By Denis Carmel
YOU KNOW THERE is vigorous competition when companies are always at each other’s throats – and we can surely say there is no collusion between Bell Canada (BCE) and Québecor!
This time, BCE is complaining to the CRTC that Videotron, a Québecor affiliate, launched a new service on August 17 that is not available to competitive distributors contrary to the CRTC’s Terms and conditions of the exemption order for video-on-demand undertakings, related to hybrid video-on-demand undertakings (HVODs). The CRTC specifies an HVOD is an undertaking that “… offers its service over a broadcasting distribution undertaking provided that all of the programs for which the rights are held on an exclusive basis are also delivered and accessed over the Internet.”
“Where the service is delivered and accessed over the Internet as described… above, it shall not be offered in a way that is dependent on a subscription to any specific broadcasting distribution undertaking, mobile service or retail Internet access service,” the CRTC order continues.
Videotron’s new service, called Vrai (“True”, in French), is the first French subscription service dedicated only to unscripted content. It is available for a monthly fee of $10 and is free for three months* if you are a Helix subscriber. “Helix offers you reliable Wi-Fi that meets all needs, connected TV (IPTV) that satisfies all viewing habits and home automation that allows you to manage your smart home quickly and easily,” reads Québecor’s website.
The content should be available directly to consumers on the Internet, but according to BCE’s complaint, it is only available to subscribers.
The August 17 Videotron French news release on the launch says “VRAI will be available to all in Canada whether they are Videotron subscribers or not,” but they do not specify when it will be available. Currently, Videotron’s website states: “A subscription to Helix TV or the Helix TV app is required to access Vrai.”
BCE requested the CRTC expedite the process.
Videotron did not provide comment on this complaint.
*Helix subscribers can now get Vrai at a promotional rate for six months. According to a translation of the Vrai website, the offer “consists of a promotional discount of $7/month, applicable for 6 months.”
