{"id":8613,"date":"2022-02-01T18:03:06","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T18:03:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/02\/01\/bce-launches-new-complaint-against-videotrons-vrai-service\/"},"modified":"2022-02-01T18:03:06","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T18:03:06","slug":"bce-launches-new-complaint-against-videotrons-vrai-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/02\/01\/bce-launches-new-complaint-against-videotrons-vrai-service\/","title":{"rendered":"BCE launches new complaint against Videotron’s Vrai service"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>\n
<\/p>\n

\n

BCE wants Quebec-based Vid\u00e9otron to remove its Vrai service, recently released documents from the Canadian Radio and television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) reveal.<\/p>\n

Launched in August 2021, Vrai features original French productions that can be watched on-demand.<\/p>\n

BCE claims Vrai isn\u2019t operating in accordance with the CRTC\u2019s hybrid video-on-demand (HVOD) order by offering a internet direct to consumer (DTC) option, according to a part 1 application the organization filed with the CRTC.<\/p>\n

An internet DTC allows customers to directly purchase the service online.<\/p>\n

According to the order, BCE says the service must also be available over the internet for all Canadians to access. While that can be done, the application states the current DTC option has a number of problems and isn\u2019t compliant with the HVOD order.<\/p>\n

The problems, according to BCE<\/h2>\n

When it was launched in August, Vrai was only available to Vid\u00e9otron customers. While that has since changed, and Vrai can be purchased by Canadians, BCE\u2019s application states the offer is \u201cdesigned not to sell.\u201d<\/p>\n

BCE says Vrai\u2019s internet option is \u201csignificantly more expensive.\u201d It\u2019ll cost $15 a month to purchase online. If people were to access Vrai by subscribing to Vid\u00e9otron\u2019s service, it would cost $7 a month.<\/p>\n

Customers who access Vrai online can only get one stream at a time. In comparison, BDU subscribers can get up to five.<\/p>\n

Online customers can only access the service through an app or website, and not on a larger screen. In comparison, Vid\u00e9otron subscribers can access the platform through multiple forms, including Apple TV or Android TV.<\/p>\n

Customers who want to subscribe to the DTC are also automatically redirected to Vid\u00e9otron\u2019s websites and TV subscription offers. Customers who refuse these offers, and don\u2019t register with Vid\u00e9otron, won\u2019t be able to access Vrai online.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy providing such an inferior DTC offer for Vrai, Vid\u00e9otron is offering Vrai on an exclusive or otherwise preferential basis that is dependent on subscription to its own BDU service,\u201d and is \u201ccontrary\u201d to the policy set out by the CRTC, the application states.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ask to CRTC<\/h2>\n

BCE says Vrai can\u2019t operate as an HVOD service until it provides a \u201cviable DTC option.\u201d Until then, the CRTC must work quickly to \u201cimmediately order\u201d Vid\u00e9otron to remove Vrai from its TV subscription offer.<\/p>\n

A procedural letter from the CRTC confirms the request has been received. It states Vany int<\/a>erventions and Vid\u00e9otron\u2019s answers must be submitted by February 10th. A reply from BCE is due February 15th.<\/p>\n

Image credit: Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n

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