ICI TOU.TV EXTRA: Public broadcaster's pay service must end

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 SR 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

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