Rogers backs Bell’s SRDU request while creatives oppose

Rogers Communications Inc. is endorsing a Part 1 application by BCE Inc. that would see the five per cent contribution level by satellite relay distribution undertakings (SRDUs) eliminated and wants the same treatment for itself. Bell filed the original motion last month on behalf of its ExpressVu division. Rogers, which operates a satellite service under the banner Shaw Broadcast Services (SBS), believes that SRDU operators should no longer be assessed a five per cent contribution to Canadian programming. “Rogers can confirm that, like Bell’s SRDU, SBS represents an extremely small and declining part of our broadcasting activities and no longer makes a material contribution to Canadian programming,” Pamela Dinsmore, VP regulatory cable and broadband, wrote in her intervention on April 25. She pointed out that terrestrial relay distribution undertakings (TRDUs) are not subject to the contribution regime. This leads to regulatory asymmetry, the company argues. Rogers disagrees with Bell that the CRTC should initiate a policy review. Such a review would take away from higher-priority items such as easing requirements on domestic BDUs and eliminating disparity between foreign and Canadian companies. The Canadian Media Producers Association opposes the SRDU changes. It states that Bell had its licence renewed in 2019 and did not seek any changes at that time. Future changes should wait until licence renewal in 2026. “The licensing of SRDUs has been linked to concerns around the lack of effective competition in the signal transport sector,” SVP Alain Strati wrote. “The commission has stated that this can be especially true for rural and remote areas, where competition is still very limited and/or the signal transport services of terrestrial relay distribution undertakings are not offered. Bell does not address these concerns in any detail, merely indicating that fibre networks have been built out and are now ‘extensively available outside of urban areas.’” The Writers Guild of Canada, which recently voted to strike the CMPA, also opposes the Bell application, terming it “inappropriate”. If adopted, the removal of the contribution would hurt Canadian creators, it said. The guild noted that Bell is opposed to a Part 1 filed by Accessible Media Inc. for an increase in its wholesale rates. “It seems, then, that Bell Canada proposes piecemeal applications when it benefits them, and opposes them when it doesn’t,” Neal McDougall, assistant executive director, stated. It is hard to argue the case, he continued, because ExpressVu has redacted many key indicators which would help intervenors enter the debate. Such evidence should be part of the public record, the guild maintains. – Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca

Rogers backs Bell’s SRDU request while creatives oppose

News | April 29, 2024

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Rogers backs Bell’s SRDU request while creatives oppose

News | April 29, 2024

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