ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Commission letter adressed to Shan Chandrasekar (Asian Television Network International Limited)
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Ottawa, February 29 2016
Our reference number: 732324
By email
Mr. Shan Chandrasekar
President and CEO, Asian Television Network International Limited
c/o Ms. Shantichandra B. Shah
S.B. Shah Law Professional Corporation
130 Pony Drive
Newmarket, ON
L3Y 7B6
atn@asiantelevision.com
sbshahlaw@gmail.com
Dear Mr. Chandrasekhar,
This is in response to your correspondence of 18 January 2016 and the correspondence from Ms. Shantichandra B. Shah on behalf of Asian Television Network International Limited (ATN) of 3 February 2016, wherein concerns are raised in regards the Commission’s decision with respect to the elimination of access and buy-through requirements for ethnic and third-language Category A services (the buy-through rule). Specifically, ATN requested that the Commission retains the buy-through requirement until the end of South Asian Television Network’s (formerly SATV, now ATN HD) licence term, which is set to expire in August 2018.
In Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-96, A World of Choice - A roadmap to maximize choice for TV viewers and to foster a healthy, dynamic TV market, the Commission decided to require BDUs to offer more flexible packaging options. Among other measures, the Commission will therefore eliminate the buy-through rule, currently set out in the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations (the Regulations).
Eliminating the buy-through rule for ethnic and third-language Category A services gives Canadians more flexibility and choice by allowing them to subscribe only to the services they want. It also provides broadcasting distribution undertakings with greater ability to respond to consumer needs and demands in light of the new pick-and-pay and other distribution rules and makes such services generally more accessible and affordable for Canadians.
These above noted determinations were reached as a result of an extensive public proceeding in which the Commission considered new regulatory models that would maximize choice for TV viewers and to foster a healthy, dynamic TV market.
Furthermore, as part of Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2015-304, Call for comments on amendments to the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations to implement determinations in the Let’s Talk TV proceeding, concerned parties had ample time to comment on the proposed amendments to the Regulations. The Commission’s decision to implement the changes to the Regulations as a result of this process, as detailed in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2015-514, is final.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Carl Pineau by e-mail at carl.pineau@crtc.gc.ca or by phone at 819-997-9401.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Scott Hutton,
Executive Director, Broadcasting
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