ARCHIVED - Letter

This page has been archived on the Web

Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. Archived Decisions, Notices and Orders (DNOs) remain in effect except to the extent they are amended or reversed by the Commission, a court, or the government. The text of archived information has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Changes to DNOs are published as “dashes” to the original DNO number. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats by contacting us.

 

Ottawa, 6 October 2009

Mr. Paul Armstrong

Bell TV (Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership)

Re:  Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-614

Dear Mr. Armstrong

As you are no doubt aware, on 16 September 2009, the Governor in Council issued Order in Council P.C. 2009-1569 requesting that the Commission hold hearings on the implications and the advisability of implementing a compensation regime for the value of local signals, and issue a report to the Government providing recommendations taking into account:

(a) the comments of the general public on the impact of such a measure on consumers, and in particular, its impact on affordable access to a variety of local and regional news, information and public affairs programming; and

(b) how the application of such a regime would impact the various components of the communications industry as it adapts to the new digital communications environment, and in particular, the implications for current and emerging business models.

The Commission has issued Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2009-614, initiating a proceeding leading to the issuance of the requested report. In order to inform public comment in this proceeding and to assist the Commission in the formulation of its recommendations, Bell TV is requested to respond to the questions below.

1.  For the basic service, provide as of 31 August 2009:

a) the total number of direct subscribers and the associated monthly basic service revenues

b) the rate for the basic service (i.e., for direct subscribers),

c) the standard (non-promotional) fees for all related items such as installation, connection, set-top boxes, PVRs, dishes etc. (distinguishing between SD and HD, as relevant), and

d) a list of the services included in the basic service (i.e., for direct subscribers).

2. Provide a description of all discretionary service offerings, as of 31 August 2009, in terms of the rates charged and the services included (where services are offered on an à la carte or “create a package” basis, provide the rates and any applicable terms and conditions).

3. Provide, for each rate change implemented by Bell TV for the basic service between 1 October 2001 and 31 August 2009, the percentage change and the absolute dollar change.  If rates and rate changes are not uniform across the company, provide the above-noted changes by region. Provide the rationale for each rate change (e.g., additional services added to basic, changes re capital cost recovery, etc.). 

4.  Provide a breakdown for the year ending 31 August 2009 indicating the percentage of basic services revenues applied to each of the following:

a) depreciation and amortization

b) fees to programmers for each of the following categories of services

services included on basic as a result of a section 9(1)(h) order

Canadian specialty services (excluding any 9(1)(h) services)

any other services (specify and provide by type of service, e.g., exempt, distant Canadian)

c) other direct operating expenses

d) indirect operating expenses

e) debt recovery/servicing

f) profit

5.  Provide a breakdown for the year ending 31 August 2009 indicating the percentage of discretionary service revenues applied to each of the following:

a) depreciation and amortization

b) fees to Canadian pay or specialty services

c) fees paid to programmers for any other services (specify and provide by type of service, e.g., exempt, U.S. 4+1, distant Canadian, non-Canadian services from the eligible lists)

d) other direct operating expenses

e) indirect operating expenses

f) debt recovery/servicing

g) profit

The above information is to be filed with the Commission by no later than 9 a.m. on 26 October 2009.  It must be received and not merely mailed by that date.  Bell TV’s responses will be placed on the record of the proceeding initiated by Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2009-614, subject to the Commission’s disposition of any confidentiality requests.  With respect to information granted confidentiality, in addition to abridged responses, the Commission anticipates placing information on the public record in an aggregated form.

Any request that information provided be held in confidence should be made in accordance with the Commission’s normal practice in this regard.  In particular, as described in Guidelines respecting the confidential treatment of annual returns and material or information filed in support of a broadcasting application before the Commission, Circular No. 429, 19 August 1998, the onus is on the party requesting confidentiality “to demonstrate clearly that the public interest will best be served by treating the information or material as confidential …”, taking into account, among other things, the public interest in ensuring that the record of the proceeding is based on full disclosure of relevant facts.  Please note that, should you wish to request confidentiality for any of the information provided, you must submit both an unabridged version of your response for the Commission’s use and an abridged version to be placed on the public record. 

For your information, we are requesting similar information from Shaw Direct, and the five major cable systems (Cogeco, Eastlink, Rogers, Shaw, Videotron).

 

Sincerely,

[original signed by]

Cynthia Stockley

Director

Distribution Policy and Applications

c.c.

Randy Hutson

Scott Hutton

Donna Gill

Date modified: