Now here's something you don't see everyday - the CRTC actually denying a cable channel's request for a rate hike increase. It's probably not a station you watch a lot and you may have never even heard of it. AMI is a speciality service designed for those with vision and hearing problems, trying to make TV more accessible to those with disabilities.

It wouldn't have amounted to much in the long run - just 21 cents for its English service and 30 cents for Francophones. It likely would have meant a very slight increase on your bill and frankly, you might not have even noticed. 

So why did the CRTC say no? (Or in the case of the French version, "non?")

"...The Commission finds that AMI has not demonstrated an immediate financial need for an increase to its monthly per subscriber wholesale rates for AMI-tv and AMI-télé before the end of the current licence term for the services.

AMI did not propose clear and substantial programming changes that would significantly improve the services following a rate increase. The Commission considers that AMI will be able to continue to make exceptional contributions to the broadcasting system without the requested rate increases."

I'm not sure if this is a first but the Commission in my experience rarely says no to forcing consumers to pay more for cable. It's a rare decision, indeed. Although look for it to re-emerge when AMI's licence needs to be renewed in August 2026. 

CRTC Decision