MONTRÉAL, April 18, 2019 /CNW
Telbec/ - Quebecor takes note of today's decision by the
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
and will abide by it. The Corporation will, however, assess its
legal options and notes that the legality of the CRTC's
intervention is a subject of debate.
"We understand the legal reasoning behind the decision," said
Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor. "However, it
behooves us to repeat that the problem remains. The dramatic
imbalance in the specialty channels' subscription fees has serious
consequences for the viability and survival of French-language
television. We also want to reiterate our desire to see the CRTC
and the Government of Canada move
more quickly to make the changes necessitated by the radical
transformations buffeting our television industry. The Commission
can count on our full cooperation in producing a regulatory
framework that will make it possible for us to operate on a viable
basis. Immediate action is needed."
"The status quo is no longer an option," commented France
Lauzière, President and CEO of TVA Group. "Bell must recognize the
problem that is affecting the entire industry and agree to
negotiate in good faith. We have offered to do so on numerous
occasions, including before Québec Superior Court and the CRTC, and
we remain committed to the proposition. Our specialty channels must
remain strong for the benefit of Québec cultural workers and
French-speaking viewers."
Quebecor is calling for a rebalancing of the royalties paid to
specialty channels, based not on historical rates on each channel's
fair market value according to objective, measurable criteria such
as ratings, popularity in pick-and-pay plans, and spending on
programming. Consumers shouldn't have to pay more for their
television package; it is up to the industry to adjust. A
channel should also have the right to withdraw its signal in order
to counter the bargaining power of the broadcasting distribution
undertakings. Finally, final offer arbitration should be
voluntary.
About TVA Group
TVA Group Inc. is a communications
company engaged in the broadcasting, film and audiovisual
production, and magazine publishing industries. TVA Group Inc. is
the largest broadcaster of French-language entertainment, news and
public affairs programming in North
America, and one of the largest private production
companies. TVA Group is also the largest publisher of
French-language magazines and publishes some of Canada's most popular English-language titles.
Its Class B shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under
the ticker symbol TVA.B.
About Quebecor
Quebecor, a Canadian leader in
telecommunications, entertainment, news media and culture, is one
of the best-performing integrated communications companies in the
industry. Driven by their determination to deliver the best
possible customer experience, all of Quebecor's subsidiaries and
brands are differentiated by their high-quality, multiplatform,
convergent products and services.
Québec-based Quebecor (TSX: QBR.A, QBR.B) employs more than
10,000 people in Canada.
A family business founded in 1950, Quebecor is strongly
committed to the community. Every year, it actively supports more
than 400 organizations in the vital fields of culture, health,
education, the environment and entrepreneurship.
Visit our website: www.quebecor.com
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Quebecor
SOURCE Quebecor