Some of the initial write-ups of Bell’s 4 screen coverage of the Montreal Canadiens suggested that we are seeing a test of the CRTC’s new Vertical Integration rules.
I disagree.
Recall that the CRTC said:
Following its examination of consolidation in the broadcasting industry, the CRTC has decided to:
- …
- Allow companies to offer exclusive programming to their Internet or mobile customers provided that it is produced specifically for an Internet portal or a mobile device. This includes supplementary programming such as behind-the-scenes video clips of a television program, as well as original content.
From the Bell press release:
“Bell customers now have preferred access to new HabsTV videos on the screen of their choice, whenever and wherever they want.”
HabsTV goes behind the scenes with the players of hockey’s most celebrated team to offer Bell Mobility, Bell Fibe TV, Bell Satellite TV and Bell Internet customers special access to new video, broadcast twice a week.
The CRTC specifically identified “behind the scenes” as a permitted class of exclusive programming, so it is hard to see how this is “a test case on the CRTC’s new regulations for vertically integrated companies.” This does not appear to be content that was primarily made for broadcast TV.
Are we going to let companies compete in developing and offering enhanced value and differentiation to consumers, without calling for the regulator to interrupt each service to enter the marketplace?
Am I misunderstanding something here? If HabsTV is offered to Bell Fibe TV and Satellite TV customers, wouldn’t that exclude it from the exemption above?
“…provided that it is produced specifically for an Internet portal or a mobile device.”
From the quotes you’ve provided, it seems plainly contrary to the CRTC ruling to me. The issue isn’t the type of content (behind the scenes, etc). It’s the cumulative distribution channels.
Bell/Rogers opened this Pandora’s box by mixing content with broadcasting.
From the description of Habs TV, it appears to be content produced twice a week, not for conventional TV broadcast but rather for the 4 screens. Let’s look at the Policy itself to see how that CRTC Press Release was actually codified.
Paragraph 22 of the Policy says:
Based on the description in the Bell press release, HabsTV does not appear to be “programming designed primarily for conventional television, specialty, pay or VOD” and as such, I don’t see why there would be a restriction on an exclusive or preferential basis.