Shaw shanks it
LGBT channel launches CRTC complaint against cable provider
Gilles Marchildon




In this day and age, it is particularly galling when a cable company plays censor.
Shaw is the largest television supplier in Western Canada. The company owns the second-largest cable system and has predominant control west of Lake of the Woods. Its empire also includes Star Choice satellite distribution, giving Shaw control of about a third of Canada’s digital TV distribution.

Unfortunately for thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) people and our allies, Shaw doesn’t want to comply with the rules and give full access to programming that speaks to us and about us.

A Canadian service, PrideVision TV, is the world’s first television station with specific LGBT programming. Last month, under the new ownership of Bill Craig (no relation to the Craig family involved in broadcasting), PrideVision evolved and also spawned a new channel.

While PrideVision TV focuses on “adult programming” (yes, that’s a polite term for LGBT porn) and remains a stand-alone pay service, OUTtv, its new sister station, now broadcasts lifestyle programming. In other words, OUTtv is ‘safe’ for broadcast during prime time.

LGBT people now have two channels devoted to their interests — but you can’t necessarily tune in to these channels.

Both stations are carried by Rogers Cable, Videotron and a number of other Canadian companies in the usual package of channels. Bravo!

Unfortunately, Shaw Cable and Bell ExpressVu have relegated OUTtv to a pay-only television slot. Instead of including it in a lifestyle channels package, Shaw dumped OUTtv into its “adult fare” package, requiring viewers to pay extra to see them.

Star Choice doesn’t even offer OUTtv. As for PrideVision, Shaw has flushed it completely.

Shaw’s recalcitrant behaviour echoes how it acted when PrideVision first launched and it refused to offer free station previews to potential subscribers.

OUTtv has launched a complaint with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Given the station’s “Category 1” status, it should be included in packages offered by Shaw, Star Choice and Bell Express Vu.

Category 1 applies to Canadian digital channels licensed in 2000 that cable and satellite companies have to carry (because of Canadian content and spending on Canadian gay programming).

While PrideVision drew one of the biggest audiences among all new digital stations, being a stand-alone channel seriously cut down its viewership and revenue. Now, OUTtv is being similarly affected by Shaw’s decision.

The CRTC hearing on OUTtv’s complaint against Shaw is set for July 8, 2005. Members of the LGBT community and allies should write to the CRTC. For details, check the stations’ websites at www.outtv.ca or www.pridevisiontv.com.

Gilles Marchildon is executive director of Egale Canada (www.egale.ca), a non-profit organization that advances equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified people, and their families, across Canada.