Hollywood Suite HD on Bell good deal!

[HT Gearhead]

The free preview is over and much to my surprise it only costs 8 bucks a month for this 4 channel bundle and you're not forced to take Movie Central or Superchannel to get them either. At least those channels aren't loaded with cancrap like MC and Superchannel. Thanks Bell! :)

[CDN Viewer]

I would not say that 8 bucks is a good deal for these channels considering that the other providers who carry these are ALL charging less for them. Here is what the others are charging:

EastLink- $4.99/mo.
MTS- $5/mo.
SaskTel- $5.99/mo.
Telus- $6/mo.

[musimax]

At least those channels aren't loaded with cancrap like MC and Superchannel. Thanks Bell! :)

Soon enough all of those channels will start airing a fair bit of "cancrap". They just launched and only are required to air 15% Cancon. In a couple years, they have to air at least 35% like the rest of the category B digital channels.

[CDN Viewer]

Soon enough all of those channels will start airing a fair bit of "cancrap". They just launched and only are required to air 15% Cancon. In a couple years, they have to air at least 35% like the rest of the category B digital channels.

They already have Cancon, when the launch of these channels was first announced, they mentioned that they had signed a deal with Alliance Films- a Canadian production company. They will probably also acquire the rights to other Canadian films from other indie companies.

I wouldn't worry too much about Cancon, the CRTC doesn't enforce their rules so Hollywood Suite could get away with airing a few Canadian films here and there and not get caught. The only way they would get into trouble is if someone complained but who would in their right mind would complain that these channels are not airing enough Cancon?!

[mtlguy]

The only way they would get into trouble is if someone complained but who would in their right mind would complain that these channels are not airing enough Cancon?!

Well, people who produce Canadian Films, Canadian Actors guild, etc...Most likely not viewers, but a lot of people can and probably will complain to the CRTC.

[musimax]

I wouldn't worry too much about Cancon, the CRTC doesn't enforce their rules so Hollywood Suite could get away with airing a few Canadian films here and there and not get caught. The only way they would get into trouble is if someone complained but who would in their right mind would complain that these channels are not airing enough Cancon?!

It's likely more complicated than that. I don't think they can simply just air less than there requirements of Canadian content and the CRTC not be wise of it. I don't know exactly, but broadcasters likely have to keep programming logs of what they air and outline how they are meeting their obligations. Yes, the CRTC is a joke, but I don't think they are that bad in that they don't have any sort of procedures in place to ensure broadcasters are meeting their regulatory obligations.

And if by some chance the CRTC wasn't aware, there is always some sort of union/organization out there that will rat them out like ACTRA or someone else that has a vested interest in ensuring Canadian films get aired on TV.

And I'm sure all of this is for not anyways, because Hollywood Suite is likely airing enough Cancon, I would assume anyways, I have no reason to believe they are not.

[bigoranget]

Hollywood Suite like all Category B channels only have to air 15% Canadian content in the first year. I believe after a few years, it goes to 30-35% Canadian content. Right now that works out to just under 3 hours per day of Canadian content. Once they reach the 30-35% requirement, it will be 8-8 1/2 hours per day.

[CDN Viewer]

A correction to my previous post- Alliance Films is an investor in Hollywood Suite not simply a programming supplier.

On another note, Hollywood Suite now airs films from the following studios:

WB
MGM
Columbia Pictures (Sony)
20th Century Fox
Paramount

The only major studio missing is Universal, hopefully they can come to an agreement with them as well at some point and add some movies from their library. I hope Shaw Direct adds these channels at some point, of course knowing them I think SD subs are in for a very long wait. :(

[HT Gearhead]

Well if they turn into another Movie Central and TMN, I'm dumping them.
Why should I be forced to watch an Alliance movie on MGM or Warner Films?