MONTRÉAL, Jan. 17, 2020 /CNW
Telbec/ - Quebecor has filed an application with the Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) against
CBC / Société Radio-Canada (SRC) because the latter is violating
applicable regulations by operating the ICI TOU.TV EXTRA online
subscription video-on-demand service (Tou.tv Extra).
"Tou.tv Extra is an alarming departure from SRC's mission as a
public broadcaster," said Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO
of Quebecor. "First of all, it is charging subscription fees for
access to content that is already heavily subsidized by the public
through income tax and sales tax. Furthermore, by carrying programs
from channels such as V, TV5, VRAK and ARTV on Tou.tv Extra, SRC is
acting as a broadcasting distribution undertaking, in violation of
the Broadcasting Act, without contributing to the Canada
Media Fund – from which, by the way, it benefits
significantly."
This situation is further aggravated by the fact that SRC is
granting TELUS exclusive preferential rights to allow its customers
free access to Tou.tv Extra. As a public broadcaster, SRC cannot
offer television programming on an exclusive or preferential basis
to a limited population of subscribers.
Quebecor is not challenging the free version of Tou.tv but
believes that Tou.tv Extra should be shut down immediately because
it is in breach of regulatory requirements. Otherwise, the
equilibrium of Canada's
broadcasting system and the roles of its players will be
compromised.
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) (TSX: 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