OTTAWA—A new study concludes that forcing TV service providers to offer their customers television channels on a pick-and-pay basis would be a waste of time.

The C.D. Howe report to be issued today says ever-changing technology will soon allow viewers to choose everything they watch one program at a time.

And it suggests that it would be better for regulators to determine whether broadcasters should continue to be required to fund the production of Canadian content.

The think tank also argues against the notion of forcing new video distribution services, such as Netflix, to pay into such funds.

The study comes as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission conducts a comprehensive review of how consumers get their TV programming and how they pay for it.

The Harper government has been promoting the pick-and-pay model as good for consumers.

And the CRTC has been debating how that might work — with suggestions that people could be allowed to buy only the individual channels they want to watch, on top of a pared-down and price-capped basic service.

MORE ON THESTAR.COM:

Pick and pay cable? No thanks, I get 25 channels free

CRTC proposes pick-and-pay TV plan in draft paper prior to September hearing

Media groups warn of job losses, less Canadian content, under CRTC proposals

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Read more about: