Rogers Communications Inc. will test a program to offer customers greater flexibility television in response to the call of the federal broadcast regulator for more consumer choice.
The pilot program in London, Ontario. will begin on November 8 and last until late March, Rogers said Tuesday.
Will offer 86 channels, including government-mandated, for a base price of $ 20.29 including all monthly expenses.
Customers can add channels 15, 20 or 30 for an additional cost, the company said.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said that distributors must give Canadians more flexibility in choosing the channels they want on their TV packages.
The regulator has given companies like Rogers, Bell Canada, Quebecor Media, Shaw Communications and a period of April 1 next to open their gifts.
There is already an option on the market now.
For example, Quebecor Videotron cable service offers packages with some additional options and packages of 10 or 20 channels that viewers can choose from.
Bell offers a similar a-la-carte services in Quebec and Telus offers themed TV packages.
Some analysts have said that greater flexibility will be introduced gradually into the market, but have noted that there are about 20 TV channels that distributors must comply, including the CBC and Radio-Canada.
Despite calls for tougher rules online movies and TV services like Netflix, the CRTC has no evidence that traditional broadcasters in Canada are being harmed by the new digital rivals and new regulations are not necessary .