APTN defends new structure proposal from broadcaster criticism

APTN says its proposal to shift the terms of its licence will be good for the state of Canadian broadcasting and the five major broadcast distribution undertakings (BDUs) are wrong to quibble about it. “It is time to act. Indigenous languages are in crisis around the world,” the network wrote in reply comments to the CRTC. “Canada is no exception.” The company applied this summer to amend its licence to create two channels–one in English and French, the other in Indigenous languages. Most of the more than 200 interventions received by the CRTC support APTN’s plans. But broadcasters are worried about the timing of the application and do not want the network to charge an additional three cents per viewer. “We object to any increase in APTN’s mandated wholesale fee until such time as a revised regulatory framework pursuant to the Online Streaming Act is in place,” BCE Inc.’s Bell Canada wrote. Bell wants the commission to consider the broadcasting landscape of the future, not of the past. As Canadians continue to cut the cord on their cable and satellite feeds, specialty channels like APTN will lose money, the telecom argued. Telus Corp. said it supports the realignment of the channels but opposes the rate increase at this time. Currently BDUs are assessed 35 cents per viewer. That will go up to 38 cents if APTN gets its way. Rogers Communications Inc. opposes all of the APTN request and says the company should wait until its licence expires before rejigging its lineup. Rogers pointed out that the CRTC is currently conducting a review of broadcast policy and does not want the APTN application to interfere with that study. “Rogers submits that the work being done by the commission to review and modernize Canada’s broadcasting system should precede the issuance of new orders and decisions relating to APTN’s requests,” the Toronto telecom wrote. Bragg Communications Inc., parent company of Eastlink, branded APTN a “niche” service, a term which APTN denies. It questions whether APTN should still be considered for mandatory carriage. The channel responds that it offers a wide array of programming, suitable for multiple audiences. Videotron, the cable division of Quebecor Inc., said APTN’s rate increases are excessive. In 2005, it went up 15 cents, a jump of 67 per cent. In 2013, it increased by six cents, a hike of 24 per cent while in 2018 it increased by four cents, or 13 per cent. “In reality, APTN’s proposed wholesale fee, if approved and implemented on Sept. 1, 2024, will be less in real dollar terms than the amount approved by the commission in 2018,” the network replied . “This is not acknowledged by any of the BDUs.” –Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca and editing by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca.

APTN defends new structure proposal from broadcaster criticism

Broadcast | October 3, 2023

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APTN defends new structure proposal from broadcaster criticism

Broadcast | October 3, 2023

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