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

Posted by msmash on from the skinny-packages dept.

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.

7 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. I've got the best deal! by ADRA · · Score: 4, Interesting

    $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.

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    Bye!
  2. Theoretically by knorthern+knight · · Score: 5, Insightful

    > 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.

    Just like Hillary Clinton could "theoretically" go to jail for running her own email server for government business. Don't worry about the fat cats. They just need to shoot a round of golf with the CRTC commissioners, and nothing will happen.

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    I'm not repeating myself
    I'm an X window user; I'm an ex-Windows user
  3. Re:This almost makes me want to move to Canada... by ADRA · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Socialism! Or at least a stronger version of it than you're used to. The first question when I go to a doctor is 'How can I help you' not, 'Lemmie see your insurance card'.

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    Bye!
  4. Re:Well... by sjames · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to the corporate world, you're not paying enough if you still have money and/or all of your internal organs.

  5. Re:There are low income Canadians? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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/...

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    You are welcome on my lawn.
  6. Re:This almost makes me want to move to Canada... by fluffernutter · · Score: 4, Informative

    No idea what you're talking about, cancer treatment starts withing three weeks of diagnosis for almost everyone.

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    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
  7. Re:This almost makes me want to move to Canada... by fluffernutter · · Score: 3, Informative

    And yes I know the scheduling. They told us that they have a three week target to meet. Of course there is always the odd exception but we have come to know a great many cancer survivors and they all have similar experiences. One of them even had a type of cancer that no doctor had seen before.

    --
    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.