1 of 1- Muffaraw Joe
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What!!! No playoff hockey on TV in Quebec??? Tabernacle S.T
Ya but it is true...
In the middle of the opening round of the playoffs TVA Sports goes dark...turn away folks there is nothing to see here...
Here is more on this story, I am just glad the Canadien's weren't playing or there would be riots on the streets in La Belle Province!
Which reminds me, "How many Habs fans does it take to change a light bulb"? 4!
One to change it and 3 to reminisce about the Glory Days with Jean Beliveau and Guy LaFleur!
TVA Sports has gone dark on Bell TV in Quebec, amidst an ongoing carriage dispute between Bell and Quebecor.
What would Toronto fans do if this happened here tonight during game one of the Leaf Playoff game? I put it out there today!
The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
- splunge
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Re: What!!! No playoff hockey on TV in Quebec??? Tabernacle S.T
Bell is offering free sportsnet packages to those affected in kabek. of course, they're only in anglais.
BTW the CRTC has had enough. Today they announced a public hearing for April 17 in Gatineau, hauling Bell and Videotron in to explain themselves.
- RadioActive
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Re: What!!! No playoff hockey on TV in Quebec??? Tabernacle S.T
Wow. What a ruling from the CRTC on the way TVA handled this disaster.
In a strongly worded release, the Commission noted that the French broadcaster not only blocked its hockey playoff games from Bell, but that they did so in the direct face of a government order from the CRTC itself – and only restored the feed when a Quebec court got involved. That obvious affront to the regulator's power did not go unnoticed.
Check out some of the reaction:
“The Commission reminds TVA Group and Quebecor that holding a licence is a privilege, not a right. Moreover, the Commission is prepared to pursue further recourse in the courts in the case of non-compliance…
“The Commission is gravely concerned with TVA Group’s disregard for the Commission’s authority. Given the inflexible behaviour displayed by the licensee in respect of its regulatory obligations and the lack of a firm commitment to correct the situation, the Commission cannot be assured that TVA Group will respect its regulatory obligations going forward.
“In light of the above, the Commission hereby suspends TVA Group Inc.’s broadcasting licence for TVA Sports. However, this determination is suspended and will only take effect if TVA Group does not comply…
“The Commission reminds TVA Group that a suspension of the licence means it will not be able to broadcast TVA Sports on any distribution undertaking, including the related service of Videotron. Should TVA Group continue to broadcast the programming service while its licence is suspended, it will be broadcasting without a licence, contrary to section 32(1) of the Act, and may be subject to prosecution for this contravention.”
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard the CRTC use such strong language in a ruling. I’m pretty sure TVA will think twice before doing this again, but it’s a sign of the obvious divide between the two competitors. And I doubt this will do much to make things any better.
And I'm not sure I'd want to be the TVA rep at the Commission the next time the station's icence is up for renewal.
CRTC Ruling