Rogers Cable tries on flexible channel packages in Ontario, will customers like the fit?
If current one-size-fits-all pay-TV packages aren't doing it for you, then look to the north where The Globe and Mail reports Rogers is testing pay-per-package plans in the Ontario area. It starts by offering a $20 basic cable offering with 86 channels, to which customers can add up to 15, 20, or 30 more channels as they wish from "over 100" possibles. If that's not enough choice, try Quebec, where Videotron and Bell are also doing battle with a la carte channel packages, a trend that apparently does not extend to Bell's offerings outside the region. Behind all these new options is a CRTC mandate to offer customers greater control, so we'll wait to hear from Canucks if these are viable options when they open up November 8th. Check out the details in the press release after the break or head over to Rogers' site to price a package for yourself.
[Thanks, @JoeCise]
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Choose the TV you want: Rogers Trials New Flexible TV Package
Digital Starter Pack trial launches in London, Ontario
TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2011 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications Inc. announced today the launch of the first Digital Starter Pack, an innovative, new trial that gives Rogers cable customers the choice and flexibility they want.
"Customers have told us they want to build their own TV packages and only want to pay for the channels they watch," said John Boynton, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Communications Inc. "We have been looking at offering more customized solutions for some time that give customers more flexibility with all the benefits of reliable, digital cable, including Rogers on Demand. This trial gives us the chance to hear from our customers about the packages that work for them."
Available beginning November 8 as a trial in London, Ontario, the Rogers Digital Starter Pack delivers a standard set of 86 core TV channels, including government mandated channels, for a base price of $20.29/month including all monthly fees.* Customers can order the Digital Starter Pack and then choose any additional 15, 20 or 30 channels from more than 100 options, starting at $26.38/month including all monthly fees.
The Digital Starter Pack trial will run until the end of March 2012. Recently, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has asked Canada's vertically integrated companies to submit a report examining flexible TV packaging by April 1, 2012. The Digital Starter Pack trial program is the first step in providing customers with more flexible choices.
"We think this Rogers-first is a very positive step forward for the industry and for consumers," said Boynton. "Delivering customized, affordable digital TV is just one of the ways we're continuing to innovate for customers. We look forward to working with our content providers to measure the results of this trial to ensure it works for everyone."
Customers in the London area can contact Rogers by phone or visit their local Rogers retail store to learn more about the Digital Starter Pack.
* Includes CRTC Local Programming Improvement Fund Fee of 1.5% of the recurring TV monthly service fee. Taxes extra.
About the company:
Rogers is a diversified public Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com.
