Our View: CRTC finally changes their plan — a few years too late

With all the options at the tip of your fingers, literally, the long reign of T.V. seems to be coming to an end.

The new decision — forced by the Conservative government — to allow individual channel choices for cable television seems too little, way too late.

With all the options at the tip of your fingers, literally, the long reign of T.V. seems to be coming to an end.

This makes the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) decision to finally switch to a pick-and-pay service seem more like desperation than true modernization.

Many people have been applauding and congratulating the CRTC on a job well done, but is it really going to make things much better for the average viewer?

The gist of the program is, you will still be required to purchase a ‘lite’ package of channels for $25 and then you can shop for additional channels as you please. The point is moot for many if the basic package includes channels you don’t watch anyway.

In the long run it is certain many users will end up paying more for the channels they watch.

It’s certain that others will pay less but is it worth it in the end with so many alternatives?

Off the top of your head I’m sure you can think of a lot of people you know who either, don’t watch television, use Netflix, Optik, etc. or just stream off of the easily accessed internet. While morally ambiguous and outright illegal in some areas, streaming has also become much more popular with how tight funds can be for many individuals and families.

While the intentions are good and some may see a benefit in this kind of service change, it really seems too late at this point. Maybe ten or more years ago when the outcry for such a service was audible but in the year 2015 where most people you know don’t have the time for scheduled shows or patience for commercials, the motion appears near useless.

 

Rossland News