TVA Sports’ signal cannot be withheld from subscribers during a dispute

April 18, 2019 – Ottawa-Gatineau – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

After urgently calling TVA Group to appear at a public hearing to explain its decision to block TVA Sports’ signal for Bell Canada subscribers, the CRTC imposed a mandatory order requiring TVA Group to comply with its regulations.

The order will be registered with the Federal Court and will become an order of the Court. Failure to comply with this order may result in contempt of court proceedings, and the Court has the authority to impose fines or other corrective measures it deems appropriate.

In addition, should TVA Group again withhold or interfere with the TVA Sports signal before the dispute is resolved, TVA Sports’ licence will automatically be suspended for the duration of time that the signal is not provided to Bell Canada.

The CRTC created the standstill rule to protect Canadians from losing access to television services during commercial negotiations between broadcasters and television service providers.