{"id":13162,"date":"2022-02-14T19:05:06","date_gmt":"2022-02-14T19:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/02\/14\/quebecor-media-asks-crtc-to-dismiss-bces-complaint-against-videotrons-vrai-service\/"},"modified":"2022-02-14T19:05:06","modified_gmt":"2022-02-14T19:05:06","slug":"quebecor-media-asks-crtc-to-dismiss-bces-complaint-against-videotrons-vrai-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/02\/14\/quebecor-media-asks-crtc-to-dismiss-bces-complaint-against-videotrons-vrai-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Qu\u00e9becor Media asks CRTC to dismiss BCE’s complaint against Vid\u00e9otron\u2019s Vrai service"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Qu\u00e9becor Media says Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) complaint against Vid\u00e9otron\u2019s Vrai service is an inaccurate interpretation of the rules, according to documents filed with the Canadian Radio and television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and shared with MobileSyrup<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Qu\u00e9becor Media is the proprietor of Vid\u00e9otron. The document filed with the CRTC is in French.<\/p>\n

In its application filed with the CRTC, BCE wants Vid\u00e9otron to remove its Vrai service<\/a>. The feature allows users to watch original French productions and launched in August 2021.<\/p>\n

BCE claims the feature violates the CRTC\u2019s hybrid video-on-demand (HVOD) order by offering a flawed internet option that presents the service directly to consumers.<\/p>\n

BCE says all Canadians should be able to access the service online, and while that is the case, the company argues Vrai\u2019s internet option is more expensive. It costs Canadians $15 a month to purchase the service online. In comparison, BCE says if Vrai\u2019s accessed through a subscription to Vid\u00e9otron\u2019s services, the price tag will lower to $7 a month.<\/p>\n

Qu\u00e9becor Media\u2019s response<\/h2>\n

In its filing, Qu\u00e9becor Media argues the service is accessible through QUB<\/a>, a platform that hosts all of the company\u2019s content. Consumers don\u2019t have to be subscribers of any of its other services or any other company to access the platform.<\/p>\n

Qu\u00e9becor Media also argues Bell\u2019s claim that Bell TV subscribers can\u2019t participate in the Vrai service, stating it failed to mention that anyone can access the service through the QUB platform for free. The company says all consumers receive the same content, whether they access the Vrai platform through Vid\u00e9otron or the QUB.<\/p>\n

Qu\u00e9becor Media says many customers who don\u2019t subscribe to Vid\u00e9otron have already subscribed to the service in its free alternative manner.<\/p>\n

In its application, BCE states customers who are viewing Vrai online can only access one stream at a time. But BDU subscribers, who can have access to a large number of programming services, can view up to five streams at a time.<\/p>\n

Qu\u00e9becor Media says the differences in streams aren\u2019t because one method of distribution is favoured over the other, but because of limitations surrounding the negotiations of content rights. The company argues Bell customers who subscribe to its streaming service Crave through the Fibe TV app will also only get one session at a time.<\/p>\n

BCE says customers accessing Vrai without subscribing to Vid\u00e9otron can only do so through the app or website and can\u2019t access the service in other formats. Vid\u00e9otron subscribers, in comparison, can access through Apple TV and Android TV, BCE says.<\/p>\n

Qu\u00e9becor Media puts this claim in the \u201cfalse\u201d section, stating QUB works with Chromecast and Airplay. The company also says BCE\u2019s claim that subscribers accessing the service online are redirected to subscriptions for Vid\u00e9otron\u2019s services is false. It says customers can access Vrai through the applicable options, and one option isn\u2019t favoured over the other.<\/p>\n

Qu\u00e9becor Media is asking the CRTC to dismiss BCE\u2019s application. BCE has until February 15th to reply.<\/p>\n

Source: CRTC<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n