I’m in the middle of busy month from a personal perspective, so I have not devoted as much time to keeping this blog current. There are another 2 weeks to go before I can devote time fully to work, so please excuse the recent tendency of a more intermittent nature than usual. When possible, I have tweeted a comment here and there – as an aside, I wonder if most of my blog readers are Twitter followers and vice versa.
The regulatory framework surrounding vertical integration is continuing to evolve. In this increasingly converged digital world, The 2012 Canadian Telecom Summit will be looking at broadcasting issues as well, hearing from some of the most important leaders in this field: opening on June 4 with Rogers Communications chief Rob Bruce and hearing from Bell Media’s Kevin Crull and CBC’s Kirstine Stewart on June 6. Sandwiched in the middle will be discussions with CRTC Acting Chair Len Katz and our annual Regulatory Blockbuster, featuring the top advocates for Allstream, Bell, Globalive/Wind, Rogers, TELUS and PIAC.
Last Thursday, the CRTC issued a determination on negotiation parameters for a group of independent broadcast distributors (Bragg/Eastlink, the CCSA, Cogeco, MTS and TELUS) in their dealings with Bell Media. The decision provides some insights on Commission perspectives on issues such as bundling of content:
The Commission, while strongly encouraging BDUs to adopt consumer friendly packaging options, notes that programming services will need time to adapt to an increasingly consumer-focussed environment. However, the Commission considers that a programming service should not expect to be completely insulated from the effects of consumers exercising choice.
…
The Commission considers that, in return for the increased flexibility, the programming undertaking may reasonably request higher wholesale rates from a BDU in recognition of the fact that lower penetration, and thus lower volume, may result under a flexible packaging option. Consequently, it would be commercially unreasonable for a BDU to expect fixed unit pricing based on fixed penetration levels while enjoying the flexibility of delivering fluctuating penetration levels.
The CRTC prefers to have parties negotiate a commercial agreement, guided by the determinations in last week’s decision.
Just 8 weeks remain until The 2012 Canadian Telecom Summit. Have you registered yet?