@Gdkitty wrote:
Other than in select ones which were already that way. You cant.
Pick and pay, does not apply to any already existing or bundled plans.
To be able to fully pick and choose single channels, you need to start off with the basic starter plan ($25 for like 20 some odd canadian channels), then can add single ones ontop.
Re: the part I made boldface, above. I recently discovered to my own disappointment that what you described is indeed Rogers' current policy. I had wanted to add the new Kids Entertainment pack (with Disney Jr., etc.) to what our family already has (Digital Plus). Multiple Rogers CSRs said we couldn't, i.e. not without moving to one of the newer packages. But, I just don't buy the policy that one must go on Starter, Select, Popular, or Premier just to be able to add a single channel or theme pack now. i.e. they have completely frozen out grandfathered plans from any adds.
It is a plausible sounding policy on the surface, reasonable thing to do for any profit-oriented business. And in any normal business, it would completely be Rogers' prerogative to make that kind of policy. But Rogers are, after all, operating in a regulated industry, and it smacks me as contrary to the spirit of pick-and-pay that they would be able to do such. So I thought: what would the regulator already have said on the subject, if anything?
I discovered that the current Broadcast Distribution Regulations do have something to say on this issue. It isn't definitive, as there is an out in an "except as otherwise..." clause, but I do believe that if no exception has been specifically made then the policy would be in contravention of the Regulations.
I'd like to know what other people think of my line of reasoning. See http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/SOR-97-555.pdf and go to the "Distribution and Linkage" heading, sections 23 (1) through (4) on labeled page # 41 (actual page #47 in the PDF). Quoting part 23 (4) specifically:
"(4) Except as otherwise provided under a condition of its licence or these Regulations, a licensee shall not, on or after December 1, 2016, distribute a programming service or package of programming services such that, in order to obtain that service or package, a subscriber is required to subscribe to an additional programming service or package of programming services"
Furthermore, I haven't been able to find anything in the Regulations themselves that indicate it is acceptable for Rogers to treat existing grandfathered/bundled plans any different than their in-market plans. The Regulations make no disctinction of in-market vs. grandfathered; all are considered "first-tier offerings".
So, I am expecting that if Rogers have truly been permitted to treat grandfathered plans as an exception, it should be detailed in their license or something else from the CRTC and we shouldn't just have to take Rogers' word for it. I've since asked Rogers to reconcile the policy vis-a-vis section 23 (4) in the Regulations and am awaiting response.
IMHO, if there is no valid exception, and Rogers does not reverse on this policy decision, then a formal complaint could be filed with the regulator. From my reading of the Broadcast Act, the CRTC does have the power to compel Rogers to remedy the situation, if they are found in contravention of Regulations. I really would love to see the pick-and-pay available on the grandfathered plans.
Anyway, has anybody else here had a look at this Rogers pick-and-pay policy from a regulatory standpoint yet? Thanks; peace.
Regards,
Chris W. Rea
