Telus accuses Bell, Rogers of hindering television rollout at CRTC hearing

Vertically integrated carriers like BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. are thwarting the attempts of other players to enter the market, Telus Corp. alleged to the CRTC on Thursday, June 26, as the commission continued its proceeding on market dynamics in the broadcasting sector. Telus sent an eight-member team to address the five commissioners looking at the broadcasting regime. The western telecom alleges it has run into difficulties trying to market its television service due to interference from Rogers and Bell. “Rogers and Bell have a very strong incentive to foreclose Telus’ access to content in order to drive Telus out of both the TV and internet markets in Rogers and Bell's home territories, reducing competition and increasing prices,” Daniel Stern, associate general counsel for the company, alleged to the panel. Stern accused Bell of withholding offerings such as Crave, TSN, and CTV News Channel from Telus in Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City. Rogers will not allow Telus to promote its TV offering, he charged. “Rogers will not permit Telus to advertise on any of its radio or television stations. Again, there is no pro-competitive rationale for this behaviour,” Stern stated. “Rogers is simply refusing to accept Telus’ business because it wants to reduce competition for TV and internet subscribers wherever Rogers and Telus compete, including Ontario and B.C. and Alberta, where Rogers is now the cable incumbent,” he alleged. Rogers Sports and Media denied that was the motivation. “Telus has displayed a pattern of creating advertising that is inaccurate, misleading, and clearly intended to negatively impact the Rogers brand and reputation, despite repeated requests to address these concerns,” a spokesperson for the company alleged in an email to The Wire Report. “This is contrary to Rogers Sports & Media’s advertising policies and content standards, which include the discretion to reject ads that are intended to defame the company or negatively impact the company’s brand.” Rogers did not specify exactly how the standards were allegedly breached. Bell said it had no comment on the Telus allegations. Earlier in the day, the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance (CCSA) complained to the CRTC about not having proper access to multi-dwelling units (MDUs). While MDU access is often seen as a telecom issue, it has bearing for broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) as well, CCSA CEO Sheri Somerville asserted. “We have multiple members in different provinces indicating that they cannot provide broadcasting services in an MDU in a competitive manner, if at all,” she said. “These practices contravene sections of the Broadcasting Act.” Satellite rates also came under the microscope. The CCSA says the costs of signal transport have skyrocketed. Somerville called on the CRTC to step in to regulate rates. The day began with a presentation by Apple Canada Inc. Its witnesses testified that the company is dutiful in presenting Canadian and Indigenous content across the country and around the world. “The reality is that we do already today promote Canadian and Indigenous content prominently,” Roberta Westin, principal counsel for content and internet service, proffered. “So, for example, if you go on the main page, as my colleague mentioned, there are slides where you can see and, depending on the time of the year, you may actually have very specific destinations promoting Canadian and Indigenous content in our service.” Apple’s head of video Michael Gray stated that seven of the firm’s 24 channels are Canadian content. The company hopes to expand those numbers, he added. The hearing continues Friday with presentations from Accessible Media Inc., Anthem Sports and Entertainment, and the Canadian Independent Music Association scheduled. ppark@thewirereport.ca

Telus accuses Bell, Rogers of hindering television rollout at CRTC hearing

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By Paul Park
| June 27, 2025

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Telus accuses Bell, Rogers of hindering television rollout at CRTC hearing

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