Ultimate Indie gets Everything approved; BDU carriage still up in air

The CRTC yesterday approved four applications for Category 2 services from Toronto-based Ultimate Indie Productions Inc., including two for pay services, Everything Weddings and Everything Expecting. However, the company is still waiting to launch Ultimate Indie TV, the all-Canadian independent music channel it was licensed to operate in January 2007. In broadcasting decision 2007-40 the commission approved Ultimate Indie's application to "offer a service that would consist exclusively of music videos and other related programming (concerts, behind the scenes information, interviews, news, etc.) from Canadian music artists not affiliated through management, recording or physical distribution, with any major music label or any of their Canadian subsidiaries." Sixteen months later, the channel is still not available through any BDU. Ultimate Indie is negotiating with BDUs for carriage, and considering the access horror stories shared by independents at April's BDU and specialty hearing it would be easy to assume pessimism on the part of the channel. However, Jeff Butler, creator of the Ultimate Indie concept - which will include a website and mobile service as well as the TV channel - doesn't believe the service is being treated unfairly. "I think it's due process. I think legitimately there are an awful lot of channels out there from the BDU's point of view, and I guess it's up to them if they want to carry them all," he says. "Our channel is Canadian music and it unfortunately can be a bit of a struggle." Ultimate Indie has already signed an agreement with the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance. To further promote the channel among Canadian music fans, Ultimate Indie has launched the social networking group I Want My Indie on its newly revamped website. The group already has 100 members who've posted comments showing their desire for the channel to be made available. Although optimistic about negotiating carriage, Butler realizes that BDUs will likely wait for the CRTC to implement the new distributor and specialty rules before signing new carriage arrangements. "We're still out actively talking to everybody, but I wouldn't be surprised if nothing happens until a decision is made," he says. Ultimate Indie's new licencesEverything Weddings is a pay television undertaking that will offer programming related to weddings and marriage, including planning, fashion, traditions, wedding receptions, entertainment and honeymoon destinations as well as practical advice.Everything Expecting is a pay channel that will offer programming targeting expectant mothers and families and would cover all things related to pregnancy, maternity and infants, including nutrition, exercise, physical, mental and emotional well-being, fashion, home wares and lifestyle.Growing Up Living is a specialty channel that will target Canadians over 45 years of age with programming related to investment, health, entertainment, travel and general lifestyle of interest to Canadians for or approaching retirement age.Growing Up Living HD is the high-definition iteration of Growing Up Living.

Ultimate Indie gets Everything approved; BDU carriage still up in air

Broadcast | May 29, 2008

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