Putting up expensive HD transmitters for thirty six television viewers in remote areas make no sense.

We're not just talking about areas of 36 viewers, but areas of 36,000 as well.

Where there is no off air signals available the broadcasters should be made to subsidize peoples equipment to watch it via satellite or cable.

That's obviously not going to work. First of all, it would be way too expensive. Secondly, aside from the CBC, broadcasters are under no obligation to ensure nationwide reception of their signals.

Where there is no off air signals available the broadcasters should be made to subsidize peoples equipment to watch it via satellite or cable.

Videotron just released it's cable subscriber numbers.
Basic Cable.. 1,759,700
Digital Cable... 1,042,400

Now, I guess these numbers are not just for Montreal, but all over Canada that Videotron has operations. So, that grand total comes to...2,802,100

Now, I would like to throw some numbers by you'll. A lot of these speciality channels collect a fee for every subscriber. Some are 5¢, some over a $1. So. lets do some math just with the Videotron numbers.

5¢ x 2,802,100 = $140,105 per month or $1,681,260 per year
10¢ x 2,802,100 = $280,210 per month or $3,362,520 per year
25¢ x 2,802,100 = $700,525 per month or $8.406,300 per year
50¢ x 2,802,100 = $1,401,050 per month or $16,812,600 per year
$1 x 2,802,100 = $2,802,100 per month or $33,625,200 per year

Now in a 2007 CBC article
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/tv/carriage-fees.html
The fee for TSN was $1.07
You do the math. And remember, this calculation is only based on Videotron subscribers. Think about Roger Cable, Eastlink, Shaw Cable, Bell TV, etc. etc.

Now, the CBC and friends want a piece of that pie for over the air TV as well by proposing this new package.

Just doing the math is enough to get anybody angry.

As documented in my 2007 research report 'Profiteering in the Name of Culture', the CRTC was captured by the cable industry a long time ago. Canadians cannot trust the Commission to serve the public interest.

It is time to reform the CRTC rather than spending time each year addressing the costly consequences of its failings.

As documented in my 2007 research report 'Profiteering in the Name of Culture', the CRTC was captured by the cable industry a long time. Canadians cannot trust the Commission to serve the public interest.

It is time to reform the CRTC rather than spending time each year addressing the costly consequences of its failings.

I'm also amused about any debate regarding rural areas. I mean - isn't the central argument from the most socialist of socialsts that CBC's existence as a government-funded national broadcaster that remote/rural communities should be able to have access to free television coverage? Nice to know CBC wants to massively tax the big reason for it's continued existence.

I'm curious to see how cable companies (like Videotron) are going to react to the proliferation of high-def streamed content from third-party sources.

I'm quite certain we'll get to a point in a few years, once HD video streaming is commonplace and reruns of old TV shows are available online for free, that the entire business model of cable television will come crashing down.

Of course, since cable and satellite companies are also Internet providers, they'll probably survive that.

I'm curious to see how cable companies (like Videotron) are going to react to the proliferation of high-def streamed content from third-party sources. It wasn't that long ago that Videotron voiced their concerns over not being able to charge certain third-parties (like YouTube) for distributing their online content to their clients. Never mind that we (the clients) are in fact, paying monthly fees for certain bandwidth allocation.

Also, the transition to over the air digital TV is very inexpensive for the consumer. A Digital to Analog converter box can be had over at Future Shop and Canadian Tire from $70 - $80.

That's still infinitely larger than zero. Besides, that converter box is useless if there's no digital signal to convert, which will be the problem in low-population areas.

Also, the transition to over the air digital TV is very inexpensive for the consumer. A Digital to Analog converter box can be had over at Future Shop and Canadian Tire from $70 - $80. This is still a lot cheaper than having a monthly cable or Sat TV subscription. I have even seen these boxes being sold over on Craigslist Montreal from $30 - $50.

This whole CBC proposal is nothing more than a cash grab being forced on Canadians.