This item on the CBC's website certainly won't come as any surprise, although I'm not sure 600 complaints is exactly a "flood." Still, it's clear the CRTC's vaunted idea was doomed to failure from the outset.

As usual, the CRTC seems powerless or without the will to do anything to ensure their intent was carried out. Check out the last few graphs of the CBC story.     

"Despite receiving hundreds of complaints, spokeswoman [Patricia] Valladao says the CRTC is taking a wait-and-see approach while it monitors the situation.

And for those cable customers not happy with the new packages? Valladao advises them to seek out something better.

"We encourage Canadians if they're not satisfied to shop around, to try to negotiate a deal," she said."

CRTC flooded with complaints about new $25 skinny basic TV package

Shop around? Really? Where? Bell, Rogers, Shaw etc. are mostly like the oil companies. Lots of different stations, all with basically the exact same price. If that's the CRTC's answer to the cable cabal's monopolistic practices, all subscribers are SOL. 

Meanwhile, the CRTC has now mandated that at least there's a common place for all complaints about these Simon "Legreeds." The Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services, which used to be reserved for telephone, cell and Internet gripes, will now include all TV providers. It's allowed to fine companies that are found to have ripped off customers.  

But given what's come before, my guess is that it will be another toothless tiger.   

CRTC release

The National Post also has an article suggesting only the Internet is the answer. The problem with that conclusion is that the same entities that run the cable cos. and the TV stations also provide the bulk of online services. So they have you coming, going and, hopefully, leaving.