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Canadian Telecom Giants Outwit Would-Be Cord Cutters; Alternatives Also Under Pressure

Canadian cable, phone, and satellite providers have done a better job stymieing would-be “cord-cutters” than their counterparts further south in the United States.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) annual report on the country’s telecom companies shows all of them remain exceptionally profitable, keeping pay TV customers far more effectively than American providers. Total revenues climbed from $12.5 billion to $13.5 billion in just one year, as price hikes, Internet Overcharging schemes like usage-based billing, and lack of competition continue to takes its toll on Canadian wallets.

The biggest winners were the biggest telecom companies in Canada — Rogers Communications, Bell Canada (BCE), and Shaw Communications, which all saw profits soar 8.2% to $11 billion.  Costs increased about 10.7% in 2011, fueled by network upgrades and rampant hikes in programming costs — an interesting state of affairs considering Rogers and Bell own or control a substantial number of the programmers demanding higher payments.  Most of those increases were passed on to customers in the form of rate hikes.

Although Canadians are increasingly interested in streaming online video, virtually every major Internet Service Provider in the country has effectively prevented customers from dropping cable television service in favor of broadband-only access.  They manage it with usage caps and usage billing on their broadband products.  With streamed video accounting for a substantial drain on customers’ monthly usage allowances, Canadians are unlikely to cancel cable TV in favor of watching all of their favorite shows online.

In fact, the number of Canadian households that subscribed to a cable company’s basic television service actually increased by 2.8% in 2011 to reach 8.5 million.  Experts say the country’s transition to digital over the air television may account for some of that increase, but a few high broadband bills with overlimit fees for “excessive Internet use” can effectively drive online video fans back to traditional cable TV as well.

Satellite television in Canada remained flat,  with a virtually unchanged 2.9 million Canadians relying on Bell and Shaw satellite service for television entertainment.

But everyone is paying more to watch.

In 2011, cable companies paid $2.1 billion in wholesale fees to the pay and specialty services they distribute, an increase of 10.2% over the $1.9 billion paid the previous year. The fees paid by satellite companies rose by 2.8% in one year, going from $894.4 million to $919 million.

That leaves vertically and horizontally-integrated conglomerates like Bell in the perfect position to extract higher programming payments.  Those costs are passed down to Canadian consumers and blamed on “greedy programmers,” despite the fact those programmers are owned in part or outright by Bell.

A Rogers retail rental store

Rogers is also well-suited to remain a part of the Canadian entertainment experience.  The company owns cable systems, wireless phone networks, programmers, and even home video stores. However Stop the Cap! reader Alex notes Rogers has been closing a number of those video stores over the past few months.

“This gives customers one less choice for renting movies, basically forcing them to use Rogers On Demand instead,” writes Alex.

Rogers On Demand comes with a higher price, too.  In-store rentals from Rogers are priced at 2 for $9 or 3 for $15.  A recent look at Rogers’ video on demand website, Rogers Anyplace TV, shows most movie titles priced at $4.99 each.  With Rogers closing 40 percent of their retail rental outlets, movie fans have had fewer competitive choices for movie rentals.

One potential new contender coming to Canada – kiosk video rentals.  Although services like Redbox are now commonplace in the States, they are virtually unknown in the north.  Jim Gormley, former owner of Jumbo Video is back with Planet DVD.  With just 2% of Canadians renting movies from kiosks, Gormley believes there is plenty of room to grow, especially as Rogers scales back its video rental business.

Planet DVD has a pilot project running with supermarket chain Sobeys to place kiosks in front of nine store locations.  The first kiosk was erected in early March in front of a Sobeys store in Mississauga, Ont.

A new release at a Planet DVD kiosk is priced at $3 for a one-day rental.  That’s less than what most video stores charge, but more than double what Americans pay at a Redbox kiosk.

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Alex Perrier
Alex Perrier
11 years ago

It’s a bummer indeed! Rogers Video has been a favourite destination for at least a friend or two of mine. Those stores are pretty huge, though. What do they plan to do with them? Jumbo Video still exists, although there are very few of these stores left. Gotta love their free popcorn! Those stores are a dying breed, sadly. It was fun to grow up with them. At least there are still local shops here and there! 😐 Never heard of Planet DVD, but Metro stores have Zip.ca kiosks. Walmart has Playdium Movie Magic. Zip.ca charges $1 (DVD) or $2… Read more »

j thomas
j thomas
11 years ago

I disagree with your report and cordcutters are finding ways to get free content and keep broadband costs down. You do not need to subscribe to cable to get broadband and you can bargain for a cut rate on your broadband . If they want your business to stay with them they will offer you anywhere from 30-40 % off for a contract of a year or two. Also use majic jack plus for your phone and at 29.95 a year it will save you a bundle . Buy an apple tv or connect your computer to your hdtv. Use… Read more »

ScytheNoire
ScytheNoire
11 years ago

Bad title. Better title would be:
Canadian Telecom Giants Continue To Gouge Customers, Fight Against Competition

f power
f power
11 years ago

I disagree and as a cord cutter have found a cheap alternative to my phone with Magic Jack Plus for 30.00 per year with5 calling features . Also found major networks and use ROKU and Netflix as well . I also get NHL centre Ice and still save a bundle. So the big companies are not controlling me any longer and I demand a good internet price and get it with increased bandwidth and 35 % off . The consumer will win if they choose to!!!

P. Johnson
P. Johnson
11 years ago

I also disagree and as a cord cutter I use two Roku boxes and ota antenna and Netflix as well. I also agree that Magic Jack Plus is a great alternative for phone service in Canada and the USA.
You can find sports ,networks etc… for free online very easily . I was sick of paying 1200.00 a year to Rogers for garbage .

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