Canadian Telecoms Will Try to Justify Their 'Ripoff' TV Plans Today (vice.com)

Starting today, Canada's top telecom companies will have to answer to the government for "skinny" TV packages -- more popularly known as "ripoff" by Canadians. Motherboard reports: In 2015, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) ruled that companies must offer a $25 "skinny" cable package, partly to benefit people earning a lower income. However, additional fees and installation charges added up so that the packages often cost a lot more than that -- in some cases, up to $100 per month. In response, Canadians called bullshit and complained to the CRTC en masse. Over two days of hearings beginning on Wednesday, Canada's top cable providers will have to prove that their skinny plans are in compliance with the CRTC's standards and that their packages meet the "spirit" of the skinny initiative. These hearings are part of the regulator's annual broadcasting license renewal process, meaning that if the companies aren't compliant, they could theoretically lose their license to operate in Canada.

Comments

I've got the best deal!

[ADRA]

$0

Cord cut years ago and it's so much better to live in a world where commercials are a novel occurrence (like watching TV in bars/family homes).
I spend much of the difference on media (Bluray, yes I still buy dead-dinosaur-discs) and streaming services.

Re:This almost makes me want to move to Canada...

[Anonymous Coward]

When I go, the doctor sheepishly tells me I can't be helped because my medical records were locked when my insurance claim was declined, and I can't continue talking to the doctor until I straighten out my past-due bill. American healthcare at its finest!

Re:There are low income Canadians?

[PopeRatzo]

But how? Canada is a socialist utopia?

High and low are relative terms, knucklehead. "Low income" in Canada is about a 25% higher actual income than "low income" in the US.

http://www.demos.org/blog/1/5/...