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Fees for specialty channels - Quebecor calls for changes to benefit consumers and the industry
Fees for specialty channels - Quebecor calls for changes to benefit consumers and the indu...
About this update from Quebecor Inc. Class A
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nFees for specialty channels - Quebecor calls for changes to benefit consumers and the industry\n\n/* Style Definitions */\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCanada NewsWire\nMONTRÉAL, April 9, 2019\n\n\n\nMONTRÉAL, April 9, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Notwithstanding Bell's claims in recent days, the solution to the current situation in the broadcasting industry lies in an equitable redistribution of carriage rates for all specialty channels. Bell and its specialty channels enjoy unfair advantageous rates based on historical criteria rooted in its former monopoly status. This inequitable situation does not reflect current realities in the television industry. Quebecor is therefore calling for carriage rates to be based on performance criteria that reflect viewers' interests. Bell must surrender its historical privileges. \n\n \n \n\n \nQuebecor's goal in making this case is to enable specialty channels to innovate and offer original content, without increasing the bill for consumers. At the end of the day, this will mean fairer sharing of the revenue pie from the subscription fees paid by broadcasting distribution undertakings for all specialty channels. \nWhen Bell increases the carriage rates for its specialty channels even as their ratings are declining, does it benefit viewers? When Bell offers RDS at no extra charge but makes its customers pay an extra $14 for TVA Sports, does that benefit viewers? \nTVA Sports and RDS: comparable channels\nTVA Sports and RDS are two comparable sports channels: similar viewing hours per subscriber, similar spending on content and similar viewer satisfaction levels. \nWith respect to consumer appreciation, which is an important criterion, a recent Léger survey found that 85% of respondents consider TVA Sports and RDS to be of equal value.*\nWhile RDS has a larger subscriber base than TVA Sports because of its history as a monopoly for more than 30 years and unfair distribution practices, viewing hours per subscriber are practically identical and are in fact higher for TVA Sports during some periods. While Bell claims there is...