internet/Netflix streaming.

[bloodmack]

I haven't had cable since i graduated from highschool. All I need is the internet.. :smug:

[willystyle]

Teksavvy is not as fast as my shaw currently....... The big 3 isn't stupid since they provide Internet as well when they see cable service decline and more people are using online steaming they will just increase their Internet package and lower the bandwidth limit......
That's why there's Teksavvy..

For around $100/month, you get 50Mbps/2.5Mbps Unlimited bandwidth..

For about $170/month, you get 100Mbps/5mbps Unlimited cap line.

Not sufficient?

I don't see how most people would need more than this. You can download/stream to your heart's content.

[twitchyzero]

That's why there's Teksavvy..

For around $100/month, you get 50Mbps/2.5Mbps Unlimited bandwidth..



pretty sure telus 50/10 internet is $80/mo...bw caps not enforced

[Tapioca]

That's why there's Teksavvy..

For around $100/month, you get 50Mbps/2.5Mbps Unlimited bandwidth..

For about $170/month, you get 100Mbps/5mbps Unlimited cap line.

Not sufficient?

I don't see how most people would need more than this. You can download/stream to your heart's content.

That's still expensive, even for dedicated Internet service.

I pay less than $70/month taxes included for HDTV service (TSN, Sportsnet One) and 20 Mbps Internet with a 250 GB cap (which is all I need for Netflix). Novus FTW.

The way I look at it, the telcos are still going to get your money whether your subscribe to cable or not. Everyone needs internet service and if you want to shift everything to internet, you're going to pay for it through increased speeds, or increased bandwidth (because what's the point of buying an HDTV if you're not going to stream HD content?) OTA is great, but it's rather limited in Vancouver unless you have a house and have the ability to invest in proper equipment. And if you're a sports fan, you're basically forced to subscribe to cable unless you want to deal with unreliable streams and pop-up ads.

[urrh]

meh. haven't had cable in years

[iEatClams]

tbh its been a long time coming, I hate buying huge bundles just to watch 1-2 channels...

Discovery and AMC is all I need!

but yes, netflix ftw!

I love my nature/science shows. discovery, national geographic, nat geo wild, oasis etc. space, history. the channel that shows the cosmic or universe stuff.
there's just something soothing about hearing an old british guy talk about nature and how scary it is. lol

i find these channels must more interesting and fascinating than E! or those reality TV network shows.

[willystyle]

That's still expensive, even for dedicated Internet service.

I pay less than $70/month taxes included for HDTV service (TSN, Sportsnet One) and 20 Mbps Internet with a 250 GB cap (which is all I need for Netflix). Novus FTW.

The way I look at it, the telcos are still going to get your money whether your subscribe to cable or not. Everyone needs internet service and if you want to shift everything to internet, you're going to pay for it through increased speeds, or increased bandwidth (because what's the point of buying an HDTV if you're not going to stream HD content?) OTA is great, but it's rather limited in Vancouver unless you have a house and have the ability to invest in proper equipment. And if you're a sports fan, you're basically forced to subscribe to cable unless you want to deal with unreliable streams and pop-up ads.
My comparison was without a bundled service. Obviously when you bundle your internet service with other services, it will cost less.

A dry Shaw cable with no other services for 50Mbps/2.5Mbps 400GB cap is $80/month

NHL GameCenter cost roughly $20/month. Still cheaper than paying an average of $150/month for bundled services to Shaw or Telus, for most. And Novus is only accessible to a very small population. Shaw and Telus is a major player that reaches way more of the population.

pretty sure telus 50/10 internet is $80/mo...bw caps not enforced
It's enforced, to their discretion. You probably haven't downloaded enough.

[truth]

Recently made the switch to teksavvy from shaw to stream shows on xbmc. Pretty satisfied with my choice so far and don't see myself going back.
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[Lomac]

Keep in mind that just like in the cellular business, companies like Shaw and Bell charge more because they have a much larger infrastructure overhead than smaller companies like Teksavvy, who only service smaller areas.

[willystyle]

Keep in mind that just like in the cellular business, companies like Shaw and Bell charge more because they have a much larger infrastructure overhead than smaller companies like Teksavvy, who only service smaller areas.
They serve the same areas that the incumbents serves, as they are essentially riding on their backbone.

[Bouncing Bettys]

Yay more "freedom" on the old boob tube! Thank you Harper for helping the dwindling middle class on this one. I had been concerned with economic and environmental issues and was starting to want answers, including those pertaining to the conduct of your government, but all is forgiven. While you're at it, please continue to cut funding to the CBC because I'm to busy watching Porter Ridge and Pawn Stars.

*end sarcasm rant*

It can be argued that selflessness is quite a rare thing, especially in politics. On the surface it looks like Harper is looking out for the middle class, giving them more freedom while taking on the big bag media giants. Instead this will just give the cable companies an excuse to gouge consumers for even more money.

The other reason for this political gesture may be to distract voters from real issues Harper is unable/unwilling to address. Or he may be trying to distract from answering questions over the performance and conduct of his party. There are many very important issues facing the middle class and this is the issue he decides to tackle while dodging question period or proroguing parliament yet again? It would seem to me he is just throwing a bone to the voters in the hopes we might not notice.